Justice hope for Southside soldier

THE arrest of a suspect in the murder of a Southside Irish soldier in Lebanon over 30 years ago has raised hopes that his killer will finally be brought to justice.

Private Derek Smallhorne, who grew up in Ballyfermot and lived in Bluebell, was murdered along with Private Thomas Barrett on April 18, 1980, while on peacekeeping duties.

Another soldier, Private John O’Mahony, was injured in the violent incident at the village of At-Tiri.

The trio were part of a UN peacekeeping patrol that was stopped at the village by armed DeFacto Forces (DFF) militia and taken prisoner.

The Irish soldiers were disarmed and separated from the rest of the group. Private O’Mahony was shot and seriously injured while Privates Barrett and Smallhorne were murdered.

Relatives, former comrades and Irish army veterans have been campaigning for justice for decades and last week their hopes were raised when chief suspect, Mahmoud Bazzi (71), was arrested in the US.

Special agents from US Immigration Homeland Security arrested the part-time ice cream seller without incident at his home in Dearborn, Michigan, for administrative immigration violation.

In 1980 Bazzi claimed responsibility for the murders on a Lebanese television station and said it was in retaliation for his brother’s death.

However, in subsequent interviews he said he was not the killer but was forced to say he was by a militia commander who threatened to kill his family if he didn’t.

It’s believed Bazzi’s arrest is connected to his entry into the US on a false passport from the Middle East 21 years ago.

The arrest follows renewed pressure following publication last January of an article by Associated Press journalist, Steve Hindy, who was on the convoy with the Irish soldiers.

In 2005 Hindy gave two depositions to United States Department of Justice officials who were investigating the status of Bazzi but no action was taken.

Irish army vets and serving members also began renewed efforts this year under the Justice for Smallhorne and Barrett campaign banner to have Bazzi investigated.

Earlier this month, hundreds of retired and serving Irish soldiers supported the campaign at a peaceful vigil outside the US embassy in Dublin.

That was preceded by another vigil on April 18, the 34th anniversary of the incident.

Robbie Masterson of the Justice for Smallhorne and Barrett group described the arrest as

“very much welcome news

?.

“Hopefully it’s the first step on the road to Bazzi finally answering the charges that would be laid before him,

? he said.

“We don’t know what the legal process is in the United States or how long it will take but our aim was to get this man involved in due process and now we have to wait for the outcome of that, whatever it will be.

“This incident happened a long time ago but it’s never been forgotten, certainly not by the families affected and by people like myself who were in Lebanon at the time.

?

Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, also welcomed Bazzi’s detention and said he understood the suspect would be held in custody pending removal proceedings.

“Successive Ministers for Defence, Departmental officials, the military authorities and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have continually pursued this matter with both the US and Lebanese authorities over the years through all available channels,

? he said.

“During his recent visit to Irish troops serving with UNIFIL in the Lebanon, the Taoiseach again raised the matter with the Lebanese authorities.

“I hope this is the start of a process to bring to Justice the alleged perpetrator of what was a heinous crime, the torture and murder of two innocent Irish peacekeepers.

“My officials are in touch with the US authorities in relation to the matter and how this process will proceed and I am awaiting a report in that regard.

?

Irish Government representatives have examined options to bring the alleged perpetrator of the murders to justice. However, the country with primary jurisdiction in terms of pursuing a prosecution against the alleged perpetrator is Lebanon.

“While the efforts of Irish and other State authorities to see justice done have been consistent and continuous, our thoughts should be with the families of Privates Barrett and Smallhorne, whose efforts and those of their comrades have ensured that this issue was never forgotten and whose respectful actions and protest have touched us and helped in advancing their cause,

? Minister Coveney added.

“I know this is a difficult time for them and while they welcome the detention of Mahmoud Bazzi, I’m sure this re-ignites very difficult memories.

“While the news is very welcome on one level, no finding has yet been made in the case against the alleged perpetrator. This is the first step on what will possibly be a further long and difficult road but I would like to assure the families that the Irish Government and I will do everything possible to pursue justice for both men who lost their lives in the line of peacekeeping duty.

Minister Coveney said he plans to speak with the families of the murdered soldiers over the coming days.