Michaella McCollum thanks the public for their support in this Facebook post

"It has been a long ride to get where I am today. but it just shows that when we fight hard enough for something we can achieve it."

Michaella McCollum returned home to Northern Ireland six months ago after spending three years in a Peruvian jail for attempting to smuggle drugs on to a plane. Upon her release, she only gave one interview to RTÉ and remained out of the public eye since then. She has now broken her silence with a message of thanks to the public, in particular, those who supported her over the years. She posted a message to her Facebook page saying:

"Now that I have the chance I just want to thank everyone who has supported myself and family through these past few years. Please know I truly appreciate each one who cared and had my back. Thank you for all the sweet messages I have not got reading them all just yet or got a chance to reply to them but I will definitely make a good attempt to get back to you all. It has been a long ride to get where I am today. but it just shows that when we fight hard enough for something we can achieve it. Something to have in mind When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us. Have a great weekend everyone. Lots of love"