A LONG AWAITED REPORT INTO THE EVIDENCE SURROUNDING THE DEATHS OF A COUNTY MAYO SOLDIER AND TWO COUNTY SLIGO SOLDIERS KILLED IN A LANDMINE EXPLOSION IN LEBANON IN 1989, IS DUE TO BE ON THE MINISTER ALAN SHATTER''S DESK TOMORROW.

THE INDEPENDENT REPORT WAS COMPILED BY SENIOR COUNSEL FRANK CALLANAN.

 THE THREE IRISH SOLDIERS WERE KILLED WHILE TRAVELLING IN A MILITARY TRUCK IN LEBANNON WHILE SERVING WITH THE UN.

THE REPORT IS BASED ON THE RE-EXAMINATION OF EVIDENCE INTO THE DEATHS OF BALLINROBE CORPORAL FINTAN HENEGHAN, AND PRIVATES MANNIX ARMSTRONG OF SLIGO TOWN AND TOMAS WALSH OF TUBBERCURRY.

THE FAMILIES OF THE BEREAVED HAVE CLAIMED THE MEN WERE SENT INTO THE PATH OF THE ROADSIDE BOMB WITHOUT PROPER CONSIDERATION OF THE THREAT OR THE PROTECTION OF ROUTINE ANTI LANDMINE SAFETY MEASURES.

DOCUMENTS DISCOVERED BY THE IRISH EXAMINER AT THE UNITED NATIONS ARCHIVES IN NEW YORK CONTRADICT THE FINDINGS OF AN INTERNAL ARMY REVIEW IN 2003 INTO THE MENS’ DEATHS. THE REVIEW WAS CARRIED OUT AFTER THE FAMILES CALLED FOR AN INQUIRY.

THE BEREAVED FAMILIES BELIEVE A COVER-UP HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN HIDING THE TRUTH OF THE THEIR DEATHS FOR MANY YEARS AND EXPECT ANSWERS IN THIS REPORT.

SPECIFICALLY THEY WANT TO KNOW IF THE SOLDIERS ROUTE WAS CHECKED BY A LANDMINE SCOUTING TEAM EARLIER ON THE DAY THEY DIED?

THEY ALSO WANT TO KNOW WHY THEY WERE TRAVELLING ON A ROAD THAT HAD NOT BEEN USED BY UN TROOPS FOR THREE YEARS AND THAT WAS INSIDE THE SECURITY ZONE CONTROLLED BY ISRAELI PROXY FORCES.

THE FAMILIES ARE NOW CALLING ON MINISTER SHATTER TO PUBLISH THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.