Garda probe into death of soldier at barracks
THE death of a soldier who fell from a two-storey building at an army barracks is being investigated by gardaí and military police.
Private Patrick ‘Paddy’ Conlon fell to his death at McKee Barracks on Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, in the early hours of yesterday morning.
The 32-year-old, who was pronounced dead at the Mater Hospital at 2.10am, was stationed at McKee Barracks for operational reasons but was not on duty at the time of his death.
The Defence Forces described the incident involving the soldier, who was from Coolaney, Co. Sligo and serving in the 28th Infantry Battalion near Finner, Co. Donegal, as a ‘tragic accident’.
Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Seán McCann, extended his sympathies to the Conlon family and the soldier’s friends.
In a statement, the forces said personnel support and chaplaincy services had been in contact with the soldier’s next of kin. ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time,’ it read.
Mr Conlon was a skilled soccer player in the Defence Forces and represented Ireland at junior level.
Noel Kennedy, secretary of the Sligo-Leitrim and District Soccer League, said: ‘Paddy was a great footballer. He started in Sligo with local award-winning team City United in Cranmore where he played at leftback. He went on to represent Ireland at junior soccer level and with the Defence Forces.
‘He was a lovely lad. The community is devastated by his death at such an early age.’
Justice Minister Alan Shatter also extended his sympathies. He said: ‘I wish to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Patrick Conlon at this sad time.’
Private Conlon spent 12 years in the Defence Forces, while serving in Liberia in 2004 with the 91st Infantry Battalion. He returned home from Lebanon in May this year having completed a six-month deployment with the 107th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL.
Last night, a spokesman for the Defence Forces said he was a ‘popular, diligent and active soldier’ in the 28th Battalion in Donegal. ‘He was an active sportsman who participated in all sports within the Defence Forces but had a particular love of soccer, having played in the League of Ireland and representing his unit and the Defence Forces at the highest level.’
He is survived by his partner Louise, parents Heather and Christy and brothers Michael and Darragh.