The mother of Private Seán Rooney, the Irish soldier killed while serving with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, has strongly criticized the judicial proceedings surrounding her son’s death, calling the trial that led to multiple convictions a “sham.”
Private Rooney, 24, was traveling in an armored UN vehicle when it came under fire near Beirut on December 14, 2022. He was the first Irish soldier killed in Lebanon in over two decades. Three of his fellow peacekeepers were injured in the attack.
In a statement issued this week, Natasha Rooney, the soldier’s mother, expressed "extreme disappointment and heartbreak" over the trial, which concluded with the conviction of several individuals. The main defendant, Mohammad Ayyad, was sentenced to death, though he did not appear in court. Five other individuals were found guilty, and one person was acquitted.
The verdict was delivered by Lebanon’s permanent military court and publicly reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ. The UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, confirmed the convictions and reiterated its commitment to accountability.
### “Justice Was Not Done”
“What happened in Lebanon is unreflective of what we regard as a trial process,” Ms. Rooney stated. “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.”
She described the lack of transparency, public scrutiny, and legal rigor in the proceedings as deeply troubling and accused the Lebanese justice system of failing to properly hold the perpetrators accountable from the outset.
Ms. Rooney also objected to the trial date being unexpectedly moved up from its original September 2025 schedule, saying it created “unforeseen pressures” for the family.
### Irish Government Reaction
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris released a statement acknowledging the verdicts but echoed the Rooney family’s dissatisfaction with the lenient sentences given to some of those convicted.
“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 others,” Harris said. “I appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult day for the Rooney family. None of us can fathom their pain and grief.”
However, Ms. Rooney criticized the Irish government for issuing public comments before consulting with the family directly.
“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,” she said.
Harris, who previously visited Beirut in March and met with Lebanese officials, said on Thursday that he is arranging to meet with Ms. Rooney and reaffirmed his support for her ongoing pursuit of justice.
### UN and Family Commit to Further Action
UNIFIL welcomed the conclusion of the trial and Lebanon’s commitment to accountability, offering condolences once again to Rooney’s family and colleagues.
But Ms. Rooney said her fight is far from over.
“I will dedicate every bone in my body to ensure justice for Seán,” she vowed, “and to highlight the uncomfortable truths about systemic failings—not only by the Lebanese justice system, but also by the United Nations and the Irish Defence Forces.”
“That is the very least I owe my son, Seán. It is the very least I owe Seán’s comrades.”
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