Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 March 2006
239 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Defence, further to his letter of 25 January 2006 arising from a parliamentary question of 3 November 2005, the sources for the assertion that it was a Baluba custom that they bore off from the field of battle their most courageous victim; the steps he will take to reconcile the differing accounts of Trooper Browne’s death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8493/06]
View answer240 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the reason a person (details supplied) is reported to have died twice in two different locations in the Congo in 1960; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8559/06]
View answer241 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the reason he contends that a person (details supplied) died at Niemba despite the fact that this is disputed by the two survivors of the massacre as well as by the officer in charge of the search party that failed to find the person in November 1960; if his officials have made an attempt to contact the two Niemba survivors to ascertain their opinions; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8561/06]
View answer242 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the reason he states that a person (details supplied) died on the battlefield in an attempt to save his comrade’s life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8564/06]
View answer243 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the reason he states that a person’s body (details supplied) was removed from the scene by the ambushers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8565/06]
View answer244 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the reason for the disparity of opinions concerning the Niemba controversy; if he will commission an independent assessment of the known facts, rather than an army inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8566/06]
View answer245 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Army’s version of events has been seriously challenged, not least by a new book entitled The Irish Army in the Congo 1960-1964: The Far Battalions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8567/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 239 to 245, inclusive, together.
I undertook during Priority Questions last Thursday, 23 February 2006 to ask the military authorities to revisit the matter in light of questions raised by Deputy Finian McGrath. I have asked them to so do and to specifically deal with points raised both last Thursday and those raised in these questions. I expect that this process will be completed shortly. I will communicate further with both Deputy Gregory and Deputy Finian McGrath as soon as possible.
