Private Seán Rooney's mother criticises Simon Harris for his comments after Lebanon murder trial: ‘Speak to me...before seeking to speak for me'

Irish Independent

3 days ago

Expressing her 'extreme disappointment and heartbreak' at proceedings in the Middle East, Natasha Rooney said that what happened in Lebanon this week was 'not justice'.
She said it 'would be perhaps wise' for Mr Harris to speak to her 'before seeking to speak' for her when making public statements on the matter.
On Monday, Mr Harris said he welcomed the conviction of the main defendant and a number of other defendants, "who had not previously been in court".
"While noting the sentence handed down to the main defendant, I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Private Rooney's family at the lighter sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today," Harris said.
Private Rooney (24), from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while serving in Lebanon when his UN peacekeeping convoy was attacked on December 14, 2022.
The shooting, near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of militant group Hezbollah, resulted in the death of Private Rooney while Trooper Shane Kearney (22) was badly wounded.
On Monday, a military tribunal in Beirut convicted one main defendant, Mohammad Ayyad, for the murder of Private Rooney and has sentenced him to death.
A number of other men were convicted in relation to the shooting.
Ms Rooney said she was 'hurt and disappointed' by the monetary fines handed by Lebanon to the main defendant's accomplices.
'I expected nothing less from a government that is run hand in glove with a terrorist organisation,' she said.
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'I did however expect more from the very country to whom my son died wearing with pride his native flag – you would be forgiven for reading the Irish Government's response as one of victory for justice,' said Ms Rooney.
'Again whilst such utterances are disappointing, they are unsurprising. 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. '
In a response this afternoon, Mr Harris said: "I cannot imagine the pain and suffering experienced by Rooney family. As I said after the military tribunal, I was deeply disappointed at some of the lighter sentences imposed. I look forward to meeting Mrs Rooney and arrangements are under way to ensure this happens.
'Above all, I want to support her quest for justice in any way I can.'
In a lengthy statement earlier today, released by Phoenix Law on behalf of Ms Rooney, she said she would continue to push for justice.
She said her son was a 'brave and courageous soldier' and a 'much-loved son, brother, fiancé and friend'.
She said: 'Whilst no court case or litigation can bring Sean back, the truth and justice for his murder is the very least he deserves. Whilst I am restricted in what I can say due to the live proceedings, I cannot sit idly by and let the truth get lost in the hysteria.
'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.'
Ms Rooney said the perpetrator of her son's murder 'has been untraceable and untraced for many years'.
'Not only did he not appear for his trial, but it is clear that he might never appear. The verdict 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.'
'I am 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 Sean.'