Man arrested over Tern Hill barracks soldier death also member of military personnel

The Ministry of Defence confirmed the 32-year-old victim was serving with 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, as police opened a murder investigation

A soldier has been found dead at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, Shropshire (Creative Commons/Peter Evans)

Police have launched a murder investigation and arrested a soldier after the body of another member of the armed forces was found at a barracks in Shropshire.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the 32-year-old male victim was a member of the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment.

His body was found at 9am on Saturday at Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, Shropshire, police have said.

Officers have arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of murder, and later confirmed that the suspect himself was also a serving soldier based at the site near Market Drayton.

Detective inspector Steve Tonks, of West Mercia Police, said: "The investigation is in its early stages and extensive inquiries are continuing.

"A post mortem conducted by a Home Office pathologist was held yesterday and further examination and tests are being carried out to help establish the cause of death."

He also made an appeal to the public for further information and urged anyone who could assist the inquiry to contact Shrewsbury CID.

Police said the coroner for Shropshire had been informed.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said: "We can confirm the victim was someone from the 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment and we are assisting West Mercia Police with their inquiries.

"Our thoughts are with the family, but it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."