Five Irish soldiers have been charged with misconduct after an investigation into their alleged sexual involvement with local women while they were stationed in Eritrea on UN peacekeeping duties.
The Defence Forces confirmed today an investigation had taken place after allegations that the soldiers had been involved in sexual activities with underage women between June and December 2002.
However, following independent investigations by the Defence Forces and by the UN, these claims were not proven, a spokesman said.
He confirmed that activities took place in the soldiers' own time that involved "less than full sexual intercourse" of a consensual nature. One was found not guilty of misconduct. The other four pleaded guilty.
The spokesman said the men had breached strict rules on "fraternisation" and this behaviour could not be condoned. They had been fined and the incidents had been recorded, which would obviously have implications for future promotions within the Defence Forces.
"While the charges are not as serious as was alleged, they are taken very seriously by the Defence Forces because [such conduct] impinges on our good name as peacekeepers and on our impartiality," he added.
The spokesman said all Irish soldiers were "thoroughly briefed" before travelling to any country to show respect for local culture and religious beliefs and to observe strict rules on fraternisation.
One of the five soldiers involved has since left the Defence Forces. The other four are in Ireland and still serving. They were not of officer rank, the spokesman said.
Around 700 Irish troops in three separate contingents served with the UN mission in Eritrea between December 2001 and December 2002.
In an unrelated case in 2002, an Irish soldier serving in Eritrea was caught making pornographic videos of local women in 2002 and was subsequently sentenced to 16 days' detention by an army court in Ireland. He was later dismissed from the forces.