This is the poignant moment a veteran Irish soldier put on his uniform to stand to attention as Sean Rooney's coffin passed by yesterday.
The hero soldier, who was killed in an ambush in Lebanon last week, is to be laid to rest with fully military honours in Co Donegal on Thursday.
His remains were flown home from Lebanon and arrived at the Air Corps HQ at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, south County Dublin on Monday morning.
In a video uploaded on social media, a retired soldier was seen waiting at the side of the road for Private Rooney's coffin to pass.
The clip, which has been viewed more than 200k times on Twitter, shows the man wearing his old military uniform as he walks to the side of the road.
As the hearse passes, the veteran lifts his hand and stands to attention in a "powerful salute" as a touching tribute to the fallen Irish solider.
Anthony Costello, who caught the moment on camera wrote: "A retired member of the defence forces ,who had waited patiently, walks to the roadside to salute his fallen comrade, Private Séan Rooney, 27th Batallion, Óglaigh na hÉireann.
"Before the hearse approaches he straightens his blue beret and green jacket before he gives the most powerful salute."
He continued: "The gentleman was meticulously turned out and proudly displayed his medals on his blazer. From what I could see he had quiet a few medals and understood sacrifice. A beautiful gesture to Private Rooney."
Meanwhile, the Defence Forces released the soldier’s funeral details saying he will be laid to rest on Thursday, December 22.
The requiem mass will be held at the Holy Family Church, Dundalk, Co Louth – where the soldier spent much of his short life and where he was based with the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion.
His burial service will take place at All Saints Catholic Church, Colehill, County Donegal at approximately 3.30pm.
Although born in Dundalk, the soldier moved to Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal at the age of 12 with his family - although he kept strong ties to the County Louth town and returned there to serve with the Army.
A Defence Forces statement said: "The removal of the remains of Pte Seán Rooney RIP to Holy Family Church, Dundalk will take place on Thursday 22 December 2022 at 0830hrs for 0900hrs Mass.
"This will be followed by a burial service in All Saints Catholic Church, Colehill, Donegal (Estimated Time 1530hrs).
"He will be buried with full military honours."
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