Man sentenced to death for killing of Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon

A man has been sentenced to death for the killing of Private Seán Rooney.

The 24-year-old peacekeeper was killed while serving in Lebanon, when his UN peacekeeping convoy was attacked in December 2022.

A Lebanese court has convicted the main defendant, Mohammad Ayyad, and sentenced him to death.

Ayyad, who had previously admitted to firing a gun during the incident, remains at large and was not in court when the sentence was passed.

Ayyad was convicted by a Military Tribunal in Beirut while two others were sentenced to two months and three months. Two others were fined and one was acquitted.

Private Rooney was driving an armoured jeep when a UN peacekeeping convoy in which he was travelling came under attack in the south Lebanon town of Al-Aqbiya on December 14, 2022.

Private Rooney, a Dundalk native who had lived in Newtowncunningham for the past decade, became the 48th Irish soldier to die while on a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. He was due to wed his fiancé Holly McConnellogue in 2023.

Private Rooney was laid to rest in Newtowncunningham with full military honours

Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, was badly wounded and two others sustained minor injuries in the incident. 

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD said: “While noting the sentence handed down to the main defendant, I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Private Rooney’s family at the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted.

“Seán Rooney made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace. This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues, especially those who were injured that night. All our thoughts are with them at this time.”

Irish Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy said: "We welcome the Tánaiste's statement on the conviction of those responsible for the death of our comrade, Private Sean Rooney, and the other members of the 121st Infantry Battalion injured in the attack on our peacekeepers on 14 December 2022.

"Our thoughts are with the Rooney family and all those affected by the terrible incident."

Lebanon has maintained a moratorium on the death penalty since 2004 and there have been no executions carried out in the last 21 years. It would be expected that the death penalty would be changed to a prison term for Ayyad were he to be captured.

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Taoiseach Michéal Martin said: “While I welcome the conviction of the main defendant, it is unsatisfactory that he is still at large. Many will feel the sentences passed down on the other defendants are far too lenient.

“The justice system in Lebanon, and the delay in progressing in this case, was deeply regrettable.

Peacekeeping is the most noble cause of all, and the role of the peacekeeper must at all times be honoured and respected.”