Family of former Irish elite soldier killed in Ukraine break silence to pay heartbreaking tribute
Mr Deegan’s parents Rachel and John issued the statement after news emerged over the weekend that their son, who was just 29, was killed fighting for Ukraine against the Russian invaders in the east of the country on Thursday.
by Michael O'Toole · Irish MirrorThe family of the Irish hero slain fighting in Ukraine has broken their silence - to pay a heartbreaking tribute to him.
“He fought and died like a warrior,” the family of former Army Ranger Wing operator Robert Deegan said in a statement provided to the Irish Mirror on their behalf.
Mr Deegan’s parents Rachel and John issued the statement after news emerged over the weekend that their son, who was just 29, was killed fighting for Ukraine against the Russian invaders in the east of the country on Thursday.
It’s understood Mr Deegan, who was from Newbridge in Co Kildare, was killed in a fierce battle close to Kupiansk, near Kharkiv. Mr Deegan, who joined the Defence Forces in 2013 and became a member of the Army Ranger Wing in 2017, died ensuring members of his Ukrainian special forces team called the Stugna Unit managed to retreat while under Russian attack, his family said.
READ MORE: Former Army Ranger Wing soldier killed fighting in Ukraine
The family 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.”
And the family confirmed that their son, who spent two years and nine months in the Ranger Wing, previously served in Ukraine as a fighter after he left the Defence Forces - and lost an eye fighting there in 2022. And they said he returned to Ukraine in 2024, despite their opposition.
The family say: "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.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs last night confirmed it was aware of reports of an Irishman’s death in Ukraine and was helping the family involved, although it did not identify Mr Deegan by name.
A spokeswoman said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of reports and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases."
President Michael D Higgins earlier today extended his condolences to the `Deegan family - and called their son's death a terribne tragedy.
The death of Mr Deegan, who was from a well-known Defence Forces family, comes just a month after another Irish man was declared missing presumed dead there. Alex Ryzhuk ,20, was from Rathmines in Dublin, but his parents were from Ukraine.
Earlier this year, Mr Ryzhuk told RTE’s Prime Time: "War is not a joke, death in war is a very high probability It is something that constantly happens, even if it's not to you, it's to someone else, or to someone you know."
Three other Irishmen have also died fighting for Ukraine. Graham Dale, 45, from Dublin was killed in December 2023. Finbar Cafferkey, who was from Achill Island in County Mayo, also died in December last year. He was in his 40s. Rory Mason, 23, from Dunboyne in County Meath, died in October 2022.
Mr Deegan's death came as Russia carried on its offensive in eastern Ukraine. Reports last week suggested the casualty numbers for Ukraine and Russia have now passed one million dead and injured.
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