Seán Rooney: Mother of Irish soldier killed in Lebanon given permission to sue United Nations
The mother of an Irish soldier killed in
Lebanon
has been given permission by the
High Court
to sue the
United Nations
(UN) in the Irish courts.
Private
Seán Rooney
was on UN duty when the armoured vehicle he was driving from south Lebanon to Beirut came under fire in December 2022.
His mother, Natasha Rooney, from Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal, has already initiated proceedings against the Defence Forces, the Minister for Defence, Ireland and the Attorney General over her 24-year-old son's death.
Pte Seán Rooney's mother, Natasha, and her husband, Paul, at Dublin District Coroner's Court last summer. Photograph: Colin Keegan/ Collins
She is suing for mental distress allegedly sustained by her and other members of the family as a result of Pte Rooney's death.
READ MORE
Barrister Ray Motherway, for Ms Rooney, on Tuesday told the High Court Pte Rooney lost his life in an ambush and his side wanted leave to issue and serve proceedings on the UN, which has headquarters in New York.
On December 14th, 2022, Pte Rooney was driving a UN-marked armoured SUV-type vehicle which was travelling as part of a two-vehicle convoy on an administrative run to Beirut Airport from the Irish UN base, Camp Shamrock. Four soldiers were in each SUV.
The vehicle driven by Pte Rooney became separated from the other one and ended up in a town called Al-Aqbiyah where it came under gunfire and Pte Rooney was killed.
Central to the case against the UN is the allegation that UN officials allegedly ordered soldiers at the Irish base to stand down from going to assist as those officials believed other peacekeepers may have been closer.
In an affidavit grounding Ms Rooney's application to sue the UN, solicitor Darragh Mackin of Phoenix Law said Pte Rooney was on a United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) deployment at the time of his death.
He said investigations by the Irish Defence Forces and a criminal prosecution in Lebanon are ongoing, and that a verdict form the Dublin Coroner's Court is awaited.
Mr Mackin said there is 'currently limited information available to Ms Rooney regarding the relevant circumstances' of her son's death.
As the UN has it main offices and place of business in the US, he said it was necessary to bring the application for leave to issue and serve the intended proceedings outside the jurisdiction.
Mr Mackin said the UN is a proper party to the proceedings as it was involved in the operation of Unifil and Pte Rooney was killed in action on a Unifil peacekeeping mission.
The State, he added, is an appropriate jurisdiction to hear and determine the intended proceedings as the balance of the intended defendants have their main offices here and witnesses are resident in Ireland.
It would also save on costs rather than having the dispute litigated in Lebanon or the US, he said.
Mr Justice Paul Coffey accepted jurisdiction and granted permission to issue and serve a plenary summons on the UN in New York, which will have 42 days to enter an appearance in the case.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Times
35 minutes ago
- Irish Times
Five children among 35 people deported to Nigeria on chartered flight
Five children were among a group of 35 people deported to Nigeria on a chartered flight from Dublin Airport on Wednesday. The Garda National Immigration Bureau carried out the operation, which involved 21 men, nine women and five children. The children involved were deported as part of family groups. An Garda Síochána said in a statement it 'continues to work closely with the Department of Justice in implementing immigration policy'. Deportation flights from Ireland resumed in February with the removal of 32 people on a chartered flight to Georgia at a cost of €102,476. READ MORE That was the first deportation operation carried out under a contract signed by the State last November for the provision of charter aircraft, with the Department of Justice saying the services have 'significantly increased' the capacity of An Garda Síochána to effect removals. A further 39 were deported to Tbilisi in May . [ Explainer: What is the purpose of deportation flights out of Ireland? Opens in new window ] Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said at the time of February's flight: "'If you're seeking asylum and you're not entitled to asylum, don't come to Ireland.'
RTÉ News
36 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Blood, sweat and milk: the changing world of GAA interviews on TV
The first broadcast of The Sunday Game on RTÉ in July 1979 paved the way for the proliferation of GAA interviews on TV. The timing and setting of an interview indicate an immediacy to the match. With this comes immense elation and adrenaline that can lead to an unpredictable series of events which is entertaining for viewers. When Offaly sensationally beat Galway in 1981 to win their first All-Ireland senior hurling title, RTÉ's GAA correspondent Mick Dunne was in the winning dressing room afterwards to capture the atmosphere. Priests and supporters surrounding bloodied players as they downed pints of milk in front of the camera is a sight that will likely never be recreated - and RTÉ cameras are unlikely to gain such access to dressing rooms again. Mick Dunne joins the victorious Offaly hurlers in the dressing room after the 1981 All Ireland hurling final But maybe it was a step too far to have cameras in the dressing rooms in the first place? The dressing room as a sacred space is often spoken of by players. It's a distinct, closed off, separate space where the team can gather and privately absorb their achievements before the crowds descend again. Interviews at half-time are difficult to construct as players and backroom teams are anxious to get to the dressing room for a rest and recharge, no matter how the scoreline is shaping up. Occasionally a coach or selector will do a hasty and general interview to camera, but this usually adds little insight once a good commentary team is on duty and has already outlined where things are going right or wrong on the pitch. Ger Loughnane's interview with Marty Morrissey at half-time of the 1995 All-Ireland senior hurling final is undoubtedly the most memorable GAA interview of its type. Loughnane's "we are going to do it" assurance is iconic in Clare hurling folklore. Had the team not won the title, the interview would be considered an embarrassing example of improper conduct by a manager in the cauldron of Croke Park. Now, it is completely unthinkable for a manager to give such an interview at half-time when the All-Ireland title is at stake. Post-match interviews are the most common TV interview and are usually taken right after the match, on the pitch or in the media zone. The basic idea of an interview is to elicit information. However, in the case of a post-match interview, this information is unlikely to reveal anything surprising or new about the match, as there has been little time for the interviewee to reflect on, rewatch or analyse the event in question. Consequently, post-match interviews are not the place to hold the player or manager accountable for their actions or critically evaluate their performance. Pitchside interviews are usually celebratory in nature and focus on the winning team. With the usual 'ah sure we're delighted with our team performance' being rehashed, it is often the fans in the background scrambling for an appearance on television that is more distracting and entertaining than the interview itself. Interviews with the losing side are often conducted not as immediately as the winning team's interviews and usually off the pitch in more colourless, neutral spaces. This change of tone and environment is most likely out of respect for emotions in the face of defeat. From RTÉ Sport, Armagh's Rian O'Neill gives his reaction after their win over Kerry in the 2024 All Ireland football semi-final Pundits and presenters in studio have an indirect experience of a match through detached observation, which is why sideline reporters are tasked to relay important information that is only available by being positioned close to the action. It also means that they are ready to approach players and managers for their post-match insights. A new style of interview has emerged on The Sunday Game in recent years which involves inviting a player straight from the pitch into the studio. What this type of interview hopes to achieve is an evaluation of the match by one of the active players and the type of insight that cannot be provided by anyone else. But what often happens is an awkward interaction, created by the visible contrast between the polished pundits lauding over the player who is still visibly marked by the previous physical activity. In a conversation so soon after the match, interviewers are unlikely to risk conflict or controversy and instead, strive to reach a consensual evaluation of the match with the player. Interviewers in this context will usually empathise with the interviewee either in their defeat or in their celebration. Any other type of approach would result in interviewees refusing to participate. Which begs the question, what are viewers to gain from these studio interactions except than to see how tired a player is after a match or how dirty their jersey is? Brian Hayes joined our panel after Cork's victory yesterday to look back on their scoring exploits and the prospect of taking on Limerick again. #SundayGame — The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) May 26, 2025 Digital media has enabled the emergence of new forms of sports journalism such as blogs, podcasts, and social media-based reporting. Streaming services and mobile devices have transformed the way fans consume sports media, allowing for on-demand and personalised viewing experiences. Interviews with supporters are another way of gaining a fresh insight into a game whether it be the anticipated beforehand or the dejection or delight after a match. However, these interviews are not taken seriously, and the main objective is to capture the atmosphere outside the grounds in the hope that a one liner or a vibrant outfit will create a viral moment online. Sports journalists are constantly striving to find new, innovative approaches to GAA interviews to remain relevant, profitable and engaging. To gain insight into the minds of players and managers past and present, indepth interviews about personal experiences have become more widespread. Focused RTÉ documentaries such as Jimmy's Winnin' Matches, Micko, Christy Ring: Man & Ball, The Game and the forthcoming Hell for Leather series on Gaelic football offer an opportunity to uncover unknown information that would never be revealed in other styles of interviews. From RTÉ, Micko documentry first aired in 2018 While watching matches is entertaining, sometimes the personalities participating in these events are themselves, almost as interesting. TG4's Laochra Gael is a popular example of how long form, indepth interviews backed up with archive footage is an appealing way of forging a new angle from often worn-out stories. The reality is that most GAA interviews on TV are repetitive and forgettable. Post-match interviews are a ritual exercise by the media in the hope that the interviewee will make a comment that can be used for headlines, clickbait and discussion. The lament of the loss of the unruliness and unpredictability of dressing room interviews will continue as viewers face more constructed approaches to interviews that are constrained by the boundaries of studio lighting and players that cannot give too much away unless they want to upset their team or supporters. The future of GAA TV interviews will continue to be shaped by the evolution of technology, the changing nature of match day regulations for the media and the ongoing battle for audience attention and engagement.
Irish Examiner
40 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Limerick to edge Munster Hurling final classic says Patrick Bonner Maher
Styles make fights and former Tipperary attacker Patrick Bonner Maher has predicted a potential 'classic' Munster hurling final that will end with Limerick delivering the knock-out blow. Three-time All-Ireland winner Maher claimed five Munster titles before packing it in as a player last year. Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor championships, Maher suggested that Limerick are 'probably one or two points ahead' when it comes to calling a winner. What makes it really interesting from his perspective is the similar threats that both teams possess, from their ability to pick off points from long-range to their goal poaching potential. "If Limerick want to score goals, they're well able to score goals," said Maher. "They can mix it both ways, as can Cork. Cork are the same in that they have varying styles that they can go to, depending on different games. That's a great thing to have in your armoury, when you're a team that can mix it in different styles. "That ability has been hugely beneficial for both of them during the Championship, and in the league. They can both mix it." Maher pointed to the potential of both teams to grab match-winning goals. Cork have reeled off nine in their four games so far, compared to Limerick's five. Three of those Limerick goals came in the 3-26 to 1-16 defeat of Cork in Round 4. "Goals win games and, likewise, a goal going in against a team can really bring them down," said Maher. "A single goal can get the 16th man going and get the fans into the game, when there's a bit of trickery from the likes of Aaron Gillane or any of these boys, Pat Horgan, these fellas that can talk to a sliotar. "They can turn a game on its head by just a piece of individual brilliance."
