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Irish Independent
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Private Seán Rooney's mother criticises Simon Harris for his comments after Lebanon murder trial: ‘Speak to me...before seeking to speak for me'
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. ADVERTISEMENT '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.'
Irish Examiner
15 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Private Seán Rooney's mother hits out at Tánaiste and Lebanon after sentencing tribunal
The mother of Private Seán Rooney has hit out at Tánaiste Simon Harris, the Government, and the Lebanese justice system in the wake of a man being sentenced to death in Lebanon for his killing. Pte Rooney, who was 24 and from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while on United Nations peacekeeping duty when the armoured vehicle he was driving from south Lebanon to Beirut came under fire in December 2022. Several others were injured in the attack. On Monday, a tribunal in Lebanon sentenced the main defendant in the case, Mohammad Ayyad, to death. He was absent from the proceedings as he was convicted at the military court on Monday, it is understood. Others were given lighter sentences. Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste welcomed the conviction of the main defendant, but hit out at the lighter sentences issued. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was "unsatisfactory" that the main defendant is still at large. In a statement on Thursday, however, Natasha Rooney criticised both the tribunal and the response from Ireland. Son's legacy 'has been tarnished' Ms Rooney described the court proceedings in Lebanon as a "sham", saying that what happened in the tribunal was "not justice" and was "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," she stated. "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." She said her son's "legacy has been tarnished with fake news and false narratives". "The factual reality here is that the perpetrator who has been convicted for my son's murder has been untraceable and untraced for many years," she stated. "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." Hurt and disappointed The statement, issued by Phoenix Law on behalf of Ms Rooney, went on to say: "In what other country would accomplices to the murder of a peacekeeping soldier be sentenced to monetary fines? To the Lebanese courts, assisting in the murder of my son is worth nothing more than $1,200. Whilst hurt and disappointed, I expected nothing less from a Government that is run hand in glove with a terrorist organisation. Ms Rooney added: "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. 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." Ms Rooney said that she was not angry, but determined to ensure justice for her son, "and to highlight the uncomfortable truths about the systematic failings by the United Nations, the Irish Defence Forces, and the Lebanese justice system. "That is the very least I owe my son Sean," she stated. "It is the very least I owe Sean's comrades. And it is the very least the Irish justice system owes us all.'
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Private Seán Rooney's mother slams Simon Harris for comments after Lebanon murder trial: ‘speak to me...before seeking to speak for me'
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 Simon Harris to speak to her, 'before seeking to speak' for her when making public statements on the matter. On Monday, Tánaiste Simon 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 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. ADVERTISEMENT '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 lengthy statement, released by Phoenix Law on behalf of Ms Rooney, she said that she will 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'. She said: '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.' She added: '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.' The Irish Independent has contacted the Tánaiste's spokespeople for comment.
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
Creeslough: Victims' families launch civil case
A number of family members have started civil proceedings for "personal injury loss and suffering arising out of the tragedy at Creeslough", a law firm has blast, which killed 10 people, happened at a service station in the County Donegal village on 7 October cases are being brought against the operators and owners of the Applegreen service station, as well as the management company for the adjoining victims - four men, three women, two teenagers and a five-year-old girl - were from the village or surrounding areas. Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, which represents 11 people in the civil proceedings, said "many unanswered questions" remain around the tragedy. "Given the delay in the state initiating an independent inquiry along the lines the families have asked, our clients have no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies to access the truth and the answers they so deserve," he said. "Akin to the planning permission challenge, it is abhorrent that these families are forced to, yet again, take the legal process into their own hands to get justice for their loved ones."Another firm, Damien Tansey Solicitors LLP, representing other families and survivors has ben approached for listed include; Applegreen Ltd, Donegal County Council, Vivo Shell Ltd, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities, and Duntally Woods Apartment Owners Management Company. Creeslough explosion Creeslough is a small village in the north west of the island of Ireland, about 15 miles (24km) from Letterkenny and 30 miles (48km) from the border with Northern has a population of about 400 blast resulted in the highest number of civilian casualties in a single incident in the county in who died were Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan-Garwe; Catherine O'Donnell and her 13-year-old son James Monaghan; Jessica Gallagher; Martin McGill; James O'Flaherty; Martina Martin; Hugh Kelly; and 14-year-old Leona November 2024, Donegal County Council passed a motion calling on the next Irish government to establish a public inquiry into the Creeslough February, Donegal County Council granted planning permission to Vivo Shell Ltd to redevelop the existing building at the site by building a new petrol station and family members appealed the decision and in June planning permission was refused.
Irish Times
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Veteran republican Marian Price issues legal proceedings against Disney over ‘Say Nothing' series
Veteran republican Marian McGlinchey is suing the streaming company Disney+ for defamation over the series Say Nothing. The drama, broadcast last year, depicted Ms McGlinchey, née Price, as being involved in the murder of Belfast mother-of-10 Jean McConville – a claim her solicitors previously said was 'not based on a single iota of evidence'. One of the North's Disappeared, Ms McConville was abducted, murdered and secretly buried by the IRA in 1972. Her body was found at Shillington Beach, Co Louth, in 2003. Belfast-based Phoenix Law, which represents Ms McGlinchey, said on Thursday that legal proceedings have been issued against Walt Disney and Minim Productions Limited following the 'egregious and defamatory allegations levelled at our client' in the series. READ MORE 'Both entities have failed to take steps to rectify their actions, causing continuing and untold damage and harm to our client,' Phoenix Law said. Dolours Price and Marian Price in 1972. Photograph: PA Wire 'Our client has therefore been left with no alternative but to issue formal legal proceedings to establish the truth and to protect her reputation.' Papers were filed at the High Court in Dublin on Wednesday. Disney has been contacted for comment. A former member of the Provisional IRA, Ms McGlinchey was jailed for her part in the bombing of the Old Bailey in London in 1973. In 2014, she was given a suspended sentence after she admitted providing a mobile phone used to claim responsibility for the murder of two British soldiers by the dissident republican Real IRA. Ms McGlinchey's solicitor, Victoria Haddock, said her client 'should not be placed in the position of having to take formal legal action to vindicate her reputation'. 'Despite multiple opportunities to address the defamatory content of the Say Nothing series, Disney and Minim Productions have failed to take any step to do so,' she said. 'There is no justification for making abhorrent accusations under the guise of entertainment and we will be seeking to hold all responsible parties to account.' At the launch of the series last year, Disney described Say Nothing as 'a gripping story of murder and memory in Northern Ireland during The Troubles'. A file photograph of Jean McConville (left) with three of her children before she vanished in 1972. Photograph: PA. 'Spanning four decades, the series opens with the shocking disappearance of Jean McConville, a single mother of ten who was abducted from her home in 1972 and never seen alive again,' it said. 'Telling the story of various Irish Republican Army (IRA) members, Say Nothing explores the extremes some people will go to in the name of their beliefs, the way a deeply divided society can suddenly tip over into armed conflict, the long shadow of radical violence for all affected, and the emotional and psychological costs of a code of silence.' Say Nothing is based on the 2018 book of the same name by Patrick Radden Keefe .
