The family of Private Seán Rooney have been reunited with his remains.
The Aer Corps jet bringing his body home from Beirut landed at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell just after 8.30 this morning.
The 24 year old who was shot dead during an attack in Lebanon last Wednesday was accompanied on the flight by a number of his colleagues from the 121st infantry battalion.
His family have spent some private time with his body and a short prayer service was also held.
A post mortem will now be carried out by the State Pathologist as part of the Irish Defence Forces investigation into his killing, separate enquires are also being carried out by the UN and Lebanese authorities.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar says its time now for people to support the soldiers family.
“The main thing I think this week really is to stand with and express our condolences to private Rooney’s family, his friends and colleagues because it’s been a long time since we lost a soldier in combat in Lebanon, but it also reminds us how important that mission is.
“I’ve been there, had an opportunity to meet with the soldiers me with the local community, and it’s allowed people in that part of Lebanon, for the last few decades to lead a relatively normal life.”
