Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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358. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the investigations into the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43413/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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360. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if will outline the engagement his Department has had with the UN authorities in relation to the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43415/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 358 and 360 together.

Since the events of 14th December 2022, in which Private Seán Rooney was killed and Private Shane Kearney, Corporal Joshua Phelan and Private Nathan Bryan, from the 121st Battalion were injured, the Government has consistently expressed determination that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone is left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The Government has repeatedly stressed the need for justice to be served in this case. The Taoiseach and myself have, on a number of occasions, raised the issue with the UN and Lebanese authorities, and will continue to do so. Most recently, I underlined this during a call with the Lebanese Minister for Foreign Affairs on 18 July, and previously during meetings with both the Lebanese Foreign and Defence Ministers in Beirut on 26 March. During these meetings, I conveyed, in the strongest terms, my deep frustration at the slow pace of proceedings before the Lebanese Military Tribunal concerning those charged with Private Rooney's killing. I made it clear that the lack of progress continues to cause enormous distress, particularly for the family of Private Rooney, as well as to Kearney, Phelan and Bryan families, and their colleagues from the 121st Battalion involved in the incident.

I can also confirm that there has been sustained and constructive engagement with the UN Secretariat on this matter over the past two and a half years through Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Arising from the pressure exerted, the Lebanese authorities brought forward the hearing date from September to 28th July. My officials, members of the Defence Forces, Ireland’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Ireland’s Honorary Consul to Lebanon, and the Department’s Lebanese lawyer, all attended the hearing along with a member of Seán’s family.

The hearing saw the conclusion of the court proceedings, with one defendant convicted of murder and a variety of lighter custodial sentences and /or fines imposed on others involved in the incident.

I welcome the conviction of the main defendant and a number of the other defendants, who had not previously been in court. While noting the sentence handed down to the main defendant, who is currently not in custody, I am disappointed and share the disappointment of Private Rooney’s family at the lenient sentences imposed on a number of those convicted today for their part in Private Rooney’s death.

Seán Rooney made the ultimate sacrifice in the noble pursuit of peace. This is a difficult time for his family and his colleagues in the 121st Infantry Battalion, especially those who were injured that night. None of us can fathom their unimaginable pain and grief and all my thoughts remain with them at this time.

Regarding the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Private Rooney, the next hearing had been scheduled for 24th July but was postponed at short notice on 23rd of July, with the date of the next hearing unconfirmed yet. I understand that the Coroner has received a response from the UN to her request that they should be an interested party in the Inquest and grant access to a number of UN Reports.

Separately, an independent review ongoing by Mr. Michael Delaney S.C. is ongoing. This review is examining the internal tactics, techniques, processes, and procedures employed by the Defence Forces, with a view to determining whether there are lessons to be learned from the circumstances surrounding Private Rooney’s death. Mr. Delaney is expected to report to me in the autumn.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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359. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on peacekeeping operations involving members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43414/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has always been a strong supporter of peacekeeping and contributions to peacekeeping operations and is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN and UN-mandated peacekeeping operations, as well as by Ireland's engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Our peacekeepers are recognised internationally for their expertise and experience.

As of 02 July 2025, the most recent date for which figures are available, Ireland is contributing 436 Defence Forces personnel to overseas missions and locations, which reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. The main mission in which personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 345 personnel.

Ireland also contributes personnel to two other UN missions located in the Middle East, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) Israel & Syria with 13 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria, with 3 personnel. Observers and staff are also deployed to various United Nations and OSCE missions and in addition, Defence Forces personnel hold staff appointments at UN, EU, Liaison Office of Ireland to NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.