Numerous convictions in connection with Pte Sean Rooney's murder as Harris ‘disappointed' by ‘lighter sentences imposed'
Pte Rooney, 24 and from
was killed on
to Beirut came under fire.
Advertisement
2
Tanaiste Simon Harris said he was 'disappointed' by the 'lighter sentences' for some
Credit: Cillian Sherlock/PA Wire
The vehicle driven by Pte Rooney became separated from the other one and ended up in a town called Al-Aqbiyah, where it came under gunfire.
Pte Rooney
Trooper
, 23, suffered head injuries in the same incident.
The case regarding his death was beset by multiple delays, but it was brought forward from a previous hearing date of September 17 to today.
Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister
Advertisement
Read more in News
Mr Harris said in a statement tonight: "This evening I have been informed of the completion of the hearings held by the Military Tribunal in Beirut for those indicted for the murder of Private Sean Rooney, who was killed during an incident on 14 December 2022 at Al-Aqbiya, Lebanon, in which a number of his colleagues in the 121st Infantry Battalion also sustained serious injuries.
"I welcome the conviction of the main defendant and a number of the other defendants, who had not previously been in court.
"While noting the sentence handed down to the main defendant, I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Private Rooney's family at the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today.
"Seán Rooney made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace.
Advertisement
Most read in Irish News
"This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues, especially those who were injured that night.
"All our thoughts are with them at this time.
Heartbreaking scenes as Sean Rooney death has 'pierced heart of family' says mum in devastating tribute to brave son
"A central focus of my visit to Beirut last March was meetings with the Lebanese Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence, during which I raised, in the strongest terms, my deep frustration at the slow pace of proceedings before the Lebanese Military Tribunal concerning those charged with Private Rooney's killing.
"I appreciate, therefore, the efforts of the court to bring forward the hearing date forward from September to today.
Advertisement
"During my visit to Beirut, I left the Lebanese Ministers in no doubt as to the absolute determination of the Irish Government to ensure that those responsible for Private Rooney's death are brought to justice.
"I want to express my appreciation to my officials, members of the
"Finally, I appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult day for the family of Private Rooney.
"None of us can fathom their unimaginable pain and grief and all my thoughts remain with them at this time."
Advertisement
More to follow.
2
Private Sean Rooney was killed on UN duty on December 14, 2022
Credit: Defence Forces/PA Wire
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Conor McGregor rants as he faces €2m legal costs and Nikita Hand sues him & ex-neighbours after civil rape case appeal
DISGRACED former UFC star Conor McGregor let rip online today as it emerged he faces another day in court. He went on a 8 Nikita Hand has launched fresh legal action against the disgraced fighter Credit: Collins Courts/ CC 8 McGregor, pictured with partner Dee Devlin, was not present in court this week Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire 8 He launched a bizarre social media rant after losing his appeal Credit: Social Media Collect Former hair stylist Nikita, 35, filed her claim for damages on Thursday — the same day the And in a series of rambling posts on X, Ms Hand McGregor told the court they had consensual sex and denied the assault allegation. READ MORE IN NEWS But a jury of eight women and four men f He was ordered to pay Ms Hand €248,603.60 in damages and about €1.3million in legal costs. McGregor launched an appeal on the basis of five grounds, intending to introduce He had provided affidavits by Samantha O'Reilly and her partner Steven Cummins, former neighbours of Ms Hand when she lived in Drimnagh. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN O'Reilly claimed she had witnessed a physical row between Ms Hand and her then-partner at about the same time of the Beacon Hotel incident. McGregor said that this would have provided a 'plausible explanation' for the bruising on Ms Hand's body, which he claimed he did not cause. Conor McGregor Loses Appeal in Nikita Hand Civil Rape Case However, at the last minute, McGregor's legal team Ms Hand had always denied any altercation with her former partner and the court heard she dismissed the claims as 'lies'. In its ruling dismissing McGregor's appeal 'in its entirety', the Court of Appeal said the application to introduce the neighbours' evidence had been dropped in 'somewhat mysterious' circumstances. It said that no plausible reason had been given for this turn of events. 8 Brave Nikita is also taking legal action against her former neighbours Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire 8 Samantha O'Reilly had claimed to have seen an argument between Nikita and her former partner 8 Samantha and her partner Steven Cummins had provided sworn affidavits Mr Justice Brian O'Moore said the abandonment of the application could be seen by the court only as an acknowledgment Ms Hand was correct. He said her lawyers had not been exaggerating when they said this 'new evidence' had put Ms Hand through the wringer. Speaking outside the court this week after McGregor's appeal was shot down, Ms Hand said: 'This appeal has retraumatised me over and over again. "Being forced to relive what happened has had a huge impact on me. 'To every survivor out there, I know how hard it is but please don't be silenced. You deserve to be heard. You also deserve justice. 'Today, I can finally move on and try to heal.' FRESH LEGAL MOVE Nikita Hand has now launched a fresh legal case against McGregor and her former neighbours for damages over their claims. It's understood that Ms Hand alleges they engaged in malicious abuse of the process of the court. A furious Conor McGregor took to social media to vent his fury about the rape case outcome. Regarding Nikita Hand's new legal case against McGregor and her former neighbours, the former fighter said he welcomed it. He insisted: 'I am happy this is still ongoing. Hopefully we hear from all. I fight on . . . and will continue to defend myself.' In the same post, McGregor said that he will not be paying the legal fees of his pal James Lawrence, who was found not to have assaulted Nikita Hand on the same night at the Beacon Hotel. He had also been accused of rape but said he had consensual sex with her. Nikita told the court she didn't remember this happening and wouldn't have been able to consent. The court refused to grant Lawrence his legal costs with the Court of Appeal upholding this decision this week, as they said the money would end up going to McGregor. McGregor previously told the courts that he was paying Lawrence's legal fees. SOCIAL MEDIA RANT However, in his rant online the ex-UFC fighter said he would not be paying his friend's legal fees and claimed he was 'in a fog' when he told the courts he was doing so previously. He said: 'You are out of your f***ing mind if you think I am paying James Lawrence legal costs, folks. "Who said I was paying his fees? I said I didn't know if I was, when the accuser's barrister asked me on the stand.' McGregor later uploaded a photo of himself on his yacht along with a lengthy rant which he ended with: 'Ice cream, anyone?' He then added a string of posts moaning about the mainstream media and mocking an EU Court of Justice decision to fine Ireland €1.5million for delays in introducing laws around flexible working. In a bizarre series of videos, McGregor posted clips of him pretending to laugh at European Commission President McGregor continues to post on his social media asking people to vote for him in the upcoming Presidential election, despite having little to no chance of making it onto the ballot paper. The Crumlin lad would need the backing of 20 members of the Oireachtas or four local authorities to get into the race for the Aras. 8 As part of the rant McGregor told how he would not cover James Lawrence's legal fees Credit: Brian Lawless/PA Wire 8 Nikita told how the failed appeal bid had 'retraumatised' her Credit: Niall Carson/PA Wire
The Journal
10 hours ago
- The Journal
Tánaiste to meet Seán Rooney's mother after she said he shouldn't 'seek to speak for me'
TÁNAISTE AND MINISTER for Defence Simon Harris has said he will meet with the mother of slain soldier Private Seán Rooney next week and that he has 'total respect' for him and his family. Harris was asked for his reaction to comments Private Rooney's mother Natasha made yesterday, in which she said the Tánaiste should 'speak to me, before seeking to speak for me, in his public statements'. Private Rooney was killed while serving as part of a UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon in 2022. The shooting, near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of the country, a stronghold of militant group Hezbollah, resulted in the death of Private Rooney while Trooper Shane Kearney was badly wounded. Earlier this week, a Military Tribunal in Beirut convicted one main defendant, Mohammad Ayyad, of the murder of Private Rooney and sentenced him to death. Advertisement However, Ayyad, a member of Hezbollah, was absent from proceedings and he remains at large. Natasha Rooney was scathing in her criticism of the Lebanese justice system and the light sentences given to Ayyad's accomplices. 'I'll be meeting Natasha next week,' Harris told reporters today. 'Natasha is a grieving mother fighting for justice for her son, who died while serving with absolute distinction wearing the uniform of Óglaigh na hÉireann. 'He has my absolute and total respect, as does his family, and I'll reserve any further comments until I engage Natasha directly. 'I know my officials did attend the military tribunal in Beirut last week, but I look forward to meeting Natasha and engaging with her directly next week.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Tánaiste to meet mother of murdered peacekeeper Seán Rooney
Tánaiste Simon Harris is set to meet with the mother of murdered Irish peacekeeper Seán Rooney. It comes after Natasha Rooney expressed her disappointment at a 'lack of justice' for her son. Seán Rooney, 24, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon was ambushed and fired upon on December 14, 2022. The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in a stronghold of Hezbollah. Rooney was from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces. On Monday, Mr Harris said he had been informed of the completion of a military tribunal in Beirut for those indicted for the murder of Pte Rooney. One man was sentenced to death, but he remains at large. A number of other men were also convicted in relation to other offences over the shooting. Simon Harris said he will meet Natasha Rooney next week (Brian Lawless/PA) Ms Rooney expressed disappointment and contended it was 'not justice'. In a statement released through Phoenix Law, she said the perpetrator of her son's murder 'has been untraceable and untraced for many years'. She added: 'The verdict in reality is nothing more than a headline to the Lebanese authorities who masquerade this sham trial process as a semblance of justice for my son.' Ms Rooney also urged Mr Harris to speak to her 'before seeking to speak for me, in his public statements'. Speaking to the media on Friday, Mr Harris said he is meeting Ms Rooney next week. 'I'm going to preserve any further comment 'til I meet her,' he said. 'Natasha is a grieving mother fighting for justice for her son who died while serving with absolute distinction wearing the uniform of Oglaigh Na hEireann. He has my absolute and total respect, as does his family. 'I look forward to meeting with Natasha and engaging with her directly next week.'
