The Defence Forces has confirmed the peacekeeper killed in Lebanon, was 23-year-old Seán Rooney from County Donegal.
The young soldier from Newtowncunningham was killed, when a hostile group attacked one of two armored vehicles, travelling in a convoy to Beriut.
Another soldier who was seriously injured in the attack is being treated in hospital.
He has been named as 22-year-old Private Shane Kearney from Killeagh in County Cork.
Pvt. Rooney's family was informed in the early hours of this morning.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute to the soldier and his family:
"We're all deeply shocked and very saddened," the Fianna Fáil leader said.
"It is a reminder to us of the extraordinary sacrifice our peacekeepers make on a constant basis."
The Taoiseach continued, "they operate in at times hostile and very difficult environments, we should always be conscious of that."
It is with deep regret that Óglaigh na hÉireann can confirm the death of one of our peacekeepers in a serious incident in Lebanon last night.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
1/4 pic.twitter.com/YrnFOVBjkV— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) December 15, 2022
"Devastating"
The Minister for Defence Simon Coveney says it's devasting to break to a family.
"To get a knock on the door in the middle of the night, from the Defence Forces, is really the last thing any parent wants to get."
"...and that's what's happened."
The Minister says four injured soldiers were taken to hospital but one was pronounced dead.
A second was "very seriously" injured, has undergone surgery and remains in a "very critical condition."
