Inquiry completed into death of soldier shot in Lebanon

THE findings of a long-awaited garda inquiry into the fatal shooting of a young Irish soldier in Lebanon was finally revealed to his family last night.

Army private Kevin Barrett died after a single gunshot wound to the head while serving with the 84th battalion in 1999. An independent investigation into the 20-year-old’s death was completed some weeks ago.

Gardaí contacted his mother, Helen, last night at her Donegal home to outline the report’s findings to her. A statement on behalf of Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy was released to the Irish Examiner by the garda press office. It read: “The investigation into the death of Pte Barrett involved interviewing in excess of 50 persons and was recently completed by a Detective Chief Superintendent who is now arranging to meet the family of the late Pte Barrett to brief them on the investigation.