A young soldier who died while on peacekeeping duty with the UN in Lebanon has been named as Donegal native Private Sean Rooney.
Pvt Rooney, 23, from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, passed away on Wednesday while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in an overnight incident. Two armed vehicles, carrying eight people, were travelling to Beirut when the convoy came "under small arms fire", according to a statement from the Defence Forces, and four peacekeeping soldiers were injured.
Pvt Rooney was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. He joined the Defence Forces in March 2019, and his home unit is the 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk, Co Louth.
Read more: Simon Coveney says 'shocking' death of Irish solider in Lebanon is 'worst possible news' for family
Pvt Rooney also previously served overseas with the 119 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL. Meanwhile, another soldier, Private Shane Kearney from Killeagh in Co Cork, was wounded in the incident.
Pvt Kearney has undergone surgery and is in a "serious condition", according to an earlier statement. The 22-year-old joined the Defence Forces in October 2018 and his home Unit is 1 Cavalry Squadron in Collins Barracks, Cork.
He previously served overseas with the 117 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL. Two other soldiers are being treated for minor injuries at Raee Hospital, near Sidon, after the incident.
The Irish Defence Forces issued a statement earlier on Thursday morning confirming the death of Pvt Rooney, without naming him. It read: "It is with deep regret that Óglaigh na hÉireann can confirm the death of one of our peacekeepers in a serious incident in Lebanon last night. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
"On 14 December 2022 at approx 2115hrs (Irish time), a serious incident took place involving members of 121st Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL. A convoy of two (2) Armoured Utility Vehicles (AUVs) carrying eight (8) personnel travelling to Beirut came under small arms fire.
"The remaining 4 personnel from the convoy were not injured and are safe & accounted for. The names of personnel are not being released at this time, but the families of those involved have been informed. A full investigation will commence into this incident."
"4 personnel were taken to Raee Hospital, near Sidon as a result of the incident. One soldier was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital and another has undergone surgery and is in a serious condition. The other two soldiers are being treated for minor injuries."
Earlier Minister for Defence Simon Coveney has described the death of an Irish soldier serving on peacekeeping duty in Lebanon as a "shocking and tragic incident" and passed on his "deepest condolences" to the family of the soldier. Tributes were also paid by Taoiseach Michael Martin and President Michael D Higgins.
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