A man has been sentenced to death in connection with the killing of Donegal soldier Private Seán Rooney, who was fatally shot while serving with the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
Private Rooney, 24, was killed when his convoy came under fire in Lebanon in December 2022. He is buried in Newtowncunningham, County Donegal.
Mohammad Ayyad, identified as the primary suspect in the death of Private Seán Rooney, received the death sentence from the Military Tribunal in Beirut.
Simon Harris TD, the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, has welcomed the conviction of the main defendant and several other defendants, some of whom were not previously present in court.
“While acknowledging the sentence given to the primary defendant, I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Private Rooney’s family regarding the lighter sentences given to a number of those also convicted,” stated Mr. Harris.
“Seán Rooney made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace. This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues, particularly those who were injured that night. Our thoughts are with them all at this time.”
The Tánaiste, who visited Beirut in March, had previously expressed his frustration with the perceived slow pace of the legal proceedings.
He expressed his appreciation for the court’s efforts in moving the hearing date forward from September to the current date.
“I want to express my gratitude to my officials, members of the Defence Forces, Ireland’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Ireland’s Honorary Consul to Lebanon, and the Department’s Lebanese lawyer, all of whom were present at today’s hearing alongside a member of Seán’s family,” he added.
“Finally, I understand that this is an incredibly difficult day for Private Rooney’s family. None of us can truly comprehend their unimaginable pain and grief, and my thoughts remain with them during this time.”
Seán Rooney, who spent his early years in Dundalk, later moved to Donegal and attended St Eunan’s College in Letterkenny before serving with the 27th Infantry Battalion in Dundalk and the 121st Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL, overseas.
Breaking: Man sentenced to death over killing of Pvt Seán Rooney was last modified: July 28th, 2025 by
