Government accused of 'playing chicken' with soldiers' lives as compensation claims could cost State millions

Dozens of cases over EU working time laws could cost State millions

The Government has been accused of “playing chicken” with soldiers’ lives after it emerged it has yet to resolve dozens of compensation claims which could potentially cost the State millions of euro — six months after a commitment in the High Court to do so.

Independent senator and ex-soldier Ger Craughwell has demanded an investigation into the delay after accusing the “rogue” Department of Defence of deliberately flouting EU safety laws while hard-hit soldiers are living in near poverty.