Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2017
208. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason for the delay in publishing the report of Judge Roderick Murphy, ordered by his office in December 2014, into the death of a person (details supplied) and the disappearance of a person (details suppled) in the Lebanon on 27 April 1981 whilst serving with UNIFIL. [15626/17]
View answerIn December 2014, the then Minister for Defence, Mr. Simon Coveney, T.D., appointed former High Court Judge, Mr. Roderick Murphy to conduct an independent review of the investigation of the death of Private Hugh Doherty and the disappearance of Private Kevin Joyce (Caoimhín Seoighe) on 27 April 1981 while serving as members of the Irish Battalion with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Privates Doherty and Joyce were serving with UNIFIL in 1981 when, on 27 April 1981, an observation post at Dayr Ntar manned by them came under attack. Private Doherty was later found dead from gunshot wounds and Private Joyce was missing. The attackers are unknown. Over the years, extensive diplomatic and military efforts to locate Private Joyce have proved fruitless. To date, no information has been elicited to lead to the recovery of Private Joyce’s remains.
In late June 2015, Mr. Roderick Murphy presented his draft report to the Minister for Defence. Following a review of his report a number of clarifications were raised with Mr. Murphy which were addressed. The Department of Defence also sought and received legal advice from the Attorney General in relation to the publication of the report.
In March 2016, a copy of the draft report was forwarded on a confidential basis to the families and persons identified by the Reviewer for comment prior to publication of the report. The Reviewer received comments from families and a number of persons identified. He has considered these comments and has amended the draft Report where he has considered it appropriate to do so. As a result of this exercise further legal advice was sought from the Attorney General. This advice has been received and is under consideration. It is intended to publish the report once all issues have been finalised.
