A former soldier who claimed he suffered hearing loss after being exposed to excessive noise from weapons fire was awarded £32,000 damages by the High Court yesterday.
Before Mr Justice Johnson, Mr Gerard Mason (41), Raheen Square, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, had sued the Minister for Defence, Ireland and the Attorney General. Mr Mason enlisted in the Defence Forces in 1986 and served for three years.
Mr Mason began his training at Kickham Barracks, Clonmel, and later transferred to Ballincollig, Co Cork. He afterwards served at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, and elsewhere.