Announcement by the Tánaiste on the case of Private Seán Rooney

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, has today (Tuesday, 12 August) announced that prosecutors in Lebanon have formally lodged an appeal against the sentences handed down to those who were indicted for the murder of Private Seán Rooney and attempted killing of Trooper Shane Kearney, Corporal Joshua Phelan and Trooper Nathan Bryan.

The Tánaiste wrote to the Lebanese Government following last month’s trial to express the disappointment of the Irish Government and in particular of the Rooney family at the leniency of the sentences handed down.

The Tánaiste met Private Rooney’s family last week and committed to holding urgent talks with the Lebanese Justice and Defence Ministers in order to press for an appeal.

Those talks took place earlier today.

The Tánaiste this afternoon spoke to Private Rooney’s mother, Natasha McCloskey, and informed her of the following developments:

• The Lebanese Government has appointed a new military chief prosecutor who now will take over the case;
• An appeal against the sentences has this afternoon been formally lodged with the military Cassation Court;
• The Lebanese authorities have committed to taking urgent steps to ensure the individual convicted of the murder of Private Rooney is taken into custody.

Speaking today, Tánaiste Simon Harris said:

“I very much welcome the confirmation today from the Lebanese Justice and Defence Ministers that an appeal has been formally lodged against the sentences handed down in the case of the death Private Seán Rooney and the injuries of his colleagues.

“I have this afternoon spoken with Seán’s mother, Natasha, who I was pleased also to meet last week.

“I informed her of today’s developments and have committed to following up directly with the Lebanese Government in relation to the appeal itself.

“In my calls with my Lebanese counterparts, I made it clear that the sentences handed down in this case are simply not acceptable and are very disappointing.

“They have caused great upset and insult to the Rooney family and everything must be done to ensure justice is served for Seán and his colleagues who were injured.”