UN Peacekeeper Irish soldier Pte Sen Rooney killed in Lebanon attack
BBC World News
15 December 2022, 07:41 GMT
Updated 3 hours ago
An Irish soldier on UN peacekeeping duty has been killed and three other soldiers injured in a gun attack in Lebanon. It is understood an armoured vehicle the soldiers were in was surrounded by a mob and fired on while travelling to Beirut on Wednesday night.
Pte Seán Rooney, 23, was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital near Sidon and another had surgery and is in a serious condition.The other two soldiers are being treated for minor injuries.
Irish Defence Minister Simon Coveney told RTÉ radio he understood two armourned patrol vehicles were on a standard administrative trip to Beirut.
"The two armoured vehicles effectively got separated, one of them got surrounded by a hostile mob – I think that’s the only way you could describe them - and shots were fired and unfortunately one of our peacekeepers was killed..This is the worst possible news that a family can hear."
Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin told RTÉ his sympathies were with the soldier's family. "We know the commitment of our soldiers, particularly those in Lebanon….It has always been in the cause of peace and Ireland's international contribution."
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czq340d3yx9o
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God