Search icon

News

11th Mar 2022

Moving scenes at Dublin Airport as Racheal Diyaolu returns from Ukraine

Sarah McKenna Barry

Amazing news this morning.

There were emotional scenes at Dublin Airport late last night as Carlow student Racheal Diyaolu returned home to Ireland.

Racheal was one of the many international students left stranded in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

The 19-year-old, who was studying medicine in Ukraine, managed to leave the country on a recuse mission coordinated by two Scottish volunteers Joe McCarthy and Gary Taylor.

On Wednesday, her sister shared that the group had made it to an EU border, which turned out to be Romania. She flew home to Dublin through Frankfurt last night, where she told RTÉ that she was “really overwhelmed but happy”.

She said: “I’ve been away for so long, in the circumstances, it’s been very scary. I didn’t know when I’d get to be home, so I’m really happy to be back.”

The young woman was met by her family and friends at the airport, who were delighted to see her.

Her mum Yemmy said: “I’m happy to see her alive, that’s the main thing.”

Her father Taiwo added that he is “proud” of Racheal, saying: “With the kind of stuff she’s made of, she’s very resilient, very peaceful and very positive. That’s what saw her through and I’m very happy that she’s back.”

Her sister Christiana launched a campaign on social media to help bring her sister home, and said that that’s just “what big sisters do”.

“I did my best to try to advocate for her, and now she’s back home,” she said. “I’m so grateful for everyone’s help to bring her here.”

Racheal expressed her gratitude for McCarthy and Taylor, who facilitated her escape.

She said: “They are average guys, they were always ready to have a laugh and take care of us if we needed anything. I don’t know what I would do without them. They were God sends.”