Fundraiser to repatriate body of Irish soldier killed in Ukraine exceeds €21,000

Hero soldier Robert Deegan, 29, died last week while he was protecting his colleagues from a Russian attack in eastern Ukraine.

A fundraiser to repatriate the body of an Irish soldier killed in Ukraine has raised over €21,000 in less than 24 hours.

Hero soldier Robert Deegan, 29, died last week while he was protecting his colleagues from a Russian attack in eastern Ukraine. From Newbridge, Co Kildare, he formerly served in the Army Ranger Wing and the engineers unit of the Defence Forces training centre.

Family friend Rossa O’Donnell has set up an online fundraiser so that Mr Deegan’s body can be returned to his family in Ireland. The GoFundMe page was set up yesterday with a target of €12,000. At lunchtime today €21,380 has been raised.

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Ms O’Donnell wrote: “I am part of a community who knows the Deegan family through shared time in the Irish Defence Forces as well as being from the Curragh Camp, Co Kildare, Ireland.

“On behalf of the Deegan family and with their permission, we are raising funds for the repatriation costs of their son Robert, who was killed tragically in battle while fighting for Ukraine as part of the ongoing war. Any funds raised will be used to help Robert and his family.”

In a statement, the young soldier's family said he should be remembered as a “hero”. His parents Rachel and John said: “Robert should be remembered as a hero who died protecting his comrades in battle while fighting for a principled cause. He stayed behind to cover his comrades' retreat. He fought and died like a warrior. He will be forever remembered in our hearts.”

The highly skilled soldier joined the Ukrainian special forces following the Russian invasion in 2022. That year, he lost his eye fighting. Mr Deegan then returned to Ireland following the injury but rejoined the Ukrainian fight earlier this year.

His family said: “The family are extremely devastated for the loss of Robert. He made the ultimate sacrifice while staying true to his principles and character. He 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. 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.”

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