O'Dea plays down Defence Forces bullying

Allegations of widespread bullying in the Defence Forces are over-exaggerated, the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea said last…

Allegations of widespread bullying in the Defence Forces are over-exaggerated, the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea said last night.

During Questions in the Dáil, Mr O'Dea said that since new complaints procedures were introduced only eight cases had come forward - five had been rejected, two were still under investigation and one upheld.

A confidential telephone line since 2003 had also received a small number of calls about harassment.

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