Fatal shot was fired from about 1km away

An Irish-born soldier who survived Afghanistan was accidentally shot dead during training when he was hit by machine gun fire from 1km away, an inquest in Cardiff has heard.

Ranger Michael Maguire, from Coomhola, Bantry, Co Cork, was hit by a stray bullet during an exercise at the Castlemartin range in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Maguire — who was 6ft7in — was on army training exercise with the 1st battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment when he was killed.

The inquest heard that the 21-year-old was waiting in a field when a live firingexercise was held 1km away on the Castlemartin range in Pembrokeshire.

Capt Gary Palmer told the inquest it was believed Mr Maguire was killed by a shot fired from a general purpose machine gun (GPMG) by a fellow soldier.

Capt Palmer said: “A section of eight soldiers were taking part in a live firing assault on a series of static and pop-up targets.

“Michael was standing in an admin area 1km to the north where men eat their lunch and pack their gear.”

Capt Palmer told the inquest soldiers were firing covering shots during a military exercise — and then were switched to a new target on the range.

“One round travelled 1km past the target and it hit Michael.

“We think the soldier who fired the fatal shot fired a burst from a GPMG.

“When the soldier switched they were firing in a dangerous direction.

“The targets should have been to the west and not to the north. It was in a dangerous position, ” said Capt Palmer, of the Infantry Battle School based in Brecon, Powys.

After his death, his company commander, Maj Richard Bell, said: “He was one of our very best, his loss has devastated everyone who knew him.

“Michael was always going to stand out from the crowd — not only because he stood a towering 6ft7in tall, but because of his vastly cheerful outlook on life, natural charisma and irrepressible good humour.

“All of this ensured that he was extremely popular throughout the company.”

Mr Maguire joined the 1st battalion on May 10, 2010, and was sent to Afghanistan four months later.

Mr Maguire was known to his army friends as High Tower because of his height.

A former U14 Cork county football championship medal winner, Michael was the youngest child of Michael Sr and Maureen Maguire, and is also survived by two brothers and a sister.

He went to school at St Goban’s College, near Bantry, in Co Cork.

The inquest heard that police and the Health and Safety Executive are still investigating.

The inquest continues.