UN sends documents on Private Rooney's killing to Ireland

The United Nations has sent new documents to Irish authorities regarding the killing of peacekeeper Private Sean Rooney in 2022. This information was delivered to the Irish UN mission in New York, responding to a request from the Dublin City Coroner’s Court. The materials include a partially redacted report from a UN 'Board of Inquiry' that was finished in April 2023. However, there has been some uncertainty about whether this report can be made public, as discussed in a hearing last year. The family of Private Rooney has seen another UN report but has not viewed the Board of Inquiry report. Private Rooney's family has been vocal about the need for transparency. In December, legal representative Darragh Mackin urged UN officials to release all necessary information to ensure the inquest could proceed. He stressed that the family's grief has been worsened by a lack of respect from UN officials. A UN diplomat indicated that the organization is committed to assisting with the investigations and has provided all relevant materials to Irish authorities and Rooney's family. The UN is also in touch with Lebanese authorities regarding the judicial processes there. Private Rooney, 24, from Donegal, was killed while driving an armored vehicle in Lebanon when it was attacked by a hostile group. The coroner's inquest is part of various ongoing investigations into the incident that happened on December 14, 2022. In addition to the UN reports, inquiries by the Irish Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána have concluded. The Irish government has also appointed Senior Counsel Michael Delaney for an independent inquiry into the convoy attack. This inquiry will evaluate several factors including training and standard operating procedures. In Lebanon, a military court has charged seven individuals connected to the attack, identifying them as members of Hezbollah or the Amal group. Hezbollah has denied any involvement and stated that the attackers were local civilians. So far, only one suspect has been detained, while the others are considered fugitives and will be tried in absentia.