Controversial footage showing two Irish soldiers "mock" aiming their weapons at a group of local people in Liberia was posted on the YouTube website by a member of the Defence Forces, a military police investigation has established.
Investigating officers have also confirmed the identity of two of the three armed men who feature in the excerpt and have established that they, too, are members of the Defence Forces.
All of those identified are facing possible misconduct charges arising out of the incident. In the footage, details of which were revealed in The Irish Timesyesterday, one man stands next to a vehicle while two others appear to fire machine guns at a crowd in a nearby field.
Most of the group then take cover and the soldiers are seen laughing as they walk away.
It is thought all of those involved may have been aware it was a "prank". However, the actions of the soldiers would represent a serious breach of Defence Forces rules and have led to a full investigation.
Defence Forces spokesman Comdt Gavin Young said last night officers were still attempting to establish the identity of the third man featured in the excerpt, which was removed from the website on Thursday evening.
The soldier who uploaded the 4 minutes 34 second video was interviewed yesterday. At least one of those involved is believed to be based in Kilkenny.
The footage, details of which emerged as the Defence Forces' mission in Liberia formally ended on Thursday, was yesterday labelled as "disgusting behaviour" by Labour Party defence spokesman Joe Costello TD. He said the incident "could tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Irish military personnel".