An Irish Army Corporal has sued the State for damages over alleged post-traumatic stress he blames on witnessing several violent incidents while serving in Lebanon.
Cpl Francis Corbett (32) of Dominick Street, Cork, said he witnessed the deaths of several Israeli soldiers from landmines and claims the Army failed to prepare him for such incidents or provide him with appropriate counselling.
He is suing the Attorney General and the Minister for Defence. Cpl Corbett joined the Army in January 1990 and went to the Lebanon on April 15th, 1991 shortly before his 18th birthday.
It is claimed that, soon after arriving in Lebanon, Cpl Corbett was stationed at an observation post when, through binoculars, he observed an Israeli mine sweeper on a dirt road below him. He saw the soldier step on a mine which detonated.
Cpl Corbett's bunker had then come under fire from guns and mortars. He was extremely shocked and distressed by the incident.
After his return from duty abroad he began to drink heavily and had problems at home and with relationships.
On a subsequent trip to the Lebanon, he saw four or five members of an Israeli patrol being blown up some 50 feet away from him. He also saw the bodies of three Italian peace-keeping troops in the wreckage of their helicopter, which had crashed near his post.
Cpl Corbett claims that at no time after such incidents was he offered any treatment or counselling. He used to break into cold sweats and was crying regularly, he claims. He further alleges that the Army had failed to properly prepare him for such incidents.
On his return from the Lebanon in 1997 after his fourth and last trip, Cpl Corbett says he was seen by Dr David Dunne, a consultant psychiatrist, who diagnosed him as suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He remains under the care of Dr Dunne. While still a member of the Defence Forces, he has not worked since 2000.
The defendants deny that Cpl Corbett was exposed to traumatic situations and also deny negligence. They further deny that Cpl Corbett suffered or continues to suffer from personal injury, loss or damage.
They also plead contributory negligence, alleging that Cpl Corbett failed to notify or complain of any symptoms in relation to post traumatic stress and failed to seek medical assistance in sufficient time or at all.