Welcome home for Leb heroes

Singing and tears of joy as troops return

- BY GRAINNE NI AODHA

THERE was pride, tears of joy and singing as Irish peacekeepers were embraced by their families after six months on a UN mission to southern Lebanon.

Children, partners and grandparents waved handmade signs and UN and Irish flags in the arrivals hall at Dublin Airport's Terminal 1 as they waited for their loved ones.

More than 300 Irish troops have spent the last six months serving with the UN in southern Lebanon during a tense period for the Middle East.

Tara Fitzgerald, from Glanmire in Co Cork, said her daughter Faye had being counting down every day until her father Connie O'Mahony returned.

Kitted out in a camouflage costume and a teddy in a similar cap, uniform and boots, Faye held a tricolour sign that said: "No more video calls, no more counting down the days."

Tara added: "He's home now, that's the main thing. It was worrying, but they kept their heads down and everything was fine, thank God.