Retired soldier sues State over anti-malaria drug

A retired soldier who served in Chad and Liberia is suing the State, claiming he has suffered personal injuries after he was prescribed the anti-malaria drug Lariam.

Anthony Moore, who was a member of the Defence Forces for 25 years and did several UN tours of duty overseas, has brought his action in the High Court.

Mr Moore, Drimnagh, Dublin, has sued the State claiming that following the use of the Lariam medication, he suffered and still suffers serious personal injuries, loss and damage.

Mr Moore, who joined the Defence Forces in the 1980s, also served in the Navy and overseas as a soldier in Lebanon, Somalia and Bosnia from 1991 to 1998. He served in Liberia in 2005/06 and in Chad two years later. It is claimed he first began to experience problems while posted to Libera when he noticed a swelling in his hands but he put this down initially to working in humid weather maintaining vehicles.

He has alleged that following taking the first Lariam tablet he had hallucinations and disturbing dreams. He further claimed he also suffered severe pain in his shoulders and back, causing lack of sleep and that it continued after he returned home from his tour of duty.

He has alleged negligence and breach of duty in prescribing and administering Lariam when it ought to have been known Mr Moore was not a suitable candidate having regard to his medical history.

The State denies the claims. The case was before the High Court yesterday. President Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns made orders in relation to Mr Moore’s medical records.