Laois natives to recount experiences in Ireland's Defence Forces at Tribunal

Laois people who were former members of the Irish Defence Forces are set to appear before a Government formed tribunal that is examining misconduct, abuse and mistreatment allegations from former and serving members.

A Dublin firm of solicitors confirmed that it is representing fifteen clients in the Midlands counties, including two from Laois, who are due to give evidence to the Defence Forces Tribunal.

“We also have a number of clients that we believe are originally from these areas but are currently based overseas in Spain, Australia and the UK,” the solicitor told the Midland Tribune (a sister paper of the Leinster Express / Laois Live).

The Tribunal said the Government approved the establishment of the Tribunal of Inquiry in 2023 to examine a range of matters pertaining to the effectiveness of the complaints processes within the Defence Forces. 

In establishing this Tribunal, the Government implemented the recommendation of an Independent Review Group which had been asked to examine workplace issues relating to allegations of discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces and whose Report was published in March 2023.

The Tribunal is also examining complaints related to Air Corps personnel being exposed to toxic chemicals in Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell. Additionally, complaints related to the anti-malarial drug Lariam will be examined by the Tribunal.

The two solicitors working on the project are Defence Forces veterans which they believe, “a unique understanding of the unique challenges faced by our clients.”

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The Tribunal is tasked with examining the adequacy of complaints processes within the Defence Forces, investigating the culture surrounding the making of complaints, and assessing the response to reports of hazardous chemicals and other abuses. The inquiry is seen as being a significant step toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and improved standards for all serving personnel.

“This Tribunal is an opportunity for the Defence Forces community,” said one of the Dublin solicitors, “to seek accountability and ensure future generations are protected from similar challenges our clients have faced. This will, we believe, help to ensure that the Defence Forces is a safe and welcoming environment for new and existing members and that service members have appropriate mechanisms in place to facilitate a complaint of abuse without fear of facing retaliation or reprisals. We are also concerned about the lack of awareness in the veteran and serving community and we have highlighted our concerns in a letter to the tribunal.”

Ms Justice Ann Power is the sole member of the Tribunal.

The Tribunal is taking place at a time when the Irish Government is planning to ramp up spending on the the Irish army and other parts of the Defence Forces.