Former soldier sues State over side-effects of anti-malarial drug

Court told how plaintiff has become reclusive and anxious as a result of taking Lariam for his deployment to Chad in 2010

The minister for defence denies any liability.

A former soldier is pursuing a High Court action against the State, alleging he suffered ill-health as a result of being prescribed the anti-malarial drug Lariam for his deployment to central Africa.

Jason Squires (35), with an address at St Catherine’s Avenue, Rush, Co Dublin, issued proceedings over the alleged mental and physical effects of taking the drug while serving with the Defence Forces during a United Nations peacekeeping deployment to Chad in 2010.