Irish diplomats fear terrorist who killed Private Sean Rooney will never face justice
Private Sean Rooney who was killed on UNIFIL service in Lebanon in December 2022. Now Lebanese authorities have agreed to hunt down his murderer.(Image: Defence Forces/Óglaigh na hÉireann)The evil Hezbollah killer of hero peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney looks set to get away with murder.Frustrated Irish diplomats say the Lebanese Government has made little or no progress in locating Mohammad Ayyad - and the chances of bringing him to justice are slim.They are absolutely convinced he is hiding out in Iran, who finance the Hezbollah terror group, and has long left south Lebanon where he lived.The gunman was initially arrested and detained in custody a few months after the December 14, 2022 UN convoy shooting in which Sean from Dundalk, Co Louth, died and three of his colleagues were injured.But he was freed by the Lebanese authorities over a year ago on so-called "medical " grounds and never appeared at his trial on July 28 last when he was given the death sentence by the Military Tribunal in his absence.Private Sean Rooney. (Image: Family Handout/PA Wire )The Lebanese have admitted to Irish diplomats they don't know where the killer is and Private Rooney's family are extremely angry and alarmed at the failure to get justice.One diplomat said: "The Lebanese say they don't know where this criminal is and are doing their best to find him. We have to take their word for it."They have carried out searches but to no avail. This fella is like a ghost who has just vanished and all the signs are that he has fled to Iran where he will never be extradited."It is very annoying and very frustrating. We are doing our best for Sean Rooney and his heartbroken family."We don't want Sean's killer to be executed but we would expect him to serve a life sentence for what he did."Lebanon has not executed a convicted killer in over 20 years and normally reduces such a sentence to life.Tánaiste Simon Harris before he left the Dept of Foreign Affairs to become Finance Minister last week, had vowed to get justice for Sean and the other injured soldiers.Tanaiste Simon HarrisHe said in reply to a parliamentary question from Dundalk Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O'Murchu: "The Government has consistently expressed determination that all the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that every effort is made to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice."Both I and my officials have consistently raised this matter with the Lebanese authorities on a regular basis and will continue to do so."Private Rooney was in a UN convoy driving through the village of Al Anbiya in south Lebanon on their way to Beirut Airport when they were fired on.The Irish Government was furious that a number of other defendants involved in the incident received extremely lenient sentences.One got a three month jail sentence, another one month jail, a third acquitted and a fourth fined the equivalent of 1,800 euros.The families of Private Brady and the three injured men, Private Shane Kearney, Corporal Joshua Phelan, and Private Nathan Byrne, were also outraged by the court's decision.After pressure from the Irish Government these sentences are now being appealed by the Lebanese Government but Minister Harris said no date has been set for this hearing yet.Deputy O 'Murchu has worked closely with Sean Rooney's family in their battle for justice.He is demanding that the Irish Government keep the pressure up on the Lebanese and that the young soldier's killer be found and jailed. He said he should not be allowed to get away with murder.Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
