Mother of Irish soldier killed in Lebanon sues State and UN for alleged negligence

Natasha Rooney filed a High Court case last week seeking damages over death of her son Seán in 2022
Private Seán Rooney was killed while on duty with the UN. Photo: Rooney family
The mother of an Irish soldier killed in action in Lebanon has taken ­legal action to sue the State and the United Nations for alleged negligence contributing to his death in 2022.
Natasha Rooney filed a High Court case last week seeking damages against the Defence Forces, Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris, the Attorney General and the United Nations.
Private Seán Rooney, a 24-year-old from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, was killed while on UN duty in December 2022, when the armoured vehicle he was driving from south Lebanon to Beirut came under fire.
Ms Rooney's solicitor Darragh Mackin said the case is a 'civil claim for damages for the failings by both the Irish Defence Forces and the United Nations'.
A military court in Lebanon has indicted seven men over the attack. It previously said all were either members of Hezbollah or another allied group.
Hezbollah has denied involvement in the attack.
Only one man, Mohammad Ayyad, was detained. He was later released for health reasons. The other accused are expected to face trial in absentia.
On a visit to Irish troops in Lebanon on Unifil duty in March, the Tánaiste expressed his concern about delays in progressing the cases, which have been postponed until September.
Mr Mackin has previously criticised the UN for alleged discourtesy and failing to provide the Rooney family with the full details of reports that have been carried out into the killing, which he said are required to allow an inquest in Ireland to proceed.
Seán's mother has shown the ultimate courage in speaking truth to power
In a statement last December, issued to mark the second anniversary of Pte Rooney's death, Mr Mackin said his client's grief 'is as immeasurable today as it was this day in 2022'.
He said: 'This grief has in many ways been compounded by the disrespect and discourtesy demonstrated by those within the United Nations — who, to date, have not provided our client with the necessary information to allow the inquest to proceed, so the truth can be established.
'Our client's grief is only outweighed by her pride in her late son, who paid the ultimate price to save others. He will forever be remembered for his bravery and courage. It appears that such bravery is hereditary, in that Seán's mother has shown the ultimate courage in speaking truth to power, in holding those responsible to account.'
Private Seán Rooney was killed while on duty with the UN. Photo: Rooney family
News in 90 Seconds - 3rd June 2025
In March, RTÉ reported that the UN would share more details with his family about its investigation into Pte Rooney's death, via Ireland's diplomatic mission with the United Nations in New York.
Last November, the Government appointed Michael Delaney SC to investigate matters surrounding the killing of Pte Rooney.
Mr Delaney was asked to examine the training and briefing of Defence Forces personnel, and the planning of the convoy. He may identify areas for learning and recommend changes.
His investigation will not look into criminal matters surrounding the attack, as these fall under the remit of the Lebanese criminal investigation.
A spokesperson for Simon Harris told the Sunday Independent: 'The Tánaiste will continue to press the Lebanese government on the need to progress this case, so the family of Seán Rooney can receive the justice they deserve.'

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RTÉ News​

an hour ago

• RTÉ News​

What is the nuclear world order and how did we get here?

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Irish Examiner

an hour ago

• Irish Examiner

15 Irish citizens being evacuated from Israel, Tánaiste says

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It is civilians who ultimately suffer and that is why we need an end to these wars and an end to conflict.' Speaking to RTÉ, Mr Martin said the world should not forget about 'the catastrophe that is still unfolding in Gaza' while the war between Israel and Iran is ongoing. This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows damage at the Fordo enrichment facility in Iran after U.S. strikes, Sunday, June 22, 2025. Picture: Maxar Technologies via AP Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was "closely monitoring" the situation in Iran after the overnight strikes by the US. It is understood that Mr Harris has spoken with the Iranian deputy foreign minister, Majid Takht-Ravanchi, after the overnight attacks. The call took place due to a request from Iran's government, with similar calls also taking place between Iranian officials and counterparts in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt in recent days. Mr Harris was said to have expressed 'grave concern' at the overnight escalation, while adding it was important Iran engaged in formal talks to de-escalate the conflict. "The risk of an extremely dangerous spiral of escalation in relation to Iran and Israel is now more real and more likely than ever before," Mr Harris said. "There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy." Mr Harris said: "Europe, including Ireland, is fully united in the clear view that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. "The way to address this was always through a negotiated solution. Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security." He added that discussions would be taking place among EU foreign ministers in the hours ahead to consider "the next steps Europe can usefully play to support de-escalation". Mr Harris added he is aware of the large contingent of Irish peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon, saying he is receiving regular updates from the chief of staff of the Defence Forces. Mr Harris said the US President's actions have resulted in an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation of a conflict that could already be described as a tinderbox'. 'I need to be very clear and very blunt. We're now entering a moment of particular danger, because I think the chances now of a spiral of escalation are more likely than ever before,' Mr Harris said, speaking on RTÉ Radio's This Week. 'There is a real chance of the international community losing all control of this very, very volatile conflict.' Asked if international law norms have gone out the window, Mr Harris said it was 'sadly true'. 'The only way this will be resolved and the only way really people can step back from the brink now is through de-escalation, diplomacy and dialogue,' Mr Harris said. On Irish citizens seeking to leave Iran, Mr Harris said it was an 'ongoing situation' but he would have a significant update later on Sunday.

Irish Post

2 hours ago

• Irish Post

Tánaiste warns of 'spiral of escalation' following US attacks on Iran's nuclear sites

TÁNAISTE Simon Harris has warned of a 'spiral of escalation' following US attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities. Speaking last night, US President Donald Trump said American strikes had 'completely and totally obliterated' the sites at Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. Iran's Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, has called the attacks a 'grave and unprecedented violation' of international law and called on the UN Security Council to 'unequivocally condemn this criminal act of aggression by the United States'. Tensions rose in the region on Friday, June 13 after Israel launched a series of strikes on six cities in Iran, citing concerns over the country's nuclear capabilities. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 21, 2025 Iran, who says its nuclear development programme is solely for peaceful purposes such as energy, responded with retaliatory strikes. Trump said this week that he had yet to decide whether to get involved in the conflict but after confirming the strikes last night, hailed them 'a spectacular military success'. "There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days," he added. In a separate social media post (above), the president of the US ­wrote: "A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow… NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE!" 'Urgent need for de-escalation' In a statement today, the Tánaiste said he was 'closely monitoring' the situation following the strikes. "The risk of an extremely dangerous spiral of escalation in relation to Iran and Israel is now more real and more likely than ever before," said Mr Harris. "There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy. "This has been the focus of my engagement with EU partners and countries in the region since this current crisis began. "It will remain Ireland's priority in the hours and days ahead. Later today, I will travel to Brussels for a meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. "Europe, including Ireland, is fully united in the clear view that Iran should not be allowed to possess nuclear weapons. "The way to address this was always through a negotiated solution. Any alternative to that is simply too dangerous for civilians, for the Middle East region and for global security." Tánaiste Simon Harris has called for 'de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy' (Image: JORDAN / AFP via Getty Images) He added: "I am also very conscious of the large presence of Irish peacekeeping troops in Southern Lebanon and their safety is of paramount importance. "I continue to receive regular updates from the Chief of Staff on measures being taken to keep them safe at this volatile time. "We remain in close contact with our Embassies in the region and are supporting those Irish citizens who wish to leave. Staff from our Embassy in Tehran departed Iran on Friday." His words were echoed by the Taoiseach, who similarly claimed that Iran should not be allowed to develop nuclear capabilities. "There is an urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy in the Middle East," said Micheál Martin. "Iran should unequivocally disavow the development of nuclear weapons. A negotiated solution is the way forward. "We remain in close contact with international partners ahead of the EU Council." In a statement to the United Nations Security Council on Friday, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Mariano Grossi said: "The IAEA can guarantee, through a watertight inspections system, that nuclear weapons will not be developed in Iran." Speaking this morning, Mr Grossi said he will call an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors tomorrow. US has 'launched a dangerous war' against Iran In a statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry dubbed America's strikes a 'brutal military aggression against Iran's peaceful nuclear facilities'. "The world must not forget that it was the United States that, in the midst of a diplomatic process, betrayed diplomacy by supporting the genocidal and lawbreaking Israeli regime to impose a war of aggression on the Iranian nation," it added. "Now, in completion of that regime's unlawful and criminal acts, the United States itself has launched a dangerous war against the Islamic Republic of Iran. "It has now become abundantly clear to all that the very regime which enjoys permanent membership in the Security Council is beholden to no principle or morality and will stop at no illegality or crime to serve the aims of a genocidal, occupying regime." The Washington-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that as of Saturday night, 865 people had been killed in Iran by Israeli strikes, including 363 civilians, with almost 3,400 injured. Meanwhile, Israel said 23 people had been injured on Friday by Iranian strikes in the north of the country. See More: Donald Trump, Iran, Israel, Simon Harris