Private Sean Rooney, a native of Donegal, has been identified as the young soldier who perished while doing peacekeeping duties for the UN in Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Pvt. Rooney, 23, of Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal, died in an overnight incident while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Eight persons were travelling to Beirut in two armed vehicles when, according to a statement from the Defence Forces, the convoy came “under small weapons fire,” injuring four peacekeeping soldiers.
When Pvt. Rooney arrived at the hospital, he was already dead. His native unit, the 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk, County Louth, is where he first joined the Defense Forces in March 2019.
Additionally, Pvt. Rooney has foreign experience with the 119 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL. Private Shane Kearney, a soldier from Killeagh in County Cork, was hurt in the event as well.
According to a previous statement, Pvt. Kearney has underwent surgery and is in a “severe condition.” The 22-year-old enlisted in the Defense Forces in October 2018; Collins Barracks, Cork’s 1 Cavalry Squadron is where he currently serves as a member of his home unit.
Prior to this, he was a member of the 117 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL. Following the incident, two additional troops are receiving minor injuries treatment at Raee Hospital, close to Sidon.
Early on Thursday morning, the Irish Defense Forces released a statement announcing Pvt. Rooney’s passing but omitting his name. It said: “With great grief, Glaigh na hÉireann can report that one of our peacekeepers passed away yesterday night in a severe incident in Lebanon. Anam dlis, ar dheis Dé go raibh.
“On 14 December 2022 at approx 2115hrs (Irish time), a serious incident took place involving members of 121st Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL. A convoy of two (2) Armoured Utility Vehicles (AUVs) carrying eight (8) personnel travelling to Beirut came under small arms fire.
“The remaining 4 personnel from the convoy were not injured and are safe & accounted for. The names of personnel are not being released at this time, but the families of those involved have been informed. A full investigation will commence into this incident.”
“4 personnel were taken to Raee Hospital, near Sidon as a result of the incident. One soldier was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital and another has undergone surgery and is in a serious condition. The other two soldiers are being treated for minor injuries.”
