Defence forces demands over €8,000 for release of records

THE defence forces has refused to confirm how many staff were court marshalled as a direct result of being late for work or marked AWOL unless the organisation is given thousands of euro in search and retrieval fees.

In the aftermath of a controversial court marshal involving Trooper Paula Staunton, who is based at Collins Barracks in Cork city, the Irish Examiner sent a Freedom of Information (FoI) request asking how many people have faced similar punishments.

Trooper Staunton, who has been in the service for 13 years, arrived at the army facility an hour late on January 14, resulting in her being given a fine and “severe reprimand” – the most serious judgment below a jail sentence or dishonourable discharge.