THE body of Private Seán Rooney has arrived back in Ireland following an overnight flight from Beirut.
The 23-year-old’s family were waiting at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel to be reunited with his remains this morning.
Pte Rooney, from Newtowncunningham, died while carrying out UN peacekeeping duties in al-Aqbieh in southern Lebanon. He was killed after being shot when the armoured vehicle he was in came under attack.
The young man joined the Defence Forces in March 2019 and his home unit was the 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk.
Three investigations are underway into the circumstances of the attack – one led by the UN, another by the Defence Forces and a third by the Lebanese government.
The Chief of Staff of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy said they are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of this tragic event and the loss of one of their peacekeepers.
Soldiers pictured at the UN solemn ceremony in Beirut for Pte Seán Rooney yesterday. Photo credit: The Strategic Communications & Public Information Office, UNIFIL
Pte Rooney was a past pupil of St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny where he completed his Leaving Certificate.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Damien McCroary, principal of St Eunan’s College said he was deeply saddened, shocked and devastated to hear the news.
“On Thursday morning I heard there had been an incident that took place in Lebanon and at that point I didn’t know it was one of our own past pupils involved.
“We were shocked and numb at the fact this had happened. Seán was a student of ours, he completed his senior cycle with us and I actually taught him myself before I went into management. He was a great young man and he had a passion for being in the army.
“We are all deeply saddened and our deepest sympathies go to his mum, his family and his friends,” he said.
Condolences have been pouring in for Seán who has been described by one as “the brother he never had”.
Speaking at an event in Dublin yesterday Leo Varadkar expressed his condolences to the family of Private Seán Rooney.
Newly appointed Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin said the loss of Private Seán Rooney and the injuries to Trooper Shane Kearney are another reminder of the service of Óglaigh na hÉireann to our democracy and values.
“At our toughest moments, they stood against those who would destroy our democracy and internationally they have brought great honour to our country,” he said.
Seán will be sadly missed by his mother Natasha, his fiancée Holly McConnellogue and by everyone that knew him.
His funeral details have not yet been finalised.
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