‘Justice delayed is justice denied’: Defence Forces chief backs calls for Rooney family to see UN report

Private Rooney died when his convoy came under attack.

The Defence Forces chief has backed calls for the release of a UN report into the death of Private Seán Rooney as his family are still awaiting answers two years on.

The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, has agreed with Tánaiste Micheál Martin that the report should be released.

The family of the UN peacekeeper are still awaiting answers about what happened the night he was killed in Lebanon, on December 14.

Private Rooney was shot dead while driving a UN-marked vehicle while on peacekeeping duties. His convoy was attacked by armed militia with links to Hezbollah.

On the second anniversary of Private Rooney’s death, Mr Clancy said there “isn’t a day that goes by that I don't think of Seán” and that his loss is felt “at large”.

Speaking of calls made by the Tánaiste for the release of the UN report, he told RTÉ’s This Week: “I would, of course, subscribe to that also. It’s important that the full facts are established. I think the Tánaiste has been very consistent in his view. 

"The impatience that exists around the fact that a trial has been at such a slow pace. It's frustrating for everybody because those accountable need to be brought to justice, ultimately. And that's where real justice will lie, inevitably, for those that actually executed this crime on Seán.” 

When asked if be believed the report should be provided to Private Rooney’s family, Mr Clancy said he once again agreed with the Tánaiste’s comments, who has been pushing for the report to be viewed by the family.

“I would concur with the Tánaiste view that all of the facts and those contained within the report should be made available to the coroner. I'm very conscious that the investigations are ongoing in the first instance and I don't want to prejudice those investigations anyway by speaking as the Head of the Defence Forces.

“I'm also very conscious that there is a live coroner's investigation ongoing. But with regards to the protocols that exist around the UN, they have been in existence for quite, for a long, long time. And that is where the pressure point is for the Tánaiste, and I subscribe to his actions, and his very consistent view that that report should be released.” 

Mr Clancy was also asked what he would say to people who are attributing blame to Private Rooney, after suggestions were made he had taken a wrong turn while driving the armoured jeep – a suggestion which was described as a “noxious narrative” by the family’s lawyer.

“There’s no blame being attributed to Private Rooney and it's unconscionable that anyone would attribute blame in those circumstances,” began Mr Clancy. “ But beyond that, it would be remiss of me to comment on anything, because the facts have yet to be fully established. And I want to be very careful not to prejudice any investigations, in particular in a criminal activity that is undergoing investigation in the Lebanon, and in the wider corner space.” 

The Defence Forces chief added that the pace at which justice has been dealt with in Lebanon has been “frustrating”.

“The pace at which the justice is proceeding in the Lebanon is frustrating, I think, for everybody involved. And the Tánaiste I know has made this very clear at every opportunity to the authorities in Lebanon. Justice delayed is, of course, justice denied. And until we get to that point of truth and full accountability, I think justice will always be denied in this case,” Mr Clancy added.

This comes as the UN said on Thursday that further information will be provided to Private Rooney’s family about the attack on the armoured jeep, which was fired in the town of Al-Aqbiya.

An inquest process, which followed a garda investigation, is also due to continue in the new year through the Dublin Coroner’s Court.