Tributes to bravery and determination of Irish soldier

THE IRISH soldier killed in Afghanistan while serving in the British army has been named as Ranger Justin Cupples (29), from Co Cavan.

Mr Cupples was on foot patrol in the Taliban stronghold town of Sangin in northern Helmand province on Thursday morning when an improvised explosive device detonated, rendering him unconscious.

He was given emergency medical attention at the scene by his colleagues from the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR). However, his wounds were extensive and he was pronounced dead at 7.30am, about 15 minutes after the explosion.

He was just weeks away from completing a six-month tour of duty. His remains were taken by helicopter to Camp Bastion field hospital. An interpreter injured in the explosion survived.

Mr Cupples’s death was the 117th fatality suffered by the British army in Afghanistan since operations began there in 2001. Condolences were expressed by Northern Secretary Shaun Woodward.

The North’s First Minister Peter Robinson, said of Mr Cupples: “We owe a great debt of gratitude to him and the young people who are fighting to build peace and stability in Afghanistan and protect us from the threat of international terrorism.”

Mr Cupples is survived by his wife Vilma. Their home is in Virginia, Co Cavan. The dead man was born in the US to Irish parents who moved back to Ireland some years ago and now divide their time between Co Cavan and New York. They were on holiday when they learned of their son’s death.

Mr Cupples served with the US navy and was stationed on USS Theodore Roosevelt during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

He settled in Cavan in 2003 after leaving the US navy. He missed military life and decided to enlist in the British army. After completing his training he joined 1st Battalion, RIR, in 2007.

In a newspaper interview last October he spoke of his concerns ahead of his deployment to Afghanistan. “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t apprehensive at some level but I’m anxious to go at the same time,” he said.

He served in Afghanistan under Lieut Paddy Bury from Wicklow, whose Soldier’s Diary describing the platoon’s work in Helmand province concluded in yesterday’s Irish Times.

Lieut Bury, who is now back in England on other duties, expressed his sorrow yesterday at the death of his colleague.

“Ranger Cupples was a world-wise and interesting man with as much bravery and determination as he had knowledge. He will be sorely missed.”

Lieut Col Ed Freely, commanding officer of 1st Battalion, RIR, said: “Justin Cupples was a character. He stood out as such. He was loyal, strong and determined; a very good soldier.”

The area around Sangin town has been one of the most volatile in Afghanistan in recent months. In July, Royal Irish Ranger Martin Delaney (23), of Lusk, Co Dublin, narrowly avoided being killed by a roadside explosive device.

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times