Former Irish soldier dies in combat in Ukraine

A former member of the Irish Defence Forces has died in combat in Ukraine, RTÉ News has learned.

The man, aged in his late 20s, was killed in combat on Thursday where he was fighting with the Ukrainian army.

He had retired from the Irish Defence Forces and was on his second stint in the war-torn country.

He was fatally wounded while covering his team's retreat from an area during fighting with Russian forces.

Three other Irish men have also died fighting in Ukraine.

Graham Dale from Raheny, Co Dublin and Finbar Cafferkey from Acaill, Co Mayo both died while battling Russian forces in Ukraine.

Rory Mason, 23, also died fighting for the International Legion for the Defence of Ukraine as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The native of Dunboyne, Co Meath was fighting in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border.