Uncertainty over trial of soldiers’ killer

State documents show the Government was uncertain on how to prosecute an Irish soldier accused of the murder of three of his colleagues in Lebanon in 1982.

Private Michael McAleavey was charged with the murder of three army colleagues while on UN peacekeeping duties in Lebanon on Oct 27, 1982.

McAleavey originally claimed Corporal Gregory Morrow, Private Thomas Murphy and Private Peter Burke had been shot by Lebanese gunmen, but later admitted his role in their killing.