Defence Force troops return from Afghanistan

The last remaining Irish troops in Afghanistan have returned home after completing their final tour of duty.

In all, some 226 Irish troops have served in the country over the past 15 years in Nato-led missions.

A ceremony was held yesterday in Kabul to mark the completion of the Irish Defence Force's military mission to Afghanistan.

The seven remaining troops were in non-combat roles, serving in areas including planning and administration.

In a speech, Lt Gen Timothy Radford, deputy commander of the Nato-led mission Resolute Support, thanked Irish troops for their "hard work, commitment, good humour and characteristic warmth that you have brought with you to Kabul".

The Irish tricolour was lowered for the last time at the headquarters and handed to Lt Col Rossa Mulcahy, the senior Irish officer based at there. Between 2001 and 2012, the Irish Defence Forces helped lead the mission's work to counter improvised explosive devices.

They served initially with the International Security Assistance Force which was succeeded by a follow-on mission, Resolute Support, last year. The return of the last seven members ends the Defence Force's participation.