Courts / Cork / Report

Army officer who made allegations of corruption takes action over report

Date
2017-12-11

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Bandon

County
Cork

Summary

In December 2017, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Lane, a senior officer in the Defence Forces, filed a High Court challenge after the State refused to give him an independent report on allegations of corruption and misconduct within the military. Lane had raised concerns in 2010 that a fellow officer was being given preferential treatment for a senior post that Lane claimed the officer was ineligible for. He made a protected disclosure to the Seanad in 2011, after which he faced threats of dismissal and involuntary retirement, which were later withdrawn. In 2016, the Minister for Defence appointed Colm Smyth SC to conduct an independent review. Lane cooperated, submitted a 137‑page document, and requested the report, but it was withheld and kept sealed. He then sought intervention from former Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Army officer who made allegations of corruption takes action over report. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

2017-12-11 Publication

Why: Counsel said his client was informed last June that because of issues he had raised, the Department of Defence would not be placing any reliance on Mr Smyth's report, it would not be published and would be kept in a sealed file. Defence account reported by CNI