The Defence Minister has received a report on the investigation into the death of one Irish soldier and the disappearance of another in Lebanon in 1981.
Private Hugh Doherty was killed and Private Kevin Joyce went missing on the 27th April 1981 during a UN peacekeeping mission. They were manning an observation post at Dayr Ntar when it came under attack on April 27, 1981. Private Doherty was killed in the attack, his body found with gunshot wounds, while Private Joyce was missing.
“I would like to thank Mr. Roderick Murphy for his work in compiling this report," Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said.
”I would like to reassure the families that I intend to publish the report, once all legal issues arising from the report have been addressed," he added.
The perpetrators of the attack are unknown and to date no information has been elicited to lead to the recovery of Private Joyce's remain.
An 1981 the UN completed a Board of Inquiry into the incident but the Irish military authorities weren't satisfied with the report and conducted their own investigation.
Last year, Mr Coveney appointed retired Judge Mr Justice Roderick Murphy to review all aspects of the case.
