Bodies of four soldiers to arrive from Lebanon

The bodies of the four Irish soldiers killed in a road crash in Lebanon this week will arrive this afternoon at Baldonnel. The Air Corps Casa aircraft is scheduled to land at 2.45.

Pts Declan Deere (21), Jonathan Murphy (21), John Lawler (23) and Brendan Fitzpatrick (19) were killed on Monday when the truck in which they were travelling spun out of control at Damur, south of Beirut. They were on their way to Beirut Airport on leave.

After the bodies arrive, accompanied by their Platoon Commander, Lieut Cathal Esler, a short prayer service is planned in No 3 Hangar at 3.15 p.m. At 4.30 p.m. the cortege will leave Baldonnel for the Curragh Military Hospital, from where they will be taken to the soldiers' homes.

At 7.30 p.m. the body of Pte Fitzpatrick will leave for the family home in Clonboyne, Portlaoise, Co Laois. The estimated time of arrival is 9 p.m.

At 7.40 p.m. the body of Pte Lawlor will leave for the Church of the Sacred Heart, in Nurney, Co Kildare.

At 8.30 p.m. the bodies of Ptes Murphy and Deere will leave for St Michael's Church, Athy, Co Kildare. The estimated time of arrival is 9.30 p.m.

Tomorrow a Requiem Mass will be said at 11 a.m. for Ptes Murphy and Deere at St Michael's Church in Athy. Burial will follow in St Michael's Cemetery in the town.

Requiem Mass for Pte John Lawler will be said at 3 p.m. in the Church of the Sacred Heart in Nurney, followed by burial in Nurney Cemetery.

Also at 3 p.m. Requiem Mass will be said for Pte Fitzpatrick at St Fintan's Church, Raheen, Co Laois, with burial afterwards in the cemetery.

All four soldiers will be buried with full military honours.