Killers of Irish peacekeeper have escaped justice for too long – Martin

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

It is “unsatisfactory” that the main person convicted for the killing of an Irish peacekeeper in 2022 is still at large, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin was speaking after a man was given a death sentence in Lebanon over Private Seén Rooney’s death.

Rooney, 24, 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.

In March, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he pressed the case during meetings in Beirut with the Lebanese ministers for foreign affairs and defence.

On Monday, the Government was informed of the completion of a military tribunal in Beirut for those indicted for the murder of Pte Rooney.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said a number of people had been convicted in relation to his murder but some of the sentences were “unduly lenient”.

“The main culprit was at large and that is very, very regrettable,” he said ahead of Cabinet.

“The delay that it has taken to have justice has been far too long and I must say that some of the sentences are unduly lenient as well in respect of others.

“Peacekeeping is a very noble cause and Private Sean Rooney gave his life to the cause of peacekeeping and to protect others.

“I’ve said repeatedly to the Lebanese authorities that the nobility of the role of the peacekeeper must always be reflected in terms of bringing those who are responsible for this murder to justice and we will continue to make that point.”

The Taoiseach said death sentences in Lebanon had not been applied for “quite some time” and the expectation is that it will be commuted.

“Overall, those responsible had escaped, if you like, justice for far too long. Many are at large for quite some time and the main individual now is at large as well and that is very unsatisfactory.”

He added: “The court has made its decision, we can’t interfere in the operation of the court itself. But I think the whole process certainly left a lot to be desired.”