Defence

Dáil pays tribute to Irish peacekeeper killed in Lebanon

Private Seán Rooney, 23, was part of an eight-person group travelling to Beirut to bring two soldiers home for family funerals

Private Rooney is the first Irish peacekeeper to be killed in the Lebanon in more than 20 years. Picture: Defence Forces

Tributes have been paid in the Dáil to the young Irish soldier who was killed on a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.

Private Seán Rooney, 23, from Newtowncunningham in Donegal, was part of an eight-person group travelling to Beirut to bring two soldiers home for family funerals.

According to the Irish Defence Forces, their convoy of two armoured utility vehicles came under small arms fire at 9.15pm (Irish time) last night. Simon Coveney, the Minister ...