Gino Kenny demands state apology over 1979 Glendamall accident
Gino Kenny pressed the minister about a 1979 accident at the Glendamall military range and asked whether the government would consider a state apology to the families. He cited a journal.ie article reporting that three children and ten other children were killed and ten other children were really badly injured, and saying the accident could have been avoided with precautions.
Issue raised in the chamber
Gino Kenny referenced a detailed journal.ie article on a 1979 accident at the Glendamall military range and asked the minister to consider a state apology for the families affected by the incident.
Findings reported in the article
The article is reported to set out that three children and ten other children were killed and ten other children were really badly injured on the day, and it states new information that the accident could have been easily avoided if precautions had taken place.
Families never received an apology
Kenny told the minister that the families of the children never got an apology from the state and asked, given the new information, whether the government would consider offering one to those affected and bereaved.
Minister's response and next steps
The minister said they had not read the article but were aware of the historic incidents referred to and the tragic loss of life. The minister said they would raise the matter directly with the Tánaiste and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence and would revert to the deputy.
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The journal.ie published a very detailed article on an accident that happened in 1979 and that accident happened in the Glendamall military range and that day three children and ten other children were killed and ten other children were really badly injured. Now, when the report was published yesterday, new information has come forward in terms of how this 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, given the families of those that were affected and killed on the day, a state apology. Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Deputy. I haven't read the article. I'm aware of the historic incidents you referred to and the tragic loss of life there. I'll raise this matter directly with the Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence and we'll revert to you. Thank you.
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