O’Dea promises full investigation into death of Irish Army soldier

The Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has ordered an investigation into how the Government dealt with the death of an Irish Army soldier, who was killed in the Lebanon six years ago.

The family of Private Kevin Barrett were told that his death was accidental, but say they were given several conflicting reports about the circumstances from the Department of Defence and Irish Army chiefs.

They also claim that they were treated badly by all officials involved in the investigation.

Last week the jury at the inquest into his death returned an open verdict, but after a meeting with Helen Barrett, Kevin’s mother, the Minister decided to open an investigation into the interaction between his department and army officials at the time of Mr Barrett’s death.

Willie O'Dea recently apologised to Mr Barrett's mother for adding to her family's suffering and promised a full report into the incident.

He appointed former Garda Complaints Board Chief Executive Sean Hurley to lead the inquiry.