The Statutory Tribunal of Inquiry into the Defence Forces has now formally moved into its public hearings phase, marking a significant development in the State’s examination of alleged systemic failures within the Defence Forces’ complaints system. 

The Tribunal, chaired by Ms Justice Ann Power, was originally established following recommendations of the Independent Review Group (IRG), which investigated allegations of bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and wider cultural issues within the Defence Forces.

Its remit covers the period from 1983 to mid-2024. Coleman Legal LLP represent 110 individuals who are participating in the Tribunal of Inquiry.

Public hearings commenced

The first public sitting took place on 3 June 2026 in Dublin. The Tribunal confirmed the commencement of oral hearings by publishing formal notices on its official website. 

The opening phase of the hearings is focusing on:

  • The effectiveness of complaints mechanisms within the Defence Forces,
  • Whether organisational culture discouraged reporting of abuse,
  • The role of the chain of command in handling complaints, and
  • Whether systemic failures existed in relation to bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct. 

Evidence heard to date

The first witness was Norwegian military expert Captain Kjell Arne Bratli, who gave expert evidence regarding military complaints systems and organisational culture. He told the Tribunal that Defence Forces’ complaint procedures over several decades were “not fully adequate or appropriate” and described reform efforts as largely “crisis-driven.” 

Evidence presented suggested:

  • There were too many overlapping complaint systems,
  • Personnel faced cultural barriers to reporting wrongdoing,
  • The chain of command retained excessive control over complaints handling, and
  • The organisation may not have been capable of effectively selfregulating serious misconduct cases. 

Broader significance

The hearings are expected to be lengthy and substantial, with multiple modules examining different categories of complaints and institutional responses.

Notices published by the Tribunal indicate that some evidence concerning allegations of abuse may be heard in part in public, reflecting sensitivity regarding witnesses and complainants. 

The Tribunal has powers under the Tribunals of Inquiry legislation to compel witnesses to appear and documents to be produced. 

Its ultimate task is to determine whether there were systemic failures in the Defence Forces complaints processes and to make findings and recommendations for future reform.

Hearings will resume this week with the first complainants going before the tribunal to give evidence of their experiences.

If you have experienced bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, or other workplace wrongdoing while serving in the Defence Forces, legal advice may be available.

Steven Whelan, Norman Spicer and the team at Coleman Legal LLP currently represent 110 individuals participating in the Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry and continue to advise those affected by issues within the Defence Forces.

Contact Coleman Legal LLP on Freephone 1800-844-104 or email [email protected] for confidential legal advice and an initial consultation.