An inquest has found that a Cork-born soldier in the British army, who was shot during a live fire excercise last year, was unlawfully killed.
Michael Maguire, 20, was hit in the temple by a single machine gun bullet fired by a fellow soldier during a training exercise.
He was a member of the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment and had finished his part in the exercise in Wales when he was shot.
Ranger Maguire was relaxing at a secure location just outside a training range at the Castlemartin Ranges, in Pembrokeshire, in May last year.
An inquest jury in Cardiff heard evidence about the tragic killing after sitting for more than two weeks.
He had already spent one tour of duty in Afghanistan and was at the start of a series of low-level training exercises as part of the build-up to a second tour.
He was standing without a protective helmet and armour in a designated safe area when he was hit in the head by a machine gun bullet.
He was urgently airlifted to hospital in Cardiff where he was pronounced dead within 30 minutes of his arrival.
His family paid tribute to him in a statement read out after the verdict today.
"Mike was a dearly loved son and brother, and he is much missed by us, his family, and everyone who knew him.
"Our mother was sadly unable to be present at the inquest due to illness.
"We are pleased the inquest heard that Mike was a very well-liked member of his battalion, who served in difficult conditions in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. It makes it all the more ironic that he should lose his life on a training exercise in Wales."
A Health and Safety investigation and an army Special Investigation Branch inquiry are both still looking into Ranger Maguire's death.
