Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Photo of Ruairí Ó MurchúRuairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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120. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on any recent interaction there has been between the Government and the United Nations in relation to the death of an Irish peacekeeper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46696/24]

Photo of Ruairí Ó MurchúRuairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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121. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the investigation being carried out into the death in Lebanon of an Irish Defence Forces member of UNIFIL (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46697/24]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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I last updated the Deputy on the investigation on 17 October 2024 and today I am happy to advise him of some significant developments since then.

I have determined that it was necessary and appropriate to carry out a Post-Incident Internal Inquiry. This inquiry, which commenced on 1 November 2024, is being independently led by Mr. Michael Delaney S.C., and will examine, among other matters, the training and briefing of Defence Forces personnel, the planning of the convoy, and the Standard Operating Procedures, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures surrounding the incident.

The Independent Reviewer may identify areas for learning and recommend changes where required. But it is important to note that this inquiry will not investigate the criminal matters leading to Private Rooney’s death and the injuries sustained by other personnel, as these fall under the remit of the Lebanese criminal investigation.

As I mentioned, work on the inquiry commenced on 1 November 2024 and is anticipated to be finalised within nine months.

In relation to the Lebanese civil case, the Irish Government has continued to maintain close diplomatic contact with the Lebanese authorities regarding the progress of the Lebanese criminal investigation, through the Embassy in Cairo and the Consulate in Beirut.

The Government has repeatedly stressed the need for justice to be served in this case. I have personally raised the issue with my Lebanese Defence and Foreign Affairs counterparts on several occasions. I will continue to make strong representations to the Lebanese authorities and the United Nations on this matter. Private Rooney’s family is being kept informed of all developments.

The next hearing is scheduled to take place on 12 February. The Department of Defence will be represented in court at the hearing by its Beirut-based lawyer.

Given that this matter is before the Lebanese judicial system, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. However, I, along with the Department of Defence, the Embassy in Cairo, and the Consulate in Beirut, will continue to monitor developments very closely.

The Dublin Coroner's Court is also carrying out a hearing into Private Rooney's death, the next hearing of which will be held on 24th January next. On 6 August last, the Coroner wrote to the UN (via the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs) requesting access to two reports on investigations carried out by the UN into the incident leading to Private Rooney's death. In her correspondence, the Coroner also requested that the UN become an “interested party” for the purposes of the inquest. To date, no response has been received from the UN regarding either request. The Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs continue to engage with the UN on this matter, and I continue to be kept appraised of the situation.

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