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President mourns life lost 'serving the United Nations'

Updated / Thursday, 15 Dec 2022 20:08
President Michael D Higgins offered his 'deepest condolences' to the soldier's family (File image)
President Michael D Higgins offered his 'deepest condolences' to the soldier's family (File image)

President Michael D Higgins has said the Irish peacekeeper who died after his convoy came under attack in Lebanon, lost his life serving the people of Ireland, the UN, and "all those wishing for peace in our shared world".

He said it was with the "deepest sorrow" that he learned of the death of 24-year-old Private Seán Rooney, a native of Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal.

In a statement, President Higgins said: "As a people, we take great pride in our unbroken record of peacekeeping with the United Nations. However, we must never forget the dangers that come with this work, or how the members of our Defence Forces serving on peacekeeping missions abroad risk their lives every day in order to build and maintain peace in conflict zones across the world.

"As President of Ireland and Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, it is with a heavy heart, and conscious of the great loss it will represent to them, that I offer my deepest condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the member of the Defence Forces who has lost their life.

"A life lost serving the people of Ireland, serving the United Nations, and serving all those wishing for peace in our shared world.

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"May I also wish a speedy recovery to those other members of the Defence Forces injured in the incident. Our thoughts are with them at this time."

Tricolour was lowered to half-mast at McKee Barracks

The Taoiseach has said he is deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of life of an Irish peacekeeper in Lebanon.

Speaking as he arrived for an EU summit in Brussels, Micheál Martin said: "It is very, very sad that we have heard this morning that in a very serious incident, one of our peacekeepers has been killed, and another injured.

"It is a reminder to us of the extraordinary sacrifices that our peacekeepers make on a constant basis.

Sean Rooney was a native of Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal

The Taoiseach said Irish peacekeepers distinguish the country overseas.

"Our thoughts are with his colleagues who have served with him in Lebanon. Every support that we can give will be offered and will be made available. And we will work with the Chief of Staff and his team in terms of helping the families to deal with what is a shocking, a very traumatic situation for all concerned.

"It is our peacekeepers who have made the most noble of contributions to Ireland's reputation abroad, and who have manifested, I think, in the best possible way, Ireland's contribution to the world. And that's why it's so sad."

'Air of sorrow' after death of 'model soldier'

There is an "air of sorrow" over Dundalk today following the death of 24-year-old Private Rooney, according to a local councillor..

He was born and reared in the Co Louth town, attending Gaelscoil Dhún Dealgan in Muirhevnamore, followed by the Marist Secondary School.

Private Rooney's home base is Aiken Barracks in Dundalk, where he was a member of the 27th Infantry Battalion.

Local councillor Kevin Meenan said that Private Rooney grew up in the town and went to school here.

"Seán grew up in my own area of Muirhevnamore, its a fantastic community. Seán would epitomise that, he was involved in everything and never gave a moments trouble to anybody," he said.

He said that Private Rooney was "very well got" and a "popular kid", and that his family's connections to the local defence forces was very well known.

Private Rooney's late father was a member of the Defence Forces.

Three of his uncles are currently serving members, also based in the 27th Infantry Battalion at Aiken Barracks in Dundalk.

Mr Meenan said that Dundalk is extremely proud of all its members of the Defence Forces.

"To lose one in such a fashion, so close to Christmas, and from such a well respected family, is really heartbreaking for Dundalk, and there's an air of sorrow across the town today," he said.

He did his training at Gormanston, before serving at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin.

He completed his first overseas tour with UNIFIL in Lebanon last year with the 119th Battalion, after which he returned to the Dundalk barracks.

Lieutenant Colonel Frank Colclough is the Officer Commanding the 27th Infantry Battalion of which Private Rooney was a member.

He described him as a "fantastic character", "popular" and a "model soldier".

"Seán was on his second trip overseas. he really espoused the values of the model soldiers that we want in here; loyal, enthusiastic. He was well got in here, in Cathal Brugha, and overseas. He was a fantastic character and the type of model soldier you'd like to see every day here, coming to work every day with a smile on his face", he said.

Private Rooney completed advanced driving courses and motorbike courses with the Defence Forces and previously worked as a member of the Escort of Honour, providing an escort to the President.

Lt Col Colclough said that Private Rooney wanted to follow in the footsteps of his uncles who are also members of the 27th Infantry in Dundalk.

"He had a bright future ahead of him and that was seen in his first three years."

A state of total shock

The village of Newtowncunningham in a state of total shock at the death of Private Sean Rooney who was in the prime of his life, according to local councillor, Paul Canning.

Mr Canning knew Sean and his mother and visited her this morning. He said she is devastated and does not know what is happening. He asked that she and her family be given the privacy to grieve.

"I also spoke to his best friend as well, he was in the Lebanon too and he's just back. And apparently Sean was to come back before Christmas so it's just devastating news that a young fella lost his life and him about to come home for Christmas," he said.

Private Rooney attended St Eunan's College in Letterkenny and local people said he travelled there by bus from Newtowncunningham.

Ciara Feeney knew Sean from coming in and out of the local shop where she works near the bus stop.

She said he was a lovely lad, and "it is just so sad".

'The ultimate sacrifice'

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said a full investigation has begun into the incident, but said that for now "it's really about a human story really about a family who have lost a son in service, serving his country, trying to protect vulnerable people in a part of the world torn apart by conflict and unfortunately he has made the ultimate sacrifice in that service".

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the minister said: "This is the worst news possible a family can hear. To get a knock on the door late at night and get news of your son having been killed in service is the last thing a Defence Minister wants to have to report."

The minister, who is currently in New York for a UN Security Council meeting, is to return to Ireland this evening after meeting with the UN Secretary General "to discuss the loss of our peacekeeper and the full investigation that must now follow".

Nation is united in grief, Tánaiste tells Dáil

Speaking during Leaders' Questions in the Dáil, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the nation is united in grief at the loss of a brave young soldier.

He said the Dáil mourns Private Rooney and prays for his injured colleagues.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said a family, a community and a nation is in mourning.

Regional Independent TD Denis Naughten said that "Seán [Rooney] has made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of international peace".

"All of us come from towns with army barracks", he said, adding that news of the death of a soldier made them hold their breath.

Rural Independent TD Mattie McGrath said the "chilling news" made people think of those in their locality who have family members serving.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle lamented the loss of a man at "such a young age".

Following the contributions, the Dáil observed a minute's silence.

Earlier, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said Ireland will "grieve with one family for their terrible loss".

In a post on Twitter, he wrote: "Terrible news about the killing of one of our peacekeeping soldiers in the Lebanon and the wounding of their colleagues. The country will grieve with one family for their terrible loss and I hope and pray the injured soldiers will recover and return home as soon as possible."

Labour leader Ivana Bacik also expressed her condolences, saying she was "shocked and saddened to hear of this terrible loss of a peacekeeper" and that her "thoughts, condolences and sympathies with the family and with all affected".

Additional reporting: Tony Connelly, Laura Hogan, Eileen Magnier

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