Courts / Derry / Report

Derry man fears biological father's convictions blocking him from joining army

Date
2023-02-20
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Magherafelt
County
Derry

Summary

A 24-year-old man from County Derry has initiated a High Court judicial review challenge against the Defence Forces following the rejection of his application to join the Permanent Defence Forces. Ronan Corey, with an address in Magherafelt, was initially accepted into the PDF subject to vetting procedures and was instructed to report to Finner Camp in County Donegal to commence training. After passing all medical, fitness and vetting assessments, his enlistment offer was suspended in July and he was required to undergo re-vetting at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. In September, he was removed from the recruitment competition for failing security vetting, with no substantive reasons provided. Mr Corey contends that the decision may be linked to convictions held by his biological father during the Troubles, from whom he has been estranged since childhood. He claims this amounts to a breach of fair procedures and constitutional justice. His counsel argues that the absence of adequate reasons for the decision constitutes a procedural violation.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Derry man fears biological father's convictions blocking him from joining army. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: He underwent the re-vetting process and was informed in early September that he had been "removed from the competition for Irish Defence Forces recruitment" because he was deemed "unsuitable due to failing security vetting". Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Defence Forces

Applicant

Outcome: The matter was adjourned to a date in March.

Ronan Corey

Applicant

Outcome: The matter was adjourned to a date in March.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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