First of all I will set the scene in regard to what happened here and the circumstances surrounding this tragic accident which took place on 14 April last in the Glen of Imaal. A group of young boys and girls aged between 12 and 17 years of age from St. Mary's Youth Club in Lucan had been granted permission by an Óige Head Office to hold an Easter weekend camp at Ballinciea Youth Hostel. This hostel is located between Donard village and Knickeen Ford in the Glen of Imaal. They were in the charge of three youth leaders from the club who were aged between 18 and 21 years. The group arrived at the hostel on Friday, 13. On Saturday, 14 April a party of about 30 left the hostel at approximately 11.30 a.m. and went on a hike of the area. It appears that the group divided and that those involved in the accident approached the range from the vicinity of the old Churchill tank at Leitrim Barracks area, continuing across the range Knickeen—Camara Cross— Coan Road and then forded the Knickeen river and continued eastwards to the site of the explosion.
The device which caused the explosion was picked up by one of the children 20 to 30 metres west of the Knickeen—Camara—Coan Road. They put it in a holdall and on reaching the river began to play with it, submerging it in the water, and passing it around. Having crossed the river they continued eastwards for about 500 metres. One of the boys threw the projectile against a small rock causing the explosion. That was at about 12.30 a.m.
The lands at the Glen of Imaal have been in military use since about 1895. The military have been exercising heavy weapons in the glen ever since that time. It was also used for the training of personnel in explosives demolition and in other related training since the foundation of the State. It is absolutely essential that the military personnel should have at least one area in the State where they can gain expertise in the use of all of the weapons with which they are supplied. The nature of the exercises undertaken by the military on these lands is such that at no time is it possible to say with certainty that all of these shells have detonated or that they should be accounted for. When service ammunition fails to explode at the target area during exercises the area is searched and the projectiles found are destroyed. Ricochets may cause unexploded shells to reach places in the lands beyond the general target area. Because of the possibility of shells becoming buried in soft ground it has never been possible to ensure that all unexploded shells are recovered. Shells previously buried in soft ground may become exposed following rain, or grazing by sheep, or even further firing exercises could also cause that to happen. The danger of unexploded shells surfacing at any time is a continuing one. I must emphasise that for the sake of the public. In those circumstances and even with the most stringent military safety precautions, the lands can never be regarded as absolutely safe for recreational purposes.
Members of the public are warned by permanent notices on the lands of the risk of touching a projectile or part of a projectile found there. An Óige and local interests connected with youth groups were made aware by the military authorities and the Department of Defence of the dangers involved in the use of the lands for recreational purposes following the unfortunate incident last September involving some youths who were injured. I appeal to all organisations connected with youth groups and to all who come to the Glen of Imaal for recreation, in the interests of their own safety, to keep away from the military lands as the surest way of avoiding another tragedy similar to that of 14 April.
I join with Senator West in placing on record here my personal regret on the recent tragic occurrence in which these three young boys sadly lost their lives and in which, of course, several other young people were injured. I express my sincere sympathy to their parents and to their relatives and I am sure that all the Members of the House will join with me in doing that.
Since the accident took place, the Chief of Staff instructed the Director of Training to convene a board of officers to examine and report on all aspects of safety on approved military ranges in the State. This board are to consider among other questions the possible effects of new weapons and of new fire control equipment on current safety regulations and safety measures. In addition, I have directed the setting up of a committee to consider and make recommendations to me, as to any further safety precautions which they might deem necessary to be taken to minimise danger to the public arising out of the use of the Glen of Imaal. Invitations to certain bodies and persons to serve on this committee have already been issued and I am asking this committee to report to me not later than 30 June next. That would be a civilian board.
I want the House to understand that it is essential for the Defence Forces to retain and to continue to use the Glen of Imaal as a training ground for the firing of infantry, artillery and cavalry weapons. It is and will continue to be required for the destruction of dangerous explosive materials and for the training of EOD personnel. The location of the range has been criticised by private individuals and by some public figures, and suggestions have been made, some of which have been repeated here by Senator West, in regard to closing the range, fencing it off, or re-locating it. Unless alternative sites are available the question of closing the range is out of the question. Closing the area does not make it safe, nor would it be so in the forseeable future. As I explained in the other House unexploded projectiles that have been fired there over the past 50 years which could still be buried there, could reappear over perhaps the next 100 years. I am just guessing in trying to emphasise how long the danger of those unexploded projectiles remains. Closing it and opening a range somewhere else does not remove the danger which will continue for members of the public who would visit the area or use it for recreational purposes. Fencing it off was the other suggestion. That might involve a perimeter fence of around 18 miles long. It must, however, be remembered that a number of public roads run through this area. Unless these are either fenced in on both sides or closed altogether there will be little point in fencing the outer perimeter. That would not be a solution. However, I am prepared to await the outcome of this committee that I have invited to act on this matter.
I can see some of the difficulties in some of the suggestions that have been made already such as the question of re-locating the range. This suggestion has been made again by Senator West. Even if there were locations elsewhere considered suitable by the General Staff, the pressures of environmentalists and public representatives, I think the House would agree, would make such a move impossible. We have only to reflect on the objections that were raised to the siting of the asbestos waste dumps and ordinary refuse pit heads, and consider the outcry that would follow our relocating the range elsewhere in the country.
I would ask the House to accept that the Glen of Imaal must continue in its present role indefinitely. The obligation rests on the Department of Defence and on me as Minister to ensure that the very maximum safety precautions are taken to protect the public. I would repeat my appeal to members of the public not to use the military grounds at the Glen of Imaal for recreation purposes. If people continue to go into those grounds we would ask them to be very careful in the manner in which they use the grounds and if they find any projectiles, they should not touch them but should report their location. If people continue to organise groups of young boys and girls and bring them into this area the possibility of further accidents cannot be eliminated.
I had discussions with An Óige last week. They have expressed their concern and have offered full co-operation with me in seeking ways in which we can overcome this problem. I am as gravely concerned as any Member of this House or of the community that such an occurrence would never occur again.
I thank Senator West for giving me the opportunity of referring very briefly to this matter here. All I can say in conclusion is to assure him and the other Members of the House that I will give very full consideration to the suggestions that may be made by the comittee that I have set up and to any other suggestions by Senators or others concerned about the matter. I will seek to implement as expeditiously as possible any valid proposal that may be made. In the meantime until these matters are reported upon, the military authorities are exercising the very maximum security in the area in order to ensure that no other tragedy will occur there. We can only take human precautions. I would appeal to people to be wise and sensible in the use they make of these lands.
The Seanad adjourned at 6.35 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 30 May 1979.