Drunken soldier, 26, lost loaded 9mm pistol on top-secret foreign mission

In December 2024, Lance Corporal Aaron Mann, aged 26 at the time, was on a highly sensitive overseas mission with the first Battalion of the Royal Irish Regiment when he became severely intoxicated. While drunk, Mann lost a bag that contained a loaded 9mm pistol and 30 rounds of ammunition. The bag was later returned by local civilians hours after its disappearance. A court-martial found that losing the firearm could have had "massive operational consequences." Assistant Judge Advocate General Peter Legard criticized the frequency of such incidents related to alcohol consumption, indicating a growing frustration with repeated cases before military courts. Mann pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 months in a military prison followed by discharge from the Army. The incident highlights concerns about excessive drinking within the British Army's ranks during critical missions.