Hello, I have just read this thread regarding the 7th battalion Parachute Regiment. Of particular interest was the post on 11th November 2008 by Pmcleary regarding the death of his uncle Shane Kearney.
My father was present at this sad event and told me about it a few times. Because Lt. Kearney was such a popular young officer I believe it affected a number of people greatly.
From what I can gather he was very close to battalion HQ when he received a small shrapnel wound high up in his groin. This severed the artery there and despite the ministrations of many members of the regiment, including senior officers he could not be treated. I think what a lot of people felt at the time was such an inocuous wound should not have led to his death. Apparently the medic there was trying to shape a cork from a bottle to try and plug the wound, of course this proved fruitless.
My father told me about it because he said such concern was being shown to Lt. Kearney that the direction of the fight they were involved in at the time virtually came to a standstill as senior officers tried to help.

Sorry if my info is distressing to Pmcleary, or anyone else, but I thought there may be interest in learning how this brave soldier lost his life.
(My father was CQMS Bill Cooper)
Regards Matt Cooper