AN IRISH soldier who was critically injured in an attack in Lebanon, which claimed the life of a colleague, is no longer in a critical condition.
According to the Defence Forces, Trooper Shane Kearney, who is being treated in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin is being described as stable.
The 23-year-old UN peacekeeper sustained blunt force trauma to the head when the armoured UN vehicle he was travelling in was attacked in the coastal Lebanese village of Al-Aqbiya in December.
He was later flown to Dublin on a "specially equipped, contracted medical aircraft".
Trooper Kearney was injured in the same attack which claimed the life of Private Seán Rooney (24), from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal.
His remains were repatriated back to Ireland and he was laid to rest in Co Donegal following a funeral service in Dundalk’s Church of the Holy Family.
Lebanon’s military tribunal have reportedly charged seven people in connection with the attack.
In relation to Trooper Shane Kearney, the Defence Forces said: "He is responding very well to treatment and is no longer critical with his condition now described as stable".
In a statement, it said medical staff are satisfied with the soldier's "continued and steady progress".
It added: ""The Defence Forces and Tpr Shane Kearney's family wish to thank everyone for all the support that they continue to receive".
