Irish Examiner view: Support our soldiers

Lebanon death

Private Seán Rooney (RIP) and Private Shane Kearney. Picture: Óglaigh na hÉireann

The funeral of Private Sean Rooney takes place this morning in Dundalk, just eight days after he was murdered in Lebanon on UN peacekeeping duty.

The grief felt by the entire nation at his sudden death was encapsulated in a video clip shared on social media. It featured a retired soldier standing alone on the roadside as the cortege bearing Private Rooney’s remains passed by: The soldier’s crisp salute was an eloquent tribute.