Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this matter. It has been on the agenda for some time. I realise there have been some initiatives in the United States in the intervening period. At the outset I want to congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Murphy, on his appointment to the Department. The issue is the brutal murder of Derek Smallhorne from Bluebell and Thomas Barrett from Macroom when serving as part of the 46th Infantry Battalion near the village of Maroun al-Ras in 1980. We understand they were murdered by a self-confessed individual, Mahmoud Bazzi, who claimed that the murders had been carried out in retribution for deaths that had taken place earlier in April 1980 at the battle of At-Tiri. Mahmoud Bazzi subsequently left south Lebanon and took up residence in the United States of America, and we understand he has been living in Detroit for the past 34 years. Diplomatic efforts have been made by various Governments over the years to highlight the fact that this man was living with impunity in the United States of America but it seems that no efforts have been made to bring him to justice, notwithstanding the fact that there is no extradition arrangement between Lebanon, where the murder occurred, and the US.

One would have to pay tribute to the two families involved, the Smallhornes and the Barretts, for carrying on a dignified campaign on behalf of their family members over the years. In particular I pay tribute to the Justice for Smallhorne and Barrett Committee, which was recently established with the participation of people like John O'Mahony, who was injured in the attack, Paul Clarke, and led by Robbie Masterson. They have been very effective in highlighting this issue nationally and internationally, and their dignified vigils held outside the US Embassy recently have served to highlight the issue once again. Bazzi was arrested in recent days and he is being held as a result of immigration charges emanating from the Department of Homeland Security.

It is important that active engagement continues between the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US authorities. There should be active engagement with the Lebanese authorities in the event of Bazzi being deported from the United States of America.

I understand the Taoiseach raised this matter with the Lebanese authorities during his recent visit to the UNIFIL troops. It would be important to hear the response given to the Taoiseach during that meeting but it is important also that there is continued engagement among the Irish authorities, the US immigration authorities, the Department of Homeland Security and the Lebanese Government because if this man is deported to the Lebanon, which all of us would wish to see, it is vital that he is arrested and charged with very serious crimes, which are effectively war crimes.

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