DUNDALK’S FREE NEWSPAPER 12,000 hits for Jim’s Graveyard Project Page 2
Poc Fada Final returns to Annarverna this Monday Page 4
Sensational Kate has the Golden Touch in Germany Page 6
Wednesday, 30th July, 2025. Vol. 18, Issue 31 • 9A, Crowe Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth Tel: 042 932 0888 | Email: editorial@dundalkleader.com; advertising@dundalkleader.com
Man sentenced to death over Seán Rooney killing Taoiseach welcomes conviction but criticises fact Mohammad Ayyad is still at large By Paul Byrne A NUMBER of people have been convicted for the murder of Irish Defence Forces Private Seán Rooney in Lebanon following a Military Tribunal in Beirut on Monday. The main defendant, Mohammad Ayyad was sentenced to death but Ayyad, a member of Hezbollah, was absent from the proceedings and is still at large. Ruairí Ó Murchú the Sinn Fein TD for Louth reacted to the news by stating that it was ‘absolutely ridiculous’ that Ayyad was still at large. Private Rooney, 24, from Dundalk and later Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while serving in Lebanon when his UN peacekeeping convoy was attacked in December 2022.
Louth aiming for All-Ireland glory
The shooting, near the town of AlAqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of militant group Hezbollah, resulted in the death of the UN peacekeeper. An Taoiseach Micheal Martin also bemoaned the fact that Ayyad was still at large while calling the sentences for the other men involved as ‘far too lenient’. “Earlier today a Military Tribunal in Beirut convicted a number of men over the murder of UN Peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon in December 2022. “While I welcome the conviction of the main defendant, it is unsatisfactory that he is still at large. Many will feel the sentences passed down on the In attendance at Croke Park ahead of the 2025 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies other defendants are far too lenient. Continued on Page 2 Football Championship Finals is Louth captain Áine Breen.