Members of Donegal County Council fell silent in prayer this morning to remember Private Sean Rooney.
Councillors stood for a minute’s silence in honour of Pte Rooney, aged 24, who died during a mission in Lebanon on Wednesday night.
Flags in all Irish military installations are at half-mast today as soldiers gather to honour their fallen colleague. Flowers and wreaths have been laid at the private’s base at Aiken Barracks in Dundalk throughout yesterday and today.
The young soldier from Newtowncunningham has been remembered as a kind and selfless young man who was passionate about serving his country.
United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Earlier today the Caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati and the Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun paid their condolences to the United Nations Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Aroldo Lázaro.
They said: “We are all processing the shocking events, and mourning the loss of Private Sean Rooney, a young Irish soldier with a bright future ahead of him. We wish Private Shane Kearney, who was very seriously injured, a full and swift recovery, along with their two injured colleagues.”