AN IRISH SOLDIER has been killed during training exercises on a firing range with his regiment in the British Army.

Ranger Michael Maguire, a member of the Royal Irish Regiment who had served in Afghanistan, died on Wednesday at the Castlemartin range in south Wales. His death is currently being investigated.

However, The Sun reports that he is believed to have been accidentally killed by a stray bullet during training.

Maguire’s company commander, Major Richard Bell said the death had “devastated” friends and fellow soldiers. He added:

Michael was always going to stand out from the crowd.  Not only because he stood a towering 6ft 7in tall, but because of his vastly cheerful outlook on life, natural charisma and irrepressible good humour.  All of this ensured that he was extremely popular throughout the company

According to the Irish Examiner, Maguire was from Bantry, Co Cork and played GAA with local clubs as a teenager.

A British Army spokesman told TheJournal.ie he had family in Co Galway.

In a statement, the UK Ministry of Defence said: “Our thoughts are with [Michael Maguire's] family and friends at this difficult time. The matter is subject to a civil police investigation and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further whilst this is ongoing.”

The Castlemartin range is used by both infantry and armoured army units for live-fire exercises.