Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has acknowledged the huge loss of Private Seán Rooney and the impact of his passing on the Defence Force community in South Kildare.
O’Loughlin said “The news which broke yesterday of the death of Private Seán Rooney, 24, a native of Newtowncunningham in County Donegal whilst peacekeeping in Lebanon rocked us all to the core. But none more so that the local people in South Kildare.”
“As a community we know only too well the fear and worry associated with friends and families being deployed abroad. We think of them today, and I would ask that each of us reach out and support our friends who have loved based abroad at this very difficult and traumatising time. We as a community are incredibly proud of each and every soldier who puts themselves in harms way, especially our own defence force personnel at the Curragh.”
In conclusion Fiona said “The call that Seán’s family received is the nightmare of many defence force families in South Kildare and around the country.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, and the families of those injured at this difficult time.”