Push for progress on inquiry into death of Dundalk-based Private Sean Rooney

Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú raised the issue of the death of Dundalk-based Private Sean Rooney who was killed on UN peacekeeping in the Lebanon in December 2022 last week with Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee.​

The Dundalk based representative asked about progress in the case, specifically the post-incident inquiry into the death conducted by Michael Delaney SC.

Minister McEntee said there was no update on the appeal that was taken last August by prosecutors in Lebanon the sentences handed down over the murder of the peacekeeper.

But she remains, she said, ‘absolutely committed’ to ensuring Pte. Rooney’s family is kept up to date on developments and the minister said she wants to travel to Lebanon to speak to officials on the ground about the case.

Minister McEntee said: “We remain advised that the tribunal has not yet reached a determination. This, as the Deputy will understand, is due to judicial decisions to delay procedures because of the current conflict in Lebanon.

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“Despite the fact that there should be a ceasefire, we know that conflict is ongoing and, unfortunately, escalating in the region.

"However, my officials continue to remain in close and ongoing contact with our legal representatives as we await these further developments”.

Deputy Ó Murchú was told that regarding the coroner’s inquest into the death of Private Rooney, hearings have been ongoing. To date, they have focused primarily on procedural matters.

The next hearing is scheduled to take place on 22 July and the coroner has scheduled the opening of the substantive inquest from 17 November.

The independent inquiry carried out by Michael Delaney SC has been completed and examined the internal tactics, techniques, processes and procedures of the Defence Forces with a view to identifying lessons arising from the circumstances surrounding Private Rooney’s death.

Minister McEntee informed Deputy Ó Murchú that she has reviewed the report and referred it to the Office of the Attorney General for advice regarding its publication.

This advice has been received, she added, and the next step essentially is that the minister wants to be able for it to be presented to the family on a limited basis so that its confidential contents can be provided in a restricted release.

In response, Deputy Ó Murchú said: “I welcome that. I have spoken previously to the Minister about the necessity of providing Mr. Delaney's report on the incident to (Pte. Rooney’s mother) Natasha and the wider family.

“Whatever part of it can be published should be because it is all about learnings to ensure the safety of our peacekeepers when they operate abroad, while also providing necessary information to the family and others as regards the tragic death of Seán Rooney”.