Syrians who sought refuge in Ireland in recent years have welcomed the collapse of the Assad regime.
Many have expressed surprise at the speed of events in their home country, as they marked the developments with impromptu celebrations.
Hundreds of Syrians have passed through the Emergency Reception Orientation Centre in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon since 2017.
They took to the streets of the town this afternoon in a cavalcade of cars, in scenes reminiscent of a successful sporting homecoming.
Waving flags and chanting “Free Syria”, several refugees spoke of how they were still trying to come to terms with the pace of change and the impact it might have.
“This is not just a military triumph, it’s a triumph of the Syrian people,” said Chyyrin al-Habouch.
“We’ve shown the world that all Syrian people will never be broken. This is a new era of peace, rebuilding and national unity.”
Her friend, Banan Hamshamri, outlined how Storm Darragh had caused a slight delay for those trying to monitor developments in the Middle East.
“There was no electricity in Ballaghaderreen [yesterday] so we were suffering to try to watch the news…but we are so happy, we can’t describe how we are feeling… I hope this peace will go around the world and free Palestine also,” she said.
Others who gathered outside the former Abbeyfield Hotel detailed how years of uncertainty had been wiped away in a matter of hours by the breakneck pace of events.
Anwar Amhamud was one of those people.
He found out yesterday that his uncle, who was presumed dead, had been located alive and well in a Syrian jail.
“He was in jail for over ten years, we thought he had died, but yesterday his family called and told us he is still alive and there is a lot of people whose families don’t know anything about them and we hope they’re still alive.”
Several of those who have been living in Ireland are now making tentative plans to return home.
Ammar Alabed came here as a young child.
“I was very young and very small when I left, so I’m planning already to go to Syria, maybe in the future when everything is sorted out,” he said.
“We were waiting for this moment for 14 years, today is the first day we feel free and safe, and no one can make harm or fear for us anymore.”
Hundreds of Syrians gather to celebrate in Dublin
Several hundred Syrians gathered at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland in Clonskeagh, Co Dublin to celebrate the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.
They include Syrians of all ages, and they sang protest songs to celebrate the end of the regime they fled as refugees.
Many people brought cakes and traditional Syrians treats to share with friends and family as they celebrate.
Additional reporting Colman O’Sullivan
