The first contingent of Irish troops has returned home from Liberia after serving on a UN peacekeeping mission in the war-torn African country.
Some 260 soldiers arrived back in Dublin late last night after serving as part of a rapid-reaction and peacekeeping force.
The mission was once described as the most dangerous ever undertaken by the Defence Forces but order is gradually being restored to Liberia after 14 years of bloody civil war.
It was the first time Irish troops have ever gone overseas as a complete battalion.
The troops, from the 90th Battalion, were met by family and friends as they arrived home. Many expressed relief they were back but said the mission had gone well.
More than 400 troops will be sent to Monrovia to replace them.
The UN is expected to keep a presence there until 2006, with Irish troops being rotated every six months.