Two army officers and a sergeant have denied charges relating to the killing of a soldier by a stray bullet.

Ranger Michael Maguire, of 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment, was taking part in live ammunitions training when he sustained a fatal head wound.

Capt Jonathan Price has denied a charge of manslaughter, while Col Richard Bel and CSgt Stuart Pankhurst pleaded not guilty to a charge of negligently performing a duty.

The exercise, at the Castlemartin training area in Pembrokeshire in May 2012, involved soldiers firing live rounds at static and pop-up targets.

A court martial will begin in Bulford, Wiltshire, on 14 May and is expected to last about six weeks.

At 1.98 metres (6ft 6in), Maguire was known to his army friends as High Tower. Originally from County Cork, the 21-year-old joined the army in 2010 and served in Afghanistan.

Speaking after his death, Maguire’s father, Michael, said: “Mike was my youngest son. He was a sporting, fit lad and very likeable. He loved army life. He was planning to come home for his 22nd birthday. I loved Mike dearly and I will miss him terribly.”