Tánaiste urges progress in case of Louth soldier Private Sean Rooney

The Tánaiste Simon Harris TD today (26 March) met the Lebanese Minister for Defence, Mr Michel Menassah, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Yousseff Rajji, during his visit to Lebanon where he highlighted the case of Dundalk soldier Private Sean Rooney.

He is also visiting members of the 125th Infantry Battalion, who are serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

In the course of both meetings, the Tánaiste conveyed the Government’s “deep disappointment and dissatisfaction at the slow progress of the legal proceedings in the matter relating to the death of the Irish peacekeeper, Private Sean Rooney.”

He continued: “The continued delay in court proceedings, continues to cause deep concern to myself, to the Irish Government, the family of Private Rooney and the Irish people. 

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“My Government has consistently expressed determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that there is accountability for the death of Private Rooney. Ireland will continue to monitor developments very closely.”

The Tánaiste concluded by acknowledging that there are proceedings now before the Lebanese judicial system and expressed the hope that “with a newly established Government and court structures in Lebanon, progress will be made in bringing those responsible for the death of Private Rooney to justice.”