Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THERE HAVE BEEN calls from the opposition for the Government to apologise to the victims of the 1979 Glen of Imaal Army range explosion, following an extensive investigation by The Journal Investigates.
The issue was raised this afternoon in the Dáil with Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien by People Before Profit TD Gino Kenny, who asked the Government to apologise to the victims of the blast that day, in light of new information that has been revealed about the blast.
O’Brien was filling in for Tánaiste Micheál Martin during Questions on Promised Legislation.
“Yesterday, TheJournal.ie published a very detailed article on an accident that happened in 1979. And that accident happened in the Glen of Imaal military range,” Kenny said.
“On that day, three children were killed and 10 other children were were really badly injured.
“Now, when the report was published yesterday, new information has come forward in terms of how this actually accident could have been avoided.
“And if you look at the article, this accident could have been easily avoided if precautions had taken place.
The families of the children never got an apology from the State. And considering this new information that has come forward, would this government consider giving the families of those that were affected and killed on the day, a state apology?
O’Brien said in response:
I’m aware of of the historic incidents you referred to and the tragic loss of life. I will raise this matter directly with the Tánaiste and minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence. And we will revert to you.
The Journal Investigates published the results of an extensive investigation yesterday into the Glen of Immal blast.
Three boys were killed, and 10 other children injured, five critically, when an unexploded Defence Forces anti-tank shell exploded in the area.
The children were part of a group from the St Mary’s Youth Club in Lucan that had travelled to the Glen for the Easter weekend.
They were hiking in the direction of Luqnaquilla when they entered the lands of a Defence Forces firing range, where one of the group picked up the shell.
—
Investigations like this don’t happen without your support… Impactful investigative reporting is powered by people like you.
—
The investigation revealed that follow up searches discovered 54 other live shells in the area. The Journal also revealed a number of safety issues at the Glen in the months leading up to the explosion.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
The irish state has a long history of cruelty and callouses towards victims
Another disgraceful event in the hands of our establishment,you never know what’s coming next from the vaults.
@William Slevin: and don’t forget when SF come to
Power they will have to come clean with all their atrocities
@Liam23:
Like having a word with their mates about the disappeared would be a good start.
Like that Nike ad…….. JUST DO IT…….. no brainer
The Journal Investigates team: Patricia Devlin, Maria Delaney (editor) and Conor O’Carroll
Why did they not write the article?
@Vince Cable: The Journal Investigates
Reporter: Cormac Fitzgerald • Investigation Editors: Christine Bohan, Daragh Brophy & Sinéad O’Carroll • The Journal Investigates Editor: Maria Delaney • Video Production: Maria Delaney & Nicky Ryan • Social Media: Sadbh Cox • Main Image Design: Lorcan O’Reilly
Happy now?
@Vince Cable: Maria Delaney is the editor, so wouldn’t be writing. Perhaps the other two are investigators and not part of the writing team either
@Brendan O’Brien: Somebody is in a mood.
@Vince Cable: what was to investigate?? All the information was released the other day in the freedom of information act..
@Michael o Dwyer: Your guess is as good as mine. But they seem very proud of it if you actually read it.
How many adults were supervising the children when they decided to enter the artillery firing range.
How many adults were present when the children started chucking the live shell at rocks.
@H Woo: well you definitely went straight to the comments…
@H Woo: Disgraceful comments.
Did you bring that up at the funerals of the children that died..?
Leaving live, explosive matériel in open, easily accessible fields with a sign up is absolutely ridiculous. Worse yet, this was not an isolated incident and these “blinds” go missing according to the investigation. They essentially created a live mine field without a map. An apology is not the only thing that is warranted but an investigation and compensation. I wonder if these fields have been properly de-mined. At the very least, the should be sealed with a large layer of topsoil.
Kudos to The Journal for raising this.
@Injustice Cop: Covered with a layer of topsoil you say ! . Have you ever been to the glen of Imaal ?.
@Injustice Cop:
Do the adults who were supervising the children have questions to answer?
U fortunately, children will be children. Putting a warning sign is like saying don’t go near the sweets. And let’s face it, at the age these kids were seeing shells etc must have been fascinating for them. Unfortunately, one of them shook the damn thing and then threw it which resulted in fatalities.
Knew a guy once who climbed a derelict site because he had lost his football. People thought him nuts for scaling the run down building but hey, he thought he was cool and the man. They found him next day after he’d been reported missing. Fell through the roof.
@AnthonyK: I suggest that you read yesterday’s investigative piece on this website
@AnthonyK:
Did he get an apology from the government?
Yes, I’m sure a generic scripted apology is just what they want to hear.
PBP trying to stay in the news
Incompetence, negligence, indifference, and shear stupidity sums up the behaviour of the Army and the government following and preceding this tragedy, 3 children killed and dozens injured and traumatised..
Chasing down the priest who warned of the dangers and the lack of action after 3 children were seriously injured in identical circumstances almost a year earlier sums up the incompetence and indifference of the authorities at the time.
There should have been criminal investigations into all of this.
Instead, incredibly, all the officials responsible who, through incompetence, allowed this tragedy to happen TWICE carried on in their well-paid positions for decades afterwards.
All the hallmarks of a banana republic.
A belated apology from the State decades later is an insult.
@Eamonn O’Hanrahan: civil compensation is the only way to take responsibility, demonstrate “sorrow” and make a meaningful gesture towards making amends. The apology culture is disgusting.
@Eamonn O’Hanrahan:
Did the youth club have insurance for such tragic events?
have your say