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Soldier from County Down is killed in Afghanistan

Soldier from County Down is killed in Afghanistan

The Ministry of Defence has said the Royal Irish Soldier killed in Afghanistan on Wednesday was Lance Corporal Stephen McKee who came from Banbridge.

Lance Corporal McKee was 27 and was serving with the 1st. Battalion RIR.

His brother, Lance Corporal Michael, serves in the same regiment.

The MoD said Lance Corporal McKee had been serving in the Nad ’Ali area of Helmand province when the vehicle he was in was caught in a roadside explosion.

A statement from the Ministry revealed that Corporal McKee had suffered tragedy last year when his two-day old daughter passed away.

Last night his wife, Carley, paid a moving tribute to her husband.

Mrs. McKee said: “You will always be my hero and every step I take in life, I will have my two angels looking after me. You truly are the best husband, father, son and brother anyone could ask for. Till we meet again. Love you always.”

His commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir MBE, also paid tribute.

He said: “Stephen McKee was the finest of men; he was irrepressible, he ws utterly reliable and he was a fearsome warrior. As part of the Operations Company he fought the long battle to drive the enemy out of the Nad-e’Ali Canal zone and into the desert.

“Not only was he the finest of Irish soldiers, he was a man with great depths of resilience. I had the privilege of spending a little while with him and his wife Carley after their baby daughter passed away unexpectedly last year.

“His parents and his brothers and sisters had closed around the grieving couple. Their strength and the unshakeable of bonds of this wonderful family were truly humbling. Please God be with them all now.

“Faugh A Ballagh.” *

First Minister Peter Robinson said he was saddened to hear of the death of Lance Corporal McKee and sent his condolenses to the family.

He added: “This reminds us of the supreme sacrifice our armed forces all too regularly pay in the service of their country.”

* Faugh A Ballagh is the RIR’s battle cry and means Clear The Way.

 

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