The mother of murdered Newtowncunningham peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney has said she will dedicate every bone in her body to ensuring justice for her son, and to highlight the “uncomfortable truths” into “systemic failings”. Private Rooney was killed near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah on December 14, 2022. He […]
Man sentenced to death over killing of Seán Rooney
A MAN has been sentenced to death in Lebanon after he was convicted for his part in the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney. Private Seán Rooney was killed near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah on December 14, 2022. The Newtowncunningham man, from the 121 Infantry Battalion […]
Remarkable courage’ of Donegal peacekeeper hailed
THE UN’s secretary general has praised the “remarkable courage” of a Newtowncunningham peacekeeper killed in Lebanon. Antonio Guterres made the remarks to Private Seán Rooney’s family in a recent correspondence. The 24-year-old was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping mission was ambushed and fired upon in December 2022. Advertisement The […]
‘Rainbows Room’ dedicated in memory of Private Seán Rooney
by Louise Doyle THE mum of a Newtowncunningham peacekeeper killed in the Lebanon has spoken of her pride in her son following the funding of Ireland’s first dedicated ‘Rainbows Room’ in his memory. Natasha McCloskey was speaking at the launch of the project, which opened in Ratoath Community College on Tuesday in memory of her son, […]
Tánaiste vows justice for Seán Rooney’s killers
TÁNAISTE Micheál Martin has vowed that those responsible for the murder of Private Seán Rooney from Newtowncunningham will be brought to justice. The 24-year-old UN peacekeeper was killed on active service in the Lebanon in December 2022. He had been serving in Lebanon for the second time on peacekeeping duty with the United Nations when […]
Private Seán Rooney remembered one year on
By Dionne Meehan ONE YEAR on from Private Seán Rooney’s death, family, friends and comrades lined his graveside for a wreath laying ceremony at the Church of All Saints, Newtowncunningham on Sunday. Private Rooney was killed in Lebanon in December last year. Advertisement The 24-year-old from Newtowncunningham was killed as he drove an armoured jeep […]
Private Sean Rooney to be honoured today
PRIVATE Sean Rooney is to be honoured today at the 75th anniversary of the United Nations at their headquarters in New York. Pte Rooney (23), from Newtowncunningham, died on December 14, 2022 while carrying out UN peacekeeping duties in al-Aqbieh in southern Lebanon. He was killed after being shot when the armoured vehicle he was […]
Tánaiste pays tribute to Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon
The Tánaiste has paid tribute to the late Seán Rooney while in Lebanon and vowed that no stone will be left unturned in the investigation into his death. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, laid a wreath at a memorial that honours Irish peacekeepers who have died in Lebanon. Speaking in Lebanon, he said […]
Tánaiste to meet colleagues of late Private Seán Rooney
Tánaiste Micháel Martin is travelling to Lebanon today to meet with colleagues of the late Private Seán Rooney. Mr Martin will meet members of the 121st Infantry Battalion United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) – the unit which Seán was a member off. Pte Rooney, from Newtowncunningham, died while carrying out UN peacekeeping duties in […]
Remains of Private Seán Rooney to be repatriated from Beirut
THE remains of Private Seán Rooney will be brought home today by the Irish Air Corps CASA aircraft. There will be a solemn UN ceremony held to honour Pte Rooney in Beirut Airport prior to his departure, following which he will be brought to Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. His remains will be reunited with his family […]