LATEST:  “THERE is total numbness and shock in Killeagh today,” said the chairperson of Killeagh GAA Club Ger Scully following the news that a young solider from the area was injured in the Lebanon last night, in a serious incident in which another Irish soldier was killed. 

22-year-old Killeagh native Shane Kearney was injured during the incident involving Irish troops serving as part of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) on Wednesday night. He is in a serious condition in hospital having undergone surgery.

"Private Kearney joined the Defence Forces in October 2018 and his home Unit is 1 Cavalry Squadron in Collins Barracks Cork," the Defence Forces confirmed. "He previously served overseas with the 117 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL.” 

A fellow soldier, 23-year-old Private Seán Rooney, was killed in the same incident and other Irish peacekeepers were also injured.

Ger Scully chairperson of Killeagh GAA club said the news has come as a terrible shock to the local community.

“When you hear something like this it is very hard to get your head around it," he said. "It is hard to believe. 

"The community is just rallying around to get their bearings. No-one knows how to react. There is just complete shock." 

Mr Scully said the Kearney family are very active in the local community. 

“His family are very active in the community and well liked. Shane’s father Paudie is very involved in the club. He is a referee. 

Shane has been involved in the GAA all his life. He would have played underage at all levels. He would have won an U16 Premier 2 county hurling title. He played with the junior team this year. He is a warm, genuine, and very nice lad.” 

Fianna Fáil TD James O’Connor, who hails from Killeagh, played hurling with Shane. 

“It is very sad, it came as a huge shock to everybody," he told The Echo. "In the Dáil today we had a minute’s silence for the solider who died and the other soldiers who are injured. 

 “Killeagh is a small close-knit community, and we will all rally around. The family are very involved in the Killeagh community and involved in different organisations. They are very much at the heart of the village. They are well known and a popular local family.

“The community will be there to support the family.

"There is a vigil tonight in St John the Baptist Church for Shane. It will be led by Fr Tim Hazelwood. There will be several members from the Defences Forces in attendance, members of the local community and the Taoiseach will be represented by his Aide de Camp,” he added.

Sinn Féin TD for Cork East Pat Buckley also paid tribute to the soldiers involved.

“I have the upmost admiration for anybody on these missions and especially the peacekeeping troops," he said. "It is a big shock. You are always fearful when your loved ones are going away. The best present you can get is when they come back safe.” 

The soldiers were part of 121st Infantry Battalion, which comprises 333 Irish soldiers, that was deployed in November 2022 to South Lebanon as part of the Unifil.

A convoy of two armoured vehicles en route to Beirut came under small arms fire at around 9.15pm Irish time on Wednesday night.

All four soldiers injured in the attack were taken to Raee Hospital, near Sidon, following the incident.

The peacekeeper who suffered fatal injuries was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.

Four other soldiers in the convoy were uninjured in the attack, including at least one other soldier from Cork. 

UPDATE: The community in Killeagh in Cork is rallying to support a local family following the news that a young soldier from the area was injured in the Lebanon last night while on duty, in a serious incident in which another Irish soldier was killed. 

Shane Kearney, who is from a prominent GAA family, was injured during the incident involving Irish troops serving as part of UNIFIL (United Nations Force in Lebanon on Wednesday night. 

He is in a serious condition in hospital having undergone surgery.

"Private Kearney joined the Defence Forces in October 2018 and his home Unit is 1 Cavalry Squadron in Collins Barracks Cork," the Defence Forces confirmed. 

"He previously served overseas with the 117 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL. Private Kearney is 22 years of age and is a native of Killeagh, Co. Cork." 

A fellow soldier, 23-year-old Private Seán Rooney, was killed in the same incident and other Irish peacekeepers were also injured. At least one other soldier from Cork was in the convoy but he is not injured. 

"Private Rooney joined the Defence Forces in March 2019 and his home unit is the 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk. He previously served overseas with the 119 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL. 

"Private Rooney was a native of Newtowncunningham, Co. Donegal." 

Killeagh GAA have said a church service is taking place in Killeagh tonight at 7.30 to pray for 'our club member, Shane Kearney'.

Former Cork GAA chairperson Tracey Kennedy also shared details of the prayer service. 

"The injured boy, Shane Kearney, is a dear family friend of ours and his parents would appreciate all prayers for his recovery." 

The soldiers were part of 121st Infantry Battalion, which comprises 333 Irish soldiers, that was deployed in November 2022 to South Lebanon as part of the Unifil (United Nation Interim Force in Lebanon).

A convoy of two armoured vehicles en route to Beirut came under small arms fire at around 9.15pm Irish time on Wednesday night.

All four soldiers injured in the attack were taken to Raee Hospital, near Sidon, following the incident.

Four other soldiers in the convoy were uninjured in the attack.

The Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, expressed shock and sadness at the “tragic event”.

“Our thoughts are with his family, his friends and his fellow peacekeepers from the 121st Infantry Battalion,” he said.

“Our thoughts are also with those who were injured last night and their families and friends.

“We have one of our medical officers currently at Raee Hospital and we will ensure that our personnel get the best possible care.

“Our focus now is to ensure the safety and continued support for all our personnel deployed in Lebanon.” 

The Defence Forces said a full investigation will commence into the incident.

The 121st Infantry Battalion is part of a multinational battalion, comprising Irish, Maltese, Polish and Hungarian personnel.

The UN’s peacekeeping mission in Lebanon was established in 1978 following Israel’s invasion of the country.

EARLIER: An Irish soldier serving as a UN peacekeeper in Lebanon has died following a “serious incident”, Irish Defence Minister Simon Coveney has said.

In a statement, Mr Coveney said another soldier had suffered “serious injuries”.

“I was informed by the Chief of Staff in the early hours of this morning of a serious incident involving Irish troops serving in Lebanon as part of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon),” he said.

“It is with profound sadness and a deep sense of shock that I have subsequently learned of the death of one of our peacekeepers and of the serious injuries to one other.

“At this time I want to express, on behalf of everyone in Ireland, our utmost sorrow at the loss of a young man serving his country and the United Nations overseas. To his family I want to say sorry for their heartbreak and loss.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was shocked and saddened by the death of the Irish soldier in Lebanon.

“It is with a deep sense of sadness and shock that I have learned of the death of one of our Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) peacekeepers, and serious injuries to another, in an incident in Lebanon.

“I want to express the heartfelt sorrow of the Government of Ireland at the loss of a young person serving overseas with the United Nations.

“In particular, I extend to his family our deepest sympathies for the terrible loss they have suffered.

“It is a reminder that our peacekeepers serve in dangerous circumstances, at all times, in the cause of peace.

“Our thoughts are with his colleagues, and to the wider Defence Forces family and all who serve overseas, we know how deeply you will feel this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”

PRESIDENT

President Michael D Higgins has offered his “deepest condolences” to the family of the dead soldier.

He said in a statement: “As President of Ireland and Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, it is with a heavy heart, and conscious of the great loss it will represent to them, that I offer my deepest condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the member of the Defence Forces who has lost their life.

“A life lost serving the people of Ireland, serving the United Nations, and serving all those wishing for peace in our shared world.”