Masses planned to commemorate Lebanon deaths
A number of masses are planned at home and abroad to commemorate the deaths of four Irish soldiers in a road accident in the Lebanon on St Valentine's Day last year.
Privates Declan Deere, Brendan Fitzpatrick, Matthew Lawlor and John Murphy died as a result of injuries sustained when the vehicle carrying them to Beirut Airport skidded and crashed down a rocky ravine on the main highway.
The four had been on their way to a short break in Cyprus.
The soldiers' home unit, the 3rd Infantry Battalion, will celebrate mass at Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny at 10am today.
Masses will also be celebrated in their home towns of Athy, Portlaoise and the Curragh.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, a wreath-laying ceremony will take place on the anniversary at the headquarters in Haddathah where the men were serving time with the 86th Irish Battalion, UNIFIL.
