Private Sean Rooney was honoured at a United Nations ceremony that paid tribute to peacekeepers who have lost their life in the line of duty.
Fergal Mythen, who is Ireland’s ambassador to the UN, accepted the Dag Hammarskjold medal on behalf of the fallen soldier's family.
Private Rooney was among 103 United Nations peacekeepers from around the world who were honoured posthumously at the special ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of UN Peacekeeping yesterday.
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Speaking at the memorial in New York, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “Moments ago, I laid a wreath at the Peacekeepers Memorial to honour the women and men who have sacrificed their lives while serving under the UN flag in support of the most important cause of all — peace.
“We mourn their loss and share our deepest sympathies with their families, friends, and colleagues. We will never forget their contributions.”
Private Rooney, 23, was shot in the head as he drove an armoured jeep away from a crowd of attackers in southern Lebanon in December.
One of the three other soldiers in the jeep, Cavalry Trooper Shane Kearney from Cork, suffered several fractures to his skull when the United Nations jeep overturned following the shooting - he has since returned to Cork where his recovery continues.
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