News

Captain jailed after Castlemartin death

Published

6 years ago

July 25, 2018

AN ARMY CAPTAIN has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after a Ranger was killed during a live firing exercise at the Castlemartin range.

The Army has also dismissed Captain Jonathan Price by the court martial, for the gross negligence manslaughter of Ranger Michael Maguire.

Lieutenant colonel Richard Bell and Warrant Officer Class 2 Stuart Pankhurst were also convicted of negligently performing a duty, after Maguire, 21, was hit by a straight bullet.

Col Bell has lost one year’s seniority as a Lieutenant colonel, which could affect the prospect of future promotion, while WO2 Pankhurst was fined £3,000 for his involvement in the incident.

The court martial at Bulford were told that the soldiers on one range were firing directly at those on the adjacent range, roughly 0.6 miles (1km) away, and so visible to each other. Ranger Maguire, of the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, was one of many soldiers to come under machine gun fire, before being killed by a shot in the forehead.

Nigel Lickley QC, prosecuting, told the hearing that such was Price’s ‘total disregard for the safety of his men that a public beach 3km away and anyone on it was put at risk of being hit, such was the range of the weapons being used’.

Mr Lickley added that: “It’s fortunate there were not more casualties.”

Lt Col Bell and WO2 Pankhurst helped organise the May 2012 drill, and in an 2013 inquest it was ruled that Ranger Maguire was unlawfully killed.

Both were convicted, after it was heard that they had not been present at the range reconnaissance when preparing a Range Action Safety Plan and went on to place targets too close together.

Ranger Maguire was educated at St Goban’s College near Bantry, County Cork in the Republic of Ireland. He joined the Royal Irish Regiment in May 2010, and went on to serve in Afghanistan, having the nickname ‘High Tower’ on account of being 6ft 7in (2m) tall.

In a victim impact statement, Jimmy Maguire, brother of the Ranger, said Michael ‘should still be alive’.
He went on to say: “We did not want someone to go to prison or lose their careers…. we take no comfort in the verdicts no matter what they are. It will not bring Mike back.”

The Maguire family, of Bantry, were said to be still coming to terms with the loss and its ‘needlessness’.

Mathew Sherratt QC, representing Price, explained that the officer had recently married and had a 10-year-old stepson, and so urged the court to impose a suspended sentence.

Mr Sherratt said: “It was his dream to be in the regiment. He accepts that is finished and that is huge punishment.”

After the hearing, Puneet Rai, representing Bell, said the Ministry of Defence accepted that there were failings in the system which contributed to Maguire’s death.

She said: “Since the day of this incident Col Bell has made it his personal crusade to make sure that the failings within the system are challenged.”

Speaking after the hearing, Col Marcus Simson, of the Army Personnel Services Group, offered his condolences to Ranger Maguire’s family.

Simson said: “What happened in May 2012 at Castlemartin ranges should not have occurred.”

The colonel added that training procedures at the time had been ‘fit for purpose’, but that they ‘must always look to improve and we have learned from the tragic and unnecessary incident and have tightened them further’.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

2 days ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.