Two soldiers arrested in Uganda in connection with the murders of three people, including an Irish priest could face execution by a firing squad if convicted, a military spokesman said today.
Father Declan O'Toole (31), from Curraghmore near Headford, was travelling with two Ugandans when their car was ambushed in a remote region of the east African country. All three men were shot dead.
Corporal James Omediyo and Private Abdullah Mohammed will face execution by a firing squad if convicted by a military tribunal, a spokesman for the military said today.
"If the suspects are convicted by the martial court, which will try them, they could face death by firing squad," military spokesman Major Shaban Bantariza said. Murder is a capital offence in Uganda.
Father O'Toole was a member of St Joseph's Society for Foreign Missionaries. The order is more commonly known as Mill Hill Missionaries because of its Mill Hill headquarters in London.
There was frequent tribal conflict in the region in recent months, and Father O'Toole was engaged in peace work, mediating between the tribes.
It is understood Father O'Toole was returning from a peace meeting with two parish council members when their car was stopped by a lone gunman dressed in soldier's clothing.