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

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

Whoops!

We couldn't find this Tweet

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

Previous 1 / 5Next

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

Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews,ie" title="">
Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie" title="">
Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie" title="">
Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie" title="">
Source: Sam Boal via RollingNews.ie" title="">

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:

10 week old Sophia Grace dressed up in camouflage waiting to meet her Daddy for the 1st time #tv3news @defenceforces pic.twitter.com/C2H8wFK9dO
— Laura Hogan (@LauraHoganTV) May 18, 2016

Laura Hogan / Twitter

90419063 Sam Boal Private Thomas Grant, Sophie Grace (10 weeks old) and Sinead Brennan. 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The troops have now been replaced by the 53rd Infantry Group.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>

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More