Man sentenced to death over killing of Irish soldier Seán Rooney

In Lebanon, a man has been sentenced to death for the killing of Irish Defence Forces soldier Seán Rooney, who died while on a UN peacekeeping mission in Beirut. Pte Rooney, the first Irish soldier to die on UN duty in Lebanon in over 20 years, was killed in an attack on an armoured UN vehicle. The main defendant, Mohammad Ayyad, was convicted in absentia, with other individuals also found guilty in the case. Taoiseach Micheál Martin expressed dissatisfaction that Ayyad is still at large and highlighted the importance of honoring peacekeepers who make ultimate sacrifices.