PDforra brings challenge to appointment of ombudsman

A High Court challenge to the person appointed as Ombudsman of the Defence Forces has been brought by the Defence Forces representative…

A High Court challenge to the person appointed as Ombudsman of the Defence Forces has been brought by the Defence Forces representative organisation PDforra.

Earlier this month Patrick Anthony McCourt, a barrister and former Army officer, was appointed to the position.

In judicial review proceedings, PDforra and Patrick Gorman, a member of the Defence Forces who has a matter pending before the ombudsman, say Mr McCourt cannot hold the post due to his being a former officer.

They argue that the person holding the post must be independent in nature and the post cannot be held by a civil servant or member of the Defence Forces.

READ MORE

Mr Justice Michael Peart granted leave to bring the proceedings and returned the matter to January.