Five men charged with Sean murder

Judge: Accused are Hezbollah gang

- MICHAEL O'TOOLE

FIVE alleged members of Hezbollah are charged over Irish soldier Sean Rooney's murder in Lebanon, it emerged yesterday.

Private Rooney, 23, was shot dead in the village of Al-Aqbiya on December 14 as he drove three colleagues away from a baying mob.

UN Interim Force in Lebanon spokesman Andrea Tenenti said: "This is one important step towards justice and we continue to urge accountability for all perpetrators involved." Hezbollah, Lebanon's most powerful armed grouping, had steadfastly and repeatedly denied any involvement in the peacekeeper's killing.

But a military judge in capital Beirut, Fadi Sawan, has formally put charges against the five and claimed they were all members.

Four of the accused are at large and only one is in custody - the alleged self-confessed killer.