Sen Rooney: Irish peacekeeper’s death ‘pierced his family’s heart’

The demise of an Irish soldier killed on a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has “pierced the hearts of his family”, mourners at his funeral were being told.

Pte Seán Rooney was in an armoured vehicle that came less than fireplace though travelling to Beirut on 14 December.

His funeral was held on Thursday in the Church of the Holy Household in Dundalk, County Louth.

Pursuing the provider, the coffin travelled to Aiken Barracks in County Louth, wherever he experienced been stationed.

The funeral cortège then travelled to Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, for the burial ceremony.

The coffin, carried by users of 27 Infantry, in which Pte Rooney served, was transferred from the hearse to a gun carriage.

A lone piper played as the procession manufactured its way to the cemetery at All Saints Catholic Church.

Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach (Irish Key Minister) Leo Varadkar were amongst the mourners current before at the funeral support in County Louth

Irish Defence Minister Micheál Martin, chief of personnel of the Irish Defence Forces Lt Gen Seán Clancy and colleagues of Pte Rooney from Lebanon have been also in attendance.

Priest Fr Derek Ryan told mourners, which includes Pte Rooney’s mother Natasha, father Paul, grandparents and fiancée Holly McConnellogue, the UN soldier was “immersed in family existence”.

He was “wise over and above his many years”, Fr Ryan additional.

“When Sean was killed past week, it truly did pierce the heart of his family members and this close-hearted local community, and even the town of Dundalk.

“It truly is not talked about a lot but people who have sons and daughters serving abroad, they know the challenges and hazards that are generally existing in regions of conflict.”

Pte Rooney’s mother Natasha mentioned her son was kind and loving had carried out great issues in his brief life.

She said there have been no phrases “potent or good plenty of to express the enjoy I have for Sean and how happy I was”.

“He is a countrywide hero,” she stated.

In a assertion read through by Fr Ryan, Ms McConnellogue mentioned Pte Rooney, who was 24, would have turn into a “superb partner and father”.

The pair had been due to marry up coming 12 months.

“Seán normally inspired me in my perform and my reports and all the things in everyday living,” she mentioned.

“He thought I could do nearly anything – he created me come to feel I could do anything,” she reported.

Earlier, hundreds of people today lined the streets as Pte Rooney’s coffin was carried the short distance from his grandparents’ dwelling in Dundalk.

“No-a single in this community would at any time have considered that your walk throughout Hoey’s Lane to arrive to your beloved church would be these a tough walk,” Fr Ryan explained.

The soldier’s system will be taken to All Saints Catholic Church in Colehill, County Donegal, for a burial company with complete military honours later on Thursday.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that dispensation had been specified for the Irish Defence Forces to wear uniforms even though accompanying Pte Rooney’s coffin as it will make its way by Northern Ireland towards County Donegal.

Pte Rooney was repatriated to Eire on Monday subsequent a UN ceremony to honour him in Beirut the preceding day.

3 individual investigations are getting conducted into the incident by the UN Interim Pressure in Lebanon, Lebanese authorities led by a army prosecutor and the Irish Defence Forces.

It is recognized the vehicle was surrounded by a mob and fired on even though travelling to Beirut at about 21: 00 on 14 December.

A further soldier who was critically hurt in the exact same assault was returned residence to the Republic of Eire on Wednesday.

Trooper Shane Kearney, who suffered a head harm, was flown by a healthcare aircraft from Beirut Airport to Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, then taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

Trooper Kearney is in a stable affliction, the Irish Defence Forces have stated.