Seán Rooney's murder shows how we are out of touch with realities in Lebanon

The shocking murder of Private Seán Rooney in Southern Lebanon last month has again brought the Irish relationship with Lebanon into focus. It also highlights that the Lebanese state has changed drastically over recent years as Hezbollah’s stranglehold has tightened.

The death of Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon highlights how much has changed in the State over the past four years.

The speed of Lebanon’s collapse has been both seismic and alarming. Until 2019, Lebanon was classified as a middle-income country. Today, 80% of Lebanon’s population lives below the poverty line with 36% experiencing extreme poverty. One-third of the population is dependent upon the UN World Food Programme for food rations.

Lebanon is located 240kms off the coast of Cyprus and the EU. Lebanese citizens now join Palestinian and Syrian refugees in small boats attempting to escape hunger and poverty. Since the Cypriot Government introduced new legislation, those making the journey are risking the longer voyage to reach the Italian mainland. Human traffickers sense an opportunity as the Lebanese state security system disintegrates.