The death of a Northern Ireland-born British soldier in southern Iraq was described as tragic yesterday by the North's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness.
Mr McGuinness expressed his condolences to the family of 25-year-old Lance Corporal Timothy "Daz" Flowers of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers.
Lance Corporal Flowers, from Derry, was killed by shrapnel during a rocket or mortar attack on the Basra Palace army base at the weekend.
"I am very saddened by the death of another person in Iraq," Mr McGuinness said after meeting the Taoiseach and the US ambassador to Ireland in Dublin.
"I would like to offer my condolences to this young soldier's family. The loss of every life in Iraq is a terrible tragedy. Notwithstanding my position of being opposed to the war in Iraq, I think of the many people who have lost their lives in Iraq and I extend my condolences to those who have lost loved ones there, including Iraqi families as well.
"As this young soldier is someone who came from my own native city, there is particular sympathy there."
Lance Corporal Flowers was hit by shrapnel on Saturday and later died from his injuries, the UK ministry of defence said.
The North's First Minister also paid tribute.
Dr Ian Paisley said: "It was with great sadness that I learned of Tim's death.
"Tim was an outstanding soldier whom we owe a debt of great gratitude. We shall not forget his sacrifice.
"My thoughts and prayers are with Lance Corporal Flowers' family and friends at this very sad time. I extend my sympathies to them in their time of grief."
Family friends of the corporal, whose family live in the Nelson Drive estate in the Waterside area of Derry, said that his mother Ann has been "completely inconsolable" since she was informed of her son's death.
The DUP mayor of Derry, Drew Thompson, who is a friend of the Flowers family, said it was "very difficult" to describe the effect the sudden death had had on his mother, who is well known for her community work.
He said she was "totally distraught" at what has happened.