Latest news with #MichealMartin
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Irish police officer injured in Dublin assault
DUBLIN (Reuters) -An Irish police officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries following an unprovoked assault by a man in central Dublin on Tuesday, police said. The Irish Times said the officer suffered multiple stab wounds to his side when he and a colleague responded to reports of a man armed with a large knife. A spokesperson for the police offered no further comment on the nature of the attack. The officer was on routine high-visibility patrol on Capel Street, a short walk from Dublin's main thoroughfare of O'Connell Street, when he was attacked, police said in a statement. The man was arrested at the scene. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on social media platform X that he was appalled by the "shocking", unprovoked attack on an on-duty officer.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Irish police officer injured in Dublin assault
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox DUBLIN - An Irish police officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries following an unprovoked assault by a man in central Dublin on Tuesday, police said. The Irish Times said the officer suffered multiple stab wounds to his side when he and a colleague responded to reports of a man armed with a large knife. A spokesperson for the police offered no further comment on the nature of the attack. The officer was on routine high-visibility patrol on Capel Street, a short walk from Dublin's main thoroughfare of O'Connell Street, when he was attacked, police said in a statement. The man was arrested at the scene. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin said on social media platform X that he was appalled by the "shocking", unprovoked attack on an on-duty officer. REUTERS
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach says it is 'unsatisfactory' that Irish soldier Sean Rooney's killer is still at large
Micheal Martin was speaking after a man was given a death sentence in Lebanon over Private Sean Rooney's death. Rooney, 24, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14 2022.
The National
2 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Lebanon sentences man to death in absentia for killing Irish UN peacekeeper Sean Rooney
Lebanon has sentenced a man to death in absentia over the killing of a UN Irish peacekeeper in December 2022, a judicial official told AFP on Tuesday. The Irish government said it had been informed of the conviction by Lebanese authorities on Monday. Private Sean Rooney, 23, was shot dead and a number of other peacekeepers were injured while they were serving for Unifil in south Lebanon. Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin welcomed the conviction of Mohamad Ayyad but said it is 'unsatisfactory that he is still at large'. 'Many will feel the sentences passed down on the other defendants are far too lenient,' he added. 'The justice system in Lebanon, and the delay in progressing in this case, was deeply regrettable." The Lebanese justice system is notorious for delays, with most inmates in its prisons still awaiting trial. Lebanon has maintained an unofficial moratorium on the death penalty since 2004 and has carried out no executions since. Mr Ayyad was released from custody in late 2023 on health grounds but has not shown up to the court since. He was convicted by military tribunal on Monday. The case had been due to be heard in September but was brought forward. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris said he raised the case during his visit to Beirut in March at meetings with the Lebanese ministers for foreign affairs and defence. 'I raised, in the strongest terms, my deep frustration at the slow pace of proceedings before the Lebanese military tribunal concerning those charged with Pte Rooney's killing,' he said. 'I appreciate, therefore, the efforts of the court to bring forward the hearing date from September to today. During my visit to Beirut, I left the Lebanese ministers in no doubt as to the absolute determination of the Irish government to ensure that those responsible for Pte Rooney's death are brought to justice.' Pte Rooney was killed when his vehicle came under fire in Al Aqbiya on its way to Beirut on a route not normally taken by Unifil. The soldiers were part of 121st Infantry Battalion, comprising 333 Irish troops, which was deployed in November to south Lebanon. The area is know for its Hezbollah presence, although the group has denied any role in the killing. It did, however, ensure Mr Ayyad was handed over to Lebanese authorities after the killing. There are about 10,000 Unifil peacekeepers from nearly 50 countries, acting as a buffer between Lebanon and Israel and operating near the border.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Seán Rooney: Man sentenced to death over killing of Irish soldier
A man has been sentenced to death in Lebanon over the killing of an Irish soldier on a UN peacekeeping mission, BBC News NI understands. Pte Seán Rooney was in an armoured UN vehicle which came under fire while travelling to Beirut on 14 December 24-year-old was the first Irish soldier to die while on UN peacekeeping duty in Lebanon in more than 20 years. Three others were injured in the main defendant in the case is Mohammad Ayyad. It is understood he did not appear in court on Monday. A number of other men were convicted in relation to the shooting. The death sentence was announced at a military tribunal in Beirut, according to Irish broadcaster RTÉ.Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin said that while he welcomes the conviction of the main defendant, "it is unsatisfactory that he is still at large". "Many will feel the sentences passed down on the other defendants are far too lenient," Martin said. "Peacekeeping is the most noble cause of all, and the role of the peacekeeper must at all times be honoured and respected," he said. The taoiseach noted that "this is a very difficult day" for Pte Rooney's family, in particular his mother Natasha. "Sean was a soldier of great courage, who put the safety of others before his own safety in the line of duty," Martin said."He was brave and diligent. My thoughts and prayers are with Natasha, his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time." Tánaiste (deputy Irish prime minister) Simon Harris said he welcomed the conviction of the main defendant and a number of other defendant, "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. The tánaiste said Pte Rooney "made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace". "I appreciate that this is an incredibly difficult day for the family of Private Rooney. None of us can fathom their unimaginable pain and grief and all my thoughts remain with them at this time," the tánaiste said. Harris visited Beirut last March and met with the Lebanese Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Defence. He said raised his "deep frustration at the slow pace of proceedings" before the Lebanese Military Tribunal regarding those charged with Pte Rooney's death. He said the court hearing date was brought forward from September to taoiseach said "that justice system in Lebanon, and the delay in progressing in this case, was deeply regrettable".
