A man has been sentenced to death in Lebanon after he was convicted for his part in the killing of Irish peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney, who was shot dead while serving in the region in December 2022.
Pte Rooney and several colleagues were a short distance from the main highway into Beirut when their vehicle was fired on near the southern Lebanese village of Al-Aqbiya on 14 December 2022.
The 24-year-old, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed while driving an armoured jeep.
The main defendant in the case, Mohammad Ayyad, remains at large. A number of other men were also convicted in relation to the shooting.
The death sentence was announced at a military tribunal in Beirut.
Lebanon has maintained a moratorium on the death penalty since 2004 and has carried out no executions since then.
It is expected the death sentence will be commuted to a prison term, a source said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirmed the conviction of a number of men in the case, but said it is "unsatisfactory" that Ayyad was still at large.
In a statement, the Taoiseach welcomed Ayyad's conviction, but added that "many will feel the sentences passed down on the other defendants are far too lenient".
He said that the delay in progressing the case was deeply regrettable.
"Peacekeeping is the most noble cause of all, and the role of the peacekeeper must at all times be honoured and respected.
"This is a very difficult day for the family of Seán Rooney, in particular his mother Natasha.
"Seán 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. My thoughts and prayers are with Natasha, his family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time," Mr Martin said.
Tánaiste and Minister Defence Simon Harris also confirmed that he had been informed of the completion of hearings held by a military tribunal in Beirut.
He 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," Mr Harris said.
The Tánaiste said Pte Rooney made the "ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace".
"This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues, especially those who were injured that night.
"All our thoughts are with them at this time."
Mr Harris said he appreciated efforts of the Lebanese court to bring forward the hearing date forward from September to today.
"Finally, 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 concluded.
