The body of a Dublin-born soldier who died on duty with the British army in Iraq arrived back in Ireland today.
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Lance Cpl Ian Malone: he was killed by a sniper near Basra in southern Iraq on April 6th
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A coffin carrying the remains of Irish Guardsman Lance Corporal Ian Malone, who was killed in combat a fortnight ago, was flown into Dublin airport ahead of Thursday's funeral.
Government permission has been given for the attendance at the burial ceremony of some of the dead soldier's colleagues, who will wear the uniforms of the Irish Guards, and senior representatives from the British Army will also be there.
After his family has had an opportunity to pay their respects, the body will be removed tomorrow to the Church of the Assumption, in Ballyfermot.
Lce cpl Malone's funeral will take place at the nearby Palmerstown Cemetery after a mass. The coffin will not be draped in any military or regimental flag.
The body of Lce Cpl Malone, who joined the Irish Guards in 1997, was flown from the Middle East to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire last week.
The 28-year-old and colleague Christopher Muzvuru (20), from Gweru, Zimbabwe, were killed by a sniper near Basra on April 6th as they got out of an armoured vehicle.