LEBANON: MAN SENTENCED TO DEATH OVER KILLING OF IRISH SOLDIER SEÁN ROONEY

July 29, 2025:

A man has been sentenced to death in Lebanon over the killing of an Irish soldier on a UN peacekeeping mission, BBC News reported on July 29, 2025.
Pte Seán Rooney was in an armoured UN vehicle which came under fire while travelling to Beirut on 14 December 2022.
The 24-year-old was the first Irish soldier to die while on UN peacekeeping duty in Lebanon in more than 20 years. Three others were injured in the incident.
The main defendant in the case is Mohammad Ayyad. It is understood he did not appear in court on July 28.
A number of other men were convicted in relation to the shooting.
Unifil, the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, said Lebanon's permanent military court found six individuals who were charged over Mr Rooney's killing guilty. One person was acquitted.
The death sentence was announced at a military tribunal in Beirut, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ.
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin said that while he welcomes 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," Martin said.
"Peacekeeping is the most noble cause of all, and the role of the peacekeeper must at all times be honoured and respected," he said.