Trial over killing of Private Rooney delayed

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The trial of those indicted for the killing of an Irish soldier in Lebanon has been pushed back again.

Private Sean Rooney, a 24-year-old from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14th, 2022.

The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah.

Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed, while Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, from Co Cork, was badly wounded.

They had been serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) at the time of the attack, which left two others with minor injuries.

Tánaiste Simon Harris expressed disappointment that the trial had been pushed back until September 17th, and that none of those indicted had appeared in court in Beirut on Wednesday.

The hearing was attended by a lawyer representing the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Ambassador to Lebanon.

In a statement, the Department said: “While the lack of progress with the criminal trial remains a source of considerable disappointment to the family of Private Rooney, the Tanaiste and the Government are hopeful that with newly established Government and court structures in Lebanon that progress will be made in bringing those responsible for death of Private Rooney to justice.

“The Government has repeatedly stressed the need for justice to be served in this case and has, on a number of occasions, raised the issue with the Lebanese Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers.

“The Tanaiste will continue to make strong representations on this matter to his Lebanese counterparts, and with the United Nations, in terms of ensuring that justice is served for Private Rooney’s family.”

Private Rooney’s family has been informed of the developments.