Gardai and politicians are the latest to join the thousands of soldiers seeking compensation for deafness. Nearly 50 gardai have filed claims and five have already been settled for sums in the region of £40,000 each. The authorities do not expect an avalanche of claims from this direction, because gardai have limited access to firearms. But watch this space. Likewise with politicians, who took another dive in popularity this week, thanks to Labour's Michael Bell. And they didn't like it. Deputy Bell is joining the queue sueing the army for deafness compensation. Will other public representatives follow suit?
Although a great many men in Leinster House served in the defence forces in one form or another over the years, Quidnunc has yet to meet one who intends sueing. Meanwhile, the case taken by the most senior soldier, now retired Lt Gen William Callaghan, is still awaiting a hearing. He is a former Force Commander in UNIFIL.