"No words can describe our delight at this moment," said Jim Dowling, spokesman for the Friends of Zhao Ming, "All we can say is how truly wonderful it is to have Zhao Ming back with us again, hopefully he will recover soon from his dreadful experience and return to normal life again." Dowling was speaking of the return to Dublin at the weekend of Zhao Ming, following his release from detention in Tuan-He Labour Camp in the Chinese capital Beijing.

"There were at times when we wondered if it was possible but we never lost hope and never for a minute considered giving up campaigning." said the group's spokesman.

The Dublin based group campaigned vigorously for nearly two years for the release of the Chinese Trinity College postgraduate student and Falun Gong practitioner.

"We now call on the Chinese government to free all Falun Gong practitioners and others detained for their peaceful beliefs, people have a right to practice their faith without fear of persecution," concluded Dowling.

A short news conference at which Zhao Ming will be present, will be held tomorrow, Monday March 25, in the GSU Common Room, Trinity College, beginning at 1.00pm. The room is inside the front entrance to the left.