Dunboyne man killed in Ukraine war

A 23-year-old Dunboyne man has been killed while fighting in Ukraine, his family has confirmed.

Rory Mason was fighting in the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Mr Mason’s family confirmed he was “killed in action” on Wednesday, September 28.

He was a native of Dunboyne, Co Meath and was fighting in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border.

The Mason family learned of Rory’s death from the Department of Foreign Affairs which is providing consular assistance.

In a statement his father Rory said:

"Though we are deeply saddened at his death, we are enormously proud of his courage and determination and his selflessness in immediately enlisting to support Ukraine.

"Rory was never political but he had a deep sense of right and wrong and an inability to turn the other way in the face of injustice. He had a long-standing interest in Eastern Europe, in travel and in learning new languages, including Russian.”

Mr Mason’s family said that information on his death is limited and their priority at this point is to repatriate his remains.

Rob said: “Rory was a private young man of drive, purpose and conviction.

“Those who fought alongside Rory speak of ‘a truly brave and courageous man who could have left at any time but chose not to’.

“In the words of a colleague who served with him, ‘Rory was a man who from a glance could seem shy, however when it came to actions and character he proved again and again he was a man of fortitude, principle and honour’.

A spokesperson for The Department of Foreign Affairs said:

“The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of a case and is providing consular assistance.”

“As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of any individual case.”

The spokesperson added that he is deeply missed by his "heartbroken" family, his parents Rob and Elizabeth and his younger brother, 22, and sister, 21.

Before the war, Mr Mason had been working in Germany.

He attended Dunboyne National School and St Peter's College in Dunboyne.

The International Legion For The Defence Of Ukraine said Rory Mason’s memory will live on.

“Our brother in arms, Rory Mason has taken part in the Kharkiv counteroffensive with his unit and was killed in action,” a spokesman said in a statement.

“While conducting operations, the unit came under attack.

We are in contact with the family and in co-ordination with them, following their wishes and instructions, the International Legion and the armed forces of Ukraine are handling the repatriation process.

“At this time, to protect operational security and the family’s privacy we cannot release more information Rory’s memory will live on in his unit, in the legion and the armed forces of Ukraine.”

“We would ask for the family’s privacy to be respected at this difficult time.”