Private Gary Maloney, who lost part of his leg in a landmine explosion in Lebanon, will continue to have a career in the Defence Forces if he chooses, it has emerged, Jim Cusack reports.
The private, who was injured by an Israeli landmine in August, was greeted by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, on his arrival home from Lebanon early today.
Mr Smith told Pte Malone during a meeting with him and his family at Dublin Airport that he will "always have a task" in the Army if that is his wish. Mr Smith said in his view Pte Malone had shown he had no handicap.
Pte Malone has spent the last two-and-a-half months recovering in hospital in Haifa. He lost his right leg beneath the knee and part of his left ankle. He returned home with 200 other Unifil troops. He was recently fitted with a false leg and walked from the aircraft.