John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will talk about Private Seán Rooney. As can happen in sad situations like this, there has been a slight bit of misinformation in the national media which indicated he was a native of Donegal. Private Rooney was born and bred in Dundalk. He attended the Gaelscoil Muirtheimhne Mór and St. Mary’s College in Dundalk. His mum relocated to Donegal when he was in fifth year and he moved to Donegal for two or three years before coming back to Dundalk to serve in the Defence Forces, in the 27th Battalion. This is a dreadful day for many people in the local community, not only in Dundalk but in the Defence Forces and the wider country. Private Rooney has made the ultimate sacrifice in his service to the nation. He served in the 27th Battalion, which is based in Aiken Barracks in Dundalk. It is the same battalion in which Private Michael McNeela was serving when he died in Lebanon in 1989. I know I can speak on behalf of the House to an extent in saying we send all our thoughts and sympathies to Private Rooney's grandparents, Eugene and Rachel, all of his friends at home in Dundalk and the Defence Forces who are suffering immensely today. Let us get him back safely and take him to his home country and town in order that we can offer our sympathies in person.