Tanaiste Micheal Martin has paid tribute to Private Sean Rooney – on the second anniversary of his murder.
"Ireland remains deeply grateful for Sean's service, courage and the commitment he showed and the legacy he leaves behind," said Mr. Martin, who is minister for defence as well as foreign affairs.
His tribute to the slain Irish peacekeeper who died after being shot by a Hezbollah fighter during an ambush in southern Lebanon on December 14, 2022 comes as the United Nations has agreed to release some details of its inquiry into his murder.
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The UN in New York said it would give the family of Donegal born Pte Rooney, 24, some sections of its investigation, or board of inquiry.
It previously gave the report to Irish authorities – on condition that they not release it to anyone. But now the UN has backtracked and says the family will soon see parts of its report.
Family solicitor Darragh Mackin yesterday said neither he nor the family have been told by the UN what they will be allowed to see.
He told RTE's Morning Ireland yesterday: "The first the family heard about it was from the media this morning that this progress was going to happen and it shouldn't be this way to be frank in which the family are left fighting a public battle for a basic requirement in a case like this."
"I would be disappointed if the full report is not released to the family. The UN is no different than any other public body or international body. Their obligation is to provide all the information to the coroner, they can and make raise legitimate concerns for example national security or methodology. All relevant material should be provided to the coroner.
He added: "I believe the report and indeed the initial soundings from parts of the UN investigation point clearly in the direction of systemic failings and on that basis we have always sought access to the report that is one of many crucial pieces of evidence in this case that need to be accessed and considered. Only when all the relevant pieces of information are accessed and considered collectively can the truth be told."
Pte Rooney, who was part of the Irish 121 Infantry Battalion was ambushed with colleagues when they were travelling from their base in southern Lebanon to Beirut International Airport. He was shot dead in the horror attack, while Cork born Trooper Shane Kearney, 23, received serious head injuries.
Islamic militia Hezbollah was blamed for the incident – but denied involvement. However five suspects have been formally charged over his murder – but only one man, Mohamad Ayyad, was placed in custody and he was later released on bail.
Ayyad has confessed to shooting Pte Rooney in the head with a Kalashnikov assault rifle in the incident in the village of Al-Aqbiya in which Trooper Kearney suffered serious head injuries. The four other accused have been named as: Ali Hassan Khalifa, and brothers Ali Hassan Suleiman and Hussein Hassan Suleiman, and Mustafa Hassan Suleiman.
Lebanese judicial authorities have alleged the five men formed a gang to carry out an attack on the UN armoured jeep that Pte Rooney was driving. Ayyad and the others are linked to Hezbollah.
Mr Martin says he has repeatedly pressed the UN to release the board of inquiry report to Pte Rooney's family.
He said: "I have consistently expressed both my and the Government's determination all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established. No stone should be left unturned to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.
"I know the uncertainty surrounding the progress of the various investigations into the incident is very difficult and compounds the grief of Sean's family.
He added: "Justice for Sean remains a priority for me and my Department and we are committed to doing everything we can to achieve this."
The UN Board of Inquiry (BOI) Report, which was concluded in April 2023, was shared with the Irish Government under strict criteria, including the UN's insistence that it may not be shared with third parties or made public in any form, either in whole or in part, and the final report of the BOI will not be published.
Mr Martin said: "Requests were made for the release of the report to the family of Pte. Rooney by the Irish authorities via diplomatic channels on a number of occasions since June 2023 including my own representations to the Secretary General of the United Nations during 2023 and 2024. The Government and I will continue to press the UN via diplomatic channels regarding the release of the UN reports to the family."
He also urged the UN to cooperate with an inquest in Dublin examining Pte Rooney's murder. And he again said how unhappy he was at the slow pace of the trial of the five accused.
The Tanaiste added: "No words can ease the pain of losing a loved one, particularly under such shocking and unacceptable circumstances, but I and the country stand united with Seán's family in their grief. Ireland remains deeply grateful for Sean's service, courage and the commitment he showed and the legacy he leaves behind."
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