PICTURES: Emotional scenes at Dublin Airport as nearly 200 Irish Peacekeepers return home

There were tears, laughter, and sighs of relief at Dublin Airport today as nearly 200 Irish peacekeepers were welcomed home by their loved ones.

Members of the 126th Infantry Battalion returned to Irish soil following a six-month deployment with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

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Today marked an emotional and heartwarming homecoming for the troops as UNIFIL is expected to wind down at the end of next year after 40 years of peacekeeping mission in the area.

Officer Commanding the 126th Infantry Battalion, Lt Col Ed McDonagh, said that he "hopes the Lebanese people get the safety and security they so justly deserve.

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"There's huge connection there between the Irish Defence Forces, the people of Lebanon and UNIFIL, and that has been built up over the last 40 years," he said.

"There is a legacy there that the Defence Forces have with the community. They are friends at this stage. It's with sadness that we will depart the mission area."