The sexual violence awareness campaign, Always Here, has been launched to provide survivors in Ireland with information on supports, safety planning, and available services.
Gardaí have opened a sexual assault investigation in Ireland after complaints were made by three women and a teenage girl connected to a sports centre.
Access to special education places in Ireland remains a major challenge. Families face rejection, delays and distress, often left with no option but legal action.
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The recent inquest into the tragic death of a 32-year-old army corporal at the Curragh has again highlighted barriers to Defence Forces mental health support in Ireland, with personnel often reluctant to seek help for fear it will damage their careers.
At the inquest, Kildare County Coroner, Loretta Nolan, recommended that military fitness to serve should be “decoupled” from career progression. She noted that for the past two decades, members of the Defence Forces have expressed a constant fear that raising a health issue, whether physical or psychological, could jeopardise contract renewals, overseas tours and promotion opportunities.
Dr Nolan also called for mental health first aid training across all ranks and suggested the introduction of a “buddy system” to ensure that every member has a trusted colleague to check in with.
Through our work with clients before the Defence Forces Tribunal, we have unfortunately observed this pattern repeatedly: serving members felt they were effectively prevented from seeking the care they needed, as doing so could jeopardise their professional future.
This culture of silence has had devastating consequences, leaving many to carry serious psychological injuries alone. Reaching out for help has essentially led to people’s careers being sidelined, and, in some cases, people have been forced out of the Defence Forces with severe trauma and nowhere to turn. We have even received testimony that serving members were told not to fill out medical forms truthfully, as it would have a severe impact on their careers, by medical staff.
It is deeply disappointing to see that, in 2025, this issue remains very much alive. The coroner’s comments only underscore what many serving and retired members of the Defence Forces have told us: that the stigma and fear of career repercussions continue to act as barriers to accessing Defence Forces mental health support in Ireland.
We note that the Defence Forces, through an officer, have indicated that new standing operating procedures are being considered, which require at least two staff members to be present when handling tasks involving ammunition. While this may improve safety practices, it does not address the broader concerns raised by the coroner about the impact of health issues on career progression.
At Coleman Legal LLP, we are committed to standing with serving and former Defence Forces members. If you require legal assistance, our team is available to provide guidance and support.
Gardaí have opened a sexual assault investigation in Ireland after complaints were made by three women and a teenage girl connected to a sports centre.
Access to special education places in Ireland remains a major challenge. Families face rejection, delays and distress, often left with no option but legal action.
Assessment of Need delays in Ireland are at record levels, with children facing waiting times of more than two years and families left without timely support guaranteed under the Disability Act 2005.
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