Royal Marine pair killed by roadside bomb in Afghanistan were travelling in Army's new armoured vehicle

Two Royal Marines whose deaths brought the Afghanistan and Iraq toll to 300 were named today as Robert McKibben and Neil Dunstan.

The pair were on patrol in a new Jackal armoured car when they were hit by a roadside bomb in Garmsir district of Southern Helmand, Afghanistan, on Wednesday afternoon.

The £600,000 vehicle was designed to be mine-resistant and was tested last year by the SAS.

Troops are being equipped with more than 170 Jackals to replace the controversial lightly armoured Snatch Land Rovers in which more than 30 soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Although the new vehicle is sturdier, it has open sides and the driver and gunner are not protected by armour.

A soldier from the Household Cavalry was killed last month when his Jackal was hit by a roadside bomb.

Mr McKibben's heartbroken family were expecting him home before Christmas.

The 32-year-old, from Westport in County Mayo, had been home recently.

Fr Micheal Mannion, a local priest in Westport, said his parents, brother and two sisters were preparing for him to visit them in the coming weeks.

"I think they were expecting him home again before Christmas," he said.

"He was home quite recently, he had a lovely visit. He met with his friends and spent time with his family. More

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