Investigation launched after soldier injured in firearms drill

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An investigation has been launched after a soldier was injured while being taught how to fire anti-tank weapons.

The incident happened on Thursday in a classroom at Dublin’s Cathal Brugha Barracks while conducting drills in preparation for firing a Short Range Anti Armour Weapon (SRAAW) under the supervision of instructors.

The soldier was immediately taken to hospital, but discharged later that night.

The weapon involved is SRAAW sub caliber, a low caliber weapon used to train soldiers before they can start being trained how to use the army’s standard 84 mm Anti-Tank Gun.

The sub caliber training weapon, which fires 9mm bullets, is fitted with a device known as a “back blast simulator”, which is a pyrotechnic device used to simulate the noise of firing a SRAAW to better prepare soldiers for live firing.

A Defence Forces spokesperson said: “While undergoing instruction on the [SRAAW], a back blast simulator was accidentally activated by a student undergoing instruction.

“Thankfully the student was discharged from hospital that evening.

The Defence Forces takes the safe handling of weapons very seriously and endeavours to ensure all personnel are trained to the highest of standards when conducting drills. An investigation is currently ongoing.

While the back blast simulator does not fire a projectile and isn’t a weapon as such, back blast can be dangerous.

The danger zone or back blast area around the back of a sub-caliber weapon used in this incident extends 5m around the back end of the device.

The danger zone around an 84 mm Anti-Tank Gun is up to 100m.

While incidents of this kind are rare, they can have serious consequences.

In 2009, an army lieutenant in his 20s was critically injured when he was hit by the 'back blast' of an 84 mm Anti-Tank Gun.

He had been working as a safety umpire at a night-firing exercise at Kilworth Ranges in Co Cork when he got caught in the back blast.

It is understood he lost fingers in the incident.

The investigation into this incident came the same day as another one was launched after an army van crashed through a wall at Collins Barracks in Cork. 

Photos circulating on social media showed the Irish Defence Forces Ford Transit Minibus Crew Cab halfway through a wall that backs onto a narrow section of Old Youghal Rd.

Nobody was injured in the incident on Old Youghal Rd, Cork.

It is at the end of a slope leading from the barracks's fuel depot.

Nobody was injured in the incident but while the van managed to withstand the impact and protect the driver, damage to panels of the €40,000-plus vehicle was extensive.

The investigation will look into whether driver or vehicle failure was an issue.