The Daily Star Ireland
A Lebanese military tribunal has handed down a death sentence to Mohammad Ayyad for his involvement in the 2022 killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney. The decision follows a series of hearings in Beirut, culminating in Monday’s announcement of the court’s ruling.
Although Ayyad received the death penalty, sources indicate he was not physically present in court for the verdict. Furthermore, due to Lebanon’s de facto moratorium on capital punishment—unchanged since 2004—the sentence is widely expected to be converted into a prison term.
A Tragic Night in Al-Aqbiya
Private Seán Rooney, a 24-year-old native of Newtowncunningham in County Donegal, lost his life on 14 December 2022 during a UN peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon. Rooney was behind the wheel of an armoured vehicle when he and his fellow Irish UNIFIL peacekeepers came under gunfire near the village of Al-Aqbiya, not far from a major route leading into Beirut. The attack occurred during a routine patrol in a region where tensions with local militias have flared in the past.
Rooney’s death marked a significant loss for Ireland’s Defence Forces, particularly the 121st Infantry Battalion deployed as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Several of his colleagues were also injured in the incident.
Mixed Response to Sentencing
Ireland’s Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris, issued a statement following the announcement of the verdict. He confirmed being informed of the tribunal’s conclusion and the convictions of several individuals involved in the case, including the main defendant.
While Harris welcomed the conviction of Ayyad, he expressed disappointment over the comparatively lenient sentences given to others implicated in the attack. “I share the disappointment of Private Rooney’s family regarding the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today,” he said.
Harris noted that the case had been expedited by the Lebanese judiciary, which had originally scheduled the next hearings for September. He thanked the court for moving the process forward, acknowledging the importance of closure for the grieving family and the injured soldiers who served alongside Rooney.
Remembering Seán Rooney
Describing Rooney’s actions as the “ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace,” Harris praised the young soldier’s commitment to international peacekeeping efforts. His statement also acknowledged the pain felt by Rooney’s loved ones and colleagues, particularly those injured in the same attack.
“This is a deeply painful time for Seán Rooney’s family,” Harris said. “None of us can truly comprehend the grief they are experiencing. All of our thoughts remain with them today.”
Although the legal proceedings have brought some sense of accountability, the emotional toll remains profound for those who served alongside Rooney and the family mourning his loss. The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by peacekeepers deployed in volatile regions across the globe.
