The triumphant Irish Paralympic team returned home today to to be greeted by a large crowd at Dublin Airport.
The team were led out by the four medallists: Derek Malone from Co Clare, David Malone from Dublin, Conall McNamara from Co Mayo and John McCarthy from Co Cork.
Team official Mr Noel Brennan
It was a special day for athlete Ian Mahon, who saw his newborn son for the first time. His wife, Barbara, gave birth to baby Cathal while the Co Offaly man was in Athens competing in the cycling event.
"It was a bit hard to concentrate on the event when this had happened. But it's absolutely fantastic and well worth the wait," Mahon said on his return.
The Paralympic team were handed bouquets of flowers and greeted by celebrities such as former Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn and Olympic rower Sam Lynch.
Paralympic Council technical director Neil Harbison said he was delighted with the team's performance: "We really had six medal chances and we got four of them. We also had seven or eight personal bests and a world record."
He said the Paralympic Council would be putting its four-year plan for the Beijing Olympics in place next January. "It's something we have to do because the rise in standards from the Paralympics in Sydney to the Paralympics in Athens was phenomenal."
Mr Noel Brennan from Tullamore, Co Offaly, who was involved with the preparation of the team, said the athletes were all proud of their achievements.
"One thing they don't like is the condescending air. They are athletes with disabilities, not disabled athletes. They train as hard as anyone and most of them even took time off work for their training."
The team will be given an official reception in Áras an Úachtaráin next Tuesday by President McAleese.
PA