Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 4

Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.

Jack Wall

Question:

170 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence if he will give a report on the recent incident in which two members of the Defence Forces were injured in a mortar bomb attack in the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4206/99]

Jack Wall

Question:

172 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence the meetings, if any, he has had with the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding the recent incident in Lebanon in which two Irish soldiers were injured; if so, the action, if any, to be taken as a result of these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4208/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 172 together.

On 7 February 1999 between 06.50 hours and 07.23 hours armed elements attacked Haddathah compound from locations within the IRISHBATT area of operations. Between 06.50 hours and 07.35 hours on 7 February the Israeli Defence Force/de facto forces responded by firing into the IRISHBATT area of operations, resulting in injuries to two members of the Defence Forces serving with 84 IRISHBATT.

The technical ordnance report on the incident confirms that one mortar round impacted on the roof of the Company HQ – UN position 6-38. Eight other rounds impacted in a pattern from five to 50 metres on and around the perimeter of the H.Q. The military authorities have reported that this clearly indicates that the UN position was the identified target. A crater analysis revealed that the rounds were fired from varying Israeli Defence Force/de facto forces positions and Israeli markings were also found on the remains of four mortars.

The two members of the Defence Forces – Cpl. Noel Roche and Pte. John Flaherty – serving with 84 IRISHBATT who were wounded by the mortar round which impacted on the roof of the UN post were admitted to the UNIFIL hospital in Naquora. Pte. Flaherty was released yesterday and the latest information available on Cpl. Roche is that he is due to be released shortly. It was extremely fortunate that their injuries were not much more serious or that there was no loss of life in this case. There was also considerable damage to the building and its equipment.

The circumstances of the incident were reported immediately by IRISHBATT to UNIFIL headquarters which in turn protested to the Israeli Defence Force through the usual liaison channels. At my request the Department of Foreign Affairs has protested this incident in the strongest possible manner to the Israeli ambassador to Ireland.