The Daily Star Ireland
On the second anniversary of Irish UN peacekeeper Private Seán Rooney’s death in Lebanon, his family continues to seek clarity about the events leading to his tragic end. On Thursday, the UN indicated that additional details about the attack on the UN-marked vehicles in which Private Rooney and his colleagues were traveling would be provided to his family. These vehicles were ambushed by armed men in the town of Al-Aqbiya on December 14, 2022.
A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced that this information would be shared with Ireland’s UN diplomatic mission. This marks the latest step in a protracted effort to uncover the truth about that night.
The Rooney family also anticipates insights from various Irish investigations, including a recently initiated senior counsel-led inquiry and an inquest through the Dublin Coroners’ Court, which is set to continue in the new year. The coroner has requested documents from the UN, including a report mentioned by the UN spokesperson.
Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law, representing Private Rooney’s family, emphasized the importance of assessing all relevant evidence collectively to reveal the truth. He welcomed the UN update on behalf of the Rooney family, expressing hope that this could be a turning point in their pursuit of justice.
The family has expressed frustration with the perceived lack of cooperation from the UN, which they believe has compounded their grief. Natasha Rooney-McCloskey, Private Rooney’s mother, has been particularly vocal, showing immense courage in seeking accountability for her son’s death.
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin also released a statement, expressing solidarity with Private Rooney’s family and reiterating Ireland’s commitment to uncovering the full circumstances of the incident. Martin stressed that no effort would be spared in bringing those responsible to justice and pressing the UN for the release of relevant reports.
Despite these commitments, many questions remain unanswered. On the night of December 14, 2022, Private Rooney was driving a UN-marked vehicle as part of a convoy headed to Beirut Airport from Camp Shamrock. The vehicle became separated from the convoy and ended up in Al-Aqbiya. A hostile crowd surrounded the vehicle, and as Private Rooney attempted to drive through, gunfire erupted, ultimately leading to his death. Another soldier, Trooper Shane Kearney, suffered a significant head injury, while the two other soldiers in the vehicle sustained minor injuries.
Mr. Mackin raised questions about the circumstances leading to the incident, including why Private Rooney, who lacked a UN driving license, was so far from the convoy on an unfamiliar route. Reports have suggested that equipment failures in the vehicle may have contributed to the tragedy.
At a UN press briefing, spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric acknowledged these reports but provided no additional information at the time. Two UN reports were compiled following the attack: one by UNIFIL staff in Lebanon and another by a UN Board of Inquiry. The Rooney family has seen a redacted version of the UNIFIL report but not the Board of Inquiry report.
In Lebanon, seven men have been indicted in connection with the attack, all allegedly linked to Hezbollah or an allied group, Amal. Only one, Mohammad Ayyad, has been detained, but he was released for health reasons. The others remain fugitives, with a trial set for February 2025.
UN officials suggest that misinformation about peacekeeping activities may have heightened tensions leading to the attack. Kandice Ardiel of UNIFIL pointed to persistent rumors and suspicions about UNIFIL’s presence in Hezbollah-controlled areas as potential factors.
As the third anniversary of Private Rooney’s death approaches, his family remains determined to find answers. The UN has pledged to continue advocating for accountability with Lebanese authorities. Private Rooney’s family waits, hopeful that justice will eventually be served.
