Taoiseach Micheál Martin has travelled to Lebanon where he met Irish peacekeepers and said he was proud of the service they are providing.
During his visit, the Taoiseach met Irish soldiers who will be based at Camp Shamrock near the Israeli border over the Christmas period, reports Breaking News.
He also held talks in Beirut with Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, where he raised the issue of justice in relation to the killing of Private Sean Rooney.
The 24-year-old, who was from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, died after a convoy of Irish UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon was ambushed and fired upon on December 14th, 2022, reports Breaking News.
The individual primarily convicted over his death remains at large, and the Government has said some of the sentences handed down to others involved were excessively lenient.
Mr Martin called for accountability.
“Accountability means that the people responsible for the death of Sean Rooney are brought to justice, proper justice, the sentencing was extremely lenient and the people are at large,” he said, reports Breaking News.
Several hundred Irish troops are currently serving with the Unifil (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) mission in southern Lebanon, which is set to conclude next December when the UN mandate expires after nearly five decades.
Addressing troops assembled at Camp Shamrock, Mr Martin said it was “an honour” to stand before them and to “personally acknowledge the dedication, professionalism and sacrifice that each of you demonstrates in the service of peace, and your country”, reports Breaking News.
He also praised the work being carried out by the soldiers in Lebanon “during this particularly challenging time”, and acknowledged the difficulty of spending Christmas away from family and loved ones.
Speaking about the UN mandate ending at the close of 2026, Mr Martin said Ireland remains committed to Unifil and to assisting Lebanon, while recognising that the mission was always intended to be temporary, reports Breaking News.
He said: “I met the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam this morning, and emphasised the important role of the Lebanese Government in respecting and protecting the role of peacekeepers, as Unifil works towards bringing peace and stability.
“I also continued to highlight the need for accountability in regard to the person wanted in connection to the horrific killing of Private Sean Rooney.
“I made it very clear to the prime minister the absolute determination of the Irish Government to continue to pursue justice for this terrible crime,” reports Breaking News.
Concluding his address, Mr Martin told the soldiers that he is “immensely proud of the long tradition of Irish peacekeeping”.
“Those involved in ongoing efforts for peace are doing critically important work. It is work that we in Ireland and people all over the world hope and pray is successful,” he said, reports Breaking News.
“The tradition of UN peacekeeping, in which we have participated for just short of 70 years, is about saving lives and ensuring others can enjoy the gift of peace. The work you are doing here in south Lebanon encapsulates all that is good and positive about that tradition. Know that the government and the people of Ireland are very appreciative of your service and dedication to the cause of peace,” reports Breaking News.
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