An Irish soldier who was seriously injured in the same ambush that killed Private Sean Rooney has been discharged from hospital.
UN Peacekeeper Shane Kearney had been receiving treatment at Beaumont Hospital since he was flown back from Lebanon to Ireland on a special medical aircraft on December 21.
Before that, he was cared for in a hospital in Sidon and his condition was described as critical.
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The Defence Forces said the soldier, who was based at Collins Barracks in Cork City, will still require “medical treatment” but confirmed doctors were happy for him to continue his recovery at home.
A spokesman said: “Trooper Shane Kearney was discharged from Beaumont Hospital on Friday to continue his recovery at home.
“He still requires further medical treatment later in the year but the medical staff are satisfied with his continued and steady progress to allow him to continue his recuperation at home with his family.
“The Defence Forces and the Kearney family ask the media to please respect Shane’s privacy during this time.”
Speaking in Belfast, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin revealed that he visited Private Shane Kearney in Beaumont Hospital on Monday and said that he had a “very good chat” with him and his parents.
He added: “It’s good news that he’s going home.”
The 23-year-old from Killeagh in Cork suffered blunt force trauma to the head when the armoured UN vehicle he was travelling in was attacked in the coastal village of Al-Aqbiya on December 14.
The convoy was en route from their UNIFIL base to Beirut Airport for a flight home when it was ambushed.
Two vehicles containing Irish peacekeepers heading home on compassionate leave became separated with one then surrounded by an angry mob.
Shots were fired at the Irish vehicle – with tragic Private Rooney hit in the head. His vehicle then overturned while Trooper Kearney was left with critical blunt trauma injuries to the head.
Last month, Lebanese authorities charged seven suspects over Private Rooney’s murder. Local media said the men were all charged with taking part in the attack. The reports also said three of the men were in custody – but four others were on the run.
They also said the alleged gunman is in custody after he was one of three men handed over to Lebanese military
investigators by Hezbollah, the biggest and most powerful armed group in the south of the country.
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