Shatter announces inquiry into peacekeepers’ deaths

DEFENCE Minister Alan Shatter has announced a shock independent investigation into the deaths of three Irish peacekeeping troops killed in a controversial circumstances in 1989.

The development came just days after the minister was due to fight a High Court claim for compensation in a case taken by the widow of one of the men.

This case was to be heard on Wednesday. This was 21 years after Gráinne Armstrong lodged her claim following the death of her husband and two of his colleagues in the Lebanon. They died when an anti-tank mine exploded under their patrol vehicle.

The families of Private Mannix Armstrong (Sligo), Pte Tommy Walsh (Sligo) and Corporal Fintan Hennigan (Mayo) welcomed Mr Shatter’s decision.

They had previously petitioned for a full independent inquiry into why the soldiers were sent driving on a road which should have been off limits.

Spokesman for the families, Enda Hennigan, said he was glad the incident which killed his brother would be fully reviewed after the disputed findings of an internal Army report in 2003.

“We are glad the person who will be appointed will be independent because that is what we wanted from the beginning,” he said.

Mr Hennigan said the review, which is to be completed within four months, should be instructed to interview all relevant witnesses put forward by both the Army and the families.

Soldiers who were working in the area on the fateful day have disputed the official line, which claimed the road had just been swept by an anti-mine crew.

It is alleged the road was supposed to have been off limits to the UN and the soldiers should never have been sent up it.

On Tuesday Gráinne Armstrong’s legal team withdrew their case, with the right to reenter it. She had been informed of the Minister’s intention to reopen the case.