Inquiry into Seán Rooney killing may take up to 9 months

An inquiry into the killing of an Irish soldier in Lebanon could take up to nine months, the Department of Defence has said.

Private Seán Rooney was killed when a convoy of Irish troops serving with a UN peacekeeping force was ambushed and fired upon in December 2022.

The shooting happened near the town of Al-Aqbiya in the south of Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah.

Pte Rooney, from the 121 Infantry Battalion of the Defence Forces, was killed while Trooper Shane Kearney, 22, from Co Cork, was badly wounded.

They had been serving in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) when the attack happened.

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin has appointed Michael Delaney SC to conduct an independent post-incident inquiry into the attack.

A number of reports have been prepared by the Defence Forces, the UN and An Garda Síochána in relation to the attack.

The purpose of the inquiry is to consolidate these into a single report covering work-related issues around the incident.

The Department of Defence said in a statement: "As part of this process, areas may be identified which highlight lessons learned and where changes may be required in the tactics, techniques and procedures adopted by the Defence Forces for overseas operations."

The department said the inquiry would not investigate the criminal matters that led to Pte Rooney's death and injuries to other personnel.

This is already the subject of a criminal investigation being carried out by Lebanese authorities.

It will also be separate to the ongoing inquest being conducted by the Dublin Coroner.

The inquiry will report and make recommendations to Mr Martin. It began last Friday and is expected to take up to nine months to complete, the department said.

UN chief praises 'selfless' Pte Seán Rooney in letter to family

Earlier, it emerged that the Secretary General of the United Nations had told Pte Rooney's family that his "remarkable courage" undoubtedly saved the lives of three of his comrades.

Antonio Guterres said Pte Rooney was a "courageous and fearless" soldier who, despite sustaining fatal wounds, attempted to drive his armoured jeep away from a crowd of attackers.

Mr Guterres hailed the actions of Pte Rooney in a bravery commendation sent to his mother Natasha McCloskey last year.

The family has decided to make the letter public now, as they continue to press the UN to make crucial reports linked to the soldier's death available to his inquest.

The preliminary inquest hearing at Dublin District Coroner's Court earlier this year was told that issues had arisen around restrictions on the disclosure of information from the UN.

The court heard that the UN had carried out reports which had not yet been made available to the inquest.

These include an investigation carried out on the ground as well as a subsequent UN board of inquiry report.

The hearing was told there had also been a report 10 months prior to the incident that raised concerns about the integrity of the UN vehicles involved.

In the letter to Ms McCloskey, Mr Guterres wrote: "On behalf of the United Nations, I wish to express my profound appreciation for the remarkable courage in the face of the extraordinary risks that Private Seán Cormac Rooney took on December 14 2022, in his capacity as Driver and Gunner of the 121 Irish Infantry Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"Private Rooney's courage and selflessness reflect the best tradition of the United Nations. Despite being fatally wounded, he tried very hard to extricate the vehicle he was driving from an extremely dangerous environment which undoubtedly saved the lives of three other occupants of the vehicle. His brave action serves as an example to all his comrades in the 121 Irish Infantry Battalion and in the Unifil.

"I wish to use this opportunity to again express my deep condolences to you, as well as to family members and friends of Private Rooney.

"He gave his life to fulfil the ideals of the United Nations. Benefiting from the service of such a courageous and fearless soldier is an honour for any organisation and country.

"His supreme sacrifice will not be forgotten, and he will always be in our hearts.

"I hereby commend and thank Private Rooney for his exemplary courage".

The next scheduled hearing of the inquest is in January.

Taoiseach Simon Harris and Mr Martin have both raised concern about "slow progress" in Lebanese court proceedings into the matter.

One of the suspects who was arrested over the killing was released on bail last year due to a medical condition while Mr Harris has expressed frustration that other suspects remain at large.