HEARTBROKEN MUM TELLS OF LOVE AND PRIDE FOR SON

Natasha McCloskey’s tribute to her son, Pte Seán Rooney, in full:

‘I wanted to tell you all about how wonderful, kind and loving Seán was. ‘Myself and Holly spoke with Fr Derek the other night and we shared stories and we talked about all the different kind, wonderful things Seán has done in his short life. ‘Fr Derek asked myself and Holly to write some words down about Seán that we could read at the Mass and I just couldn’t put into words, there are no words that are strong enough. ‘There’s no words great enough to express the love that I have for Seán and how proud I am of Seán. ‘Seán was placed in my arms when I was 16 years old and he gave me purpose. I wanted to do better for Seán, I wanted to finish school for Seán, I wanted to go on to third-level education for Seán and buy a house for Seán and I wanted Seán to have a mother he could be proud of. ‘In his life, he gave me purpose. In his death, I will find new purpose. I promise my son that I will stay strong to take care of [his sister] Robyn. ‘I promise we will try our very best to strengthen our faith and love so that we can be reunited with Seán in heaven. ‘I could stand here all day and tell you all the different, nice things Seán has done for people. ‘A childhood friend living out in Canada, who couldn’t be here today, instead of sending flowers, he raised 2,000 dollars and that money is going to under-privileged children this Christmas, which is so fitting for Seán. It was the right thing to do to sum Seán up because he wouldn’t like to think of any child at Christmas without toys. ‘I don’t have the words to express my love for him and my pride as I look around at everybody here today for Seán, not just because he is a national hero. I am more proud of the kind and loving person that Seán was. ‘He was the most beautiful baby, the most gorgeous wee boy, the most handsome man you will ever meet, but that is a fraction of what he was on the inside. ‘I will love you forever son and I cannot wait to be reunited with you in heaven.’