US soldiers in Ennis security alert
A GROUP of US soldiers returning from active service in Iraq sparked a security alert in Co Clare after they left their hotel without permission and went sightseeing in Ennis while still in uniform.
The seven soldiers were among 213 US military personnel staying at the Clare Inn Hotel near Newmarket on Fergus while repairs were being carried out to their plane at Shannon airport.
The troops were all wearing desert fatigues and were travelling back to Baltimore for a two-week break having spent several months based in Kuwait and Iraq.
Soldiers of a foreign army require permission from the Defence Department under the Defence Act to appear in public in uniform on Irish soil.
Inspector Tom Kennedy of Ennis garda station said: “The soldiers did not have permission to leave the hotel and evaded our security personnel by apparently leaving through a rear door.
“As soon as we became aware of the problem security at the hotel was increased and we also spoke to the senior US military officer there.”
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