Private Laura Guerin, injured when a mortar exploded, will continue to have a career in the Army if that is what she wishes, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, promised last night.
He made this pledge after paying a short visit to her in Cork University Hospital where she is recovering following the amputation of her left hand which was injured during training exercises at Kilworth last week.
"I wanted to express personally my regret to her at this accident," said Mr Smith, adding that yesterday was his first opportunity to do so as he was on his way to the Lebanon when he first heard of the incident.
"She's very sturdy and in great form. We had a very lively chat and I wanted to assure her that if she wanted to continue her training and service in the Defence Forces, there will always be a place for her. "She was quite happy with that - I asked her would she be standing in the line and she said she would," he added. He also praised Pt Gary Maloney for his courage after losing a leg in a landmine explosion in the Lebanon.
Mr Smith also promised to examine the possibility of establishing a system of awards for people like Pte Guerin who were injured either in the course of their training or duty in Ireland.
He pledged a thorough investigation into the circumstances of Pte Guerin's accident and confirmed that all mortars of the type involved would remain out of service pending completion of the inquiry.