Northern Ireland

Troops welcomed home by ticket

Details of a ticketed welcome home celebration in Belfast for troops returning from Afghanistan have been confirmed by the Ministry of Defence.

Earlier this year it was announced that the 300 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment would not be allowed to parade. The MOD said it was because of post-operational duties after objections from nationalists on the city council.

Instead there will be a free demonstration at showgrounds in the city on October 7, with up to 3,500 members of the public expected to attend.

An MOD spokesman said: "This is a very respectful and meaningful event being hosted by Belfast City Council to recognise the valour and service of personnel from the Irish Guards and the Royal Irish Regiment on operations overseas.

"We have been in discussions and planning with Belfast City Council and this event is now possible through the good offices of Belfast and the availability of personnel at an appropriate time in their busy schedules."

Priority in allocating tickets for the Royal Ulster Agricultural Showgrounds event in Balmoral will be given to Belfast residents.

The 300 soldiers on parade will include both regimental mascots, regimental colours, the corps of drums of the 1st (NI) Battalion Army Cadet Force (affiliated to the Irish Guards), the Royal Irish Regiment and pipes and drums from both regiments.

Both regiments served together as part of 16 Air Assault Brigade in Afghanistan and had been invited to parade in Belfast following their return from operations in the spring. However, commitments meant they were unable to combine dates in their diaries until now.

Soldiers will travel from their home bases in both Windsor and Tern Hill in Shropshire for this event.

The event will include the presentation of commemorative medallions to military personnel by Belfast's deputy Lord Mayor, Alderman Ruth Patterson.

A musical programme and exhibition of armoured vehicles will run from 2pm at designated areas within the grounds.

A service of thanksgiving for the soldiers was held at St Anne's Cathedral in Belfast on May 22. There were protests at a military parade through the city in 2008.

More than 1,500 members of the Royal Irish Regiment returned from a tour of Afghanistan in April.

Three soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, were killed during the operation, which began last September.

Ranger Aaron McCormick, 22, from Macosquin in County Londonderry was killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) in November last year.

Ranger David Dalzell, 20, from Bangor was shot in February. The exact circumstances of his death have not yet been confirmed.

Lance Corporal Stephen McKee, 27, from Banbridge, was killed by an IED in March.