An investigation by Military Police was under way yesterday after a soldier was shot and seriously injured when a rifle was discharged during night-time infantry training in the Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow.
Private Francis Carolan, of Artane, Dublin was recovering in hospital last night from his injuries.
The Army investigation is attempting to find out why live rounds came to be in a rifle during an exercise where no live ammunition was supposed to be used.
An Army spokesman said they were satisfied that the incident was totally accidental.
The shooting happened at 11.30 p.m. on Tuesday when soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin were on a night operations training exercise.
Private Carolan was hit in the chest and arms by a short burst of fire from a Steyr rifle being carried by another soldier.
The Army had a medical team and ambulance already at the scene. The injured soldier received treatment for his injuries at the scene and was taken to Tallaght General Hospital. His injuries were described as serious but not life-threatening.
The Army immediately instituted an investigation and the rifle was taken for examination by ordnance officers.
The Steyr rifle has an exceptionally good safety record and there have not been any other serious accidents with its use in recent years.
The last serious injury to occur in a military training exercise was in December 1997 when Private Laura Guerin lost a hand during mortar training in Kilworth firing range in Co Cork.
In November last year a member of the Army Ranger Wing suffered a hand injury when a stun grenade exploded prematurely during an exercise in Carnagh near Athlone.
The Army said the last time that a round was accidentally discharged was during an FCA exercise in 1995.