Coveney to unveil memorial to Aran soldier killed in Lebanon

A memorial to an Aran Islands soldier whose body was never found after he was killed in south Lebanon will be unveiled by Minister for Defence Simon Coveney on Inis Oírr tomorrow. Pte Caomhán Seoighe (Kevin Joyce) and Pte Hugh Doherty were serving with the UN Interim Force in the Lebanon (Unifil) in April 1981 when they were killed. The two soldiers were out on security duty on their own at the time.

Pte Seoighe, from Baile an Chaisleáin on Inis Oírr, had almost completed his six-month tour of duty, while Pte Doherty had just arrived in Lebanon. Pte Seoighe’s body was never recovered.

Inquiries were carried out, including reports by the UN and by the Defence Forces. In December Mr Coveney appointed former High Court judge Roderick Murphy to conduct a review of the circumstances of the deaths. A spokeswoman for Mr Coveney said a report was not expected to be published this week.

Mr Coveney will be accompanied tomorrow by Brig Gen Kieran Brennan. Pte Seoighe is survived by two brothers and a sister.