A shocking breach of military discipline unfolded at a Cambridgeshire barracks when a soldier, allegedly heavily under the influence of alcohol, accidentally fired his service weapon, with the bullet tearing through a wall and narrowly missing a sleeping colleague's head.
The incident, which has prompted a full court martial, saw Ranger James Kelly discharge his SA80 rifle within the living quarters of Elizabeth Barracks in Pirbright. The bullet penetrated a partition wall, entering the adjacent room where another soldier was asleep in his bed.
A Fraction from Tragedy
Prosecutors detailed how the round passed mere feet from the unsuspecting soldier's head. The court heard that the colleague was awoken by the deafening sound of the gunshot and the subsequent commotion. Military police were immediately alerted to the scene.
Ranger Kelly, who serves with the 1st Battalion, The Royal Irish Regiment, admitted to a charge of negligently performing a duty by discharging a round from his rifle. The prosecution argued that his actions fell "well below" the standard expected of a trained soldier.
Alcohol-Fuelled Negligence
The heart of the case revolves around Kelly's state of intoxication at the time of the incident. Evidence presented suggests he was drunk when he handled the weapon, a severe violation of army safety protocols that strictly prohibit alcohol consumption while armed or on duty.
This grave error in judgement has cast a spotlight on safety procedures within the barracks and the consequences of compromising them. The case continues as the court martial deliberates on the full circumstances and the appropriate sanction.
