Courts / Meath / Report

Solider resolves damages action over anti-malaria drug

Date
2019-03-19

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Navan

County
Meath

Summary

Patrick Fedigan, a former soldier, has resolved his damages action against the State regarding health issues he attributed to the anti-malaria drug Larium. The case, heard before Mr Justice Bernard Barton at trial, involved claims that Fedigan suffered from loss of balance, anxiety, insomnia, vertigo, and memory problems after being prescribed Mefloquine Hydrochloride during UN peacekeeping deployments to Eritrea, Liberia, and Chad between 2001 and 2010. Fedigan alleged that the Minister for Defence and the Attorney General were negligent, arguing that his prior medical history was not assessed, he was unsuitable for the drug, and he lacked adequate support when reporting symptoms. The State defendants, represented by Eoin McCullough SC and others, denied negligence and liability, further arguing that the claim was statute barred due to delay. Following out-of-court discussions, counsel for Fedigan, John Gordan SC, informed the court that the action had been resolved and requested the case be struck out. The settlement terms are confidential. Mr Justice Barton welcomed the resolution. This matter is one of several similar actions brought by Defence Forces members alleging illnesses resulting from Larium prescriptions. Had the trial proceeded, it was expected to last up to ten weeks.