Trooper Shane Kearney due back in Ireland following Lebanon attack

Trooper Shane Kearney, from East Cork, will be taken by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital to continue receiving medical treatment

Trooper Shane Kearney who was injured in the Lebanon. Picture: Óglaigh na hÉireann

Injured Trooper Shane Kearney will be medically evaluated from Beirut Airport today and returned home to Ireland.

Tpr Kearney, 22, from Killeagh in East Cork, will be flown home today from Lebanon using a specially equipped, contracted medical aircraft. The flight is due to land at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co Dublin, this afternoon. 

He will then be taken by ambulance to Beaumont Hospital to continue receiving medical treatment. He is continuing to improve and remains stable at present, the Defence Forces confirmed.

Tpr Kearney was seriously injured after he and his comrades, members of 121st Infantry Battalion, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), were attacked last week in a village just south of Beirut. 

His colleague, Private Seán Rooney, was killed in the attack.

His funeral will take place in Donegal tomorrow at 9am. He will be buried with full military honours.

The Defence Forces has opened an online book of condolences for Pte Rooney.

Last Wednesday’s incident is being investigated by the UN, by the Lebanese Armed Forces and by the Defence Forces, with assistance from gardaí.