Politics

United Nations urged to release report into death in Lebanon of Pte Seán Rooney

Organisation criticised repeatedly for failure to hand over crucial documents to coroner investigating soldier’s death

Pte Seán Rooney died two years ago when his convoy was ambushed near the town of Al-Aqbiya in South Lebanon, a Hizbullah stronghold. Photograph: Defence Forces/PA
Pte Seán Rooney died two years ago when his convoy was ambushed near the town of Al-Aqbiya in South Lebanon, a Hizbullah stronghold. Photograph: Defence Forces/PA
Ronan McGreevy
Sarah Slater
Sat Dec 14 2024 - 00:01

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has called on the United Nations to release its report into the death of Pte Seán Rooney to his family.

Pte Rooney died two years ago today when his convoy was ambushed near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a Hizbullah stronghold.

The 24-year-old from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed on December 14th, 2022, while driving an armoured jeep as part of Defence Forces Unifil peacekeeping duties.

The UN Board of Inquiry report on Pte Rooney’s death, which was concluded in April 2023, was shared with the Irish Government under strict criteria, including the UN’s insistence that it may not be shared with third parties or made public in any form, either in whole or in part, and the final report will not be published.

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A request for the report was also made by Dublin coroner Myra Cullinane. She said in October that a request in August for information from the UN did not elicit a response. She is investigating the death.

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

“I know that the uncertainty surrounding the progress of the various investigations into the incident is very difficult and compounds the grief of Seán’s family ... At every opportunity, I have stressed my unhappiness with the slow progress of the trial of those accused of Seán’s murder and I have made that very clear to both Lebanese authorities and to the UN.”

He also urged the UN to co-operate with Dr Cullinane’s inquest into Pte Rooney’s death.

[ Pte Seán Rooney was a ‘selfless’ soldier who was due to marry next year ]

A spokesperson for UN secretary general António Guterres told RTÉ News that it will share more information with the family of Pte Rooney about the circumstances of his death, but it did not specify what data it would share.

Pte Rooney’s family solicitor, Darragh Mackin, said they did not have an “iota of information” on what details are contained in the UN investigation.

“I would be disappointed if the full report is not released to the family,” said Mr Mackin on RTÉ. “The UN is no different than any other public body or international body. Their obligation is to provide all the information to the coroner. They can raise legitimate concerns, for example, national security or methodology. All relevant material should be provided to the coroner.”

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy

Ronan McGreevy is a news reporter with The Irish Times