asked the Minister for Defence the circumstances under which an army private (name supplied) died in Cyprus on June 11th, 1971.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Soldier's Death in Cyprus.
38.
The private in question underwent an operation for the repair of a hernia on 11th June, 1971. Following the operation he collapsed in the recovery room and died despite massage and electrical treatment to combat cardiac arrest. The postmortem examination revealed coronary artery disease. No evidence of this disease had been found at any medical examination carried out prior to his death by the Army medical authorities.
Will the Minister state (1) the last date on which this man was medically examined prior to his operation; (2) was he examined on the evening before his operation; (3) was the operation an elective one or an emergency one?
The private concerned reported ill and he was duly examined.
Before the operation?
Yes, before the operation.
Was it on the night before the operation?
Yes, and when he reported ill originally.
Was he found to be physically fit prior to the operation?
He was found to be physically fit by the Army medical authorities prior to the operation.
Was it an emergency operation or was it an elective operation?
It was an elective one.
It was not an emergency operation?
He elected to be operated on, on being told of his condition.