We’re back home.. at last
Peacekeepers’ journey delayed over paperwork blunder
MORE than 100 Irish soldiers who were stranded in Syria after a paperwork error finally arrived home yesterday.
Members of the 57th Infantry Group were given a warm welcome as they touched down in Dublin Airport in the early hours of yesterday.
The troops, clad in their uniforms and blue berets, were greeted by family and friends waving banners and flags as they arrived into the terminal.
Dublin Airport also issued a special greeting over the tannoy system to welcome them.
There were hugs, kisses, smiles and tears of joy all round as the soldiers were reunited with their loved ones after six months on tour.
On Monday night, the Defence Forces confirmed the 119 peacekeepers would be coming back after their return was delayed by a paperwork blunder.
The soldiers were due to come home on October 3 but were stopped after a diplomat used the wrong UN Operation name on their paperwork and authorities in Beirut would not let them travel through the country.
They were initially informed there was a problem with the plane they were due to travel on and they would be flown out the next day.
However, it later emerged they would not be going home until October 16 despite having finished their tour of duty.
The troops were paid €1,000 each for the delay after Defence Minister Paul Kehoe was severely criticised over the error.