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.
