Delayed troops finally make it home from Chad

THE first batch of Irish troops finally arrived back on home soil from Chad yesterday after being delayed by the ash cloud.

Airspace restrictions in Portugal had held up the return of the troops but all 212 members of the first chalk of troops landed safely in Dublin Airport early on Monday morning. The second group of Irish troops, consisting of 186 personnel, is expected to return on May 20, with equipment following at the end of July.

Minister for Defence Tony Killeen praised the Irish contingent for the work they had done in keeping peace in the region.