'No stone will be unturned to bring Private Seán Rooney killers to justice' - Micheál Martin

Micheál Martin has vowed to bring those responsible for the killing of Private Seán Rooney to be brought to justice.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence was speaking at Finner Camp, where he inspected the troops from the 67th Infantry Battalion who will be deployed to Golan Heights in Syria next month.

On his first review of Irish troops for overseas deployments, the Defence Minister recalled the tragic killing of Private Rooney, while on duty in Lebanon, in December.

“His death broke the hearts of his family, his friends and his military comrades,” Mr Martin, who flew into Donegal on Monday afternoon, said. 

“It was a shocking reminder of the risks taken by each and everyone of our troops in maintaining the country’s proud record in the service of peace.

“It showed the tragedy and suffering that war and conflict can bring. I want to assure Private Rooney’s family that the Government is determined that all facts and circumstances of the incident will be fully established. 

“I have been with Private Rooney’s colleagues in Lebanon and I have assured them, as I assure you, that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that those responsible will be brought to justice.”

Private Rooney was shot dead when the vehicle he was driving came under attack in the Al-Aqbieh area of south Lebanon on December 14.

Private Rooney was a native of Dundalk and had lived in Newtowncunningham for the last decade. A former student at St Eunan's College in Letterkenny, Private Rooney served with the 27th Infantry Battalion in Dundalk.

Twenty-eight soldiers from Donegal are among the Irish Defense Forces deployment to Syria. 

The 67th Infantry Group will be dispatched to Golan Heights in April and includes soldiers from 23 counties. Soldiers from Czechia, Moldova and Poland are also part of the Irish Defence Forces group, which has a wide range of capabilities including armoured force protection, patrolling and mobility, surveillance, communications, medical and operational expertise.

The group, to be based at Camp Faouar, contains 130 personnel of all ranks, consisting of 14 officers, 115 enlisted personnel and one chaplain. A total of 38 will be on their first tour of duty overseas. 

The 67 Infantry Group will rotate into the mission area in April 2023 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Morgan, who has most recently served as Officer Commanding the 28th Infantry Battalion.

Lt Col Morgan, who lives in Carrick-on-Shannon, has extensive prior overseas experience in the Middle East, Africa and East Timor, serving in command and staff appointments at battalion level and at UN Force Headquarters level in Lebanon, East Timor, Liberia, Chad, Western Sahara and Mali.

Lt Col Morgan said: “The soldiers are highly motivated and highly skilled, well equipped and well trained in order to meet the challenges they will face.”

Among the 28 soldiers being deployed from the 28th Infantry Battalion at Finner Camp is Private Ronan Ellis. The 22-year-old from Strabane is the youngest of the group.

The Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy and Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Bernie Maguire, were also present for Monday’s ceremony.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle and Senator Niall Blaney were among an attendance that also included recently appointed Garda Chief Superintendent Aidan Glacken and Ballyshannon-based Garda Superintendent Karen Duffy.

Mr Martin paid tribute to the ‘dedication, courage and resilience’ of the family members, many of whom were in attendance for Monday’s parade, of the soldiers.

The 67th Infantry Group includes six women and the Defence Minister reaffirmed a commitment to greater recruitment and retention of women in the Defence Forces.

Ireland has been engaged in peacekeeping operations since 1958 and 550 Irish troops are currently deployed on UN, EU and NATO-led missions in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Mr Martin said: “Overseas operations will continue to be a priority for the Government and the Defence Forces. We are conscious of the importance of this tradition as an essential component of our foreign policy.”