Tributes pour in for brave Dunboyne man killed in action in Ukraine war

Tributes have been pouring in for the young Dunboyne man who was killed in action fighting in the war in Ukraine.

Rory Mason, 23, was fighting in the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The native of Dunboyne was killed in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border on September 28th.

Mr Mason enlisted to fight in Ukraine last March.

In a statement his father, Rob said Rory "was a private young man of drive, purpose and conviction".

"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," he said.

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

In a statement, St Peter's College Principal Deirdre Maye expressed her shock to hear of the death Mr Mason.

"St Peter's College is shocked to hear the news of the untimely death Rory Mason who we understand, was fighting for the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine.

"The entire St Peter’s College community, students, past pupils, teachers and the Board of Management offer their condolences and deepest sympathies to Rory’s family at this very difficult time."

Meanwhile local Fine Gael councillor Maria Murphy said the news was "devastating." She added:

"Rory grew up in Dunboyne and attended local schools here in what is a very close knit community, everyone is just so shocked and just thinking of the family.

"It's hard for any family to lose a child but even more tragic when it's these circumstances.

"It was a very courageous thing for him to do, as his father said in his statement he was a very brave young man with very strong convictions.

"We just have to remember him and keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers and give them time to grieve."

Ukrainian MP Sviatoslav Yurash said that the people of Ukraine will forever thank Rory and his family for all he did to help their country “in this time of the greatest need”.

He said people like Rory had answered the call made by the free world. He had travelled to Ukraine to “battle against the onslaught” by Russia on Ukraine. He would now be in the pantheon of heroes.

Mr Yurash told RTÉ radio’s Today with Claire Byrne show that the struggle remained constant and Ukraine continued to call to the citizens of the world “to help us any way they can.” The MP also thanked the people of Ireland for all they had done to support Ukraine.