THE United Nations has been accused of going “rogue” and failing to provide information on the death of hero Irish soldier Private Sean Rooney in Lebanon.
Sinn Fein TD Ruairi O’Murchu said it was a disgrace that the international organisation had failed to provide vital information about the deadly incident to Sean’s family, the Dublin Coroner’s Court and the Irish Government.
It had refused to provide two different reports needed for Sean’s inquest and was ignoring diplomatic efforts led by the Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
Deputy O’Murchu, who comes from Dundalk where the 23-year-old soldier was based, fumed: “Sean Rooney paid the ultimate price and gave his life peacekeeping for the United Nations.
“And yet this same organisation is refusing to provide the crucial information that is needed by both our Government and the Dublin Coroner’s Court in establishing how exactly and why he died.
“They are also trying to ensure that mistakes in terms of protocol, and decision making that put soldiers’ lives at risk are not repeated.
“I have been in Sean’s grandfather’s house and pride of place is a framed letter there from the UN paying tribute to Sean.
“Yet the same people won’t provide the information that the family and the Irish authorities need to get to the bottom of what happened.
“The United Nations is behaving like a rogue state by not co-operating and it has to stop.
“Sean Rooney and his family deserve justice and we all must ensure it happens.”
The Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed that the UN had failed to respond to the Dublin Coroner’s request to access two reports on investigations it carried into the incident that led to Sean’s death.
He was killed when a convoy of Irish peacekeepers he was travelling with were ambushed in December 2022 going through a village in south Lebanon.
SEVEN ARRESTED
A preliminary Inquest last July was informed that issues had arisen over restrictions on the disclosure of information from the UN and the completed reports had not been made available.
The UN had not responded to the request from the Coroner via the Department of Defence and Foreign Affairs for a copy of these reports to be given to him.
Seven men were arrested over Sean’s murder but so far only one has been charged.
A hearing of the Lebanese criminal court dealing with the case is due to be held in Beirut on February 12 next. The Irish Government will have legal representation present.
Deputy O’Murchu added: “The UN needs to respect the memory and sacrifice of Sean Rooney and give his Inquest their full cooperation.”
