The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, stated that his visit to Irish troops in southern Lebanon was a chance to express his gratitude to the peacekeepers who faced “a very very difficult situation” in recent months as conflict escalated in the region.
He emphasized that both the Government and the Irish people hold a “great sense of pride” in the positive impact the blue helmets have made there, and he wanted to commend them for their “public and military service in the pursuit of peace.”
The Tánaiste mentioned that he brought up the case of Private Seán Rooney, who was killed in southern Lebanon in December 2022, during discussions with the Lebanese Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Defence.
He was assured that they were treating this matter “extraordinarily seriously.”
Private Seán Rooney
He acknowledged that the ongoing delays, with only one of the seven indicted men appearing in court so far, are contributing to the “unbearable pain” facing the Rooney family and the broader Defence Forces community.
He expressed that he was impressed by the new Lebanese government’s seriousness, noting that their commitments to address the Rooney case were made “in good faith.”
The Tánaiste with Commandant John Griffin during his visit
He described Lebanon as a “beautiful country” but added that one must visit to truly grasp “the scale of the devastation” in the south, which he labeled as “horrifying.”
“What I can completely understand, at a human level, is the anger anyone would feel upon returning to their village or town and witnessing the destruction,” he stated.
He reassured that Ireland is “in it for the long haul” regarding the reconstruction of southern Lebanon.
Earlier, Mr. Harris had met with Lebanese Foreign Minister Yousseff Rajji in Beirut to convey the Government’s “frustrations and concerns” in a letter presented to the minister.
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The Tánaiste mentioned that the family of Private Rooney plans to travel to Lebanon for the upcoming hearing in September.
He expressed his hope that they would witness tangible signs of the authorities’ intention to see justice served, including the presence of the defendants, without being let down by further procedural delays.
A positive and warm meeting with Lebanon’s Minister for Foreign Affairs this morning in Beirut.
We discussed ongoing developments in the Middle East and how Ireland can best support Lebanon and the region towards peace. pic.twitter.com/0boFz7jHyz
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 26, 2025
Of the seven men indicted for murder, only one has appeared in military court across five hearings, and he was absent from the last hearing due to health issues.
In his letter, the Tánaiste noted: “No medical evidence was provided to justify his absence.”
Private Rooney was fatally shot in December 2022 near the coastal town of Al-Aqbiya while on UN duty.
“Seán Rooney deserves justice, and his family deserves answers,” Mr. Harris stated.
The Tánaiste added: “My Government has consistently emphasized the need for accountability [for] attacks on peacekeepers and the necessity for justice to be served.”
He concluded by expressing his appreciation to the Lebanese authorities for their continued support.
Simon Harris visits Camp Shamrock near the border with Lebanon
During the meetings, Mr. Harris reaffirmed Ireland’s “unwavering commitment to the UNIFIL [peacekeeping] mission and to Lebanon’s security and stability.”
These political discussions in Beirut follow the establishment of a new government in Lebanon after a two-year political stalemate.
Mr. Harris also announced €2.5 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon through the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund, which he described as a “key partner for Ireland and a vital component of our humanitarian response in Lebanon.”
An honor to visit Lebanon today to thank the men and women of @defenceforces for their incredible work for the cause of peace and to be briefed directly on the situation in the region and see firsthand the environment in which our troops serve. pic.twitter.com/Rmm0zK3XGp
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 26, 2025
“The Fund has demonstrated its effectiveness in recent years, being highly responsive to the urgent needs of those most in need in Lebanon, including vulnerable Lebanese, Syrian refugees, and others.”
The Tánaiste visited Irish peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, including the 125th Infantry Battalion operating with UNIFIL.
In addition to expressing that the Irish public feels a “great sense of pride” in the work of peacekeepers, Mr. Harris announced that funding for Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects would be doubled to €80,000.
Examples of these projects include community and health facilities, workshops, and educational classes for children.
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