Soldier who killed colleagues to apply for release

THE former soldier convicted of murdering three of his colleagues is expected to apply for release following his transfer to the North, which was announced yesterday.

Michael McAleavey opened fire on fellow Irish soldiers in Lebanon on October 27, 1982, while on patrol on United Nations peacekeeping duty.

The Belfast man fired 33 shots, 18 of which hit soldiers.

Despite initially blaming the shootings on Israelis, McAleavey was later convicted of murdering Corporal Gary Morrow, 20, Private Peter Burke, 20, and Private Thomas Murphy, 19.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan’s spokesman confirmed yesterday permission was given for McAleavey’s transfer from Mountjoy Prison to a jail in the North.

“The Northern authorities will continue to enforce his life sentence,” he said.

However, McAleavey is expected to seek release through the North’s Life Sentence Review Commission, his solicitor Joe Rice told the Irish Examiner.

“He himself of course will probably be making representations for release. But he is being repatriated, not released.”

His prison transfer was based on human rights and personal issues, said Mr Rice.

“It’s a matter of record that the conditions are Victorian [in Mountjoy] or certainly anachronistic when you compare them with prison conditions in Northern Ireland.”

McAleavey had also not seen his father James, in his mid-70s, in 13 years and his client had spent more than 24 years in jail, Mr Rice added.

Relatives of soldiers killed can block his release through the Northern authorities.

However, Defence Force representatives yesterday expressed shock at the Justice Minister’s decision to sanction McAleavey’s transfer.

PDFORRA, for rank-and-file soldiers, said it was “disappointed”.

“We believe, and have always believed, that Mr McAleavey should serve his full sentence in this state. His crimes relate to this jurisdiction and the many people so seriously affected by his crime live here.”

The decision to grant his transfer just days before the 25th anniversary of the men’s murders was very “insensitive”, PDFORRA added.

The widow of soldier Gary Morrow, Colette, also expressed anger at McAleavey’s transfer.

“I couldn’t believe that Brian Lenihan actually signed the papers. But to him it’s only ink to paper, he didn’t take into consideration about the family’s loss and the devastation which we endured and continue to endure today.”

Colette Morrow was five months pregnant when her husband was shot dead by McAleavey in Lebanon.

She told RTÉ Radio that McAleavey was still a threat to society and should stay in jail until the day he died.