Hugs and tears as Irish troops reunited with family following Lebanon deployment
There were emotional scenes at Dublin Airport on Friday as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion were reunited with family members following the end of their peacekeeping mission in Lebanon .
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) troops returned home following a six-month deployment to south Lebanon. They have now been replaced by a new battalion of Irish soldiers.
Soldiers were greeted by loud cheers from wives, husbands, children and parents, who were excitedly waving flags, balloons and posters as the troop filtered into the arrivals hall just after 3pm.
The peacekeepers were greeted with banners and homemade messages of love and support, with some families waving Irish and United Nations flags.
Tears of elation ran down faces as mothers embraced sons, fathers were reunited with their daughters, and some soldiers were introduced to their grandchildren for the first time.
Drawn from many different Units across the Army and Air Corps, the majority of the 125th Infantry Battalion's personnel are drawn from the 28th Infantry Battalion based in Finner Camp in Co Donegal.
The returning troops have operated in the IRISHPOLBATT Area of Operations (AO), since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah began.
It has been an especially difficult few months as tensions rise in the Middle East. The 125th Infantry Battalion is located in Camp Shamrock, known as United Nations Post 2-45, which is located a short distance from the Israeli border and is close to areas controlled by Hezbollah militants.
On multiple occasions UNIFIL, and specifically IRISHPOLBATT were subject to GROUNDHOG (taking shelter in protected positions).
However, the Irish troops of the 125th Infantry Battalion in UNIFIL continued to monitor the situation and conduct planned framework operations.
Scroll down to see the emotional pictures.
Families wait to greet home 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 1 of 18
Families wait to greet home 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 2 of 18
Cupcakes awaiting the 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) as they return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 3 of 18
Fergal is greeted home by Ellie Doran (3) from Wexford as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) return to Dublin Airport 4 of 18
Fergal is greeted home by Ellie Doran (3) from Wexford (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 5 of 18
Pvt Niall McManus with girlfriend Niamh as 170 Irish troops from the 125th Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL) return to Dublin Airport following a six-month deployment to South Lebanon (Image: Collins Photo Agency) 6 of 18
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