Lorna Coffey, from Blarney, County Cork, is raising money for the hospice that cared for her fiancé, Sergeant Ross Dunne, who died of cancer last month. The couple had planned a Christmas wedding after meeting while serving as Irish Army peacekeepers in Lebanon.
Love story that began in Lebanon
Ross, from Dublin, first noticed Lorna when she arrived on deployment in Lebanon in 2023. It took him two weeks to ask her out, approaching her in the gym while she was doing a deadlift. She initially declined his coffee invitation, but after they finally went for coffee, she knew "instantly" he was the man for her.
The couple came home on leave in September 2023, when Ross asked Lorna to be his girlfriend. They loved travelling and spending time with family and friends, and Lorna described Ross as her "true soulmate." They were deployed to Lebanon again in November 2024 for a full year to save for a house, getting engaged in May 2025.
Diagnosis and final months
Ross began experiencing head and back pain around the time of their engagement. After returning home, he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer that had metastasised to the liver in January 2026, at age 28. He started chemotherapy shortly after, but his health declined in August, and he received support from Our Lady's Hospice & Care Services palliative care team.
In early September, Ross was admitted to the hospice, where staff provided a double bed and a TV so the couple could spend his final days together watching movies. He died on Tuesday, 15th September, surrounded by family.
Fundraising in his memory
Lorna is fundraising to repay the hospice team for their "incredible care." A charity quiz for Ross's family and friends will be held on Friday, 4th December at the Muskerry Arms in Blarney, with a raffle open to everyone from 9pm. Donations can also be made via Lorna's iDonate page, which has already raised €16k of its €20k target. All money will go directly to Our Lady's Hospice & Care Services.
