Plans to court-martial a member of the Army after a complaint by him that he was being bullied was found to be groundless have been strongly criticised by the representative association of Defence Forces personnel.
PDFORRA is now calling on the Chief of Staff, Lieut Gen Jim Sreenan, to intervene and insist that the court-martial be discontinued.
The association's general secretary, Mr Gerry Rooney, said plans to go ahead with the court-martial, just two weeks after the publication of a major report on bullying in the Defence Forces, were "unacceptable".
"PDFORRA is disappointed to have to make this statement just two weeks after the launch of the Response to the Challenge of a Workplace [report], which outlined measures to address bullying and harassment in the Defence Forces.
"Attempts to suppress bullying complaints set the wrong kind of example."
The individual who took the case complained that he was the victim of bullying and harassment by a superior officer. The matter first came to light around eight months ago, and a complaint was lodged. On investigation the complaint was found to be groundless.
The soldier was then subjected to a summary disciplinary hearing. He was found guilty of making a false allegation. However, he refused to accept his punishment, usually a fine or period confined to barracks, and is now to be court-martialled.
If the court-martial upholds the ruling the soldier will have the matter noted on his record and will find it much more difficult to win promotion or to be posted overseas.
Under the new measures contained in the report published at the end of last month, individuals who make allegations of bullying and harassment are assured that bona-fide complaints will not be viewed as malicious of mischievous.
