Updated: 20:05
Jubilant scenes have greeted Irish man Ibrahim Halawa at Dublin Airport.
He has arrived back home in Ireland after more than four years in an Egyptian prison.
His flight from Germany touched down just after 11.00am.
He earlier posted a photo on the social media site Instagram - showing him on a plane with one of his sisters and the Irish ambassador to Egypt, Seán O'Regan.
The photo also had the caption: "Finally on my way home".
A post shared by 💥 Halateer 💥 (@ibrahimhalawa_one) on
The 21-year-old Dubliner was freed from custody in Cairo last Thursday night.
It comes a month after he was acquitted of all charges connected to mass protests in Cairo in August 2013.
Dawn. A new day. A new beginning. It was a pleasure to see you home safely Ibrahim. All very best for the future. #Halawa #IbrahimHalawa pic.twitter.com/NsR1VoI4wr
— Seán O Regan (@SeanOReganIRL) October 24, 2017
Mr Halawa has thanked everyone involved - including "the haters".
Ibrahim Halawa speaking to reporters as he arrived home. He also thanked 'his haters' and said they made him stronger. pic.twitter.com/kimFX08rL8
— Stephanie Grogan (@StephGrogan3) October 24, 2017
He said he could not believe how much his loved ones have grown:
He said he is looking forward to the simple things in life now that he is finally home, adding that he wants to take some time away with his family.
He said he would like to work on behalf of innocent people imprisoned all over the world - and said he intends to work with the homeless in Ireland.
His sister Fatima said it is fantastic to finally have her brother home:
"Ecstatic I suppose, we are still so excited," she said. "Everyone is here today and we couldn't miss it for the world."
"We are all so happy and it is great.
"It is so great that we are finally able to come together as a family. You know we have been split up for so long and today is a day when we are all reunited once again."
Children's Minister Katherine Zappone posted the first public photo of Mr Halawa on Irish soil.
Ibraham Halawa is Home! @dfatirl pic.twitter.com/euzfSgnHeV
— Katherine Zappone (@KZapponeTD) October 24, 2017
With Ibrahim Halawa family...Welcome Home.... pic.twitter.com/HePuHNxmgl
— Katherine Zappone (@KZapponeTD) October 24, 2017
Ibrahim Halawa hugging his best friends on return pic.twitter.com/UZfutHr3YQ
— Stephanie Grogan (@StephGrogan3) October 24, 2017
Crowds reacted as he came through the gates.
He's here #ibrahimhalawa pic.twitter.com/CHhi4ExLQT
— Stephanie Grogan (@StephGrogan3) October 24, 2017
Irish man Ibrahim Halawa arriving back at Dublin Airport after being released from an Egyptian jail following four years behind bars | Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images
Ibrahim Halawa displays the Tricolour after arriving back at Dublin Airport | Image: Stephanie Grogan
Ibrahim Halawa (centre) arriving back at Dublin Airport | Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire/PA Images
Crowds of others gathered in the airport to welcome him home.
Friends and people who've campaigned for Ibrahim Halawa now gathering in Dublin Airport pic.twitter.com/GgJ3bu9w2E
— Sean Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 24, 2017
Huge excitement ahead of Ibrahim Halawa's arrival at Dublin Airport.Childhood friend Ramadan Duada can't wait to hug him pic.twitter.com/bTyEaF3ftj
— Stephanie Grogan (@StephGrogan3) October 24, 2017
.@LNBDublin says it's a great day to see Ibrahim Halawa returned home pic.twitter.com/16CTwygvAw
— Sean Defoe (@SeanDefoe) October 24, 2017
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney confirmed he has returned to Ireland and been reunited with his family.
He arrived in Dublin accompanied by his sister, Nosayba, and Ireland's ambassador to Egypt.
The Department of Foreign Affairs made arrangements for Mr Halawa, at the request of him and his family, to be reunited with his family in a private area of Dublin Airport.
It is understood he will be spending some days at a private location with family members.
Minister Coveney said: "I am delighted to confirm that Ibrahim Halawa has now arrived back in Ireland and been reunited with his family.
"This is a very happy day for Ibrahim and his family, and a day of great joy also for all of his friends and supporters.
"I and all of my colleagues in Government are very pleased that Ibrahim’s ordeal is now at an end, and that he is back home with his family.
"There will be many challenges for Ibrahim as he comes to terms with all that he has been through, and all the changes that have taken pace while he has been detained in Egypt.
"He will need time and space in the period ahead and I hope that his privacy and that of his family will be respected."
Writing on Facebook last Friday, Mr Halawa said: "Finally the day where I can see the sky without bars, smell fresh air , walk freely and smile deeply from the bottom of my heart.
"But I miss one thing and it's being home."
