Welcome News of Richard O’Halloran’s Release From China & Reunification With Family
Responding to the news that Richard O’Halloran will be allowed China, Aontú Leader & Meath West TD Peadar Tóibín has welcomed the news that he will be reunited with his family after three years.
An Teachta Tóibín: “For over three years, Richard O’Halloran was held against his will despite being completely innocent of any wrong doing. He was the only Irish citizen ever to be the subject of a Chinese exit ban. The Chinese exit ban was due to an allegation against a shareholder in the aircraft leasing company he worked for – not against Richard himself.
Richard travelled to China voluntarily over three years ago, to try and resolve the issue. Shockingly he was detained there ever since. There was no complaint, allegation, charge or suspicion of wrongdoing against Richard. Throughout Richard O’Halloran fully cooperated with all legal requests made of him. In Ireland his wife and 4 children suffered enormous stress and worry.
Today’s news of his release, is a massive relief to them and to all of us who know the details of this horrific ordeal. Their reunification cannot come soon enough, after having so much time stolen from them wrongfully. His three year detention should not have happened, and was an illegal act against an Irish citizen. Upon Richard’s safe return, we need to review how the state keep our citizens safe while abroad. We also need a review over Ireland policy towards China. The are significant question marks over how the government approached the Chinese in this case, the Emma Reilly case and over other significant Human Eights abuses such as the Uighurs. I am hugely grateful for his release and all who have helped bring him home.”
