Team Ireland Paralympic athletes due to return home

Athletes who competed for Team Ireland in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games will return home later today.

35 athletes competed in nine different sports at the games and finished with six medals - one gold, three silver, and two bronze.

The closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympics Games took place in Paris last night, where French organisers formally handed over to Los Angeles for the 2028 games.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin has congratulated everyone who has been involved with Team Ireland.

"From the athletes to the coaches, the sporting bodies, Paralympics Ireland and Sport Ireland. And of course the families, friends and supporters of the athletes who make such a vital and telling contribution.

"The Paralympic Games are the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. These athletes have inspired the next generation of Paralympians and they are a credit to their families, coaches and communities.

"The Government is investing heavily in sport. It is helping to ensure that our athletes can prepare for these prestigious international sporting competitions in the best possible way.

"We will continue to do so in the coming years, not just in the high performance system but also at grassroots community level."

Minister of State for Sport, Physical Education and the Gaeltacht, Thomas Byrne said he had the privilege of being in Paris over the last week "to see at first hand our incredible athletes in action".

"It was fantastic to see the hugely vocal support they received in their competitions and everybody is enormously proud of our 35-strong team.

"They have all represented their country with distinction and have created some truly historic moments this past fortnight that will