High Court rejects SEÁN O'BRIEN's challenge to Defence Forces tribunal

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The High Court has rejected SEÁN O'BRIEN's challenge to decisions excluding his complaints from a Defence Forces tribunal's terms of reference. Ms Justice Miriam O'Regan delivered judgment on 30 January 2026, finding that the proceedings were out of time in relation to two decisions and refusing the reliefs sought.

O'BRIEN, who was employed by the Prison Service, argued that his complaints about interactions with the Defence Forces should be considered. The court held that he did not fall within the narrower category of eligible complainants because he was not working within the Defence Forces or the Department of Defence.