Soldier warned of ricocheting bullets

A soldier was ordered to keep on his armour at a shooting range safe haven, before Irish ranger Michael ‘Mike’ Maguire was shot and killed, because of the danger of bullet ricochets.

Hours later Mr Maguire was hit by a single machine-gun bullet as he relaxed after removing his armour and helmet.

The 21-year-old, from Coomhola, Bantry, Co Cork, was a member of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment.

He was hit in the temple by a shot probably fired by a fellow soldier attacking a static target 1km away.

The shooting happened at the Castlemartin Ranges in Pembrokeshire, West Wales,in May last year, during training.

Mr Maguire was standing in a designated administrative area, deemed secure, outside the range where live fire training was taking place.

Activity was centred on two roughly parallel linked ranges which each haveseparate safe haven areas outside of where training occurred.

It is believed the bullet which killed Mr Maguire was shot from a training range next to the one where he was relaxing.

Thomas Pell, a vehicle mechanic with the Royal Irish, gave evidence on the third day of the resumed inquest.

He said he had been told to keep his helmet and armour on after trainingeven when in the administrative safe area.

The warning had come from Sgt Stewart Pankhurst, who briefed his group before it began its training on the morning of the death.

“We were told to keep our body armour on because of the risk of ricochet,” said Mr Pell.

Vale of Glamorgan Coroner Mary Hassall asked him: “During your training had you ever had to wear armour and a helmet in theadministrative area before?”

Mr Pell: “No ma’am.”

“Before the day of Mr Maguire’s death what was your understanding of theadministrative area?

Mr Pell: “Somewhere where you can chill out, eat your lunch.”

“Before that day did you think that it was a safe area?

“Yes.”

“If I was asking you before he [Mr Maguire] died when you are in theadministration area are you safe or do you need protection, what would you say?

“Safe.”

The inquest also heard from a friend of Mr Maguire who described hearing bullets flying overhead as the fatal shot hit.

Corporal Angus Neill was also relaxing in the same safe area with his helmetoff at the time.

“I recall it being a crack and a whizz and I knew from experience in Afghanistan that these were rounds,” he said.

He said he heard a colleague shout “man down” and he went into action to help save his friend’s life.

He described holding a dressing to what appeared to be a bleeding exit wound onthe back of Mr Maguire’s head.

He also describes efforts made to clear the injured soldier’s airway when he appeared to be struggling to breathe.