A joint Garda and military police investigation is under way at the Defence Forces Training Centre, in the Curragh, Co Kildare, to determine the cause of an off-road training accident in which a young soldier was killed.
James Dillon (21), a trooper with the 2nd Cavalry Squadron based in Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin, died when the armoured car in which he was travelling overturned at around 2.30pm yesterday. The Panhard AML 20 was about 40 years old, but had a complete refit to its engine and suspension in the early 1990s.
Trooper Dillon was part of a three-person crew undergoing training exercises at the off-road facility at Donnellys Hollow in the Curragh training camp.
He was acting as gunner for the vehicle, and is understood to have been pronounced dead at the scene after the vehicle overturned as it was descending a particularly hilly section of the track.
Two others travelling in the vehicle, one female and one male, were taken to Naas General Hospital, where they were being kept in overnight for observation.Their injuries are thought to be relatively minor.
The dead soldier, whose father and sister are also members of the armed forces, was originally from Kildare.
Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea yesterday extended his condolences to "the family and friends of this brave young man".
Gerry Rooney of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association also expressed his sympathy to Trooper Dillon's family and friends.