CHEERS, flags and homemade banners awaited the 119 Irish troops who arrived home from Syria in Dublin Airport early this morning.

The 57th Infantry Group was left stranded in Golan Heights almost two weeks ago after a paperwork error delayed their return.

Hundreds gathered in Arrivals to greet the soldiers this morning shortly after 6am.

There were emotional scenes as the troops with reunited with their wives and children, many of whom had brought along balloons and signs.

The infantry group had spent the last 6 months in Golan Heights under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mark Brownen.

They were the first Irish unit deployed on a UN peace-keeping mission in Syria following a personnel evacuation in 2014.

Soldiers from 15 counties around Ireland made up the infantry group.

The team were each given an ex gratia payment of €1,000 by the State to make amends for the delay in their return.

Earlier this month, Defence Minister Paul Kehoe told the Dail: “Following receipt of all the required diplomatic clearances for the flight to rotate the Defence Forces contingent in UNDOF on Tuesday October 2, an issue arose unexpectedly in relation to the clearances on Monday morning.

“Every effort was made to address this by the Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs, but the issue could not be resolved within the time necessary to allow the rotation to be completed on schedule on Tuesday.

“As soon as this was known, the personnel and their families were contacted and advised of the issue and the postponement of the rotation.”