The President was speaking to the nation in his annual Christmas message, which he delivered from Áras an Uachtaráin.
He acknowledged the grief being experienced by the family of Seán Rooney, and the families of those injured in Lebanon.
President Higgins says the Defence Forces sacrifices for peace are greatly appreciated:
"May I thank those members of our Defence Forces who will be overseas this Christmas building and supporting peace in many of the more than 60 regions across the world that are currently experiencing conflict. We are all thinking this week of the grief being experienced by the family of Seán Rooney, by the families of those injured in Lebanon and in particularly the family of Shane Kearney."
