The release from intensive care of a well-known solicitor who had been in critical condition with coronavirus has been hailed as inspirational.
Niall Murphy, 43, gave the thumbs-up in video footage of him being wheeled from ICU on Friday night.
The married father-of-three from Belfast is a partner in KRW Law in Belfast.
He has been involved in many high-profile criminal trials and civil court cases, often representing victims of the Troubles.
Mr Murphy’s release from ICU on Good Friday has been described as “life-affirming and poignant” by his friend and fellow partner at KRW Law Kevin Winters.
Mr Winters told the PA news agency: “Hearing news of his transfer out of ICU has been seismic for Niall’s family.
“The timing of the move coming as it did on Good Friday is both life-affirming and poignant.
“Watching the video of Niall being clapped and cheered by all the medical staff as he leaves ICU is truly inspirational and a defiantly iconic moment during this hellish crisis.”
Mr Murphy is also a keen gaelic games enthusiast.
Antrim GAA tweeted on Friday night:
“Great to see Niall Murphy is out of ICU. All the prayers are working.”
Sinn Fein Assembly member Gerry Kelly tweeted the video.
“Go Niall go!” he posted.
Meanwhile, a 99-year-old former guardsman from Yorkshire who survived three years in a German prisoner of war camp has been clapped out of hospital after recovering from Covid-19.
Albert Chambers, who will be 100 in July, is now “fit and well” according to Tickhill Road Hospital, in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Mr Chambers was admitted to Doncaster Royal Infirmary after breaking his arm in a fall, but showed signs of coronavirus after he was moved to Tickhill Road for rehabilitation.
He was a Coldstream Guard in the Second World War and, at one time, helped to protect Buckingham Palace.
But he was wounded in Germany and spent three years in a prisoner of war camp, the hospital said.
Liverpool fan Mr Chambers, from Doncaster, said he was “a very lucky man” as he was discharged on Friday.
He said: “When I get home I’m going to tell all of my neighbours how marvellous the nurses are here.
“I want to say thank you very much to them.
“I appreciate every bit of what they have done for me. They couldn’t have been any better.”
