Tánaiste to raise slow progress of Sean Rooney murder trial with Lebanese authorities
Irish soldier Private Sean Rooney was killed when the UN jeep he and three other colleagues were in was fired on late at night on December 14, 2022, on its way to Beirut. Picture: Óglaigh na hÉireann
The Tánaiste intends to tell Lebanese authorities that he is unhappy with how the trial in the case of the murder of Sean Rooney is being handled.
Micheál Martin will travel to Lebanon this weekend to meet with Irish troops but will also meet with the Lebanese Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Irish soldier Private Sean Rooney was killed when the UN jeep he and three other colleagues were in was fired on late at night on December 14, 2022, on its way to Beirut.
Speaking on , Mr Martin said that he will press strongly for progress on the case saying that he is "not happy" with the manner in which the trial has been conducted so far.
Mohammad Ayyad, the main suspect in the case failed to appear at a hearing at the military tribunal last December citing medical reasons. The court accepted the medical report and postponed the hearing until June 2024.
"Despite all of the language that we hear, the manner in which the court case is heard and the progress on that trial will really reflect whether Lebanese authorities value our peacekeepers and all peacekeepers who are currently serving in Unifil," he said.
"That was an appalling attack on Irish troops and reflected an escalation of tensions within the Lebanon itself and within the area of operation of Unifil."
Mr Martin said the role of the peacekeeper has to be valued and affirmed adding that it is what distinguishes Ireland's role in the world.
