A former elite Army Ranger of the Irish Armed Forces, Robert Deegan, was killed last Thursday while fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine. Deegan, 29, from Newbridge, County Kildare, was fatally wounded during combat, with news of his death emerging on September 22, according to The Irish Times.
It remains unclear whether his remains have been recovered, though Irish sources suggest efforts are still underway.
Despite having no prior connection to Ukraine before Russia’s 2022 invasion, Deegan was firmly committed to the belief that Russia needed to be defeated. He was described as a principled man determined to contribute to Ukraine’s defense, returning to the war even after being wounded two years ago.
In October 2022, while on duty, Deegan was seriously injured by an improvised explosive device, resulting in facial injuries and the loss of an eye. He returned to Ireland for treatment and rehabilitation before rejoining the fight in Ukraine earlier this year. In Ukraine, Deegan served with the special unit “Stugna,” which undertakes high-risk missions.
Deegan was mortally wounded while covering his team’s retreat during battles with Russian forces.
A member of the Irish Armed Forces for 11 years, he was promoted to the Army Rangers Wing in 2017. His father is a former Army Ranger, and his brother is currently serving, making the Deegan family highly respected within the military community.
President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, expressed his condolences at the UN Future Summit in New York, calling Deegan’s death a “horrific tragedy.”
This is not the first Irish loss in Ukraine, as in December 2022, the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the death of another citizen fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion.
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