Soldiers in the SAS who shot dead two IRA men in Co Armagh face being re-interviewed about their actions 20 years on, it was revealed today.

A new investigation into the killing of Martin McCaughey and Dessie Grew - two of the controversial so-called shoot-to-kill deaths -is to be carried out by the Historic Enquiries Team (HET), a preliminary hearing into the deaths Belfast Coroner's Court was told.

The re-investigation could delay the full inquest into the men's deaths for another two years.

Former Sinn Fein councillor Martin McCaughey, 23, and Dessie Grew, 37, were shot by the SAS in October 1990 close to isolated farm outbuildings at Lislasley outside Loughgall in October 1990.

It is believed the building had been under surveillance for some time by the SAS - three AK47 assault rifles were found nearby afterwards.

The McCaughey family claimed the men had been cut down in a hail of 200 bullets.

McCaughey had been injured when he was shot several times in a previous shoot-out with undercover soldiers earlier in the same year in Co Tyrone.

Dessie Grew's older brother, Seamus, died in another shoot-to-kill incident involving the RUC eight years before.

Coroner Brian Sherrard told the preliminary hearing he wanted to proceed with the full inquest as soon as possible.

But he said he had received a letter from the HET advising him it was their intention to reinvestigate the two deaths.

"The HET have, I understand, a plan to re-investigate this matter again towards the end of 2010. I am told this type of investigation takes around six months, they will review all documents, review all intelligence and re-interview soldiers and other persons that were involved."

He said in light of the investigation he wondered whether he should press ahead with the inquests or wait until the reinvestigation was over.

He asked for submissions from lawyers representing the families, the police and army ahead of a further preliminary hearing he set for October 12.

Barrister Karen Quinliven, for the families, said it was her instruction that the inquest should proceed and asked whether the HET could proceed earlier.

Paul Johnston, a senior investigator from the HET, said they were trying to deal with the re-investigations in a chronological order. They had started with 1969 and were currently looking at deaths at the end of 1973 and early 1974.

He said it would be at least the beginning of 2010 and more likely the end before they got to the Grew and McCaughey deaths.

The only exceptions which would mean bringing a case forward was if relatives were very elderly or in ill health, or if directed to do so under a court order.