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26/11/2008
Honour For Irish Serviceman Killed In Afghanistan
The Irishman killed serving with the Royal Marines in Afghanistan is to be remembered on an engraved Peace Park 'wall' in Co Mayo.
Marine Robert McKibbin, 32, who was killed in action earlier this month is to be honoured by being added to the names on the Garden of Remembrance wall in Castlebar - a facility officially opened by the Irish President just weeks ago.
Mr McKibben's funeral took place yesterday with British military representatives in attendance at the service in Westport - which was especially poignant given news of the death of another Royal Marine - a Scot - in the war zone on Monday.
The Irish marine, from Carnalurgan, Westport, died along with a fellow Royal Marine, Neil Dunstan, after their patrol vehicle was hit by an explosive device in the Garmsir district of Southern Helmand.
Their bodies were flown back from Afghanistan last week.
Inquests into the deaths of the two marines are to be held soon in Oxford.
Known to most on his unit as 'Frank', Mr McKibben was serving with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, United Kingdom Landing Force Command Support Group, as a reconnaissance operator.
He had been expected home on leave before Christmas.
Robert's family released a statement saying: "We are all extremely proud of our Robbie.
"He had very definite plans of how he wanted to live his life; he was always thoughtful, considerate and had an amazing sense of humour that touched so many lives.
"He was so full of life and was loved so much by his family and by all his friends. Robbie has left a huge void in our hearts and he will never be forgotten.”
In a tribute, his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew J McInerney said: "Marine Robert Joseph McKibben was a larger than life character, with an easy smile and quick wit. He was an immensely capable man, yet his humility made him an example and inspiration to all he served with."
Meanwhile, the identity of another British soldier - also a Royal Marine, who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan this week - has been revealed.
He was Alex Lucas, from Peebles, in Scotland, who died from his injuries following an explosion close to the treacherous Helmand province yesterday.
See: Royal Marine Killed In Helmand
See: President Commemorates British War Dead
(DW)(BMcC)
Marine Robert McKibbin, 32, who was killed in action earlier this month is to be honoured by being added to the names on the Garden of Remembrance wall in Castlebar - a facility officially opened by the Irish President just weeks ago.
Mr McKibben's funeral took place yesterday with British military representatives in attendance at the service in Westport - which was especially poignant given news of the death of another Royal Marine - a Scot - in the war zone on Monday.
The Irish marine, from Carnalurgan, Westport, died along with a fellow Royal Marine, Neil Dunstan, after their patrol vehicle was hit by an explosive device in the Garmsir district of Southern Helmand.
Their bodies were flown back from Afghanistan last week.
Inquests into the deaths of the two marines are to be held soon in Oxford.
Known to most on his unit as 'Frank', Mr McKibben was serving with the Brigade Reconnaissance Force, United Kingdom Landing Force Command Support Group, as a reconnaissance operator.
He had been expected home on leave before Christmas.
Robert's family released a statement saying: "We are all extremely proud of our Robbie.
"He had very definite plans of how he wanted to live his life; he was always thoughtful, considerate and had an amazing sense of humour that touched so many lives.
"He was so full of life and was loved so much by his family and by all his friends. Robbie has left a huge void in our hearts and he will never be forgotten.”
In a tribute, his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew J McInerney said: "Marine Robert Joseph McKibben was a larger than life character, with an easy smile and quick wit. He was an immensely capable man, yet his humility made him an example and inspiration to all he served with."
Meanwhile, the identity of another British soldier - also a Royal Marine, who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan this week - has been revealed.
He was Alex Lucas, from Peebles, in Scotland, who died from his injuries following an explosion close to the treacherous Helmand province yesterday.
See: Royal Marine Killed In Helmand
See: President Commemorates British War Dead
(DW)(BMcC)
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10 August 2005
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The Royal Navy is to abandon a mooring formerly maintained on Carlingford Lough for a patrol vessel.
21 February 2008
Royal Irish Fly Out As Afghanistan Death Confirmed
As around 100 TA part time 'rangers' from 2 Royal Irish in Northern Ireland deploy as a fully formed company for Afghanistan - alongside their regular army colleagues - it has been confirmed that a soldier from 40 Commando Royal Marines has been killed in an explosion.
Royal Irish Fly Out As Afghanistan Death Confirmed
As around 100 TA part time 'rangers' from 2 Royal Irish in Northern Ireland deploy as a fully formed company for Afghanistan - alongside their regular army colleagues - it has been confirmed that a soldier from 40 Commando Royal Marines has been killed in an explosion.
24 May 2010
Blast Kills Commando From Co Antrim
A marine killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. He was Cpl Stephen Walker from Lisburn in Co Antrim. He was 42-years-old and from A Company 40 Commando Royal Marines. He died on Friday morning after an explosion near Patrol Base Almas, in Sangin, Helmand.
Blast Kills Commando From Co Antrim
A marine killed in a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan has been named by the Ministry of Defence. He was Cpl Stephen Walker from Lisburn in Co Antrim. He was 42-years-old and from A Company 40 Commando Royal Marines. He died on Friday morning after an explosion near Patrol Base Almas, in Sangin, Helmand.
21 August 2009
NI-Based Trooper Dies In Afghanistan
It has emerged that one of the two soldiers killed by an explosion in Afghanistan yesterday was from a Co Down-based regiment. The soldier - based in Ballykinler - and a colleague from another regiment were killed while on a routine foot patrol near Sangin, in Helmand province, on Thursday. Their families have been informed.
NI-Based Trooper Dies In Afghanistan
It has emerged that one of the two soldiers killed by an explosion in Afghanistan yesterday was from a Co Down-based regiment. The soldier - based in Ballykinler - and a colleague from another regiment were killed while on a routine foot patrol near Sangin, in Helmand province, on Thursday. Their families have been informed.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
