Private Seán Rooney has been laid to rest in his hometown of Newtowncunningham, Donegal.
The young soldier was killed in Lebanon last week after the convoy he was travelling in was attacked on its way to Beirut.
At his funeral mass in Dundalk, his mother remembered him as, "the most beautiful baby, the most gorgeous wee boy and the most handsome man you will ever meet."
Among the hundreds present at the funeral were Private Rooney’s family and loved ones, the President, Tánaiste and Garda Commissioner and members of the Irish Defence forces.
Pallbearers from Private Rooney’s home unit- the 27th Infintary Battalion in Dundalk carried his coffin into the cemetery - which was dressed in a tricolour, UN flag, and had his blue UNIFIL beret on top.
These were removed and presented to the family before the Chief Chaplain of the Defence Forces said prayers at the Graveside.
Because Private Rooney was given full military honours for his burial service, a volley of shots were fired a short distance away from the cemetery.
It was followed by the sounding of the last post - a traditional military call which marks the ending of a duty- played on the bugle.
Private Rooney’s family, fiance and loved ones all lay white roses on his casket in their final goodbye to the young soldier, who has been described as a National Hero.
