'He's never leaving again': Emotional scenes as soldiers welcomed home from war-ravaged Lebanon
Corporeal Jamie McLaleer is reunited with his girlfriend Lynn Holdon, after arriving home. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire
"I’ll be able to sleep for the first time in ten weeks — it was too hard this time."
A Cork-based mother gave voice to the palpable sense of relief that hung in the air at Dublin Airport, as 200 members of the Defence Forces arrived home from a six-month deployment in war-ravaged Lebanon.
From early morning, families had gathered at Terminal 1 to meet their loved ones as they touched down on home soil.
Hundreds packed into the arrivals hall to welcome back 124th Infantry Battalion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), many of whom had been sheltering in protected bunkers in recent months due to the intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
Speaking to the , Three Star Gunner TJ Coughlan Walsh, from Douglas in Cork, said: “It is good to be back. That’s my second trip down now and it is good to be home.
“It was okay. The lads were good craic. We kept each other going, but I’m just really happy now to see my family."
His mother Serena was relieved to have her son home after an anxious period watching the conflict from afar.
“I am so happy. I swear, he is never leaving again. We will be partying in Cork tonight, and he is paying."
TJ joked that his list of demands included a Chinese meal, a sleep, and an Xbox session with his brother.
But for mum Serena, the relief was overwhelming.
“We cried every time a solider came out to the arrivals hall, and he was the last.
“I was very nervous to see him, it was too hard this time.”
Kim Feane from Dublin waited with her four children for their dad Dan to return.
“He was on his third trip, and this has been the hardest," she said.
“We have four children, Charlie, aged 13, Daisy, aged 11, Kai aged 9, and baby Bonnie who is 2.
“There were a few weeks where we had minimal contact, but we were so delighted waiting for him and counting down the days. The kids got a large poster to make up for him coming home today, we are so excited.”
Nicole Chambers, from Cork, was waiting for her husband Derek Bweeng.
“I came up last night. It was too hard this time, I found it very hard being away from him.
“We are all here with flags, waiting patiently, then we are straight home to Cork."
Lieutenant Leanne Nolan said she was so proud of the team during the tough moments.
"It’s been testing, no doubt, but we stuck together so well and got one another through so much adversity," she said.
"Overall, such a worthwhile trip. I'm so proud of every person that has travelled. It was a trip of a lifetime to be honest."
