Killeen failed to answer ombudsman's reports

FORMER MINISTER for defence Tony Killeen failed to respond to almost half of the reports sent to him last year by Defence Forces Ombudsman Paulyn Marrinan Quinn.

Launching her annual report in Dublin yesterday, Ms Marrinan Quinn said the reports in question contained the findings of investigations she had carried out into complaints from military personnel.

The reports that went unanswered contained suggested remedies to the issues raised by the complainants to the ombudsman.

Ms Marrinan Quinn noted the absence of a response to 19 final reports last year marked an increase from 2009, when 13 final reports containing investigations’ findings and suggested remedies went unanswered. However, since current Minister for Justice and Defence Alan Shatter had been appointed, he had brought a new efficiency to reviewing the ombudsman’s final reports and replying to them, she said

At 116, the number of complaints dealt with by the ombudsman last year was broadly in line with the 124 complaints dealt with in 2009.

In 2008, some 229 complaints were dealt with, the highest ever number.

All cases considered by the ombudsman initially go through the Defence Forces’ internal complaints procedures. Where the outcome of these procedures is disputed and an appeal is sought, the cases are then referred to the ombudsman.

Of the 116 complaints dealt with last year, some 105 were accepted for examination while 11 were discontinued.

The most common complaint dealt with related to non-selection for a promotion, accounting for 35 per cent of all cases. Alleged inappropriate behaviour or bullying accounted for 27 per cent of cases.

A small number of cases involve non-selection for career courses or for overseas duties.

Ms Marrinan Quinn said that when she finds in favour of a complainant, the usual remedy she suggests to the Minister is another promotion opportunity, or that the person be placed on an overseas mission or a careers course.

“However, given the impact of the downturn, fewer remedies of this nature can become effective,” she said.

There were no complaints last year regarding sexual harassment.

Ms Marrinan Quinn was appointed almost six years ago as the first Defence Forces Ombudsman.

Her appointment followed repeated assertions by Defence Forces representative bodies that members were reluctant to report bullying.

Research into bullying in the Defence Forces had revealed that one in four members had been victimised in this way at some point.

Any member of the Defence Forces can take their grievance to the office holder if they have exhausted the internal disciplinary procedures and believe they have been treated unfairly.

Anyone whose complaint is not dealt with within 28 days can bypass the internal system and go to the ombudsman.

Some 27 complaints came from squadron commander Comdt Niall Donohoe (48) and were carried over from previous years.

A commissioned officer of 29 years’ service, he called his commanding officer, Lieut Col Gerry O’Sullivan, a “little prick” at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel on January 30th, 2009.

He was dismissed last year after a court martial found he had used insulting language to a superior. He is appealing the outcome.