Family considers legal options after soldier’s death

The family of Cork-born soldier Michael Maguire are considering further legal options after an inquest found he was unlawfully killed by a single machine gun bullet fired by a colleague during a training exercise.

Michael Maguire, aged 20, from Coomhola, Bantry, Co Cork, died after being shot as he was relaxing in a secure safe haven at an army live-fire shooting range at Castlemartin Ranges, in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Mr Maguire, who was 6ft 7in and known to friends as “High Tower”, joined the 1st battalion on May 10, 2010, and was sent to Afghanistan four months later. 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.