A soldier has gone to the High Court over being disciplined after he was deemed absent without leave from his post when he went to get a sandwich.
Pte Fintan Corr, stationed at McKee barracks, Dublin, has brought High Court proceedings aimed at overturning four penalties imposed under the Defence Act imposed by summary investigation conducted by his commanding officer.
Mr Justice Michael Peart yesterday granted an ex parte (one side only represented) application for leave for judicial review of the convictions and returned the case to April.
Martin Giblin SC, for Pte Corr, said yesterday his client has had an excellent record as a soldier.
Pte Corr was never informed that the charge of disobeying a command of a superior officer was a scheduled offence carrying a maximum seven years in prison, Mr Giblin said.
Had Pte Corr been aware of the seriousness of the charge, he would have obtained legal advice, he added.
Pte Corr now feared the consequences for his career as a soldier and was appealing the penalties imposed.