Both the UN and the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has welcomed the conviction and sentencing in the case of the killing of Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon in 2022.
In a statement, UNIFIL welcomed the conclusion of the trial process and the government of Lebanon's commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Since the attack, UNIFIL has extended its full support to both Lebanese and Irish authorities with their respective judicial proceedings, the statement added.
The United Nations has also welcomed the conclusion of the trial in Lebanon in which six people were sentenced over the killing of Pte Rooney.
The deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Farhan Haq said: "We join the UN interim force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in welcoming the conclusion of this trial process and the government of Lebanon's commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice".
The main defendant in the case, Mohammad Ayyad, was sentenced to death in absentia and remains at large.
One other man was sentenced to three months in prison and four others ordered to pay fines. A seventh defendant was acquitted.
Pte Rooney and several colleagues were a short distance from the main motorway 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, Co Donegal, was killed while driving an armoured jeep.
A UNIFIL spokesperson said: "We offer our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Private Rooney and the Government of Ireland".
Watch: Taoiseach says 'nobility' of peacekeeping must be reflected in sentencing
Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Taoiseach Micheál Martin described some of the sentences passed down to those convicted of the murder of Pte Rooney as "unduly lenient".
Mr Martin was critical of the delay in sentencing and the fact that Ayyal was still at large.
"That's very, very regrettable. The delay that it has taken to have justice has been far too long, and I will say that some of the sentences are unduly lenient as well," he said.
"Those responsible escaped justice for far too long, many are at large for quite some time. That’s quite unsatisfactory," Mr Martin added.
"I’ve said repeatedly to the Lebanese authorities that the nobility of the role of the peacekeeper must always be reflected, in terms of bringing those who were responsible for this murder to justice. We will continue to make that point," he said.
The Taoiseach said it was expected that the death sentence issued would be commuted to a prison sentence.
"The court has made its decision, we can’t interfere with the operations of the court itself. But I think the whole process certainly left a lot to be desired," Mr Martin added.
Continue to respond to requests from Irish authorities - Haq
Asked if the Secretary General agreed with Mr Martin, Mr Haq said: "We are not going to second guess the position of national judicial bodies.
"Obviously, it's appropriate for the judicial bodies to handle the situation.
"From our standpoint, we will continue to respond to all requests for cooperation with the Irish authorities in connection with proceedings in Ireland in accordance with established procedures, and we'll continue to follow the procedures in Lebanon," he told RTÉ News.
The family of Pte Rooney has accused the UN of failing to provide information from internal investigations into the events surrounding his death.
Last month, Natasha Rooney, the mother of Pte Rooney, was given permission by the High Court to sue the UN in the Irish courts.
Asked by RTÉ News whether the UN would be more forthcoming with information now that legal proceedings in Lebanon had concluded Mr Haq said: "We intend to be to respond to all of the requests for cooperation with the Irish authorities, and of course, we've also been cooperating with authorities of Lebanon in their investigation, and we will continue to do so."
Lebanon has maintained a moratorium on the death penalty since 2004 and has carried out no executions since then.
