Tanaiste Harris Updates Rooney Family on Lebanon Inquiry, Pledges Continued Pressure for Justice
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The Irish Tanaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin met with the family of Private Seán Rooney last week and reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to securing justice following the 2022 death of the Irish soldier while serving with a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. The meeting followed criticism of Martin for publicly commenting on the case before speaking directly with the Rooney family. Recent developments include the appointment of a new military chief prosecutor in Lebanon and a pledge to apprehend Mohammad Ayyad, the main defendant sentenced in absentia to death for Rooney’s murder.
Background: The death of Private Seán Rooney
Private Seán Rooney, 24, from newtowncunningham, County Donegal, was killed on December 14, 2022, when the armoured vehicle he was travelling in was fired upon in southern Lebanon. He was part of the 13th infantry Battalion, serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) https://www.un.org/peacekeeping/missions/unifil/. the incident also resulted in injuries to other members of the Irish contingent.
Initial Trial and Family Disappointment
In august 2023, a Lebanese military court delivered verdicts in the case. Mohammad Ayyad was sentenced to death in absentia, meaning the sentence cannot be carried out until he is apprehended. One other individual received a three-month prison sentence, four were ordered to pay fines, and one defendant was acquitted.
natasha Rooney, Private Rooney’s mother, publicly denounced the trial as a “sham” in July 2024, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the leniency of the sentences https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0731/1526390-natasha-rooney/. This criticism contributed to the calls for the Tanaiste to meet with the family before making further public statements.
tanaiste’s Response and Recent Developments
Following the criticism, Tanaiste martin scheduled a meeting with the Rooney family last week. He has as informed Ms. Rooney of the latest developments in the case, including the Lebanese government’s appointment of a new military chief prosecutor specifically tasked with overseeing the investigation and pursuit of Mohammad Ayyad https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0801/1526579-private-sean-rooney/.
Martin emphasized his dissatisfaction with the initial sentencing, stating, “The sentences handed down in this case are simply not acceptable and are very disappointing. They have caused grate upset and insult to the Rooney family and everything must be done to ensure justice is served for Seán and his colleagues who were injured.” He has pledged to continue engaging directly with the Lebanese government to press for a more satisfactory outcome and to follow up on the appeal process.
key Takeaways:
Private Seán Rooney was killed in December 2022 while serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon.
The initial trial resulted in a death sentence in absentia for mohammad ayyad, but other sentences were considered lenient.
The Rooney family expressed strong dissatisfaction with the trial’s outcome.
the Lebanese government has appointed a new prosecutor to oversee the case and pursue Ayyad’s arrest.
* The Irish Tanaiste has reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to seeking justice for Private Rooney and his injured colleagues.
Looking Ahead
The Irish government continues to prioritize this case and is actively working with Lebanese authorities to ensure a thorough investigation and a just outcome. The focus remains on securing the arrest of Mohammad Ayyad and achieving a level of accountability that reflects the gravity of the crime and provides closure for the Rooney family. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.