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Emotional scenes as 190 Irish troops return home after 6 months in Lebanon

One soldier was meeting his 10-week-old daughter for the first time.
9.40am, 18 May 2016
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HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE gathered at Dublin Airport this morning to welcome home Irish soldiers who have been away on peacekeeping duty for six months.

Tears were shed by family and friends as 190 troops touched down on Irish soil.

90419064 (1) Sinead Duffy, PTE Blane and Baby James Cromie (1). Sam Boal Sam Boal

The troops from the 51st Infantry Group – United Nations Interim Force have just completed a six month deployment to Lebanon.

There were plenty of hugs to go around this morning as families greeted their loved ones:

Emotional scenes as 190 Irish troops return home after 6 months in Lebanon
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  • Irish Troops Return

    Sgt Tommy Kane hugs his daughter Laoise (4).Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews,ie

  • Irish Troops Return

    Cprl John with his daughter Blathnaid McGuigan (3) from Newry. Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie

  • Irish Troops Return

    Cprl John and his daughter Blathnaid McGuigan (3) from Newry. Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie

  • Irish Troops Return

    Trooper Keith Malone greets his mam Adeline Lynch from Coolock.Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie

  • Irish Troops Return

    Private Michelle Tarpey, Jeremiah Loughnane, Nathen (12) and Grace (7).Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie

For Private Thomas Grant, the return home was extra special as he was meeting his 10-week-old daughter Sophia Grace for the first time:

90419063 Private Thomas Grant, Sophie Grace (10 weeks old) and Sinead Brennan. Sam Boal Sam Boal

The troops have now been replaced by the 53rd Infantry Group.

Read: PICS: Enda dons a blue helmet, meets Irish troops and saves Christmas>

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Author
Cliodhna Russell
cliodhna@thejournal.ie
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