This is the moment Irish soldiers heading to Lebanon practised fighting their way out of an ambush – just like the attack that cost hero Private Seán Rooney his life.
These exclusive Mirror images show personnel from the 122 Infantry Battalion – which goes to Lebanon next month - coming under simulated attack in Toyota armoured utility vehicles identical to the vehicle Pte Rooney (23) was driving when he was shot dead last December.
In the exercise, which we were given exclusive access to yesterday, two Toyota AUVs are ambushed on a routine patrol and the soldiers inside have to take on their attackers using their Steyr assault rifles as they try to escape the trap.
