Defence Forces to probe air purifier service history after safety concerns raised

Former Air Corps technician Gavin Tobin alerted former Defence Minister Simon Harris to the safety issue but the matter was passed to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Picture: Gareth Chaney

The Defence Forces have launched an investigation into the use and service history of a breathing air purifier used by Air Corps spray painters.

Whistleblowers first raised issues about it after a contractor brought in to service it in July 2024 became alarmed about the condition of a number of filters on the apparatus, which was being used by spray painters when spraying aircraft and aircraft parts.

As well as being concerned about the age of the red Domnick Hunter CO and CO2 Breathing Air Purifier BA 2025, they were also concerned about its service history.

The contractor subsequently told Air Corps personnel — and later General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Air Corps, Brigadier General Rory O’Connor in a follow-up email seen by the Irish Examiner — it needed to be replaced immediately and anybody using it should have their health tested.

Protected disclosure

Former Air Corps technician Gavin Tobin also raised a Protected Disclosure with the former Minister of Defence, Simon Harris.

But the whistleblower, who has lodged numerous protected disclosures about Air Corps safety since 2015, was later told the matter had been passed to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

It is not known what the outcome of the HSA's involvement was as it has declined to comment.

The Irish Examiner asked the Defence Forces to what extent were the allegations investigated and was anybody who used it medically assessed or monitored as a result of the issues raised.

The Defence Forces said an investigation was carried out and everything was found to be “in compliance with the requirements of the Health Safety Authority (HSA)”.

“Regular maintenance was conducted by a qualified contractor, confirmed by the maintenance records and air quality testing was carried out routinely by Air Corps personnel using industry standard air testing kits. The investigation determined there was no risk to human health.”

The Irish Examiner contacted the contractor that the Air Corps said was maintaining the purifier and gave it its serial number.

However, the contractor insisted he has never serviced it.

When the Defence Forces was asked about this, and told the contractor it said was servicing it had denied this, it declined to comment.

The Defence Forces was also asked whether the health of any staff that used it had been checked. 

It did not answer that question but said: “Breathing air testing is in line with the occupational standard and verified by both the HSA and a contracted occupational hygienist ensuring there is no risk to human health. The Air Corps continue to follow industry best practices."

Email to Brig Gen O’Connor

The contractor who condemned the machine sent an email on March 4, 2025, to Brig Gen O’Connor, informing him the purifier's suggested life span is 15 years. He said: 

Working off this calculation, this machine should have been condemned in 2011. On my inspection, I found this machine to be in an extremely poor state and immediately condemned it.

“I suggest contacting every individual that has used this machine and inform them of the potential risks they have unnecessarily been exposed to.”

As well as offering to present his findings in person, he also suggested Brig Gen O’Connor should “scrutinise the maintenance records until 2024” when the contractor “first highlighted the severity of this”.

According to correspondence from the purifier's manufacturer to the contractor in March last year, the purifier was described as “long obsolete".

A security source has said an internal Air Corps investigation has now been launched into, among other things, the purifier's service history.