Independent lawyers to be appointed to courts martial

THE Government plans to appoint independent lawyers to courts martial to ensure the Defence Forces no longer solely investigate their own.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea has secured Cabinet approval for legislation to reform the military justice system. The major change will see suitably qualified, independent lawyers sitting on courts martial of army, navy, and air corps personnel accused of breaching military law.

At present, courts martial are composed solely of senior officers of the Defence Forces.