I survived an IRA bomb – but benefits system drove me to brink
SUFFERING FORMER SOLDIER FEELS BETRAYED BY ‘INHUMANE’ ASSESSMENTS
A BRITISH soldier whose life was left in tatters after an IRA bomb attack says he has been pushed to the brink of suicide by the benefits system.
Dominic Felton, 55, of Blyth, who suffers severe post-traumatic stress disorder, says he feels “betrayed”.
Mr Felton was injured in May 1992 when militants detonated a 2,200lb bomb at the Co Armagh checkpoint he was stationed at, killing a fellow solider and injuring others.
He survived but has since tried to take his own life three times, claiming he feels driven to the edge by the lengths he’s been forced to go to to receive benefits.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror, he said tests for Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independence Payments felt ‘inhumane and dangerous.’
Mr Felton says he cannot face going into busy centres for benefit assessments. He said: “These tests trigger flashbacks, stress, panic attacks.
He added: “People are dying because of them. The Government is killing and betraying its heroes.
“They carry on with quickfire questions even if they see the distress they put you under.”
Mr Felton claims he felt pushed into taking an overdose in September following an assessment, but thankfully paramedics just got to him in time.
PTSD – which he was eventually diagnosed with in 2010 – has cost him jobs, relationships and even his freedom.
In 1997 he spent six months in Strangeways prison, Manchester, for attacking four policemen during a period he says he was “self-medicating” with alcohol.
Mr Felton was with 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, when the bomb exploded at the Army’s Cloghoge checkpoint almost 27 years ago.
Fellow Fusilier Andrew Grundy, 22, was killed and six comrades were injured.
Mr Felton had shrapnel injuries and his ears were bleeding as he was dragged through a window of the steelarmoured sentry post. Earlier he had swapped posts with Andrew.
Dominic, who lives with partner Leslie Scott, volunteers with veterans charity Forward Assist. He was due to have a Department of Works assessment for his weekly £109 ESA last December but says he could not face it.
The department has now agreed to do the tests at his home.
A spokesman said all new assessors receive PTSD training and added: “We are fully signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure veterans get the support they deserve.”