The family of an Irish businessman who has been barred from leaving China for almost two years are pleading for help from the Department of Foreign Affairs to get him home.

Richard O'Halloran travelled to Shanghai in March 2019 to represent an aviation leasing firm, of which he is a director, following the arrest of its Chinese owner in connection to a separate company.

He is now subject to an exit ban imposed by a Chinese court despite not facing any charges or allegations of wrongdoing.

For the second Christmas running, Richard will be apart from his wife Tara and their four young children, who are deeply concerned for his mental and physical wellbeing.

Tara joined Matt on The Last Word to share the family's story.