Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Defence if the investigation has been completed into the appearance on a website of a video showing Irish troops appearing to point weapons at civilians in Liberia; the outcome of the investigation; the action taken on foot of its findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21988/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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A Military Police Investigation was conducted into a video clip involving Defence Forces personnel in Liberia, which was uploaded onto the YouTube website in late May this year.

Following this, three soldiers were charged under section 168 of the Defence Act, of conduct to the prejudice of good order and discipline of the forces. At the time of the incident, October 2006, the soldiers were serving with the 95 Infantry Battalion, UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

The charges were heard by the Officer Commanding the 3 Infantry Battalion on 30 August, 2007. One soldier had a charge proven of uploading this video onto the internet contrary to Defence Forces instructions and was fined €250. A second soldier had two charges proven of pointing his loaded weapon — in the video — at members of the public and at members of the Defence Forces, respectively, and was fined €200. The third had a similar charge of pointing his loaded weapon at members of the Defence Forces and was fined €150. All soldiers accepted the findings.

This incident was very disappointing, especially in light of the Defence Forces' reputation gained over many years from overseas service on peacekeeping duties, and in particular that earned by the seven battalions which served with UNMIL from November 2003 to May 2007.