€1,000 COMPO TO 119 TROOPS LEFT BEHIND IN SYRIA
Psychiatric help denied to returning personnel Diplomatic paperwork blunder means soldiers can’t get home
AN organisation which represents Defence Forces personnel said there is no medical help for soldiers suffering from crippling post traumatic mental problems.
Earlier this year, a psychiatrist who assisted soldiers struck down with flashbacks retired.
But he has not been replaced and now Gerard Guinan, PDFORRA (Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association) General Secretary, has slammed the Department of Defence for not finding a replacement.
He said: “We understand his departure was well flagged yet his position remains unfilled.”
Mr Guinan described the horror faced by members of the Defence Forces working on the frontline in peace keeping missions.
He explained: “Members of the Defence Forces are expected to serve in extremely testing environments such as on Operation Sophia and Pontus [in the Mediterranean] and on overseas missions in Lebanon and Syria, among other locations.
“Our members can be faced with decisions that no human being should have to make – such as, who do I save?
“And, life and death decisions in respect of tactical deployments overseas.
“These decisions can give rise to serious internal conflict for years after.”
Mr Guinan said the recent finding by the High Court that former Defence Force member Victor Murtagh is a warning to the Department.
The Supreme Court ruled Mr Murtagh was failed by the State who did not treat his post-traumatic stress disorder.
He added: “We call on Government to ensure the Medical Corps are properly resourced. We strongly condemns the outsourcing of Defence Forces personnel with mental health.” SOLDIERS stranded in Syria will be paid €1,000 each in compensation after a paperwork blunder left them unable to get home.
Around 119 Irish troops have been told they may not return to Ireland for another two weeks because of the diplomatic mistake.
The troops, who were on a six-month tour of the Golan Heights, were due home yesterday.
The Irish Mirror learned a diplomat, possibly in the Lebanese embassy, filled out the wrong name of the UN Operation they are attached to meaning authorities in Beirut would not let them travel home through their country.
Members of the 57th Infantry Group coming out of Syria were put on paperwork as being part of the Lebanese peacekeeping mission UNIFIL when they were actually on the UNDOF mission.
Yesterday Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence Paul Keogh told TDS the marooned troops would get a one-off payment.
But Sarah Walshe, from the Wives and Partners of the Defence Forces group, said while giving the money to troops is all well and good, it doesn’t help how their families feel today. She said: “We have been hearing all day from alienated, upset, confused and angry families about this situation.
“Children are absolutely devastated. They’ve been ticking days off their calendars to see their loved ones again, then that day arrives and they’re not here.
“I know the Government are giving €1,000 to each troop but that €1,000 doesn’t do anything for a devastated child today.
“A lot of these children are also a bit older, they watch the news and are on social media and know what goes on in Syria. They’re just terrified and nervous.
“There is so much anger and frustration at the moment and it boils down to the fact that somebody didn’t do their job.” PDFORRA (Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association), which is holding its annual conference in Mayo, blasted the officials and called for an urgent investigation. Its general secretary Ger Guinan said: “We believe the delay in returning our troops is unacceptable. We demand the Department answer our questions and tell us exactly when those troops are coming home.
“We also must get answers about why this incident occurred. It cannot be allowed to happen again.” Mr Guinan, a veteran of overseas missions, said the troops were “devastated” by the delay.
He added: “I can safely say the last week before your return home is an anxious week for you.
“You are high with adrenalin because of your return. It is going to be extremely difficult for those troops to get back into Soldier from the 57th Infantry Group
WIVES OF DEFENCE FORCES
mission mode for the next two weeks. That is the nature of service.
“The disappointment of not returning home will be augmented by that.”
Mr Keogh told the Dail that every possible effort was being made to bring the troops home.
He said: “I am acutely aware of the impact this unfortunate delay of the UNDOF rotation is having on both the 119 personnel due to return home and those departing to service with UNDOF as well as their families.
“Every effort possible is being made right across the Defence Organisation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and our embassy in Cairo to address this issue and ensure the safe and secure return of our personnel as soon as possible.
“I can assure deputies that allowances due to personnel while they are serving overseas will continue to be paid and that their 30-day post deployment leave entitlements will only commence from when they return.
“I have taken a decision that the personnel delayed in returning home are to receive a €1,000 ex gratia payment in recognition of the disruption caused to them and their families.”
Children are devastated – some were counting the days off the calendar
SARAH WALSHE