Rise in army disability pensioners

Last year, 24 members of the Defence Forces retired as a result of injuries or disabilities caused in the course of their military service.

The spate of retirements brings the number of former army personnel in receipt of disability pensions to 801. Collectively, those pensioners were paid €7m last year — while 204 spouses and dependents of deceased personnel who had been in receipt of disability pensions were paid €1.6m.

Of the 24 ex-army personnel, six were from the officer ranks, while 18 had been NCOs (non-commissioned officers) and privates.