The UN’s Secretary General has hailed the “remarkable courage” of fallen Donegal soldier Private Sean Rooney.
According to The Independent, Antonio Guterres made the remarks to Pvt Rooney’s family in a recent call.
Pvt Rooney was killed when part of an Irish UN Peacekeeping mission to Lebanon in December of 2022, when his convoy was ambushed by Hezbollah militants.
His family have been seeking justice, but delays in the justice system in Lebanon, as well as apprehending some of the assailants in the case have caused great frustration.
Private Seán Rooney, RIP
Pvt Rooney’s family have now released the letter sent to them by Mr Guterres, who acclaimed Sean’s “exemplary courage” and his “supreme sacrifice”, as his actions helped save the lives of three of his UN colleagues.
“On behalf of the United Nations, I wish to express my profound appreciation for the remarkable courage in the face of the extraordinary risks that Private Sean Cormac Rooney took on December 14 2022, in his capacity as Driver and Gunner of the 121 Irish Infantry Battalion in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),” Antonio Guterres wrote in his letter to Pvt Rooney’s family.
“Private Rooney’s courage and selflessness reflect the best tradition of the United Nations. Despite being fatally wounded, he tried very hard to extricate the vehicle he was driving from an extremely dangerous environment which undoubtedly saved the lives of three other occupants of the vehicle. His brave action serves as an example to all his comrades in the 121 Irish Infantry Battalion and in the Unifil.”
“I wish to use this opportunity to again express my deep condolences to you, as well as to family members and friends of Private Rooney. He gave his life to fulfil the ideals of the United Nations. Benefiting from the service of such a courageous and fearless soldier is an honour for any organisation and country. His supreme sacrifice will not be forgotten, and he will always be in our hearts.”
“I hereby commend and thank Private Rooney for his exemplary courage.”