Martin: Ireland ‘united in grief’ on second anniversary of Sean Rooney death

Ireland stands with the family of Private Sean Rooney, the Tanaiste has said on the second anniversary of his death.

The 24-year-old, from Newtowncunningham in Co Donegal, was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon on December 14, 2022.

The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah.

Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed while Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, from Co Cork, was badly wounded.

They had been serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) at the time of the attack, which left two others with minor injuries.

Pte Rooney’s family has pressed the UN to make crucial reports linked to the soldier’s death available to his inquest, being conducted by the Dublin District Senior Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane.

The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest. These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report.

The hearing was told there had also been a report 10 months prior to the incident that raised concerns about the integrity of the UN vehicles involved.

However they were originally told there were issues around disclosing these reports.

The family’s lawyer, Darragh Mackin, told RTE on Friday that the family had yet to receive anything from the UN.

It came after a spokesman for the UN secretary general told the broadcaster that “there is more information forthcoming” to Irish authorities.

Mr Mackin said the full report should be provided to the coroner, adding he believed it would dispel what he previously characterised as a “noxious narrative” that Pte Rooney had taken a wrong turn on the day.

In a statement on Saturday, Tanaiste Micheal Martin said the Government would continue to press for the release of the UN reports.

He said: “No words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, particularly under such shocking and unacceptable circumstances, but I and the country stand united with Sean’s family in their grief.

“Ireland remains deeply grateful for Sean’s service, courage and the commitment he showed and the legacy he leaves behind.

“Since the events of December 2022, I have consistently expressed both my and the Government’s determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established. No stone should be left unturned to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”

Mr Martin, who is also minister for defence, said his Department is committed to doing everything it can to achieve justice for Pte Rooney.

He said uncertainty surrounding the progress of the various investigations “compounds the grief” of his family.

“At every opportunity, I have stressed my unhappiness with the slow progress of the trial of those accused of Sean’s murder, and I have made that very clear to both Lebanese authorities, and to the UN.

“I would also again urge the UN to cooperate with the Inquest being conducted by the Dublin City Coroner”.

Mr Martin said the Board of Inquiry report had been shared with the Irish Government under strict criteria, with the UN insisting no part of it could be shared with any third party – adding that the final report will not be published.

Repeated requests to release the report to Pte Rooney’s family have been made since June 2023.

Mr Martin added: “The Government and I will continue to press the UN via diplomatic channels regarding the release of the UN reports to the family.”

Michael Delaney SC was appointed to conduct an independent inquiry into the attack which began in November and could last nine months.

The inquiry, which is distinct from the inquest, will examine where changes may be required in the tactics, techniques and procedures adopted by the Defence Forces for overseas operations.

It will not investigate the criminal matters that led to the death of Pte Rooney and injuries to other personnel. This is the subject of a criminal investigation being carried out by the Lebanese authorities.