Courts / Westmeath / Report
Corporal claims he was blocked from promotion despite being the 'only person qualified' for the job
Summary
An Army corporal from Athlone, Co Westmeath has initiated High Court proceedings against the Minister for Defence and the Attorney General, alleging he was prevented from promotion to a specialist IT sergeant position despite meeting all required qualifications. Corporal Adam Courtney, who joined the Defence Forces in 2011 and has completed multiple overseas deployments, claims he was the sole qualified candidate for the role under the 2025-2026 Junior Non-Commissioned Officer competition. He had been performing sergeant-level duties at Custume Barracks whilst receiving a substitution allowance and states he completed all mandatory courses before the September 2025 closing date. Corporal Courtney seeks a court order of mandamus requiring his promotion. He contends that military authorities subsequently filled the position with an already-promoted sergeant serving in a supernumerary capacity since 2024, who he asserts lacks the necessary qualifications. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted his ex parte application at the High Court this week and adjourned the matter to March.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Corporal claims he was blocked from promotion despite being the 'only person qualified' for the job. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- September 2025 Other
- September 26, 2025 Other
- 2026-02-10 Publication
Places mentioned
- High Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Retired post office manager jailed for rape and abuse of girl in 1980s
- Cage fighter convicted of Shannon murder gets hearing date for miscarriage of justice application
- Ousted IFI boss denies 'hounding' HR manager for assurances
- Workman sacked after complaint about company van's brakes wins €14k
- Cage fighter seeks to have murder conviction declared a miscarriage of justice
- Former accountant went on 'nationwide tour' with bank card stolen from hospital patient
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request