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.

It is up to the family whether they wish to have the coffin draped in the Union Jack and what music is played. Mr Malone was an accomplished piper and it is expected members of the Irish Guards Pipe Band, of which he was a member, will play a role at the funeral service.

Britain’s Ministry of Defence would not reveal how many uniformed soldiers will attend the service, citing security reasons.

L/Cpl Malone’s funeral is to take place next week at Our Lady of Assumption Church, close to where he grew up. His body was flown to Britain on Tuesday.

His father, Joe, and brother and sisters, Edward, Michelle, Carol and Deborah, travelled to the RAF base in Brize Norton for the ceremonial arrival of the body.