Army cadet facing charges after incident in pub

AN army cadet is facing potential assault charges after an alleged attack on a civilian in a Tralee bar two weeks ago.

The incident occurred while a group of army cadets were in the Tralee area to take part in a number of training exercises.

Mid week the cadets – who were temporarily based at Ballymullen Barracks – were allowed leave their barracks for an evening off in Tralee town centre.

A number of the soldiers arrived at a town centre bar where they spent some time socialising.

The alleged assault occurred when one of the cadets became involved in an argument with another patron in the toilets of the bar.

In the course of the argument the civilian was struck in the face, suffering minor injuries understood to include a broken nose.

Gardaí were called to the scene and the army cadet was detained and questioned. He was subsequently released and returned to Ballymullen Barracks where his cadet colleagues had returned earlier.

The Kerryman understands that after senior Army officers were alerted to the incident, the cadet and his fellow trainee soldiers were confined to barracks for the remainder of their stay in Tralee.

It is understood that the cadet involved in the alleged altercation is stationed at the Curragh camp where Irish Army officers are trained.

A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said that while the army is aware of the incident they are not in a position to comment as the matter is still under investigation by gardaí.

The civilian injured in the alleged attack is said to be recovering well from the injuries he sustained in the incident.