Archbishops express deep sympathy on the death of Donegal solider

The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland has expressed his deepest sympathies to the family of the Donegal solider who was tragically killed on peacekeeping duty last night in the Lebanon.

In a joint statement Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh along with Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin paid tribute to Private Sean Rooney's "bravery, honor and commitment to peace".

Private Rooney, originally from Dundalk, but living in Newtowncunningham, was travelling in a convoy of two armoured utility vehicles (AUVs) carrying eight personnel from their base in southern Lebanon, northbound along the coastal highway to Beirut, when it encountered a roadblock in the Al-Aqbieh area, just outside the group’s area of operations.

Tragically, the convoy, which was on an administrative run, was escorting to the airport two soldiers who had been granted compassionate leave to return to Ireland following family bereavements.

The two white jeeps with UN markings came under small arms fire in Al-Aqbieh. One jeep managed to escape but the second jeep came under sustained fire and is believed to have crashed into a building and overturned.

Four of the soldiers were injured in the exchange and they were taken to Raee Hospital, near Sidon.

But Private Rooney was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital and another underwent surgery and is in a serious condition.

The Archbishops said: “Private Seán Rooney was serving with the 121st Infantry Battalion in the cause of world peace.  Private Rooney’s bravery, honor and commitment to peace will never be forgotten. 

"We offer our prayers for the happy repose of Private Rooney’s soul, and for peace and consolation of his family, loved ones and to the wider community of the Defence Forces.  We also remember in our prayers the injured Private Shane Kearney and his family at this time.

“This tragic event, coming as it does so close to Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, reminds all of us of the work and sacrifices that our Defence Forces, and their families, are asked to make on our behalf to promote peace and reconciliation in our world.”