Irish troops to be screened for radiation

Irish troops who have served in the Balkans are to be screened for the effects of radiation from depleted uranium, Minister for Defence, Michael Smith said today. The army is to send a medical team to Kosovo and Bosnia to measure radiation levels where troops are stationed on peace-keeping duties, Minister Smith said. He was speaking as a 51-strong contingent of military police prepared to depart for Bosnia. However, the Minister insisted there was no cause for concern and that the move was merely a precautionary measure in the wake of growing fears over the risk posed by depleted uranium. The toxic metal was used in shells fired by the US army in the region during the Kosovo conflict.