Mr Aidan Leahy, the Irishman held hostage in Iran for almost a month, is due to arrive in Dublin today for the first time since his release.
He will meet officials from the Iranian embassy, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Red Cross, and will thank them for their efforts in helping to secure his release. "The meetings are about thanking people for their intervention and help," said Mr Leahy's first cousin, Mr Ronan Casey, a journalist with the Westmeath Examiner in Mullingar. "He might even have a quiet drink or two as well to celebrate his release."
Mr Leahy and two Germans were freed just over a week ago after spending four weeks in captivity. They were captured while cycling through the south-east of the country.
Mr Leahy, a London-based mechanical engineer, returned home to his family outside London last week where he has been resting following the ordeal.
He is also due to meet other family members during his visit to Ireland, including his uncle and aunt, Séamus and Doreen Casey, along with his cousins, Ronan and Celina Casey.
A spokesman for the Iranian embassy in Dublin said they were looking forward to meeting Mr Leahy following the positive outcome to the kidnapping.
"There was a big push to do everything possible to get him free, especially by our ambassador, Mr Mir Fakhar. We are delighted at the outcome, it is a great development and everyone in the embassy is delighted," said Mr Rashid Hassanpour, second counsellor at the embassy.
Iranian authorities are reported to have arrested an unspecified number of men suspected of involvement in the kidnapping. The kidnappers had been demanding a €5 million ransom, which Iranian authorities say was not paid.
