Seán Rooney: Irish peacekeeper's death 'pierced his family's heart'
- Published
Seán Rooney's mother Natasha says he is a national hero and gave her a sense of purpose
The death of an Irish soldier killed on a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has "pierced the hearts of his family", mourners at his funeral were told.
Pte Seán Rooney was in an armoured vehicle that came under fire while travelling to Beirut on 14 December.
His funeral was held on Thursday in the Church of the Holy Family in Dundalk, County Louth.
Following the service, the coffin travelled to Aiken Barracks in County Louth, where he had been stationed.
The funeral cortège then travelled to Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, for the burial ceremony.
The coffin, carried by members of 27 Infantry, in which Pte Rooney served, was transferred from the hearse to a gun carriage.
A lone piper played as the procession made its way to the cemetery at All Saints Catholic Church.
The funeral of Pte Rooney was held in County Louth on Thursday morning
Irish President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar were among the mourners present earlier at the funeral service in County Louth
Irish Defence Minister Micheál Martin, chief of staff of the Irish Defence Forces Lt Gen Seán Clancy and colleagues of Pte Rooney from Lebanon were also in attendance.
Priest Fr Derek Ryan told mourners, including Pte Rooney's mother Natasha, father Paul, grandparents and fiancée Holly McConnellogue, the UN soldier was "immersed in family life".
He was "wise beyond his years", Fr Ryan added.
"When Sean was killed last week, it really did pierce the heart of his family and this close-hearted community, and even the town of Dundalk.
"It's not talked about a lot but families who have sons and daughters serving abroad, they know the risks and dangers that are always present in regions of conflict."
Members of the Irish Defence forces were among those to attend the funeral in Dundalk
Pte Rooney's mother Natasha said her son was kind and loving had done wonderful things in his short life.
She said there were no words "strong or great enough to express the love I have for Sean and how proud I was".
"He is a national hero," she said.
In a statement read by Fr Ryan, Ms McConnellogue said Pte Rooney, who was 24, would have become a "fantastic husband and father".
The couple had been due to marry next year.
"Seán always encouraged me in my work and my studies and everything in life," she said.
"He believed I could do anything - he made me feel I could do anything," she said.
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins was among the mourners
Earlier, hundreds of people lined the streets as Pte Rooney's coffin was carried the short distance from his grandparents' home in Dundalk.
"No-one in this community would ever have thought that your walk across Hoey's Lane to come to your beloved church would be such a difficult walk," Fr Ryan said.
The soldier's body will be taken to All Saints Catholic Church in Colehill, County Donegal, for a burial service with full military honours later on Thursday.
The cortege crossed the border from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland on its way to Donegal
Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that dispensation had been given for the Irish Defence Forces to wear uniforms while accompanying Pte Rooney's coffin as it makes its way through Northern Ireland towards County Donegal.
Pte Rooney was repatriated to Ireland on Monday following a UN ceremony to honour him in Beirut the previous day.
Three separate investigations are being conducted into the incident by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, Lebanese authorities led by a military prosecutor and the Irish Defence Forces.
Both the Irish and UN flags were used to cover Pte Rooney's coffin
It is understood the vehicle was surrounded by a mob and fired on while travelling to Beirut at about 21:00 on 14 December.
Another soldier who was seriously injured in the same attack was returned home to the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday.
Trooper Shane Kearney, who suffered a head injury, was flown by a medical aircraft from Beirut Airport to Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, then taken to Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
Trooper Kearney is in a stable condition, the Irish Defence Forces have said.