Foilsithe
An t-eolas is déanaí
Teanga: Níl leagan Gaeilge den mhír seo ar fáil.
This weekend marks the second anniversary of Private Seán Rooney’s death while serving as a peacekeeper with the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon.
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 Seán’s family in their grief. Ireland remains deeply grateful for Seán’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.
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. Justice for Seán remains a priority for me and my department and we are committed to doing everything we can to achieve this.
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.
I would also again urge the UN to cooperate with the Inquest being conducted by the Dublin City Coroner, Dr. Cullinane.
The UN Board of Inquiry (BOI) Report, 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shared with third parties or made public in any form, either in whole or in part, and the final report of the BOI will not be published.
Requests were made for the release of the report to the family of Pte. Rooney by the Irish authorities via diplomatic channels on a number of occasions since June 2023 including my own representations to the Secretary General of the United Nations during 2023 and 2024.
The government and I will continue to press the UN via diplomatic channels regarding the release of the UN reports to the family.