Defence Forces medical director: 'I cannot accept there is a culture of fear'

The Defence Forces Tribunal was established in June 2024 by then tánaiste and defence minister Micheál Martin, after a report of a review into allegations of brutal and 'sadistic' abuse. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

The army’s medical director told the Defence Forces Tribunal he has “no idea” why so few formal complaints were made about the alleged side effects of an anti-malarial drug used by soldiers.

It was put to Colonel Anthony Corcoran that few of the more than 200 ex-personnel suing the State over the use of Lariam while they served overseas had “invoked the formal complaints process”.

“I honestly have no idea why they couldn’t have complained,” he said.

“A complaint would not have had an impact on (them).

“Some might have had a concern (that it would) but that’s just human nature.” 

Col Corcoran served in the medical branch from 2009 to 2019 before taking over as medical director in 2022. 

He said some soldiers came to him while serving overseas to discuss symptoms with which they were suffering due to Lariam.

He was asked whether people were more likely to raise the side effects of Lariam with a doctor rather than through the Defence Forces’ complaints system.

Col Corcoran said it was more common to go to a doctor and accepted that soldiers were generally less likely to come forward with complaints. “The reluctance is more for a soldier than someone who works in a supermarket or a bank.” 

He said he could “accept some people would be fearful” about coming forward, but added: “I cannot accept there is a culture of fear.

“I don’t accept there was a culture of not coming forward.” 

The State has paid out over €10m to date in litigation relating to the prescription of Lariam.

Soldier experienced bullying in first year

The tribunal also heard from a soldier who said he experienced bullying during his first year after joining in 2002, to the extent that he paid to leave the Defence Forces — a process called discharge by purchase. 

Michael Lawlor later re-enlisted, saying he did not want the bullying to deter him from a career in the army.

He said that while he accepted senior officers need to push recruits and training needed to be “robust”, the bullying he alleged he received “went beyond legitimate pushing”.

He said he has suffered “severe side effects” since using Lariam while he was based in Liberia up to 2005.

“You just felt deep down that nothing would be done,” he said, adding: “I knew I wasn’t going to be listened to.” 

Mr Lawlor said the Defence Forces needs to change and “listen more” to its soldiers.

He warned that if it didn’t, he said: “This will drag down the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces will get a black eye.”

The Defence Forces Tribunal was established in June 2024 by then tánaiste and defence minister Micheál Martin, after a report of a review into allegations of brutal and “sadistic” abuse.

Those allegations, contained in a March 2023 report, included the rape of male and female soldiers.

Those abused include the Women of Honour, a group of serving and former members whose allegations featured in an RTÉ documentary in 2021 which prompted the review.