Dan Neville
Ceist:92 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent incident in Lebanon when two members of the Defence Forces were injured. [4906/99]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:164 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence the investigations, if any, held into the recent incident in which two members of the Defence Forces serving with UNIFIL in Lebanon were injured as a result of shelling of an Irish position; if the forces responsible for the shelling have been identified; the steps, if any, taken as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5032/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:201 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the recent incident in Lebanon when two members of the Defence Forces were injured. [4942/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 92, 164 and 201 together.
Before I begin I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the parents, brothers and sisters of Private Kevin Barrett who died on 18 February while on duty in UNIFIL.
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 HQ. 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 but have since returned to duty. 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 lodged a strong protest about this incident with the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland. The ambassador was asked to bring the contents of the protest to the attention of his authorities.