Rooney steps down as US envoy today

The US ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney is to step down officially today in advance of the worldwide US diplomatic changes following…

The US ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney is to step down officially today in advance of the worldwide US diplomatic changes following President Barack Obama’s re-election

Mr Rooney (80), the chairman emeritus of the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL team and a co-founder of the American Ireland Fund, was appointed in March 2009 by Mr Obama.

Deputy chief of mission at the US embassy John Hennessey-Niland will become chargé d’affaires after Mr Rooney’s departure.

It is not known yet who the new ambassador will be.