A “truly brave and courageous” Irishman has been killed combating in Ukraine, his household has confirmed.
Rory Mason, 23, from Dunboyne in County Meath, died whereas combating for Ukraine’s International Legion within the Kharkiv counter-offensive close to the Russian border.
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His father Rob mentioned: “Rory was a private young man of drive, purpose and conviction.
“Though we’re deeply saddened at his demise, we’re enormously pleased with his braveness and dedication and his selflessness in instantly enlisting to help 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 curiosity in jap Europe, in journey, and in studying new languages, together with Russian. Those who fought alongside Rory communicate of ‘a really courageous and brave man who might have left at any time however selected to not’.
“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’.
“Rory was our son and we’ll miss him enormously. As our household remains to be attempting to come back to phrases with Rory’s demise, we’d attraction for privateness at this troublesome time.”
Before becoming a member of the International Legion in March, his household mentioned he had been working in Germany to assist fund his journey ambitions.
The International Legion paid tribute to their “brother-in-arms”, who it mentioned was killed in motion when his unit got here beneath assault.
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The legion mentioned: “We are in contact with the family and in coordination 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 guard operational safety and the household’s privateness we can’t launch extra data.
“Rory’s memory will live on in his unit, in the legion and the armed forces of Ukraine.”
Mr Mason leaves behind his mother and father Rob and Elizabeth and a 22-year-old brother and 21-year-old sister.
Source: information.sky.com”