THE Hong Kong man, Mr Albert Tong, who has arrived in Ireland after being deported from Britain, has thanked the Dublin Government for giving him refuge.
Mr Tong (43) arrived at Dublin Airport on Thursday night and was reunited with his British wife, Becky. Their three-year-old daughter, Monica, is in Britain with friends until they secure jobs and a place to live.
Mr Tong was arrested in Cornwall by British immigration authorities in June after a high profile deportation battle during which he went on the run and sought sanctuary in a church.
He had spent 17 years in Britain, having entered on a month-long visa.
Mr Tong said: "I am very happy and very excited to be here and to be back with my wife."
He said: "I don't believe it, I am really, really happy that the Irish Government let me stay here and I thank them and the Irish people.
"Everyone is very friendly to us," he said, adding that he now hoped to get a job and set up home with his family.