AROUND 160 IRISH peacekeepers have been welcomed home from Lebanon after their deployment to Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force Lebanon (Unifil).
The commanding officer of the 127th Infantry Battalion said the “whole nation should be proud” of Irish peacekeepers.
Hundreds of people gathered in Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport last night to welcome their loved ones home.
Since the end of March, five peacekeepers have lost their lives in South Lebanon after attacks by both the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and Hezbollah. The dead are from Indonesia and France.
In December, a patrol from the 127th Infantry Battalion was fired upon near Bint Jbeil. All members were reported to be safe after the small-arms fire incident.
Battalion personnel were involved in multiple operations in support of other contributing countries to Unifil, such as the medical evacuation of a wounded Ghanaian soldier and resupplying other United Nations posts during volatile periods.
Returning from her sixth overseas mission, Paula Quinn said it was “fantastic” and “absolutely brilliant” to be home as she greeted her son Jack.
Maria Kennedy said it was brilliant that her daughter and her colleagues were home safe, adding: “It is time now for some rest and celebration.”
Leah Kennedy said: “I’m delighted to be home now for family time, chilling out and relaxing.”
They had been taking part in United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) operations in the region during the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Oisin Duff, an engineering commandant, was involved in the fire crew who rescued the soldier in the nighttime operation amid explosions and nearby gunfire.
He told reporters the “great team came together” amid many different “challenging experiences”.
“You don’t have time to think other than to make sure you do the best thing you can and help people in such a serious situation”.
Asked how it felt to be back, Duff said he unfortunately missed his leave and so his return “was a long time coming”, adding: “It is absolutely fantastic to be back.”
Lieutenant Colonel Mark Lennon, the commanding officer of the 127th Infantry Battalion, said: “It is a really kinetic environment over there. It is obviously a conflict zone but we’ve had a lot of training and preparation.”
He said the men and women under his command “blew him away”, and added: “The whole nation should be proud of them.”
Also reuniting with his “relieved” family, Lennon told reporters that the Defence Forces have “brilliant capabilities” and were “punching way above our weight”.
“Even in the conflict zone and in those dangerous missions, our troops are well capable – they thrived in that environment.”
He said there were airstrikes, tank rounds, munition strikes and drone strikes as well as machine-gun fire in the area.
Asked about the incident where a patrol came under fire in December, Lennon said the “direct small arms fire” incident was still under investigation from Unifil.
“While that was a relatively serious incident at the time, there were also a number of other incidents that got our attention over the six months.”
Lennon said there were “mixed emotions” coming home, given the “devastation” among the 14 villages in the Irish area of operations.
“It is war-torn, and it’s damaged – and in many ways, it was poignant and quite sad leaving today.”
He added: “Ireland have been there since 1978 – the year I was born myself – so we have massive connections with the people, and so many people have been involved with the Irish for years in that location.
“Leaving the location in the situation now is not nice for anyone, so we really feel for the really good local population there.”
The chief of staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, met with some of the returning families at the terminal.
Reflecting on the overall mission, he said: “This year will bring an almost five-decade legacy of operations in Unifil to a close for Óglaigh na hÉireann.
“I have full faith in Lieutenant Colonel (Damian) Carroll and the 128th Infantry Battalion in executing the mandate, with professionalism, amidst the high volatility of the region.”
He said: “Our role in Unifil is more important now, than ever, as we act as the eyes and ears of the international community.”
Ireland’s contribution to Unifil will remain at approximately 350 personnel for the rest of the year. This includes an Infantry Battalion as well as personnel serving at Unifil Headquarters in Naqoura and at Sector West Headquarters in Shama.
The Department of Defence said Ireland will continue to “work closely” with the United Nations, EU partners and international stakeholders to support stability in Lebanon after the mission.
With reporting from Press Association.