Tragic RIR Soldier From Banbridge

There has been high-level praise for the latest Royal Irish Regiment (RIR) soldier to be killed in war-torn Afghanistan.

As the Ministry of Defence (MoD) named the terror bomb victim as Co Down-born Lance Corporal Stephen McKee last night, he was roundly praised as a hero by the Stormont First Minister.

L/Cpl McKee, from Banbridge, was in the Nad-e Ali district of Helmand Province when his vehicle hit an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old had two brothers and a cousin serving in the RIR's First Battalion as well as his father-in-law and another brother serving in the Second Battalion.

It has also emerged that his uncle, Richard, a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment, (UDR) was murdered by the IRA during the Troubles.

Stephen McKee - the third RIR soldier to be killed on this tour of duty, leaves behind his wife Carley, his parents Heather and Bobby, his brothers Michael, Gareth and Robert, and sisters Kelly and Rebecca.

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson said he was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Lance Corporal Stephen McKee.

"Lance Corporal McKee was killed in the line of duty, serving his country and defending our freedoms.

"These brave young soldiers have my wholehearted admiration and thanks for what they have done; the whole country owes them an immense debt of gratitude.

"Lance Corporal McKee was a credit to his regiment and the nation. My most profound sympathies and condolences go to his family and his friends," said the MP.

DUP Leader and First Minister, Peter Robinson said: "This tragic news of another brave soldier losing his life in Afghanistan reminds us of the supreme sacrifice our Armed Forces all too regularly pay in the service of their country. I am deeply saddened to hear of this news and send my sincere sympathy to his family.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all our other troops serving in Afghanistan, many of whom are from Northern Ireland.

"People from across the Province are looking forward to homecoming parades to be held in May where we will have the opportunity to welcome our troops home. However, we will also remember those brave soldiers whose lives have been cut short through war," he said.

Also commenting, local MP David Simpson said: "People from right across Upper Bann and beyond are deeply saddened by this tragic news. This brave young soldier gave his life attempting to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and to build a better future for the Afghan people.

"We all hope that the circumstances might come about as soon as possible to allow our troops to return home. However, whilst they continue to serve they can be assured of our unswerving support."

As a family friend, the Ulster Unionist Newry and Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy also expressed his sincerest condolences to the family of Ranger Stephen McKee who was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan on Wednesday.

"I would like to express my sincerest condolences to his family circle at this difficult time. I have known Stephen's father and the McKee family for many years and I would like to confer my profound sympathy to them on the loss of their son.

"The McKee family has a proud history of service to this country and this tragedy, resulting from a cowardly attack by the Taliban, sadly mirrors the same fate which befell Stephen's uncle Richard, a member of the UDR, who was murdered by the IRA during the Troubles. The sacrifice of the McKee family should not and must not be forgotten," he said.

Meanwhile, Carley McKee, said: "You will always be my hero and every step I take in life, I will have my two angels looking after me," she said, referring to the death of their baby daughter last year.

"You truly are the best husband, father, son and brother anyone could ask for. Till we meet again. Love you always," said his widow.

Lieutenant Colonel Colin Weir, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion RIR, said: "The death of Lance Corporal Stephen McKee has sent a wave of shock and sadness through this Battlegroup. Everyone knows the McKees. Everyone respects the McKees. The McKees are in the First Battalion and the McKees are in the Second Battalion.

"It is families like the McKees that make this Regiment what it is; they are the fibre that runs through us and what gives us our fighting spirit. It is because of families like the McKees that we are the winners in this fight.

"Stephen McKee was the finest of men; he was irrepressible, he was utterly reliable and he was a fearsome warrior. As part of the Operations Company he fought the long battle to drive the enemy out of the Nad-e'Ali Canal zone and into the desert.

"And it was into the desert that Stephen and his comrades followed, in pursuit of the enemy. When he died, he was attacking the insurgent in his bases there, harassing him, capturing his weapons and destroying his explosives.

"Not only was he the finest of Irish soldiers, he was a man with great depths of resilience. I had the privilege of spending a little while with him and his wife Carley after their baby daughter passed away unexpectedly last year," he said.

"His parents and his brothers and sisters had closed around the grieving couple. Their strength and the unshakeable of bonds of this wonderful family were truly humbling. Please God be with them all now. Faugh A Ballagh."

(BMcC/GK)