Vol. 411 No. 8
38 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the circumstances of the reported dismissal of a member of the Defence Forces arising from a leak of security information to the Provisional IRA; if he will give a general indication of the nature of the information involved in the leak; the steps which have been taken to prevent any such further breaches of security; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
During the course of Garda investigations a serving soldier was suspected of leaking restricted information. The military authorities established that the soldier concerned was a private with six years' service and that he was attached to the Signal Corps. He was arrested on 22 August 1991 and brought to Raheny garda station. The leaked information included data of a transient character on certain military operations to which he had access due to the nature of his employment in the Signal Corps.
Subsequent to his release from Garda custody the soldier was interviewed by the military police and he made a further statement to them. He was paraded by his commanding officer on the 30 August 1991 and informed that it was proposed to terminate his service. He was given seven days to appeal or offer information in his defence. He declined and was discharged on 21 September 1991. I understand that the Garda inquiries in this case are proceeding.
A detailed investigation has been set up by the Chief of Staff into the circumstances of this case and all aspects of security will be reviewed so as to ensure, as far as possible, that there should be no recurrence of a breach of security such as occurred in this instance.
