The Defence Forces have begun a military police investigation after video images were featured on an internet website, appearing to show two Irish soldiers "mock" aiming their machine guns at a group of local people in Liberia.
Officers believe the footage was taken in the last 12 to 18 months in the country. It was posted on the YouTube website in recent days.
They have identified some of the faces in the four minute and 34 second video as belonging to members of the Defence Forces. However, they have yet to identify three soldiers who feature at the start.
One of these men stands next to a vehicle while two others appear to fire machine guns at a crowd in a nearby field. Most of the group then take cover and the soldiers are seen laughing as they walk away. The section has been dubbed with the sound of fake machine-gun fire .
It is thought all of those involved may have been aware it was a "prank". However, the actions of the soldiers would represent a serious breach of Defence Forces rules and have led to a full investigation.
The offending video, Irish Army at War, had been removed from the website by yesterday evening.
The footage also features "night camera" video, footage of troops on patrol and a still image of a man holding a gun dressed in his underwear. A soldier with an Irish accent is heard asking two local men about their views on the decision to allow Croke Park to be used for soccer.
Comdt Gavin Young of the Defence Forces press office said it was made aware of the footage on Tuesday. There have been previous occasions where footage appeared on other websites, but none was deemed as serious as this, he said.
"It is the subject of a military police investigation at the moment. From looking at the website, we can't say who uploaded it," he said. "It is a serious incident and we take a very dim view of it . . . Any alleged misuse of weapons would be taken very seriously.
"There appears to be a section whereby two soldiers appear to be pointing their weapons at people. This would certainly be in breach of all of their training. Apart from the uploading of the video, this action would also be the subject of an investigation."
The personnel may be subject to disciplinary charges under the Defence Act relating to conduct which would prejudice the good order and discipline of the Defence Forces. There is an existing Defence Forces policy whereby personnel cannot release images without clearance from the Defence Forces' press office, Comdt Young added.
The video was posted in the "comedy" category by a user known as "ptmfilms" last Sunday.