Tánaiste concerned at slow progress in bringing Private Sean Rooney's killers to justice

Private Seán Rooney. Picture: Óglaigh na hÉireann

Micheál Martin has raised serious concerns around the slow progress in bringing those responsible for the murder of Sean Rooney in Lebanon to justice.

The Tánaiste has said he has vented his "anger" with the Lebanese Minister of Defence at the fact that the chief suspect was released pending the court case on medical grounds.

Irish soldier Private Sean Rooney was killed when the UN jeep he and three other colleagues were in was fired on late at night on December 14, 2022, on its way to Beirut. Cork Trooper Shane Kearney sustained serious injuries in the incident.

Asked about the case, Mr Martin said: "I am not satisfied with this until I see justice and it is slow, I'm equally conscious of the state of Lebanon at the moment, but we are keeping a very strong watching brief on this.

"We have employed lawyers, who can't intervene, but they're there as observers every step of the way. And we are concerned about this, because as I said earlier, we must value our peacekeepers."

He said that from his contacts it is clear that Lebanese officials appreciate the Irish contribution historically to peacekeeping in the region, but added that "we do need to see that reflected in the rigor that we would expect from the courts and from the judicial system there in respect of the murder of Sean Rooney."

Mr Martin said he remains committed to ensuring that those responsible are held accountable and justice is delivered in respect of what he described as a "heinous crime". He said he will continue to raise it with the UN and other national governments of other peacekeeping countries.

Defence Forces numbers

Speaking at the Oireachtas Defence Committee, Mr Martin confirmed that there was a net drop in numbers in the Defence Forces last year despite a recruitment drive.

Responding to Sinn Féin's Matt Carthy, he said the Government hopes to recruit 400 new members this year. But he said the base of personnel now stands at 8,100 compared to 8,600 last year because "the number of inductions has not matched the number of people who have left".

Acknowledging the ongoing staffing difficulties, Mr Martin said there are a significant number of recruitment and retention measures currently underway to address these issues, including, but not limited to, commissioning from the ranks, the re-entry of former PDF personnel with specific skills, a sea-going commitment scheme for Naval Service Personnel, an Air Corps Service Commitment Scheme, the Naval Service Tax Credit and extending service limits for Privates, Corporals and Sergeants.

Since January, the Patrol Duty Allowance (PDA) paid to Naval Service personnel has been doubled after 10 days at sea.

Turning to the cultural change that needs to happen within the Defence Forces, he said the necessary actions outlined in a strategic framework must be delivered by the end of 2024 to ensure dignity in the work place is maintained and respected.

"In that context, I was very pleased to recently receive Government approval for the Terms of Reference for a Judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry, as recommended by the IRG, which were further progressed by way of a Dáil motion last week," Mr Martin said.