Man who killed Irish soldier Seán Rooney believed to be on the run in Iran
The man who killed Private Sean Rooney is believed to be hiding out in Iran, according to sources.
Hezbollah fighter Mohammed Ayyad has not been seen in over a year but Government and diplomat sources suspect he has fled Lebanon for Iran.
The runaway killer was sentenced to death a few weeks ago on July 28 last by a military tribunal for the murder of the 23-year-old Dundalk soldier.
But he wasn't in court for the conviction and the Lebanese authorities gave no indication where he was.
Ayyad was initially released on bail over a year ago on medical grounds.
But yesterday the Louth Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O'Murchu said it is unclear what his medical condition was.
rooney
News in 90 Seconds - August 16th
He said: 'This guy seems to have vanished and nobody knows where he is."
But Government insiders believe Ayyad has fled to Iran - the country which bankrolls the Hezbellah organisation in south Lebanon where Sean perished.
One source said: 'We suspect he is in Iran and it is unlikely anyone will hand him over to face a death penalty. It is not a satisfactory situation but all we can do is keep the pressure on and see if we can get justice for Sean and his family."
Ayyad was among a gang of men who opened fire on the UN peacekeepers convoy on December 14, 2022 in the village of Al-Aqbiya as they made their way to Beirut Airport.
Sean lost his life while three other Irish soldiers, Private Shane Kearney, Corporal Joshua Phelan, and Private Nathan Byra were injured.
The other Lebanese gunmen involved in the unprovoked attack got far lighter sentences.
One got three months jail, another a one month jail sentence, another was fined the equivalent of appoximately €1800 and a fourth was acquitted.
These are now being appealed by the Beirut government following pressure from Ireland and Sean's devastated family.
The Minister for Defence Simon Harris and Sean's mother Natasha held a private meeting to discuss the case during the week.
Mr Harris said: " The Government has repeatedly stressed the need for justice to be served in this case.. We have raised the issue with the UN, and the Lebanese authorities . This is a difficult time for his family and the 121th Infantry Battalion."
The Lebanese authorities have not executed any prisoners in over 20 years so the Irish Government is pushing for the killer to be found to serve a life in prison instead.
The Taoiseach Micheal Martin after the court verdict said: 'Sean was a soldier of great courage who put the safety of others before his own safety in the line of duty. He was brave and diligent.
"Peacekeeping is the most noble cause of all and the role of the peacekeeper must at all times be honoured and respected."
The Irish Coroner's Inquest into Sean Rooney's death has been postponed and no new date confirmed.
Defence Minister Harris revealed in a reply to Deputy O'Murchu that the Coroner has received a response from the United Nations to her request that they should be an interested party at the Inquest and grant access to a number of UN reports.
Details of the UN response have not been released publicly.
Mr Harris also said that an independent review into the murder by Mr Michael Delaney SC is ongoing.
This review is examining the internal tactics, techniques , processes, and procedures employed by the Defence Forces with a view to determining whether there are lessons to be learned for the circumstances surrounding Private Rooney's death. Mr Delaney nis expected to report with Mr Harris in the autumn.
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