Inquest opens into death of British Army officer from Roscommon killed in training incident

By Katie Dickinson, Press Association

The death of a British Army officer from Co Roscommon, killed in a live firing training exercise, is being investigated by police and health and safety inspectors, an inquest opening has heard.

The officer, who grew up in Co Roscommon, served as a fire support commander within 129 (Dragon) Battery of the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery.

Captain Philip Gilbert Muldowney, 25, died on January 25 following an incident at Otterburn Training Area in Northumberland, one of the UK’s largest army training ranges.

Opening an inquest into his death at Northumberland Coroner’s Court on Thursday, senior coroner Andrew Hetherington said Capt Muldowney, known as Gilbert, was undertaking a training exercise at the range in Otterburn Camp.

“An incident occurred which resulted in Gilbert suffering a gunshot wound, which is believed to have entered through his back and exited through his left shoulder,” Mr Hetherington said.

(An) immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him

The coroner said CPR was conducted by military medics and ambulance crews attended, but Capt Muldowney was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Hetherington said the incident was being investigated by Northumbria Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the Defence Safety Authority, who are conducting a service inquiry.

He told the hearing: “In the circumstances, I formally open this inquest and adjourn to May 19 2027. However, this is very much a provisional date, and we will look at an alternative listing.”

Capt Muldowney’s parents attended the hearing on a videolink.

He grew up in Ballinameen, near Boyle after his family moved there from Dublin when he was a child. His father, David, is a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Elphin.

At his funeral in February at St Attracta’s Church, Ballinameen Bishop Kevin Doran told those gathered Capt Muldowney brought "joy and hope" to those around him.

His colleagues and friends from the army who Bishop Doran said "were closest to him at the time of his death" were at the service.

Reverend Captain Henry Afful was in attendance alongside Colonel Sean Grant, defence attache to the British embassy, Colonel Harry Waller, commanding officer in the Fourth Regiment Royal Artillery and Colonel William Tulloch, First Battalion Scots Guards Commander.

Mr Muldowney’s coffin was carried into the chapel by uniformed officers.

There were also representatives from the Irish Defence Forces and Mr Muldowney’s local GAA club.

Bishop Doran who carried out the service said the community were sharing stories about Captain Muldowney as they mourned his loss.

He said: "Many stories have been told about Gilbert over cups of tea and coffee, and many more will be told before the day is out, stories of his escapades and of his commitment, his interest in archery and brewing, to mention but a few."

Capt Muldowney joined the British Army on January 5 2020, commissioning into the Royal Artillery on 11 December 2020 after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

He graduated from Elphin Community College in 2019 and the school’s principal Anne Gilleran said Captain Muldowney "is spoken of with enormous respect and affection by staff who knew him well".

"In a small school, those memories endure, and Gilbert’s contribution to Elphin Community College is remembered with great pride," she said.

"Elphin Community College has a long-standing tradition of displaying photographs of its head students.

"Gilbert’s photograph hangs above the main entrance to the school, where it stands as a quiet reminder of the standards, character and generosity of spirit he brought to our community."

After his death, the Ministry of Defence said Capt Muldowney was an “immensely enthusiastic officer who embraced life with a vigour that inspired those around him”.

Capt Muldowney joined the army on January 5 2020, commissioning into the Royal Artillery on December 11 2020 after attending the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.