Published Sunday, 18 October 2009
Goal workers Sharon Commins, 32, from Dublin, and Hilda Kawuki were snatched from their compound in Darfur by an armed gang on July 3.
As news of their release broke, the charity's chief executive, John O'Shea, told UTV: "We know that they are free, and that's all that matters. This overwhelming sense of relief and happiness has descended upon us in the past hours. The knowledge that they are safe and will soon be home with their families is giving us this unbelievable high at the moment."
Ireland's Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said: "I am personally delighted and extremely relieved to relay the news that Sharon and Hilda, the two Goal volunteers, have been freed by their captives and handed over to the Sudanese authorities."
Mr Martin paid tribute to the two women for their strength during the terrifying ordeal.
"Their personal courage and resilience has helped them through what must have been a traumatic experience," he said.
The Irish Ambassador to Sudan, Gerry Corr, will be travel to Darfur to meet the two women.
It is understood the kidnapping was one of the longest running of any foreign aid staff in the region.
Extensive efforts had been made to secure their freedom, with Mr Martin travelling to Sudan in September to meet with authorities.
Miss Commins did manage to make telephone contact with her family in Clontarf, north Dublin last month, raising hopes for her release.
But speculation that the she and Miss Kawuki would be released during Ramadan celebrations failed to come to fruition and October 11 marked their 100th day in captivity.
Miss Commins had worked for Goal, the Irish humanitarian organisation, for four years and had been in Darfur for 18 months prior to her abduction. The aid agency has been involved in Sudan since 1985.