PDFORRA criticises planned transfer of murderer

The body that represents members of the Defence Forces has criticised the Government's decision to transfer a convicted murderer to prison in the North.

Former Irish soldier Michael McAleavey is serving a life sentence for murdering three of his colleagues while on duty in Lebanon in 1982.

He has been campaigning for some time to be moved from Mountjoy Prison to Maghaberry Prison near Belfast so he can be closer to his relatives.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan has agreed to the move, but PDFORRA is calling on him to reconsider his decision.

It says it fears McAleavey might be released sooner if transferred to the North.