Ex-hostage is 'happy to be released'

Mr Aidan Leahy, the Irishman held hostage in Iran, last night spoke of his relief at being released alive from his month-long ordeal.

He thanked officials in the Irish and Iranian governments for their behind-the-scenes work to help secure his release.

"Obviously, it was a very terrifying experience which I would never wish to go through again," he said.

"The release was very nerve-racking, you were never too sure what would happen. Even though the captors said we were going to be released, your mind goes through many different emotions ... I'm just so happy to be released."

The 41-year-old was freed - with two German colleagues - just over a week ago, after being kidnapped while cycling through the south-east of Iran.

Shortly before he was kidnapped, Mr Leahy had been staying in a guesthouse in Bam - the city devastated in last month's earthquake.

He expressed his condolences for people who suffered as a result of the disaster which, he said, made his ordeal pale into insignificance.

"That was absolutely terrible and my heartfelt condolences go out to the people of Bam. They are beautiful people, all the people I met in Iran were beautiful. It's just I happened to run into some of the not-nicer people.

"Iran is a great country and I'd have no problem going back there again," the London-based mechanical engineer said.

Looking tanned and healthy, and dressed in a fleece jacket and jeans, he said he was only now realising the amount of work involved in helping to free him.

"When I was kept captive, I did not appreciate the work that everybody was doing behind the scenes to secure my release. It's just my moment now to come here to thank everyone for their help - I'm truly, truly grateful," he said.

Mr Leahy arrived in Dublin yesterday morning after spending several days with his immediate family in London.

He was speaking at a press conference at the Department of Foreign Affairs where he was accompanied by his uncle, Mr Séamus Casey, and cousin, Mr Ronan Casey, from Mullingar. His younger brother, Mr Séamus Leahy, was also present.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen - who knew Mr Leahy's uncle personally prior to the kidnap - said he was delighted there was a happy ending to the ordeal.

While Iranian officials have suggested the kidnappers may have been linked to al-Qaeda, Mr Cowen said he was not aware of any such link.

"We're not privy to those details ... An investigation will be dealt with by the national authorities. From our point of view, he has been returned to his home and his family safe and sound. And that was our main concern."