Uniformed British soldiers for funeral

BRITISH soldiers in full uniform have been granted permission to attend the funeral in Ireland of a Dubliner killed in action in Iraq.

Foreign Affairs Minister Brian Cowen granted permission after a request from the family of Ian Malone, a 28-year-old Lance Corporal with the Irish Guards. He died on April 6 during a gun battle in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

Permission to allow foreign soldiers to wear their uniforms in the State is needed under defence legislation. The Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday confirmed Mr Cowen had agreed to a request for members of Lance Corporal Malone’s regiment to attend the funeral in uniform.