Emotional scenes in Dublin Airport as Irish peacekeepers touch down on home soil

There were emotional scenes in Dublin Airport today, Monday, November 25, as Irish troops serving in Lebanon arrived back in Ireland following a six-month deployment with the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Over 200 troops were reunited with their loved ones this morning after being part of UNIFIL’s 124th Infantry Battalion in southern Lebanon.

Many of those returning home have been in protected positions over the past few months due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Ireland is currently one of 48 countries contributing troops to UNIFIL.

In October, a UNIFIL outpost on the Israel-Lebanon border in which Irish troops were based was damaged during fighting between the Israel Defence Forces and Hezbollah with the UN and several member states ensuring the safety of the peacekeepers.

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The arrivals hall at Terminal 1 was packed with family and friends, with many holding banners with messages including "welcome home son" and "Sgt Molloy report for daddy duty," as scores of young children waved Irish and United Nations flags.

There was a huge cheer as the doors opened to reveal the first of the Irish Defence Forces walking through to be reunited with their loved ones, and tears as parents, spouses and children got long-awaited hugs.

Among those waiting were the grandparents, parents and girlfriend of Private Jack Cassidy, 24.

His grandfather Michael Cassidy held a "home sweet home" sign as well as a Co Meath flag as they waited. He said they were incredibly proud of Pte Cassidy, saying he always wanted to help people from a young age.

"We’ve seen some things on television that left us wondering all right," he said. "He’s always been involved with helping people."

Daniel Keenan from Belfast was also among the troops greeted by family, he said it is harder for the families than for the troops themselves.

"It’s harder on them. When we’re out there, we’re thinking about what is ahead of us on the mission, patrolling. We have all the comradery and brotherhood to keep us going," he said.

"It was getting through day by day, you didn’t know when you were getting showers, food and so on, but it was grand," he added.

Calvin Conway was reunited with his young son Rian as he walked through arrivals, and paid tribute to his family at home "doing all of the work."

"I got home on leave for his first day at school so that turned out well, but he’s grown even since then," he said. "It’s great to be home, and I’m sure a lot of Christmas shopping has been planned for me."

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.