Lebanon killing: Soldier Seán Rooney repatriated to Ireland
Pte Seán Rooney's remains arrived at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
- Published
The body of an Irish soldier killed while on a United Nations peacekeeping mission has been flown to the Republic of Ireland from Lebanon.
Pte Seán Rooney was in one of two armoured vehicles that came under fire while travelling to Beirut on Wednesday night.
A UN ceremony was held for the 24-year-old soldier at Beirut airport before his body was flown to Ireland overnight by the Irish Air Corps.
Pte Rooney's body was taken to Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel and was received by his family.
He was accompanied back to Ireland by Company Commander, 121 Irish Battalion Recce Company, Commandant, Brian Connolly.
A prayer service took place at the aerodrome.
Pte's Rooney's mother Natasha, his fiancée Holly McConnellogue and grandfather Eugene were among those present when the aircraft landed, according to RTÉ, external.
His funeral Mass will take place at Holy Family Church in Dundalk on Thursday at 09:00 local time.
The remains will then be taken to All Saints Catholic Church in Colehill in County Donegal for a burial service with full military honours.
A death notice posted online said he would be "sadly missed and forever loved” by his family.
Three investigations into Pte Rooney's death are under way.
A post-mortem examination will be carried out.
Trooper Shane Kearney, 23, was also seriously injured in Wednesday's attack.
Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics on Sunday, Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney said the news was "more optimistic" about the condition of Trooper Kearney.
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The soldier is now breathing independently and plans are being made to transfer him to Ireland when it is medically safe.
It is understood the soldiers' armoured vehicle was surrounded by a mob and fired on while travelling to Beirut at about 21:00 on Wednesday.
Three separate investigations are being conducted into the incident by the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, Lebanese authorities led by a military prosecutor, and the Irish Defence Forces.