Mother of Irish soldier calls trial where man sentenced to death a 'sham'

Pte Seán Rooney was in an armoured UN vehicle which came under fire while travelling to Beirut

The mother of Irish soldier Seán Rooney who was killed on a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon has said she believes "justice was not done" following a trial that convicted and sentenced those involved.

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.

In a statement, Mr Rooney's mother Natasha Rooney said the family felt "extreme disappointment and heartbreak at the recent court proceedings in Lebanon", calling the trial a "sham".

The main defendant in the case is Mohammad Ayyad, who was sentenced to death. It is understood he did not appear in court on Monday.

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.

'A sham trial'

"What happened in Lebanon is unreflective of what we regard as a trial process," Ms Rooney said.

"The trial into the murder of my son was heard and determined in less than half a day. Not only was justice not done, it was not seen to be done, with little to no information being disclosed or challenged in open court," she said.

"Instead, we are forced to believe the answers provided by a Lebanese justice system which from the outset has failed to hold those responsible to account."

Ms Rooney called the process a "sham trial".

She also criticised that the proceedings, originally scheduled for September 2025, were brought forward to this week, something she said caused "unforeseen pressures".

In a statement on Tuesday, Tánaiste (deputy Irish prime minister) Simon Harris said he raised his "deep frustration at the slow pace of proceedings" before the Lebanese Military Tribunal.

Irish government reaction

"While noting the sentence handed down to the main defendant, I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Pte Rooney's family at the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today," Harris said.

He added: "I appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult day for the family of Private Rooney. None of us can fathom their unimaginable pain and grief and all my thoughts remain with them at this time."

In her statement, Ms Rooney criticised the Irish government for issuing public statements before speaking to the family.

Ms Rooney said that "in a country where victims' rights ought to be paramount, it would perhaps be wise for the Tánaiste to speak to me, before seeking to speak for me, in his public statements".

Harris said he wants to support Ms Rooney's quest for justice

Harris visited Beirut last March and met with the Lebanese Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Defence.

In a statement on Thursday, Harris said "cannot imagine the pain and suffering experienced by the Rooney family".

"I look forward to meeting Mrs Rooney and arrangements are underway to ensure this happens.

"Above all, I want to support her quest for justice in any way I possibly can."

Harris confirmed on Friday that he will meet Ms Rooney next week.

Unifil said it "welcomes the conclusion of the trial process and the Government of Lebanon's commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice".

"Once again, we offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Private Rooney and the Government of Ireland."

Ms Rooney said that she will "dedicate every bone in my body to ensure justice for Seán, and to highlight the uncomfortable truths about the systemic failings by the United Nations, the Irish Defence Forces and the Lebanese justice system".

"That is the very least I owe my son Seán. It is the very least I owe Seán's comrades."