Private Seán Rooney was killed in Lebanon on December 14, 2022.Óglaigh na hÉireann

Private Seán Rooney, who was killed in an ambush in Lebanon on December 14, 2022, was remembered by his fellow peacekeepers as well as in Ireland on the first anniversary of his death.

Óglaigh na hÉireann, Ireland’s Defence Forces, chronicled the commemorations for Rooney in Lebanon on Thursday, which began with a silent parade at dawn from the troops of the 123rd Infantry Battalion UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon).

Later on Thursday, the Force Commander, the Mayor of Tibnine, and the Senior Irish Officer Col Tom McGrath laid wreaths to honor 48 fallen soldiers at the Defence Forces UNIFIL Memorial in Tibnine.

Afterward, Mass was celebrated at St. George's Church in memory of Rooney.

The 123rd Battalion UNIFIL shared photos of the honor guard at Peacekeepers' Square in Camp Shamrock, as well as a mural of Rooney.

Meanwhile, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said in the Dáil on Thursday: “One year ago today, Seán was killed in the service of peace in southern Lebanon. 

“His life was one full of courage. It was cut short in the noble pursuit of peace. There is no more noble work than that of the peacekeeper. 

“Everyone in the House will join in expressing solidarity with and sympathy to Seán's mother Natasha, his fiancée Holly, the Rooney and McCloskey families, and his colleagues and friends in the Defence Forces who mourn his loss every day.”

Earlier, on Tuesday, Archbishop Eamon Martin was the Chief Celebrant at the first anniversary Mass of Rooney at the Church of the Holy Family in Dundalk, Co Louth.

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Rooney, a native of Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, joined Ireland's Defence Forces in March 2019 and his home unit was the 27 Infantry Battalion in Dundalk. He previously served overseas with the 119 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL.

Óglaigh na hÉireann said that on December 14, 2022, at approximately 11:15 pm Irish time, a serious incident took place in Lebanon involving members of the 121st Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL.

A convoy of two Armoured Utility Vehicles carrying eight personnel traveling to Beirut came under small arms fire. Four personnel were taken to Raee Hospital, near Sidon, as a result of the incident.

24-year-old Rooney was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital while Trooper Shane Kearney, from Co Cork, underwent surgery. The two other soldiers were treated for minor injuries.

Then-Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said Rooney was killed during a "standard administrative run" from UNIFIL's main camp in southern Lebanon to Beirut. 

Before being repatriated to Ireland in December, Rooney was awarded the United Nations UNIFIL Peacekeeping Medal, the War Medal, the Wounded Medal, and the Appreciation Medal Bronze Degree from the Lebanese Armed Forces.

In May, Rooney was posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld Medal at the United Nations.

RTÉ News reported on Thursday that while the Irish government announced that three parallel investigations would take place – one by the Irish authorities, another by the United Nations, and a third by the Lebanese authorities - no findings from any of the investigations have been released.

Judicial proceedings in Lebanon are ongoing, RTÉ News said on Thursday, adding that Lebanese authorities indicted seven men in criminal proceedings in connection with the case.

So far only one man has appeared in court, but he was released on bail, reportedly on health grounds, last month.

Another hearing is due to take place on Friday.