Sean Rooney was the son of Paul Rooney and Natasha McCloskey. The soldier had been due to marry his beautiful fiancee, Holly McConnellogue, the next summer.
Sean Rooney was a member of the Irish Defence Forces, originally from Newtwoncounnigham, Co Donegal. He was killed when his convoy came under attack last week.
The 24-year-old soldier was in active service in Lebanon on 14 December. His armored car came under Fire, which resulted in his death.
The death of an Irish soldier on a UN peacekeeping mission has caused pain that pierced the hearts of his family. What happened to Sean Rooney? How is his family coping with the loss?
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What Happened To Sean Rooney?
As mentioned above, Sean Rooney died in an attack in Lebanon. Private Sean Rooney was killed on Wednesday, 21 December 2022, while serving in the country’s UN peacekeeping mission.
His armored car reportedly came under Fire on 14 December, which resulted in his death.
In Dundalk, County Louth, the Holy Family Church hosted the Irish soldier’s funeral on Thursday, 22 December 2022.
After the funeral service, the coffin was transported to Aiken Barracks in County Louth, where he had been stationed.
The burial service was then held in Newtowncunningham, County Donegal, by the funeral cortège.
The coffin was moved from the hearse to a gun carriage by soldiers of the 27 Infantry, in which Pte Sean Rooney served. As the procession left All Saints Catholic Church and headed to the cemetery, a lone bagpiper played.
A firing team from the 21st Infantry Battalion fired 21 shots as the coffin lowered into the ground.
Sean Rooney’s parents, Natasha and Paul, grandparents Eugene and Rachel, grandmother Ann McCloskey, and his fiancée Holly gathered at the gravesite to say their final goodbyes.
In attendance were President Michael D. Higgins, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tánaiste Michael Martin, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, and Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.
The ceremony was also attended by Shane Kearney’s family, an injured UN peacekeeper.
Meet Irish Soldier Sean Rooney’s Father, Paul, And Mother, Natasha
Paul Rooney and Natasha McCloskey are Sean Rooney parents. Eugene and Rachel are his grandparents. Furthermore, Ann McClusky is the late soldier’s grandmother.
Sean Rooney’s death has pierced the hearts of his family and his close-hearted community, Priest Fr Derek Ryan told mourners.
The trooper’s mother gave her tribute in a moving eulogy to her peacemaker son. She said no words could adequately convey her love and pride in Sean.
Sean was born when his mom, Natasha, was 16, and he gave her purpose and wanted to do more, the heartbroken mom added. When McCloskey told the crowd that “Sean Rooney is a National Hero,” there was extended applause in the church.
Meet Sean Rooney Fiancee, Holly McConnellogue
Sean Rooney and his beautiful fiancee, Holly McConnellogue, had been due to walk down the aisle next year.
Holly said that as her relationship with Sean advanced, she understood why people called their partners their other half, in a heartbreaking statement read by the priest Ryan on her behalf.
Sean’s presence always made Holly feel at ease. She was sure the soldier would have been a fantastic husband and dad.
Sean Rooney’s fiancee concluded the statement by saying their life together had been cut short. However, she felt fortunate to have experienced Sean and his love.
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