Call for safety review of Army trucks

Defence Forces' staff representative association Pdforra has called for a health and safety review of Army trucks following yesterday…

Defence Forces' staff representative association Pdforra has called for a health and safety review of Army trucks following yesterday's collision in Co Longford in which 14 soldiers and a lorry driver were injured.

The Army vehicle was returning with soldiers from a training exercise when the crash happened at 3.45pm on the N55 at Creevy, two kilometres outside Granard.

Pdforra General Secretary, Gerry Rooney said: "The Defence Forces has a duty of care to its members, and it needs to ensure that its Army trucks are designed and equipped to maximise passenger safety - and also to ensure that they are used in appropriate circumstances.

"Pdforra believes the Health and Safety Authority needs to take a close look at all these factors and ensure that the safety of members of the Defence Forces travelling in Army trucks is maximised," he said.

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Ten of the soldiers were taken to Cavan General Hospital, and four to Mullingar General Hospital. None of the injuries suffered by the 14 are thought to be serious.

The driver of the other vehicle, a commercial lorry, was also taken to Cavan General Hospital, where it is understood he was treated for minor injuries.

The Garda and Defence Forces are holding separate inquiries into the crash.