The family of a young Irishman who was killed in action in Ukraine have been left devastated by the loss.
Rory Mason, 23, died on Wednesday, September 28 while fighting in the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine, as a serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, in the Kharkiv Region, near the Russian border.
Heartbroken dad, Rob, said: "Rory was a private young man of drive, purpose and conviction. Though we are deeply saddened at his death, we are enormously proud of his courage and determination and his selflessness in immediately enlisting to support Ukraine.
Read more: Irishman, 23, killed in Ukraine war
"Rory was never political but he had a deep sense of right and wrong and an inability to turn the other way in the face of injustice. He had a long-standing interest in Eastern Europe, in travel and in learning new languages, including Russian."
Rory is deeply missed by his heartbroken family, his parents Rob and Elizabeth and his younger brother, 22, and sister, 21. The family's number one priority at the moment is to repatriate Rory's remains.
Rob added: "Those who fought alongside Rory speak of ‘a truly brave and courageous man who could have left at any time but chose not to’. In the words of a colleague who served with him, ‘Rory was a man who from a glance could seem shy however when it came to actions and character he proved, again and again, he was a man of fortitude, principal and honour’.
"Rory was our son and we will miss him enormously. As our family is still trying to come to terms with Rory’s death, we would appeal for privacy at this difficult time."
A statement from the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine said: "Our brother in arms, Rory Mason has taken part in the Kharkiv counteroffensive with his unit and was killed in action. While conducting operations, the unit came under attack.
"We are in contact with the family and in coordination with them, following their wishes and instructions, the International Legion and the Armed Forces of Ukraine are handling the repatriation process. At this time, to protect operational security and the family’s privacy we cannot release more information.
"Rory’s memory will live on in his unit, in the Legion and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We would ask for the family’s privacy to be respected at this difficult time."
Read next:
Penneys and Girls Aloud launch new pyjama line in memory of Sarah Harding
Jonathan Dowdall's new life cost to taxpayers as he'll have to find home abroad
Family of three Tallaght siblings killed in home will never return to live there
HSE hack victims who had info stolen have not been told they were targets
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
