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Prison guard who foiled paramilitary escape attempt challenges Defence Forces tribunal

Summary

Sean O'Brien, a former Portlaoise prison guard, has challenged a Defence Forces tribunal in the High Court after being denied the opportunity to make representations regarding his dismissal in 1989. O'Brien claims he was fired after being shot at with lethal intent while helping to apprehend a paramilitary prisoner during an escape attempt in 1988. He argues that the tribunal's terms of reference should include him as he worked under the Defence Forces' control at the time. O'Brien's legal team asserts that the tribunal's refusal to hear his case was a further trauma, given the impact of the incident on his mental health. The tribunal's legal representative countered that O'Brien was employed by the Department of Justice and not the Defence Forces, and thus fell outside the tribunal's scope. The judge has reserved her decision on the matter.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prison guard who foiled paramilitary escape attempt challenges Defence Forces tribunal. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 1980 Other
• May 1989 Other
• May 18, 1988 Other
• May 1988 Incident
• 2026-01-14 Publication

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

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Read the original CNI report