Military funeral for Irish Ranger

Colleagues described Ranger McCormick as the ‘epitome of the Irish infantry soldier’

The funeral for Coleraine soldier Aaron McCormick who died in an explosion in Afghanistan on Remembrance Sunday is to take place later.

The 22-year-old from Macosquin was helping to clear roadside bombs in the Helmand area when he was killed.

He will be buried after a service at St Mary’s Church of Ireland Church.

Minister, Reverend Mike Roemmele, said it had been a long wait for the family but preparations for a full military funeral were under way.

“His family are very proud of him and they appreciate the work done by his family to give him a truly fitting funeral,” he said.

“His Royal Irish colleagues are helping to prepare a military funeral which is a moving ceremony both bringing him into the church and from the church to the grave.”

His colleagues decribed Ranger McCormick as the “epitome of the Irish infantry soldier”.

Lt Col Colin Weir, commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, said: “Ranger Aaron McCormick was the epitome of the Irish infantry soldier – tough, selfless, good-humoured and full of compassion.”

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