Update:
The member of the Defence Forces who was killed in this morning’s incident while serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has been named.
Killed on Active Service – 869674 Private Seán Rooney. Private Rooney joined the Defence Forces in March 2019 and his home unit is the 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk. He previously served overseas with the 119 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL. Private Rooney was 23 years of age and was a native of Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal.
Injured on Active Service – 869471 Private Shane Kearney. Private Kearney joined the Defence Forces in October 2018 and his home Unit is 1 Cavalry Squadron in Collins Barracks Cork. He previously served overseas with the 117 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL. Private Kearney is 22 years of age and is a native of Killeagh, Co. Cork.
My thoughts today are with the family of Pte Seán Rooney who tragically lost his life last night, whilst serving with the the Irish @defenceforces in Lebanon as part of @irishpolbatt
Ar dheis go raibh a anam
Also in our thoughts, Tpr Shane Kearney, who was very badly injured pic.twitter.com/4y5liCRFM3
— IrishMedalMounting (@IrishMedalMount) December 15, 2022
Óglaigh na hÉireann (Irish Defence Forces) has confirmed the death of an Irish peacekeeper in a serious incident in Lebanon last night.
The incident occurred last night at around 9.15pm (Irish time), and involved members of 121st Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL.
In a statement this morning, the Defence Forces confirmed: “A convoy of two (2) Armoured Utility Vehicles (AUVs) carrying eight (8) personnel travelling to Beirut came under small arms fire. Four (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. A medical officer from the 121st Infantry Battalion is currently with the soldiers in Raee Hospital.”
The remaining four (4) personnel from the convoy were not injured and are safe and accounted for.
The names of personnel are not being released by the Defence Forces at this time, but the families of those involved have been informed.
The Chief of Staff of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy sadi, “We in Óglaigh na hÉireann are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of this tragic event and the loss of one of our peacekeepers. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fellow peacekeepers from the 121st Infantry Battalion.
Our thoughts are also with those who were injured last night and their families and friends. We have one of our medical officers currently at Raee Hospital and we will ensure that our personnel get the best possible care. Our focus now is to ensure the safety and continued support for all our personnel deployed in Lebanon.”
A full investigation will commence into this incident.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said: “I’m deeply saddened & shocked at the death of a young man serving #Ireland with #UN overseas. My deepest condolences to his family for their heartbreaking loss. We will do everything possible to support all impacted by this incident as full investigation begins.”
*The 121st Infantry Battalion, comprising of 333 Irish soldiers, deployed in November 2022 to South Lebanon as part of UNIFIL (United Nation Interim Force in Lebanon).
The 121st Infantry Battalion are part of a multinational battalion, comprising of Irish, Maltese, Polish and Hungarian personnel, collectively referred to as IRISHPOLBATT.
IRISHPOLBATT support UNIFIL’s mandates in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701 (2006) and UNSCR 2539 (2020).