The family of a former Irish soldier who died in combat in Ukraine has said he made the “ultimate sacrifice” and should be remembered as a hero who died protecting his comrades in battle while fighting for a principled cause.
Robert Deegan, aged in his late 20s, was killed in combat on Thursday where he was fighting with the Ukrainian army.
In a statement, his family said they were “extremely devastated for the loss of Robert”.
“He made the ultimate sacrifice while staying true to his principles and character,” the family said.
“Robert embodies the definition of determination, honour, loyalty and bravery.
“He stayed behind to cover his comrades’ retreat. He fought and died like a warrior.
“He will be forever remembered in our hearts.”
He had retired from the Irish Defence Forces and was on his second stint in the war-torn country.
Robert Deegan was fatally wounded while covering his team’s retreat from an area during fighting with Russian forces.
The family said that Robert was severely injured in Ukraine in 2022 and lost an eye due to an IED strike.
Once he recovered he went back out to the Ukraine war against the family’s wishes.
He returned to the frontline in Ukraine a few months ago.
Independent TD and former member of the Defence Forces Cathal Berry said information was “sketchy”, but the incident is believed to have occurred in eastern Ukraine by the border with Russia.
“Obviously, our thoughts are with the family at the moment, which I understand is a very well-known and highly, highly respected military family from the east of the country.”
“It is the first former member of the Defence Forces that has been fatally wounded…so, it is an indicator of how intense the fighting is there at the moment,” he added.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he said there is only a small number of former Defence Forces’ members in Ukraine and there is no formal recruitment mechanism in Ireland from Ukraine.
“People on their own initiative in a very ad hoc fashion are flying by Ryanair to eastern Poland. They’re getting the train to the Ukrainian border and just presenting themselves at the border,” Mr Berry explained.
Four other Irish men have also died fighting in Ukraine since the war broke out in February 2022.
Graham Dale from Raheny, Co Dublin, and Finbar Cafferkey from Acaill, Co Mayo, both died while battling Russian forces in Ukraine.
Rory Mason, 23, also died fighting for the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The native of Dunboyne, Co Meath, was fighting in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border when he died.
Alex Ryzhuk, 20, who was fighting with Ukrainian forces in eastern Ukraine is presumed dead after he was declared missing in action last month.
Mr Ryzhuk was born in Dublin to Ukrainian parents and lived in the Rathmines area. He travelled to Ukraine last year to join the military.
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Additional reporting: Dimitri O’Donnell
