Irish troops who came under fire during a tour of duty in the Golan Heights are returning home to their families tonight.

The 44th Infantry group completed a six month tour of duty in the disputed territory, during which they came under fire while trying to rescue their Filipino colleagues.

A new contingent of Irish troops is flying out to replace them and will be stationed in the Israeli side of the demilitarised zone.

Defence Minister Simon Coveney described the actions of the Irish forces in the Golan Heights as "nothing short of heroic."

Questions over whether the forces would remain in the Golan were raised last month when Irish troops exchanged fire with militant rebels linked to al-Qaeda.

The government had demanded an urgent review of the mission in Syria to make sure that UN peacekeepers did not become embroiled in any civil war there.