UTV News - Irish Army killer released

Subscribe to the News Feed Newsback to News

Irish Army killer released

Text Size:  A  A |  POST A COMMENT |  PRINT |  SHARE 
Maghaberry Prison
A soldier who shot dead three colleagues in the Middle East has been formally released from prison in Co Antrim.

Michael McAleavy served more than 27 years for killing the three Irish Army comrades while on peacekeeping duties in the Lebanon in 1982.

The west Belfast man had been living part-time in the community in recent months as part of pre-release scheme from Maghaberry jail in Co Antrim. It is understood his sentence was formally served on Monday.

In the wake of the killings, McAleavy claimed Corporal Gregory Morrow, Private Thomas Murphy and Private Peter Burke had been shot by Lebanese gunmen.

But he later admitted responsibility, claiming he snapped under pressure.

He served many years in the Republic of Ireland before being transferred across the border after making an appeal to be closer to his family.

His release was directed by the Independent Parole Commission.

© Press Association

Send to a friend

Email To
Your Name
Comment
Close
Comments
0 Comments
Be the first to comment
Post a comment
Name:
Email Address:
Location:
Your Comment:
Verification Code: Captcha Code  Get New Code
POST COMMENT
[Before posting, please take a moment to familiarise yourself with our house rules. All comments are moderated and will not appear immediately. Any information you enter, including email and web addresses, will be displayed on our site if passed by our moderators.]