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23/05/2003
RIR Battallion Commander faces second inquiry
A second inquiry into the conduct of Royal Irish Regiment Batallion Commander Colonel Tim Collins is ongoing.
It was dislosed today that an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the apparent suicide of an 18-year-old private soldier, Paul Cochrane, at Drumaad barracks, Co Armagh in Northern Ireland, two years ago.
Colonel Collins, who won international plaudits for his moving pre-battle speech in Iraq, was the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment at the time, and the MoD confirmed that there is a routine inquiry into the events leading up to Private Cochrane's death.
Lt. Colonel Collins, recently promoted to full colonel when his battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment was relieved from the battle zone last month, is alleged to have breached articles of the Geneva Convention during the recent hostilities. The MoD's Special Investigations Branch (SIB) is investigating.
The most serious allegations, which have been referred by a US soldier, surround suggestions that he pistol-whipped an Iraqi civic leader and fired his pistol at an Iraqi vehicle when no threat was posed to his men.
Local politicians have questioned the veracity of the US officers' allegations as they have not apparently been upheld by anecdotal evidence from a number of reporters who were close to or embedded with the troops in Basra during the Iraq war.
Colonel Collins could face a court martial and dismissal if the allegations are proven. He has strenuously denied the charges.
Tim Collins, who has been a professional soldier for 22 years, made headlines across the globe for the rallying speech he gave to the 650 men of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, on March 19.
(GMcG/SP)
It was dislosed today that an investigation is underway into the circumstances surrounding the apparent suicide of an 18-year-old private soldier, Paul Cochrane, at Drumaad barracks, Co Armagh in Northern Ireland, two years ago.
Colonel Collins, who won international plaudits for his moving pre-battle speech in Iraq, was the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion the Royal Irish Regiment at the time, and the MoD confirmed that there is a routine inquiry into the events leading up to Private Cochrane's death.
Lt. Colonel Collins, recently promoted to full colonel when his battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment was relieved from the battle zone last month, is alleged to have breached articles of the Geneva Convention during the recent hostilities. The MoD's Special Investigations Branch (SIB) is investigating.
The most serious allegations, which have been referred by a US soldier, surround suggestions that he pistol-whipped an Iraqi civic leader and fired his pistol at an Iraqi vehicle when no threat was posed to his men.
Local politicians have questioned the veracity of the US officers' allegations as they have not apparently been upheld by anecdotal evidence from a number of reporters who were close to or embedded with the troops in Basra during the Iraq war.
Colonel Collins could face a court martial and dismissal if the allegations are proven. He has strenuously denied the charges.
Tim Collins, who has been a professional soldier for 22 years, made headlines across the globe for the rallying speech he gave to the 650 men of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, on March 19.
(GMcG/SP)
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25 April 2003
PM must signal that RIR will not be disbanded
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been asked to send an urgent and clear signal to soldiers in the Gulf that the Royal Irish Regiment will not be disbanded. The call, in a letter to Mr Blair from UUP leader David Trimble, follows a meeting between Mr Trimble and the Secretary of State Paul Murphy on the issue last week.
PM must signal that RIR will not be disbanded
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been asked to send an urgent and clear signal to soldiers in the Gulf that the Royal Irish Regiment will not be disbanded. The call, in a letter to Mr Blair from UUP leader David Trimble, follows a meeting between Mr Trimble and the Secretary of State Paul Murphy on the issue last week.
21 May 2003
Belfast war hero probed over alleged crimes
An army commander from Northern Ireland, who won international acclaim for his moving pre-battle speech in Iraq, is the subject of a war crimes probe, it has been revealed today. The MoD confirmed today that Colonel Tim Collins (43) is under investigation for alleged contraventions of the articles of the Geneva Convention.
Belfast war hero probed over alleged crimes
An army commander from Northern Ireland, who won international acclaim for his moving pre-battle speech in Iraq, is the subject of a war crimes probe, it has been revealed today. The MoD confirmed today that Colonel Tim Collins (43) is under investigation for alleged contraventions of the articles of the Geneva Convention.
10 October 2011
Robinson Welcomes Homecoming Troops
There have been double celebrations over the weekend as hundreds lined the streets to honour soldiers who have just returned from a difficult tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Robinson Welcomes Homecoming Troops
There have been double celebrations over the weekend as hundreds lined the streets to honour soldiers who have just returned from a difficult tour of duty in Afghanistan.
07 October 2011
Alert Fails To Halt Combat Soldiers' Welcome
Military personnel from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment are in Northern Ireland for a number of key events this weekend with a parade and display taking place this afternoon.
Alert Fails To Halt Combat Soldiers' Welcome
Military personnel from the 1st Battalion Irish Guards and 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment are in Northern Ireland for a number of key events this weekend with a parade and display taking place this afternoon.
24 July 2008
Soldier Dies In Further Afghan Carnage
Days after Royal Irish Regiment soldiers were injured in an explosion in Afghanistan, a colleague has been killed in a further deadly bomb attack. The soldier who died was a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), on attachment to the Parachute Regiment.
Soldier Dies In Further Afghan Carnage
Days after Royal Irish Regiment soldiers were injured in an explosion in Afghanistan, a colleague has been killed in a further deadly bomb attack. The soldier who died was a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), on attachment to the Parachute Regiment.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
