The funeral mass of Private Seán Rooney has begun this morning in the Holy Family Church, Dundalk.
Mourners lined the streets of Pte Rooney’s hometown as the coffin carrying the late peacekeeper was taken to the church by his family and members of the Defence Forces. The Irish tricolour and a UN flag are draped over his coffin in tribute to the 24-year-old’s service.
The Requiem Mass is being celebrated by Fr Donal Ryan, C.Ss.R, with Newtowncunningham Parish Priest Philip Kemmy among the co-celebrants.
Also in attendance are President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD.
Representing the defence forces are Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Pte Rooney’s company commander Commandant Brian Connolly, 121 Irish Battalion Recce Company, Lieutenant Colonel Frank Coakley, Commanding Officer of the 27th Infantry Battalion in Dundalk, and Jacqui Mc Crum, Secretary General, Department of Defence.
The Mass is streamed live at: https://www.churchservices.tv/dundalkholyfamily and on RTE News Channel.
Mourners praying from around the world include Irish troops in Lebanon and Syria who are watching the Funeral Mass online. The Irish flag is being flown at half mast at Irish embassies around the world as a mark of respect to Private Seán Rooney.
