Brian O'Shea
Ceist:12 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement regarding the recent tragic death of a member of the Defence Forces who became ill when serving in Lebanon. [18085/98]
Written Answers - Defence Forces Personnel.
I ask that Members of the House join me in extending sympathy to the family of the late Private Michael Dowling on their sad loss.
While serving with the 83rd Infantry Battalion, UNIFIL, Private Michael Dowling was seen by the Battalion Medical Officer on 5 August 1998, he was complaining of a sore throat. Normal treatment was given including antibiotics. He went home on leave to Ireland in mid-August. I understand that the following is the series of events following his return home. He attended a local GP because of a continuing sore throat. Private Dowling was admitted to St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny on 30 August 1998. His condition worsened and he was transferred to Waterford Regional Hospital on 1 September where he died on 16 September 1998.
I further understand that during his illness it was considered that the diagnosis might be diphtheria but that tests have so far failed to confirm this. As a precaution, swabs were taken from the throats of personnel who would have come in contact with Private Dowling in Lebanon. All tested negative for diphtheria. The results of some post mortem tests on Private Dowling are still awaited.