Sean Rooney funeral

2022 - 12 - 23

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Irish Mirror"

Sean Rooney funeral live updates as hero Irish soldier to be laid to ... (Irish Mirror)

The hero soldier, 23, was shot and killed while serving as part of a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon last week.

His remains will be removed to the Holy Family Church in Dundalk for funeral mass at 9am. The service will be broadcast live for those who wish to pay their respects. A temporary road closure will be put in place along the N13 at Newtowncunningham. Closure will be in implemented between 12.30pm and 4pm.. “What struck me and struck most people about Sean was his maturity. He loved his job in the army. “And finally, I am absolutely heartbroken that our life together has been cut short, but I feel extremely lucky to have experienced that person and love. A book of condolences has been opened in Newtowncunningham for people to pay their respects to Pte Rooney. The soldier spent much of his short life in the Louth town, and where he was based with the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion. “I can say for certain that he would have been a fantastic husband and an even better father. “Sean was placed in my arms when I was 16 years old. Special clearance has been issued for army officials to cross the border in uniform for this solemn occasion.

Private Sean Rooney is a 'national hero,' mother tells funeral of ... (The Irish News)

The funeral of an Irish peacekeeping soldier who was killed in Lebanon has heard “today is the most difficult of days”. A member of the Irish Defence Forces ...

“And finally, I am absolutely heartbroken that our life together has been cut short, but I feel extremely lucky to have experienced that person and love. “I can say for certain that he would have been a fantastic husband and an even better father. He loved his job in the army. “It breaks all our hearts. He loved his running and he always looked after himself. “Sean was placed in my arms when I was 16 years old. “Growing up I never understood why people called their partner the other half. “What struck me and struck most people about Sean was his maturity. “Natasha said recently: ‘it was an honour to be his mother’. It was eaten in Derry by Holly and her flatmates. Natasha, my sense is that as the years progressed, you both became best friends.” It was not easy.”

Seán Rooney: Irish peacekeeper's death 'pierced his family's heart' (BBC News)

The death of an Irish soldier killed on a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has "pierced the hearts of his family", mourners at his funeral were told.

Another soldier who was seriously injured in the same attack was returned home to the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday. It is understood the vehicle was surrounded by a mob and fired on while travelling to Beirut at about 21:00 on 14 December. Irish Defence Minister Micheál Martin, chief of staff of the Irish Defence Forces Lt Gen Seán Clancy and colleagues of Pte Rooney from Lebanon were also in attendance. The coffin, carried by members of 27 Infantry, in which Pte Rooney served, was transferred from the hearse to a gun carriage. His funeral was held on Thursday in the Church of the Holy Family in Dundalk, County Louth. The death of an Irish soldier killed on a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has "pierced the hearts of his family", mourners at his funeral were told.

Funeral of Private Sean Rooney (Irish Echo)

Ireland's new Minister for Foreign Affairs has expressed his “deepest sympathies” to the family of Private Seán Rooney who was killed in Lebanon la...

His family has, over many years, built a deep tradition of service in our armed forces Private Seán Rooney served his country proudly and with honour.” Private Rooney was buried with full military honors. Private Rooney, 24, was due to marry next year.

Seán Rooney funeral: Strangled with grief, a family struggles to say ... (The Irish Times)

A mother turning to her firstborn child's coffin and promising to stay strong for him. A little girl reaching out to her cousin's hearse crying: “I don't ...

His aunt Lauren read from the Book of Ecclesiastes – “There is a time to be born and a time to die ... a time for war and a time for peace.” Following prayers of commemoration by Fr Paschal Hanrahan, the Army chaplain, a guard of honour flanked the hearse as Private Rooney’s coffin was placed inside it for the short journey to Aiken Barracks in Dundalk, where he was based. “I don’t have the words to express my love for him and my pride as I look at everybody here today for Seán – not just because he is a national hero.” At this, applause filled the church, at the centre of which lay the coffin draped in the Irish and UN flags. At the prayers of the faithful, Fr Ryan stepped in to finish the petition that “God may welcome Seán” by his youngest sibling, Robyn aged 11, when she was overcome by her loss. I don’t want to leave him.” and O Holy Night, emphasised the particular sadness of a young man’s funeral taking place just three days before Christmas. “It was eaten in Derry by Holly and her flatmates.” Fr Ryan told how Natasha used to pack lunches and dinners for Seán to take back to Dundalk on his visits home to Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, giving him instructions to put the food in the fridge as soon as possible. Mam, I don’t want to leave him.” A sister unable to utter the prayer for her brother’s soul on the altar because her voice is strangled with grief. The parents of Trooper Shane Kearney (23), from Killeagh in Co Cork, who was seriously injured in the same attack, were also present. A little girl reaching out to her cousin’s hearse crying: “I don’t want to leave him.

Private Seán Rooney funeral: A 'national hero' who was 'wonderful ... (Derry Journal)

Natasha McCloskey, along with Pte Rooney's father Paul, fiancee Holly, siblings, grandparents, extended family and friends gathered in Church of the Holy ...

He was an ‘extremely driven’ person who loved his job and adored his family. Mourner heard how there was a ‘unique bond’ between Seán and his mother and how she would pack lunches, dinners and laundry to last him the week. I can say for certain he would have been a fantastic husband and an even better father.” adored his grandparents and was ‘immersed in family life’ His home unit was the 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk. But that is a fraction of what is on the inside.