A Donegal soldier serving with a Dundalk based battalion has been killed in the Lebanon.
Tributes have poured in after the death of young Private Sean Rooney, 23, from Newtowncunningham in Donegal. who was killed when two armoured utility vehicles carrying eight Irish soldiers were hit by “small arms fire” while travelling to Beirut at around 9.15pm Irish time last night.
The Irish Defence Forces has been plunged into mourning after the horrific attack.
“Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fellow peacekeepers from the 121st Infantry Battalion. Our thoughts are also with those who were injured last night and their families and friends.
“We have one of our medical officers currently at Raee Hospital and we will ensure that our personnel get the best possible care.
“Our focus now is to ensure the safety and continued support for all our personnel deployed in Lebanon.”
Private Rooney joined the Defence Forces in March 2019 and his home unit is the 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk. He previously served overseas with the 119 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL.
