A Lebanese man suspected of the murders of two Irish soldiers in 1980 is to be deported back to Lebanon from the United States after he was convicted of immigration fraud.
Mahmoud Bazzi (71) admitted using somebody else's passport to enter the US 21 years ago.
He has been living and working in Michigan, but is wanted in Lebanon in connection with the abduction, torture and murder of Privates Derek Smallhorne and Thomas Barrett.
Private Smallhorne (31), a father of three from Cork, and Private Barrett (29), a father of three from Dublin, were on a United Nations peacekeeping mission when they were abducted and shot dead by the South Lebanon Army in April 1980.
The families of the soldiers have been campaigning for justice and for the extradition of Mr Bazzi so that he can face charges in relation to the murders.
Mr Bazzi has never been charged in connection with their deaths.
The group 'Justice for Smallhorne and Barrett' hopes his deportation means he will face charges when he arrives in Lebanon. Robbie Masterson is the group spokesman:
