Michelle Dunne: Private Seán Rooney's death felt by every Irish soldier

Michelle Dunne was just 20 when she first served overseas. She recalls the camaraderie between soldiers and the daily dangers Peacekeepers experience

Private Seán Rooney who was killed on active service in Lebanon on Wednesday. Picture: Óglaigh na hÉireann

It has been a long time since I wore the blue helmet of the UN and, most days, I don’t think about that time at all. But then something like this happens, and every Irish person who has ever served in Lebanon is brought right back there. Even those who have never met Private Seán Rooney will have been hit by the news of his death and will be thinking about his colleagues, those who were injured, and those who were not. There has always been an underestimation of just how dangerous the job of a Peacekeeper is. I’d even go so far as to say that, in Ireland, UN tours can be perceived as a bit of a holiday. A chance to rake in some extra cash and pick up some cheap gold. But the life of a Peacekeeper is so far removed from what we know, it can be difficult to explain.

I was 20 years old when I landed in the village of Haddatha, as were most of my buddies at that time. Before we left, we were wished Bon Voyage – Happy Holiday by civilian friends!