THE FAMILIES OF THREE YOUNG SOLDIERS, WHO DIED WHILE ON U.N. DUTY IN THE LEBANON 22 YEARS AGO, HAVE WELCOMED THE DECISION BY THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE TO ORDER AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW INTO THEIR DEATHS.

28-YEAR OLD CORPORAL FINTAN HENEGHAN FROM BALLINROBE, 29-YEAR OLD PRIVATE THOMAS WALSH FROM TUBBERCURRY AND 26-YEAR OLD PRIVATE MANNIX ARMSTRONG FROM SLIGO WERE KILLED ON 21^ST MARCH 1989 BY A LANDMINE, ON A ROAD IN SOUTH LEBANON WHICH HAD NOT BEEN SWEPT FOR MINES.

PRIVATE ARMSTRONG’S WIDOW MARIAN TOOK AN ACTION FOR COMPENSATION WITHIN A YEAR OF HER HUSBAND’S DEATH, AND THE CASE WAS DUE BEFORE THE HIGH COURT ON WEDNESDAY OF THIS WEEK – 21 YEARS LATER.

THE CASE WAS SETTLED OUT OF COURT.

MINISTER ALAN SHATTER SAYS NEW INFORMATION HAS COME TO LIGHT, AND IT IS NOW HIS INTENTION TO APPOINT AN INDEPENDENT PERSON TO CARRY OUT A REVIEW INTO THE DEATHS OF THE THREE SOLDIERS.

IN 2003, AN INTERNAL ARMY ENQUIRY WAS CARRIED OUT, WHICH REPORTEDLY FOUND NO NEGLIGENCE.

HOWEVER, THE FAMILIES HAVE –FOR MANY YEARS – CALLED FOR AN  ENQUIRY TO BE CARRIED OUT INDEPENDENTLY OF THE ARMY, AND ARE WELCOMING THE MINISTER’S DECISION.