Breakthrough as alleged gunman confesses to Private Rooney killing

One of the seven people pin-pointed over the death of Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon has been charged with killing the 24-year-old peacekeeper.

Mohammad Ayyad was handed over to Lebanese authorities by Hezbollah last month.

Ayyad has been charged 'with killing the Irish soldier and attempting to kill his three comrades by shooting them with a machine gun'.

Officials have established that the hail of gunfire that rained down on the armoured utility vehicle (AUV) being driven by Private Rooney came from one AK-47 style assault rifle.

Investigators probing the incident retrieved the gun they believe to have been used. Sources in the middle east have suggested that a man has admitted to firing the fatal shot.

Seven suspects charges over Seán Rooney murder

Four suspects are now in custody of the Lebanese authorities with a manhunt underway for the other three charged in connection with the incident that led to the death of the 24-year-old peacekeeper

“After the Intelligence Directorate of the Lebanese Army completed the basic investigations into the Al-Aqibiya incident, on 3/1/2023 it referred the main file to the competent judiciary,” the Lebanes Armed Forces (LAF) said.

A Lebanese military tribunal, under military judge Fadi Akiki, charged the seven suspects, including Ayyad.

Lebanese sources have said that three men are in the custody of Lebanese authorities, with a manhunt underway to track down the other four.

Lebanon officials are attempting to figure out whether the remaining suspects are still in the country.

The other six are charged with offences including uttering threats while using illegal weapons, destroying the UNIFIL vehicle, and intimidating the passengers.

Private Rooney was killed last month when the vehicle he was driving came under fire.

Three of his colleagues were injured , including Trooper Shane Kearney, who has been flown home and is undergoing medical treatment at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.

While Hezbollah, the Iranian-linked Shia militia group, has denied involvement, the suspects are believed to be supporters.

If convicted, the suspects could face the death penalty.

Private Rooney, a Dundalk native who lived in Newtowncunningham, was driving a UN-marked AUV, which came under attack in the Al-Aqbieh area of south Lebanon after becoming separated from an accompanying vehicle.

Private Rooney was serving with the 121st Infantry Battalion of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Private Rooney, described by his mother Natasha McCloskey as a 'national hero', was buried with full military honours in Newtowncunningham on December 22.