Soldier who marched with the Armys famous Irish Guards wolfhound mascot Seamus is sacked after testing positive for cocaine
An army drummer who marched with the famous Irish Guards wolfhound mascot Seamus has been discharged after testing positive for cocaine.
An army drummer who marched with the famous Irish Guards wolfhound mascot Seamus has been discharged after testing positive for cocaine.
Ashley Dean was dismissed by bosses after tests came back positive for the Class A drug.
Dean regularly marched with the wolfhound, formally known as Turlough Mor.
The mascot has been seen being stroked by the Irish Guards Colonel of the Regiment - the Princess of Wales.
He leads important parades including the annual St Patricks Day march, in which service personnel are presented with shamrocks by celebrities including Catherine.
Irish Guards drummer Ashley Dean handling the regiments mascot Irish Wolfhound Seamus. Dean has been discharged from his post for taking cocaine
The annual St Patricks Day parade at Mons Barracks. An army spokesperson said the use of drugs in the prestigious regiment was unacceptable
A source told the Sun that the army is keen to remove those who fail compulsory drug tests speedily, given the reputational risks involved given the battalions contact with important figures such as royal family members.
He would have been around the royals and foreign leadership figures — he would have been meeting them, the source said.
It added that kind of behaviour brings a bad name to the battalion.
Being in such a prestigious regiment, he should know better.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, who is Colonel of the Regiment, at the St Patricks Day Parade at Mons Barracks, Aldershot
Founded in 1900, the Irish Guards is one of the Foot Guards regiments of the army. Nicknamed the Micks or the Fighting Micks, they are one of five groups that can be called up to troop the colour during the Kings birthday parade in June.
An Army spokesperson said drug use within the armed forces is unacceptable and incompatible with military service.
They added: Any service personnel caught taking drugs can expect to be discharged.
We have a number of measures in place to prevent drug use including compulsory drug testing.
