Latest news with #Unifil
Irish Times
8 hours ago
- Irish Times
Lebanese authorities know where man sentenced to death for killing Pte Seán Rooney is, Irish officials believe
Irish officials believe Lebanese authorities are aware of the location of a Hizbullah member who was on Monday convicted of the murder of Pte Seán Rooney in December 2022. Mohammad Ayyad was sentenced to death in absentia by a Lebanese military court for killing the Defence Forces member. The sentence is likely to be later commuted to a prison term. Ayyad was accused of firing his weapon into Pte Rooney's jeep during an attack in the village of Al-Aqbiya. Six other accused received lesser sentences while one was acquitted. Pte Rooney and three other Irish peacekeepers, who were serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mission in south Lebanon, were driving to Beruit Airport when their vehicle came under attack. READ MORE Trooper Shane Kearney was seriously injured in the incident while two other Irish soldiers suffered more minor injuries. Ayyad was produced to the court by Hizbullah in 2023 and charged under Article 549 of the Lebanese Penal Code, which states the murder of a public official carrying out official duties shall be punishable by death. He was later released on bail to receive medical treatment after his lawyers told the court he was seriously ill. Before his sentencing on Monday, documents were handed into court detailing the current location of Ayyad, sources said. The documents stated he was seriously ill in hospital. Another man present during the attack, Ali Suleiman, was sentenced to three months in prison and a fine of 100 million Lebanese pounds (€960). A third accused, Ali Khalifa, was jailed for one month and given a similar fine while two others, Hussein Suleiman, Mustafa Suleiman, and Ali Hakim fined 200 million Lebanese pounds (€1,920) each. A seventh accused, Mohammed Mazhar, was found not guilty. Before Monday, none of the accused aside from Ayyad had ever appeared in court. However, all six others turned up for the verdict and sentencing. A verdict had not been expected in the case until mid-September. The early conclusion of the case is seen by Irish officials as an attempt by the Lebanese authorities to draw a line under the incident before a crucial vote to renew Unifil's peacekeeping mandate, which ends on August 31st. The Lebanese government wants the mandate renewed. However, Israel has been lobbying for Unifil to be wound up or to have its mandate significantly curtailed. The value Lebanon places on the peacekeeping mission was emphasised by the chief military judge during Monday's hearing. 'Hearts beat for the continued presence of the peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, given the humanitarian, social, and even cultural work they are doing,' Brig Gen Wassim Fayyad said. The willingness of the court to convict the accused also underlines the reduction in Hizbullah's power and influence since Pte Rooney's murder, officials said. The militant group, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by the European Union, was left badly weakened following Israel's invasion of Lebanon last October. Monday's three-hour hearing was overseen by Brig Gen Fayyad, who was appointed earlier this year by Lebanon's new president, Joseph Aoun, a former army chief who has pledged to reform the Lebanese judiciary. The proceedings in Beirut were attended by: Nuala O'Brien, the Irish Ambassador to Egypt with responsibility for Lebanon; Bernie Maguire, an assistant secretary at the Department of Defence; Paul McCloskey, the husband of Pte Rooney's mother Natasha Rooney-McCloskey; Joe Karam, a Lebanese lawyer appointed to represent the Irish Government during the proceedings; and an observer from Unifil. During the proceedings, the court reviewed video and photographic evidence and heard testimony from the defendants. The defendants told the court that they had been watching a World Cup football match between France and Morocco in Al-Aqbiya, a town in south Lebanon, on December 14th, 2022, when a Unifil vehicle drove by crowds gathered there. The Lebanese men said Unifil did not typically undertake patrols in this area. They said the vehicle did not have a UN flag on it and was not accompanied by a Lebanese military patrol. The defendants told the court that they believed it may have been part of an undercover Israeli operation. The lawyer for the defendants told the military court there was no premeditated plan to kill a UN soldier, in particular a soldier from Ireland. The defendants said they had received no instructions from Hizbullah, or any other group, to kill a UN peacekeeper. The military court's decision is open to appeal by the defendants and the military prosecutor, Fadi Akiki, who was represented at the hearing on Monday by his deputy Roland Chartouni. If there is no appeal or once such an appeal concludes, civil proceedings can be instigated by Pte Rooney's family against the defendants. Evidence from the military court proceedings would then be presented in Lebanon's civil courts, according to Lebanese lawyers familiar with the system.
Irish Examiner
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Simon Harris holds calls with EU and UN over Unifil mandate
Ireland remains committed to renewing the Unifil mission, the Tánaiste has said. Simon Harris held discussions with EU and UN counterparts on Friday in a bid to secure a continuation of the mission ahead of the renewal of its mandate at the end of August. He held separate calls with UN under secretary general for peace operations Jean Pierre LaCroix, foreign minister of Italy Antonio Taranji, and foreign minister of Lebanon Youssef Raggi. Speaking afterwards, the Tánaiste said: 'Since 1978, participation in Unifil has been a key demonstration of Ireland's commitment to international peacekeeping. 'I remain exceptionally proud of the Defence Forces members serving in Unifil and the contribution they make every day. 'It is clear to me, including through my visit in March this year, that Unifil continues to play a vital role in ensuring stability and security. He added: 'Ireland remains committed to supporting peace and stability in Lebanon including through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the renewal of Unifil's mandate in the coming weeks.' In the call with Mr Rajji, Mr Harris also discussed the ongoing trial of those accused of killing Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon in December 2022. He said: 'I underscored the importance of ensuring accountability and justice in this case for the family of Private Rooney, the Government and people of Ireland.' Mr Harris will hold further talks on the matter, including with the French foreign minister who is leading the bid to secure the renewal of the mandate. Poland has also said it believes the mission must continue for the stability and security of the region. Mr Harris told Cabinet this week that the Unifil mission is vital for retention and morale of Irish troops, as well as Ireland's 'unwavering commitment to international peace and security'. Read More Delays to infrastructure projects are damaging job prospects – Taoiseach
BreakingNews.ie
18-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Harris holds calls over Unifil mandate
Ireland remains committed to renewing the Unifil mission, the Tánaiste has said. Simon Harris held discussions with EU and UN counterparts on Friday in a bid to secure a continuation of the mission ahead of the renewal of its mandate at the end of August. Advertisement He held separate calls with UN Under Secretary General for peace operations Jean Pierre LaCroix, foreign minister of Italy, Antonio Taranji, and foreign minister of Lebanon, Youssef Raggi. Speaking afterwards, the Tánaiste said: 'Since 1978, participation in Unifil has been a key demonstration of Ireland's commitment to international peacekeeping. 'I remain exceptionally proud of the Defence Forces members serving in Unifil and the contribution they make every day. 'It is clear to me, including through my visit in March this year, that Unifil continues to play a vital role in ensuring stability and security. Advertisement He added: 'Ireland remains committed to supporting peace and stability in Lebanon, including through the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the renewal of Unifil's mandate in the coming weeks.' In the call with Mr Rajji, Mr Harris also discussed the ongoing trial of those accused of killing Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon in December 2022. He said: 'I underscored the importance of ensuring accountability and justice in this case for the family of Private Rooney, the Government and people of Ireland.' Mr Harris will hold further talks on the matter, including with the French foreign minister, who is leading the bid to secure the renewal of the mandate. Advertisement Poland has also said it believes the mission must continue for the stability and security of the region. Mr Harris told Cabinet this week that the Unifil mission is vital for retention and morale of Irish troops, as well as Ireland's 'unwavering commitment to international peace and security'.
Sunday World
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Future of Unifil mission in Lebanon in doubt ahead of UN decision
An Irish soldier at Camp Shamrock near the border with Lebanon and Israel where Irish Defence Forces troops are serving with the Unifil peacekeeping mission amid escalating clashes between the IDF and Hezbollah. Picture date: Wednesday March 26, 2025. (Pho The future of Irish troops in Lebanon will be dependent on a decision by the UN Security Council, Simon Harris will inform the Cabinet today as he confirms national support for the mission. The Tánaiste will explain the mission going ahead is down to the UN Security Council mandate on August 31. However, this decision is understood to be viewed as challenging and complex. Last month, concern was expressed within the Government the UN's peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon may not have its mission renewed. The Irish Defence Forces currently has around 340 personnel deployed at Camp Shamrock in Lebanon. The Tánaiste visited the camp in March, where he paid tribute to the personnel deployed with the 125th infantry battalion. Mr Harris, who is also the Defence Minister, will confirm Ireland's support for Unifil's mandate remaining firmly within Chapter VI of the UN charter. The Government also remains fully supportive of the Defence Forces' continued participation in the mission. The Government also remains fully supportive of the Defence Forces' continued participation However, Mr Harris will also acknowledge factors presenting particular challenges in the negotiations ahead of any decision on the renewal of the mandate. In May this year, Irish soldiers of the 126th Infantry Battalion, patrolling with the Lebanese Armed Forces near the village of Yaroun in southern Lebanon were fired on by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The incident lasted for around half an hour, with 30 shots reportedly fired. The Irish soldiers didn't return fire. They followed protocol and returned to their base. Tánaiste Simon Harris in his Government Buildings office. Photo: Steve Humphreys Mr Harris, at the time, paid tribute to the troops and described the environment as 'increasingly volatile and tense'. Last October, Israeli troops clashed with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon where Irish peacekeepers operate. In a government memo, Mr Harris will identify a number of different scenarios facing Unifil and Ireland's role in the mission itself. The Tánaiste will stress the Defence Forces has the longest unbroken UN peacekeeping record in the world and that it is key to maintaining security and stability in the region. Mr Harris will set out his intention to engage with counterparts from the US, France, Lebanon and the UK and to reinforce the Irish position that the mandate should be renewed. There is concern the US could withdraw financial support for the operation while Israel has also been critical.
Irish Examiner
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
TD who served with Unifil warns end of UN Lebanon mandate would be 'catastrophic'
A TD who served as a peacekeeper in Lebanon has warned that a threatened discontinuation of our Unifil mandate would have a 'catastrophic' impact on Ireland's reputation. It comes amid growing concern in Government that the UN's peacekeeping operation in southern Lebanon, which Ireland has been involved in since 1978, may not have its mandate renewed next month. Recounting her 'eye-opening' experience with the Irish Defence Forces in Lebanon, Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan said: 'The region is so volatile, can you imagine the impact it will have on the men, women, and children who call Lebanon their home and who, for generations, have felt protected and reassured by the UN presence?' Carlow-Kilkenny TD Catherine Callaghan said: 'If the Unifil mandate is not renewed in eight weeks' time, Ireland will have to leave Lebanon, but other nations can stay under Chapter 8 of the UN Charter. This would have a catastrophic effect on Ireland's peacekeeping reputation.' More than 340 Irish peacekeepers are currently deployed to Lebanon, but there are concerns that the US will move to effectively end or scale back the operation through reduced funding when the Unifil, or United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, mandate comes up for renewal on August 31. 'If the Unifil mandate is not renewed in eight weeks' time, Ireland will have to leave Lebanon, but other nations can stay under Chapter 8 of the UN Charter,' Ms Callaghan said. 'This would have a catastrophic effect on Ireland's peacekeeping reputation.' The Fine Gael politician, who was a member of the air corps, also warned that current members of the Defence Forces are now reluctant to wear uniform outside of barracks. 'Unfortunately, what has been the case in the last while anyway, is that the majority of the press that the Defence Forces has received has been in a negative,' she said, citing a number of high-profile court cases. 'From speaking to serving members, they have got out of the habit of wearing their uniform if they're going downtown, they wouldn't want to be recognised.' Tánaiste Simon Harris talking to Irish Defence Forces troops serving on the Unifil peacekeeping mission during his visit to Camp Shamrock near the Israel-Lebanon border in March of this year. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Calling for a 'day of appreciation', Ms Callaghan added that 'there's probably an educational body of work that could be done to inform people, more generally, of the important role of Defence Forces'. 'It will always have a special place in my heart for the way that it helped me as an individual, and then as well, for the experiences that I had with my colleagues,' she said. Detailing her own tour of Lebanon, she said Defence Forces members there were 'always very aware of the risk to your security', but that there was a 'real camaraderie' between the troops. 'We were way up in the valleys and the hills of southern Lebanon. You're very far removed from towns and cities. Beirut is completely different to where we were stationed. So it's really rural. 'You're acutely aware that there are people that you're there to protect, that if the UN forces, if Unifil was not there in Lebanon, that life would be much more challenging for the citizens of Lebanon.'
