Despite repeated warnings, rising litigation and more than 100 suspected premature deaths, air corps survivors say they are still fighting for answers and support almost a decade after the then Taoiseach promised action, writes Neil Michael

On Wednesday, February 1, 2017, the then taoiseach ended a heated debate about air corps personnel exposure to toxic chemicals with five words.

Addressing the Dáil, Enda Kenny vowed: “We will sort this out.”

He was bruised by Micheál Martin’s excoriation of him, his government, and his ministers for their “unacceptable response” to “a very serious issue which could represent a serious scandal”.

Days previously, the Irish Examiner had published exclusive articles by reporter Joe Leogue exposing allegations around chemical exposure to personnel in the Air Corps.

State Claims Agency involvement

They also came a year after investigators for the State Claims Agency (SCA) were informed air corps personnel using toxic chemicals did not have access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and had never had access to it, or training on how to handle toxic chemicals.

The SCA found this out because after it received a claim in August 2013, which alleged personal injuries were caused by exposure to toxic substances in Baldonnel, it emailed the Department of Defence’s litigation branch.

The agency asked the department to appoint a liaison officer to prepare a detailed claims report outlining the background and circumstances of the claim the SCA had received in August 2013.

Timeline 

• • • 1980s: Air corps personnel begin requesting protective equipment and safety measures for handling toxic chemicals.
    • 2013: The State Claims Agency (SCA) receives chemical‑exposure claim lodged by air corps technician and whistleblower Gavin Tobin. It asks the Department of Defence to appoint a liaison officer and compile a detailed claims report.
    • Mr Tobin files High Court case seeking records of chemicals he was exposed to during air corps service.
    • 2014: SCA receives Chemical Exposure Report (1994-2005).
    • 2015: First of three protected disclosures made by Mr Tobin to then defence minister Simon Coveney.
    • 2016: The Health and Safety Authority warns air corps it faces prosecution unless 13 safety recommendations are implemented.
    • 2016: Department of Defence appoints Christopher O’Toole to review whistleblowers’ allegations.
    • 2017: Joe Leogue’s reporting in the Irish Examiner triggers scrutiny.
    • O’Toole report submitted in June, days before Micheál Martin meets air corps survivors in Leinster House.
    • 2018: HSA satisfied air corps has implemented the 2016 safety recommendations. It considers the matter closed.
    • 2024: Complaint made about an air purifier in an air corps hangar made to air corps chiefs.
    • 2025: Air corps survivor Gary Coll settles his High Court case for €2m.
    • Then defence minister Simon Harris tells the Dáil there is “active engagement” between the SCA and litigants to find “mutually agreeable resolutions”.
    • Mr Tobin makes protected disclosure to Mr Harris about issues raised in 2024 around an air purifier.
    • New defence minister Helen McEntee declines a meeting with Gavin Tobin citing ongoing litigation. Department of Defence examining how an assessment of needs could work. Mr Martin tells the Irish Examiner he supports the proposed review and “will have a look” at what emerges.

Read full article by Neil Michael at the Irish Examiner website below.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41800793.html

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