THE UN’s secretary general has praised the “remarkable courage” of a Newtowncunningham peacekeeper killed in Lebanon. Antonio Guterres made the remarks to Private Seán Rooney’s family in a recent correspondence. The 24-year-old was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping mission was ambushed and fired upon in December 2022. Advertisement The […]
‘Rainbows Room’ dedicated in memory of Private Seán Rooney
by Louise Doyle THE mum of a Newtowncunningham peacekeeper killed in the Lebanon has spoken of her pride in her son following the funding of Ireland’s first dedicated ‘Rainbows Room’ in his memory. Natasha McCloskey was speaking at the launch of the project, which opened in Ratoath Community College on Tuesday in memory of her son, […]
Seán Rooney Memorial Cup raises more than €20,000
by Louise Doyle A POIGNANT football match which saw friends of the late Newtowncunningham peacekeeper Seán Rooney take on a strong army select team on the football pitch has raised more than €20,000 for bereaved children. The Seán Rooney Memorial Cup 2023 event on Saturday last in Oriel Park has raised €21,077.82 for Rainbows Ireland. […]
Tánaiste pays tribute to Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon
The Tánaiste has paid tribute to the late Seán Rooney while in Lebanon and vowed that no stone will be left unturned in the investigation into his death. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, laid a wreath at a memorial that honours Irish peacekeepers who have died in Lebanon. Speaking in Lebanon, he said […]
Tánaiste to meet colleagues of late Private Seán Rooney
Tánaiste Micháel Martin is travelling to Lebanon today to meet with colleagues of the late Private Seán Rooney. Mr Martin will meet members of the 121st Infantry Battalion United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) – the unit which Seán was a member off. Pte Rooney, from Newtowncunningham, died while carrying out UN peacekeeping duties in […]
‘No words great enough to express my love for Seán’
THE heartbroken mother of Private Seán Rooney told mourners at his funeral mass this morning that there are no words great enough to express the love she had for her son. His mother Natasha, dad Paul, his brothers and sisters, grandparents, fiancée Holly, and extended family and friends gathered in Holy Family Church in Dundalk. […]
Body of Private Seán Rooney arrives back in Ireland
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 […]