Aoife safely evacuated from Kabul

Ashbourne's Aoife McManus has been safely evacuated from Kabul to Pakistan.

She was one of three Irish citizens who have reached Pakistan, it emerged today.

The government is currently working to secure the return home of a further 36 Irish citizens from the strife torn country.

“She is safe, she is well but is wrecked emotional, as we are. She is delighted to be out,” says her father Ray MacManais.

“The thing that is tempering our great joy is our sorrow for the other Irish people who haven't got out. We are sad for them and their families.

“We are praying they will return safely.”

He said they aren't sure when Aoife will get home to Ashbourne, but believe it shouldn't be too long.

Aoife from Fleenstown, Ashbourne was co-ordinator of a major education programme run by an international charity and has been working in Afghanistan for the past two years.