Vol. 491 No. 7
8 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if the report has been received from the court of inquiry established to investigate an incident in Kilworth Camp in December 1997 in which a soldier lost a hand and four others were less seriously injured while training with a mortar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12979/98]
19 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the investigations into the recent accident during military training (details supplied); the implications, if any, for safety; and the changes, if any, necessary to ensure high safety standards. [12976/98]
24 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Defence the outcome of the investigations into the recent accident during military training (details supplied); the implications, if any, for safety; and the changes, if any, necessary to ensure high safety standards. [9037/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8, 19 and 24 together.
On 9 December 1997 at Kilworth Firing Range, an accident occurred during firing practices with a 60mm light mortar. During the exercise, which was being conducted by Defence Forces personnel of the Southern Command, an explosion occurred in the vicinity of the gun. Five personnel were injured in this accident which resulted in their hospitalisation. Private Laura Guerin suffered serious injury which resulted in the loss of her left hand. Corporals McGrath and Dolan and Private O' Hare suffered abrasions and were discharged from hospital on 10 December having been detained overnight. Private Dinan had no physical injury but was also detained overnight in hospital for observation. Private Guerin has shown remarkable spirit and is back on duty.
A court of inquiry was initiated immediately following the accident and its deliberations are on-going. The court of inquiry will encompass the findings of a military police investigation and a technical board of inquiry.
Weapons handling training on the 60mm mortar is continuing but live firing for training purposes has ceased pending completion of the aforementioned investigations.
Safety procedures for military exercises are constantly reviewed and the current regulations were in place during this exercise. These regulations provide for the testing of personnel in basic skills before firing. They include safety precautions and misfire drills.
Should the findings of the court of inquiry indicate that any changes are called for in the interests of safety, these will be implemented.
When does the Minister expect to receive that report?
The military police investigation is completed but the technical board of inquiry has not yet completed its investigation. Before the court of inquiry can complete its work it needs the two reports: one is available, the other is pending. All the weapons used were tested within the previous month and found to be satisfactory. Obviously it will have to go deeper into the technical aspects to see what could possibly have gone wrong given that weapons were tested so close to the accident. We want to know exactly what happened and we must ensure procedures are put in place to ensure a similar accident does not occur. The report has taken longer than expected but, since we have not conducted that type of exercise since, we need to know the reason it happened and how we can ensure it does not happen again. If it takes a little longer to get it right, for whatever technical reason, I am prepared to wait.
Will the Minister give a commitment to bring the report to the Dáil? Since we cannot discuss this matter further without the report I avail of the opportunity to welcome Private Guerin back to the Defence Forces and commend her on the spirit and courage she showed in difficult circumstances.
She is a terrific girl and I am delighted she is back in the Defence Forces. I look forward to seeing her again during the summer. It is a sad and telling reminder that in training in the Defence Forces, no matter what precautions are taken, accidents can happen. Over the years we have had very few serious accidents but one is one too many. We want to ensure they are totally eliminated.
