A former soldier who claimed he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after he had to pick up survivors of a shell attack in Lebanon eight years ago, during which an Irish soldier was killed and others injured, has settled his High Court action for damages.
Former Pte Niall Samuels claimed damages for injuries allegedly suffered because of the alleged failure and negligence to have him treated for post-traumatic stress disorder.
He had sued the Minister for Defence and the State who denied the claims. On the second day of the case yesterday, Mr Justice Eamon De Valera was told the sides had resolved their differences and the case could be struck out. No details were given to the court.
Mr Samuels (35), Mayfield Grove, Athlone, told the court he joined the Army in April 1994 and served three periods in Lebanon. On May 21st, 1999, he and some of his comrades were sent by armoured car to another camp in Brachite, Lebanon, which had come under shell fire, he said.
He saw one soldier with blood on his trousers after being hit with shrapnel while he also saw blood in the area where another soldier - Pte William Kedian - had died. A soldier whom he had known since he was eight years old - Pte Ronnie Rushe - was also injured in the shelling.
After bringing back the survivors to their own camp, they were asked to go on a mine sweep near where the soldiers had been shelled earlier, he said.