THE SISTER of Barry George, who was cleared earlier this month of the murder of British television presenter Jill Dando, yesterday had an emotional reunion with her family in Cork after her lengthy campaign to have her brother released from prison.
Michelle Diskin (51) flew into Cork Airport at lunchtime yesterday after spending three months in London, where she attended the appeal hearing on her brother's conviction for the murder of 37-year-old Jill Dando.
Ms Diskin, who lives in Ballincollig, Co Cork, with her three teenage children, has spent time in the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth with her brother since he walked free from the Old Bailey two weeks ago.
She said the strain was immense and that she almost gave up hope when her husband Patrick died in April 2007.
She said she could never have got through the last few years without the support of her children, her faith, and the support of friends and family. She also said she was helped immensely by groups such as the Innocence Project and the Miscarriage of Justice Association.
"I did almost give up last year just before we went back to the court of appeal because my husband died. I almost gave it up but those children of mine wouldn't let me. They just wouldn't let me.
"I could never have got to this point - I could only do that with the support that I had from friends and family, my faith and agencies over the last few years such as the Innocence Project."
Ms Diskin said she started working on her brother's case the minute she heard he had been taken into custody. She maintained throughout that her brother was "too gentle" to commit the murder, and she co-ordinated a determined campaign to prove his innocence.
She said she was very grateful that the people of Cork never abused her or her family. In fact, she insists that all she ever received was support from friends and neighbours.
The mother of three admitted to being apprehensive on her brother's behalf since his release but says the reaction from the public had been 99 per cent positive.
"Since Barry has been released I took him and my mum away on holiday . . . The first approach I had . . . from the public was a bit scary because you didn't know what was going to happen. But what he did do was thrust his hand out and shook his hand and said 'Barry I am so glad - congratulations'."
Ms Diskin believes her brother will stay in London because it is the only life he has ever known. She accepts that it will be extremely tough for her brother to cope with the "flashbacks and fear" associated with post-traumatic stress disorder but she believes he will make the transition back to a normal life.
She is adamant that the prison system in the UK needs to take a serious look at how it treats people like Barry. "If you come out having been convicted of a crime that you have committed you get a whole load of support systems in place. You will have a gradual release back into normal life and you will have someone to call on if you have problems. If you are a miscarriage of justice, they put you outside the door usually with about £42 and leave it to you."