Fiancée of Donegal peacekeeper says he 'died doing what he loved'

"He was one of the good ones".

That is how the fiancée of Private Seán Rooney has described the brave soldier who tragically lost his life in Lebanon on Wednesday night.

Newtowncunningham resident Sean was due to marry Derry woman Holly McConnellogue next year, after meeting in the city three years ago.

Ms McConnellogue said her fiancée was “the most wonderful, selfless person, who died doing what he loved”.

Ms McConnellogue told the Irish Times that she is “absolutely heartbroken” at Sean's death, saying “it hasn’t sunk in yet that he’s gone, but I at least know that he died doing what he loved and serving his country”.

“We met three years ago yesterday, three years to the day he died. He was a fantastic person to be with,” Ms McConnellogue said.

Describing their relationship, she said: “He was one of the good ones, as they say. He taught me so much about myself and about unconditional love. He really showed me what unconditional love is like.”

She said Sean was “so passionate about his career in the Army."