Eire ‘united in grief’ on second anniversary of Sean Rooney’s loss of life

Eire stands with the household of Non-public Sean Rooney, the Tánaiste stated on the second anniversary of his loss of life.

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

The capturing occurred close to the southern Lebanese city of Al-Aqbiya, a stronghold of Hezbollah.

Pte Rooney, of the Protection Forces’ 121st Infantry Battalion, was killed whereas Non-public Shane Kearney, 22, from Cork, was severely injured.

They had been serving with the United Nations Interim Pressure in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on the time of the assault, which left two different individuals frivolously injured.

Non-public Rooney’s household has pressured the UN to offer essential stories referring to the soldier’s loss of life to its inquest, led by Dublin District Chief Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane.

The court docket heard that the UN had produced stories which had not but been made accessible to the inquiry. These embody an investigation carried out on the bottom in addition to a subsequent report by a UN fee of inquiry.

The listening to was advised {that a} report had additionally been printed ten months earlier than the incident, elevating issues in regards to the integrity of the UN autos concerned.

Nevertheless, they had been initially advised there have been issues with releasing these stories.

The household’s lawyer, Darragh Mackin, advised RTÉ on Friday that the household had not but obtained something from the UN.

This got here after a spokesperson for the UN secretary-general advised the channel that “extra info could be forthcoming” from Irish authorities.

Mr Mackin stated the total report needs to be offered to the coroner, including he believed it will dispel what he had beforehand known as a “dangerous narrative” that Pte Rooney had taken a unsuitable flip that day.

In a press release on Saturday, Tánaiste Micheal Martin stated the federal government would proceed to push for the discharge of the UN stories.

He stated: “No phrases can ease the ache of shedding a cherished one, particularly in such surprising and unacceptable circumstances, however the nation and I stand united with Sean’s household of their grief.

“Eire stays deeply grateful for Sean’s service, his braveness, his dedication and the legacy he leaves behind.

“For the reason that occasions of December 2022, I’ve at all times expressed my dedication, in addition to that of the federal government, that every one the details and circumstances of the incident are totally established. Each effort have to be made to make sure that these accountable are dropped at justice.

Mr Martin, who can also be Protection Minister, stated his division was dedicated to doing every part in its energy to attain justice for Pte Rooney.

He stated the uncertainty surrounding the progress of the varied investigations “compounds the grief” of his household.

“At each alternative, I’ve highlighted my dissatisfaction with the sluggish tempo of the trial of these accused of Sean’s homicide, and I’ve made this very clear to the Lebanese authorities and the UN.

“I additionally as soon as once more urge the UN to cooperate with the investigation led by the Dublin Metropolis Coroner.”

Mr Martin stated the fee of inquiry’s report had been shared with the Irish authorities below strict standards, with the UN insisting no a part of it might be shared with a 3rd celebration – including that the ultimate report wouldn’t be printed.

Repeated requests to launch the report back to Pte Rooney’s household have been made since June 2023.

Mr Martin added: “The Authorities and I’ll proceed to place strain on the UN via diplomatic channels relating to the discharge of the UN stories to the household. »

Michael Delaney SC has been requested to hold out an impartial investigation into the assault which started in November and will final for 9 months.

The inquiry, separate from the inquiry, will study areas the place modifications could also be required within the ways, methods and procedures adopted by the protection forces for abroad operations.

It is not going to examine the prison issues which led to the loss of life of Pte Rooney and the accidents to different personnel. That is the topic of a prison investigation by the Lebanese authorities.