Suspects identified in probe over killing of Private Seán Rooney

Two suspects have been identified by investigators probing the killing of Private Seán Rooney.

A Lebanese military investigation – one of three being carried out – is understood to have picked out two individuals who they believe to be Private Rooney's attackers.

The 24-year-old, a Dundalk native who lived in Newtowncunningham, was driving a UN-marked armoured utility vehicle, which came under attack in the Al-Aqbieh area of south Lebanon after becoming separated from an accompanying vehicle.

Private Rooney's AUV came under fire. The vehicle overturned and Private Rooney was shot dead.

Private Seán Rooney: A life in pursuit of peace, now he goes to rest in peace

Newtowncunningham came to a standstill on Thursday as Private Seán Rooney was buried with full military honours, eight days after he was killed while serving in Lebanon

It is expected that two men will be handed over to the Labanese officials in the coming days.

Preliminary findings by Lebanese officials – who have spent the last nine days interviewing witnesses and locals - is understood to suggest that the attack was 'premeditated'.

They now believe that the Irish vehicle was watched and followed by a vehicle containing armed men.

Private Rooney's vehicle was intercepted at two locations before the fatal incident occurred at around 9.15pm Irish time.

Al-Aqbieh is an area controlled by Hezbollah.

The Iranian-linked Shia militia has denied involvement in the incident, but officials believe that those involved in the killing are 'aligned' to the group.

Rami Mortada, the Lebanese Ambassador to the UK and Ireland, attended Private Rooney's Funeral Mass in Dundalk.

Mr Mortada spoke with the bereaved family and said he 'expressed our profound dismay and sympathy along with our commitment to unveil the whole truth behind this abominous act'.

Two other investigations are simultaneously being carried out, one by the UN and another by the Defence Forces .

The investigation of the Defence Forces is being supported by An Garda Siochana.

Two detectives from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and another from the Garda Technical Bureau, a ballistics expert, have travelled to Lebanon.