'Sham': Private Seán Rooney’s mother hits out at Lebanon trial and Irish response

The mother of Private Seán Rooney has launched a scathing criticism of the Lebanese judicial process, branding it a “sham trial” and says that the truth about her son’s death “must not be lost in the hysteria”.

Natasha Rooney has spoken out after the conviction of Mohammad Ayyad, who was sentenced to death - but who remains at large.

Ms Rooney said there has been an attempt to tarnish her son’s legacy with “fake news and false narratives” and has expressed disappointment at the reaction of the Irish government.

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Private Rooney, a Dundalk native who had lived in Newtowncunningham for the past decade, became the 48th Irish soldier to die while on a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.  The 24-year-old peacekeeper was killed while serving in Lebanon, when his UN peacekeeping convoy was attacked in December 2022.

It is understood that authorities in the Lebanon are aware of the location of Ayyad, who was convicted earlier this week in absentia by a Military Tribunal in Beirut.

The hearing was overseen by Brigadier General Wassim Fayyad and in all, six men were indicted over the incident that led to Private Rooney’s death.

Ali Suleiman was given a three-month prison term and Ali Khalifeh was sentenced to one month in prison. Three other men - Hussein Suleiman, Mustafa Suleiman and Ali Hakim - were issued with fines while Mohammad Mezher was acquitted. 

The sentences have prompted frustration among those close to Private Rooney.

Ms Rooney, in a statement issued via her solicitor, Mr Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, said her son was a “brave and courageous soldier, he was also a much-loved son, brother, fiancée and friend”.

She said she could not “sit idly by and let the truth get lost in the hysteria.”

The late Private Sean Rooney

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An attorney for Ayyad told the tribunal that his client was ill and in hospital. Sources have claimed that Ayyad is receiving treatment for a form of cancer.

In 2023, a one-page medical report, which was said to have been verified by the Lebanese hospital authority and ministry of health was given to the court. This was not read aloud at the time.

Ayyad was charged under Article 549 of the Lebanese Penal Code, which states the murder of a public official carrying out official duties is to be punishable by death. 

Ms Rooney said:  “What happened in Lebanon was not justice. What happened in Lebanon is unreflective of what we regard as a trial process.  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, with little to no information being disclosed or challenged in open court.  Instead, we are forced to believe the answers provided by a Lebanese justice system which from the outset has failed to hold those responsible to account. 

“As a family, we wish to express our extreme disappointment and heartbreak at the recent Court proceedings in Lebanon. The proceedings, originally scheduled for September 2025, were brought forward with minimal notice causing unforeseen pressures.

"The unforeseen expedition has been credited in some quarters as a testament to diplomatic pressures. To others, it is difficult to avoid the conclusive coincidence that the expediting of the trial process comes at the critical time the UN Mandate comes for renewal.”

Ms Rooney said that her family has been left to “unpick the jigsaw of illusion from the factual reality.”

She described the death penalty handed down to Ayyad as “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”.

Private Rooney was driving an armoured jeep when a UN peacekeeping convoy in which he was travelling came under attack in the south Lebanon town of Al-Aqbiya on December 14, 2022.

Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, was badly wounded and two others sustained minor injuries in the incident. 

The initial surrender of Ayyad had been facilitated by Hezbollah, which has denied the attackers were affiliated with the group.

Ms Rooney hit out at the monetary fines handed down to some of the defendants: “To the Lebanese Courts, assisting in the murder of my son is worth nothing more than 1200 dollars.  Whilst hurt and disappointed, I expected nothing less from a Government that is run hand in glove with a terrorist organisation.”

While Irish politicians, including Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD and the Taoiseach, Michéal Martin, issued statements in the wake of the sentence being passed, Ms Rooney said she expected more “from the very country to whom my son died wearing with pride his native flag”. 

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She said: “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, in his public statements.     

“Regrettably this approach is symptomatic of the problems we face in this country whereby when in November 2024, just days after exiting Government buildings, flags were erected on the very same street endorsing the organisation that killed my son, alongside that of the tricolour, the very country he died in its name.”

Ms Rooney has vowed to ensure justice for her son.

She added:  “I am however not angry.  I am determined.  My son died trying to protect his three comrades as he made all efforts to escape an armed gang who had surrounded their vehicle and fired their shots.  He dedicated his entire life to protect those of his three friends.   

“In his name, I will dedicate every bone in my body to ensure justice for Seán, and to highlight the uncomfortable truths about the systematic failings by the United Nations, the Irish Defence Forces and the Lebanese Justice system.    

“That is the very least I owe my son Sean.  It is the very least I owe Sean’s comrades.  And it is the very least the Irish Justice system owe us all.”