McAleese pays tribute to Commins

The safe return of Goal worker Sharon Commins was celebrated by President McAleese when she hosted a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin today.

Mrs McAleese paid tribute to the 32-year-old from Clontarf who returned to Ireland on Monday night after spending more than three months in captivity in Darfur with her Ugandan colleague Hilda Kawuki.

Her release had lifted the spirits of the nation, after an outpouring of concern at her kidnap, Mrs McAleese told Ms Commins.

The Goal worker looked nervous when she entered the reception room with Mrs McAleese and was faced with several dozen photographers, television camera men and reporters.

She was flanked by her parents, Agatha and Mark, her brothers Derek and Martin and their partners Ashling and Áine. Ms Commins didn't address the group but passed on the message that she had chosen her emerald green dress to display her Irishness.

About 30 people attended the reception, including Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin; Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy; Department of Foreign Affairs secretary general David Cooney; Department of Justice secretary general Seán Aylward and Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieut Gen Dermot Earley.

Irish American philanthropist Chuck Feeney was also present as were Goal staff members Jonathan Edgar and Gerry Carty.