Daughter of murdered irish soldier wants justice for her father 

The daughter of one of two Irish soldiers who was tortured and killed while on UN peacekeeping duty says she hopes their alleged murderer will soon stand trial.

The US authorities have arrested the chief suspect in their killings, Mahmoud Bazzi, for entering America on a false passport 21 years ago.

The 71-year-old, who was an ice-cream seller in Michigan, is suspected of murdering Private Thomas Barrett, 29, from Macroom, Co Cork, and Private Derek Smallhorne, 31, from Bluebell, Dublin, in southern Lebanon in 1980.

Karen Barrett, who was six when her father was killed, said yesterday she was hoping the US Department of Homeland Security (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) would deport Bazzi back to Lebanon where he could then face trial for the murder of her father and Private Smallhorne.

A third soldier, Private John O’Mahony from Kerry, was also injured in the same attack which was said to have been launched in revenge for the earlier killing of the suspect gunman’s brother in a battle with UN troops.

Ms Barrett, who lives in Ballyvolane, Cork, said she hoped his detention was the first step on the road to having him face trial for the deaths.

She said it was well known that Irish soldiers would be targeted after the initial gun battle and they should never have been sent out on patrol on April 18, 1980, when they were captured by members of the Lebanese De Facto Forces.

“It was well known they wanted Irish blood. The dogs on the street knew that. My dad was just a week short of coming home,” Ms Barrett said.

She said her mother, Emily, had insisted that his body be brought back in an open coffin and not closed as the UN had advised.

His death certificate said he had died from a gunshot wound to the head but it was obvious that he was also tortured.

“We have done legally all we can [to bring Bazzi to justice] and we do feel let down by the Irish Government,” Ms Barrett said.

She said her family was very grateful for the support given to them by a group called Justice for Smallhorne and Barrett, which is mainly made up of former members of the Defence Forces.

They met with American officials in Dublin last month to request action against Bazzi.

Earlier this month, around 800 retired Irish soldiers held a vigil outside the US embassy in Dublin in a bid to highlight the issue.

Ms Barrett said she didn’t want red tape to hold up Bazzi’s deportation and insisted that he be deported back to Lebanon and not to some country where he wouldn’t ever face trial.

David Stanton (FG), who is chairman of the Oireachtas committee on defence and justice, said his initial reaction was that Bazzi was likely to face a trial in the Lebanon.

“Presumably the UN would also have an interest in this. The authorities here will also be keeping a close eye on proceedings,” Mr Stanton said.