Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 1 Jun 1999

Vol. 505 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Death of Irish Soldier.

Ms Fitzgerald

At the outset, I wish to express my deepest sympathy and that of my colleagues in Fine Gael to the parents of the late Private William Kedian, Bill and Doris, his sisters, Mary and Anne-Marie, and their relatives and friends. At all times in the debate about international relations we should recognise that above all this is a family tragedy. In December 1996 Bill and Doris Kedian celebrated with their son Billy the realisation of his boyhood dream of becoming a member of the Defence Forces. Early yesterday morning they experienced every parent's worst nightmare.

I would also like to express my sympathy and that of my party to Private Kedian's colleagues in the Defence Forces, particularly the members of the 85th Irish Battalion on UN peacekeeping duties in Lebanon under the command of Lieutenant Pat Nash and those in Renmore Barracks in Galway under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Coughlan. While they are all professional soldiers and used to tragedy, they too are grieving the loss of one of their own. My thoughts are also with Privates Ronnie Rushe and Darren Clarke, who were in the same attack, and their families. I wish them a full and speedy recovery.

It is appropriate that the Ceann Comhairle permitted me to raise this issue. Much of the work of the Defence Forces is done effectively, quietly and in the background. A traumatic event such as this puts the spotlight, albeit in a tragic way, on this valuable work. It is deeply ironic that the Israeli-backed South Lebanese Army, which was directly responsible for yesterday's attacks, has announced the withdrawal of its forces from Jezzine, a town it has occupied for 14 years. The new Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Barak, has also revealed plans of his intention to withdraw Israeli troops from Lebanon.

This changed political situation may pose some new dangers for the UNIFIL force in Lebanon. I welcome the steps the Minister for Defence has taken to make known this country's outrage at this incident, during which, it appears, the Irish battalion was directly targeted. In recent weeks there have been an increasing number of "firing close" incidents where mortar or heavy machine gun fire impacted near Irish posts. I witnessed this at first hand some weeks ago in Lebanon and appreciated then the huge professionalism and calm shown by the Irish troops in very difficult circumstances. It was clear that the regularity of "firing close" incidents was causing extreme concern to Irish commanders in the battalion area and were increasing the risks for Defence Forces personnel.

It is clear from reports of the incident that none of the fire concentrated on the SLA compound had come from positions close to Irish post 6-42. Why then was it shelled? There is potential for a more dangerous and volatile period in this area of Lebanon. Without wishing to cause undue alarm, it is critical that the Government takes every possible action at political and diplomatic level to ensure, in so far as possible, that such incidents are not repeated.

A direct attack of this kind on Irish UNIFIL forces is absolutely unacceptable. It is an undermining of the valuable peacekeeping role carried out by the Irish battalion in the area. This attack was perpetrated in a very dangerous manner and it must be condemned – I accept that the Government has taken action in this regard – and dealt with in the most decisive manner.

Our primary concern must be the safety of Irish personnel serving abroad. It is the duty of everyone in this House to ensure that, in so far as possible, no other family will undergo the same suffering as that being endured by the families of the personnel who died and were injured in this incident. I ask the Minister to accept the Fine Gael Private Members' Bill, the Protection of UN and Associated Personnel Bill, 1998, tabled by Deputy Gay Mitchell. This Bill would allow some legal protection under international law for Irish peacekeeping forces around the world.

I ask the Minister to give details to the House of his protest in relation to this incident, the diplomatic action which has been undertaken by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the contacts he has had with the Israeli Ambassador. I thank the Minister for coming before the House to respond to this matter and the Chair for allowing me to raise it.

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The raising by Deputy Fitzgerald of this issue gives me the opportunity to speak about the tragic event involving our troops in Lebanon which occurred yesterday morning. I would like at the outset to express my most sincere sympathy and that of my colleagues in Government to the family of Private Billy Kedian who so tragically lost his life in the early hours of yesterday morning while serving with the 85th Irish Battalion in Lebanon. I would also like to express my sympathy to Private Ronnie Rushe who is seriously injured and to Private Darren Clarke who, thankfully, is less seriously injured. I understand that Private Rushe's condition is critical but stable. He is at present in Rambam Hospital, Haifa, Israel. I speak for all Irish people when I talk of the sorrow which tragedies such as this bring to all concerned, families, colleagues and the country as a whole.

I met the parents and sisters of Private Billy Kedian this morning and personally expressed to them my sorrow and that of the Government in their great loss. I also spoke on the telephone today to Mr. Michael Rushe, father of Private Ronnie Rushe. I have arranged that Private Rushe's father, partner and other family members will travel today to visit him in hospital.

The circumstances relating to the incident in which the death and injuries occurred are as follows. In the early morning of Monday, 31 May, IRISHBATT sustained two firings close to its position 6-42 – BRASHIT. One of the firings impacted within the post. It resulted in the death of Private Billy Kedian, critical injuries to Private Ronnie Rushe and superficial injuries to Private Darren Clarke. The personnel involved were proceeding to take shelter in the bunkers when the hits occurred.

An explosive ordnance team which immediately carried out crater analysis found that the debris collected from the site of the mortar impacts, the first of which was 15 metres outside the post and the second of which impacted within the post causing the death and injuries, was consistent with that from 81mm mortars. The markings on the percussion caps indicate that they were Israeli. There were indications that the mortar rounds were fired from a position with a magnetic bearing of 188 degrees from the impact site, namely, the general direction of the Israeli Defence Forces-De Facto Force Compound W144. However. I understand that, to date, the Israeli authorities have not admitted responsibility for the incident.

The death of Private Kedian and the injuries to Privates Rushe and Clarke were the subject of immediate protest by UNIFIL headquarters, Naquora, to the Israeli Defence Forces who undertook to conduct an investigation at the highest level. I am informed that at a meeting to be held tomorrow a formal letter of protest will be lodged by UNIFIL headquarters with the Israeli Defence Forces. A preliminary report was also forwarded immediately by UNIFIL headquarters to United Nations headquarters, New York. I understand that UN headquarters intends to shortly convey strong protest to the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations and to issue a press statement in the matter.

At my request, the Minister for Foreign Affairs summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland to Leinster House today to protest the matter in the strongest possible manner to the Israeli authorities. He expressed great concern at the loss of life and serious injury to Irish peacekeeping personnel and, on behalf of the Government, protested yesterday's incident in the strongest possible terms. He also expressed the Government's grave concern at the pattern of recent incidents involving firings close to and at IRISHBATT positions. He insisted that there must be an immediate cessation of such incidents and demanded that the Israeli Government take firm action to prevent such indiscriminate targeting of the UNIFIL contingent. In response, the Ambassador regretted the loss of life and injury and undertook to report to his authorities.

The safety of Irish personnel serving overseas is always of paramount concern to me, as Minister for Defence, and to the Government. While no absolute guarantees can be given with regard to the safety of troops serving in missions such as UNIFIL it is my policy to ensure that the Defence Forces personnel are adequately trained, resourced and equipped to carry out their mission.

I thank Deputy Fitzgerald for her expression of sympathy in relation to this tragic incident which has resulted in the death of Private Billy Kedian and the serious injuries suffered by Private Ronnie Rushe, as well as the injuries sustained by Private Darren Clarke. The other matters to which she referred are under consideration. I will be reporting to the House as progress is made on this matter.