In a report headed "Army knew in 1952 of threat to soldiers' hearing" reference was made to a photograph published in The Irish Times on April 6th, 1995 which showed the then Minister for Defence, Mr Hugh Coveney, and soldiers of the 77th Infantry Battalion during a "battle inoculation" exercise, where live ammunition was being fired over them. The report stated that in this photograph no one was wearing ear muffs except Mr Coveney and "another soldier, who is unidentified but is perhaps an officer".

In fact, there is no evidence in the photograph to indicate the rank of the soldier and The Irish Times regrets the unsubstantiated speculation. And we are advised by an Army source that the exercise came under Regulation 6a of Training Circular 21/1987, which requires only ear plugs are to be worn in such a situation. The Irish Times thus accepts that regulations were adhered to in the exercise and further regrets any implication to the contrary.