Tipperary man Bernard Phelan shares story of survival in Iranian prison on Tommy Tiernan Show

Clonmel man Bernard Phelan stole the show on The Tommy Tiernan Show on Saturday night where he discussed his harrowing experience of being a prisoner in Iran. 

The author was working for an Iranian tour operator when he was arrested on false charges of spying in October 2022. Authorities accused him of sending information to an enemy state.

Phelan spent 222 days in an Iranian prison before his release was secured by the Irish and French governments after he was tried and sentenced in the country. He was held there until May 2023.

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Phelan was among the guests on Saturday night's show wherein he chatted with Tommy Tiernan about what it was like as a prisoner in Iran and a political hostage.

The interview had a huge reaction online, with viewers being gripped by Phelan's extraordinary story of survival.

Many people shared their reaction online following Phelan's emotional interview, with some saying: "What an awful experience for that poor man. So brave telling his story. He deserves so much good things in life now as he has lived his horror."

Another person wrote on X: "Wishing Bernard a happy, healthy life. Jesus, after what he's been through, he deserves it. Brave man."

Someone else commented: "His book is fantastic, such a nice man."

The native Tipperary man also recently wrote a book about his unimaginable experience of incarceration in Iran titled You Will Die in Prison. 

You can catch the fascinating interview with Phelan on the RTE Player now.