An information resource for serving & former members of the Irish Army Air Corps suffering illness due to unprotected toxic chemical exposure in the workplace.
Untimely* deaths of serving & former Irish Air Corps personnel
110 verified deaths have occurred in total since 1980
97 of these deaths have occurred since 2000
71 of these deaths have occurred since 2010
We chose the 1st of January 1980 as an arbitrary date to start counting deaths from. Obvious earlier deaths are much more difficult to discover but either the rate of death is accelerating or we are missing many deaths from previous decades or possibly both.
50 further deaths since a protected disclosure was made to to Simon Coveney as Minister for Defence in December 2015
37 further deaths since a group of survivors met with Micheal Martin & Lisa Chambers in Leinster House on 20th June 2017.
18 further deaths since a copy of the ACCAS list of demands were handed to Simon Harris on the 17th of November 2018 at the Fine Gael National Conference, he was Minister for Health at the time.
Most Significant Causes of Death
Cause
Air Corps Cohort
Ireland
Cancer
41%
TBA
Cardiac
30%
TBA
Suicide
15%
TBA
Male Average Age of Death
53 years
80 years
*We record untimely as dying at or before age 66 (civilian pension age), average age of death is 53 years. We are counting deaths from medical reasons & suicide, we are not counting accidental deaths nor murder.
We are not stating that every single death is directly due to chemical exposure but many personnel who did not handle chemicals directly were unknowingly exposed due to proximity to contaminated work locations.
Watch Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, the Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Defence, ask Tánaiste & Minister for Defence Simon Harris to discuss health and safety measures in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Transcript
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Féin)
Question: 6. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to discuss health and safety measures in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6440/25]
The Tánaiste will be aware of a recent settlement for Mr. Gary Coll of €2 million, without liability, after he lodged proceedings regarding exposure to dangerous chemicals while working in the Air Corps. I do not wish to discuss any case before the courts. Many people who are affected do not want to have to go to court. However, as a matter of policy, the Department of Defence has a responsibility to ensure that issues regarding former Defence Forces personnel are addressed, particularly if their health has been compromised. The Tánaiste will be aware of the organisation, Air Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors, ACCAS, as I sent him the group’s demands last night. Will he introduce measures to ensure the mental care of those affected?
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
There is often time for argy-bargy in the House but I want to acknowledge the constructive way the Deputy has engaged with me and my office in passing on the views and concerns of ACCAS. I will endeavour to also engage on this constructively in return. The health and well-being of the men and women working in the Air Corps and the wider Defence Forces is of the utmost priority for me, both as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence. I take my responsibility to those who commit to military service to the State very seriously indeed and I know the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and the Secretary General of my Department are with me on this position.
As Deputy Ó Laoghaire is no doubt aware, a number of cases are before the courts alleging historical exposure to toxic chemicals in the Air Corps. As Members of this House, we must respect, and we are respecting, the separation of powers and the constitutional independence of the courts. I know we are not engaging in commentary or debate that may encroach on this independence or, indeed, prejudice a fair hearing.
As Deputy Ó Laoghaire is aware, the HSA has overall responsibility for the administration and enforcement of health and safety at work in Ireland. It monitors compliance with legislation at the workplace and can take enforcement action up to and including prosecutions. The HSA carried out inspections of the Air Corps in 2016, and in October of that year issued a detailed letter to the Air Corps setting out a list of safety measures which required attention to improve the standards in place. The Air Corps engaged with the HSA and set out in detail the response being implemented. Upon completion of the improvement plan the HSA closed its investigation.
Arising from matters contained in the report of the independent review group, the HSA completed inspections of a number of Defence Force installations at the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. This included an inspection of Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnell. The Defence Forces prepared an action plan to address the issues outlined in the report. The HSA subsequently conducted follow-up inspections and noted ongoing improvements. The Defence Forces are committed to complying with health and safety legislation and ensuring that the best standards are adhered to. The Deputy will appreciate that as litigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further. It is important for me to say that separate and distinct from the ongoing litigation, the Defence Forces tribunal of inquiry will investigate the response to complaints made.
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Féin)
It is for this reason that I communicated with the Tánaiste last night. It is important that ongoing monitoring is happening but my primary concern relates to the issues that have arisen over the past 20 or 30 years. For many years personnel in the Air Corps, particularly those in the repair shop, were exposed to very dangerous chemicals. Despite this, there were no meaningful precautions in terms of health and safety until very recent years. In the meantime, hundreds of personnel were exposed. According to ACCAS it has identified 97 untimely deaths since 2000 of Air Corps personnel that may potentially be connected. I am not sure whether the Tánaiste saw the “Prime Time” segment on this, in which Paul Flynn was interviewed from his hospital bed. Some of the people affected by this are very ill. Others have passed away. This is a matter of the gravest seriousness. We know this issue is not unique to Ireland. In Australia there was SHOAMP, which was the study of health outcomes in aircraft maintenance personnel. Will the Tánaiste put in place a similar model to assess the health of the former personnel?
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
I want to reflect on what Deputy Ó Laoghaire has said to me today, and what he conveyed to me by email on behalf of ACCAS last night. I say this without prejudice or conflation with any other ongoing issues, be they issues before the courts or issues that will rightly be examined by the tribunal in terms of how complaints are handled. The point Deputy Ó Laoghaire is making is that regardless of both of these facts, which are important issues, there are people in Ireland clearly presenting with health needs. Deputy Ó Laoghaire is asking me whether more can be done in the here and now to try to recognise this and respond to those health needs and health concerns. On foot of his constructive engagement with me, and the correspondence he has sent to me, I have asked the officials to give consideration to these matters and advise me on it. I am happy to revert to Deputy Ó Laoghaire in due course.
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Féin)
I appreciate the fact the Tánaiste will reflect on it. He mentioned the tribunal. I would make the point, and the Tánaiste’s comments reflect that he may be aware of this, the tribunal only deals with the handling of complaints rather than the substance of complaints.
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Yes
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Féin)
Therefore, that will not be anywhere near adequate. What ACCAS has demanded is to ensure medical care is provided as well as an assessment to identify what were the implications for health outcomes. There is also a need for a statutory investigation of some form, given the role of the State Claims Agency in failing to alert the HSA of ongoing failings when known. It should go without saying these are personnel who were part of the Defence Forces. They gave their careers and long parts of their lives to serve the State. If their health is now profoundly compromised the State has a responsibility to them. The Tánaiste says he will go away and consider it, and I appreciate this. Will he also meet those affected, ACCAS and any other organisation?
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
I will take advice on this. Generally I like to engage in politics and in public life. I will take advice on this because I am conscious of being a defendant in legal proceedings. I will check this, and if it is possible to find a mechanism or a way to do this I am certainly open to it. I am very conscious of the sensitivities around this and the realities for people’s health and lives regardless of where blame or liability lies. That is for others to determine. I am conscious of the real living impact that people who are speaking about their cases have very clearly told us and showed us. There have been occasions in this country when, separate and distinct to issues of courts and liability and without prejudice to any of them, addressing the health needs of an individual group is something that can be given consideration. I am trying to look at this constructively, having only taken up this post a few weeks ago. Deputy Ó Laoghaire has engaged constructively with me on this and I thank him for it. I am happy to come back to him on this directly.
*****
Almost 8 years ago, when he was Minister for Health, Simon Harris met with an ACCAS representative on the margins of the Fine Gael National Conference in November 2018.
At this brief meeting Minister Harris was presented with a physical copy of our list of fair demands and he urged us to contact his office the following Monday to arrange a formal meeting.
This offer of a meeting was immediately reneged upon by his office.
Seanad office receives 70 nominations in advance of Wednesday deadline for candidates backed by professional bodies
Former Independent TD Cathal Berry who lost his South Kildare Seat in the general election is to run in the Seanad election as is former Waterford Independent TD Matt Shanahan, both of them from the Regional Independent group in the last Dáil.
Mr Berry, a former Army Ranger and medical doctor who received nominations from Oireachtas members, said “national security is a priority around Europe at the moment … So you need people with a particular expertise to have a mature conversation about it. And that’s what the Seanad is all about.”
The Upper House is seen as a way for former TDs to remain in the Oireachtas to win back their Dáil seat in the following general election.
Read full article by Marie O’Halloran at the Irish Times
My name is Pat Reilly and I served in the Air Corps from August 1991 to October 2013. I now live in Queensland, Australia, having moved here in May 2014 from our home in Walsh Island, Offaly. I was an aircraft maintenance engineer for the first fourteen years in the Air Corps and later became a photographer. I think I may have worked with you at one stage as a photographer.
I am writing to you regarding the toxic chemical scandal that has been destroying lives of former and serving Air Corps personnel but has been continually pushed aside by the Irish Government with a myriad of excuses including now, Covid-19, which they say is stopping legal documents from being signed due to social distancing.
I hope you don’t mind me sharing my story with you as I feel isolated here in Australia other than communicating occasionally with other veterans who are affected and very occasionally with the legal team who are trying their best to cut through the barriers the government are putting up back in Ireland.
While I’m no longer a voter in Ireland I’m still a citizen and I’m wondering can you ask a few questions around the chemical subject in the Dail as it has gone very quite the last year or so. I understand that Covid and the election has taken up a lot of time in the Dail but its this exact situation that I fear will be used to hide the scandal further as it seems to already have somewhat.
I would love to know when Minister Convey is launching his investigation into the subject as he promised and how long it will take. Time is critical in this matter as more and more of us are getting sicker by the day. It’s heartbreaking seeing relatively young men (possibly women also) cut down in their prime. Not being able to work and support their families and suffering debilitating symptoms day after day.
I’ll be honest and tell you there are tears flowing down my face typing this.I moved here to get away from Ireland and the job I loved because I was being bullied by my superiors in the Air Corps for being sick but now I’m unemployed due to my illness and trying to live off my Defence Forces pension and income insurance which may dry up any month now.
I feel worthless and a waster as I always gave 100% in any work I’ve done despite my illness. The only thing that’s keeping me sane and going in some respects is my medicinal Cannabis Oil which I was prescribed here last year after approval by the Australian government.
I’ve even lost the support of my wife who cant take our situation anymore and I fear for our marriage which is my second marriage after my first one broke up partially due to my illness also.
It seems that as soon as I hit my 40’s my body can no longer fight off my symptoms. Without my medication I have severe tremors and shakes and uncontrollable anxiety due to my sympathetic nervous system being damaged by the chemicals. This system also affects things like my bowels and stomach. It’s not a good experience when one soils themselves at work in front of customers.
I also have neuropathy in my legs where I cant feel and I lose control of my legs causing my knees to buckle and me to loose balance. My immune system is also damaged to the point I react to any sort of chemical smell, foods, materials and many other triggers. I cant breath properly and choke often due to damage in my nasal cavities which of course interrupts my sleep. Finally, I have a huge amount of pre-cancerous cells sitting their waiting to ruin me further, my doctor said she’s never seen this in anybody under 75.
All this has really taken its toll and I’m at the point I feel like giving up and I will share with you I was on the end of a rope earlier this year but I managed to talk myself out of it as I don’t want to be another statistic to add to the 78 dead already from untimely deaths in Baldonnel.
I decided there and then I didn’t want the government to win, I want them to apologize for the years of calling me a bluffer, a malingerer, telling ,me it’s all in my head. I also think at this stage we need a support package. I can no longer work no matter how much I tell myself I’d be ok working and I can no longer legally drive due to my medication. It’s literally like Russian roulette. I could work for a week or a day and then I’m too sick and have to go home which is why my current ‘employer’ (Apple) put me on an insurance plan as I became too unreliable despite having citations from the CEO of Apple for interactions with customers who emailed him to praise my work.
I could now be a Sgt Major in the Air Corps or an officer or be retired on a Flt/Sgts pension but this illness put a stop to all that. Instead I’m scraping by on a few hundred dollars and I’m stuck renting as no bank will touch me now and it sounds strange but I can’t even afford to move home to Ireland as logistically it would cost too much even to just give up and go.
I could go on all day explaining my illness and situation its that complex. I try to keep up a happy appearance on social media as some of my family and my 86 year old mother don’t know my situation and I don’t want her to be worried in her last few years.
I hope you don’t mind me writing to you as I needed to get this off my chest to somebody other than my wife and somebody like yourself who’s served and is now in a position to ask why we are being forgotten. The ministers involved keep using litigation as an excuse not to address the scandal as several of us have cases against the Dept but these are being dragged on and on the past six years with delay, deny, die tactics which is apparently the norm.
Thanks for listening Cathal and Sláinte,
Pat Reilly.
Berry’s utterly insensitive response, Pat very obviously is not “keeping well”
Dr Cathal Berry TD’s utteerly insensitive & unsympathetic response two months later disingenuously describing the Air Corps scandal as a legacy issue even though the Air Corps were issued chemical contravention notices as recently as December 2023.
I hope you are keeping well. I am sorry for only getting back to you now.
I do understand that the Air Corps Chemical Abuse scandal is a legacy issue and needs to be addressed properly.
I will certainly raise this soon with the Minister at an appropriate time.
This was the one and only communication Pat had from Cathal Berry and Oireachtas records show that Deputy Berry has NEVER raised this issue in the Dáil chamber.
Perhaps Deputy can put on the record the response from the Minister if he ever bothered to raise it outside the public record.
*****
Dr Berry this is NOT a legacy issue as you pretend and it most certainly is a live issue for those suffering needlessly and dying young.
But we know you don’t care, shame on you.
Read an article from Ken Foxe dated 21st May 2024 on TheStory.ie
“Why has Cathal Berry turned his back on Irish Air Corps whistleblowers?”
Cathal Berry has faced criticism for his stance on Irish Air Corps whistleblowers, particularly regarding his response to their allegations of wrongdoing and poor treatment within the organization.
While Berry has historically been vocal about the need for whistleblower protection and accountability in the military, his handling of specific cases involving the Irish Air Corps has raised eyebrows.
The controversy centers on his position as a public representative and his past ties to the Defence Forces. Berry, a former Army officer, was initially seen as an ally to whistleblowers within the military, advocating for reforms to address systemic issues. However, in recent years, particularly in relation to whistleblower claims from the Irish Air Corps, Berry has been perceived as less supportive, or even dismissive, of the concerns raised by those involved.
Some of the criticism stems from Berry’s reluctance to fully endorse or take a stronger public stance on specific whistleblower cases, possibly due to his complex relationship with the Defence Forces, where loyalty and internal solidarity can be deeply ingrained. His critics argue that, by not robustly supporting the Air Corps whistleblowers, Berry has failed to live up to his earlier promises of championing transparency and reform.
Others suggest that Berry’s political pragmatism may be influencing his decisions. As a member of the Dáil (the Irish parliament), his position on sensitive military matters may be influenced by a desire to maintain relationships within the Defence Forces or to avoid further controversy on an issue that could alienate potential allies or voters who are connected to the military.
In summary, while Cathal Berry has historically supported whistleblowers in principle, his perceived lack of strong support for the Irish Air Corps whistleblowers has led to accusations that he has not followed through on those commitments, possibly due to political or professional considerations.
The personnel claim toxic fumes emitted from the aircraft caused their illness, and they are accusing the MOD of being negligent about the risk to their health.
The Sea King is one of the helicopter types whose exhaust fumes allegedly caused cancer among a number of former aircrew
The Ministry of Defence is being sued by crew members who have been diagnosed with cancer after serving on military helicopters.
The personnel claim toxic fumes emitted from the aircraft caused their illness, and they are accusing the MOD of being negligent about the risk to their health.
According to a report by The Times, crew members who served on board helicopters such as the Sea King, Wessex, Puma and Chinook are among those who are taking legal action.
It includes those who’ve served in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force from a variety of ranks.
They are saying they were exposed to concentrated levels of toxic exhaust fumes during their flights.
At least three of the former personnel affected have already passed away, while others have been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Five former service personnel have received out-of-court settlements, including a former flight sergeant who trained Prince William in the RAF.
It is being claimed the Government knew about the risk posed by the Sea King’s exhaust as far back as 1999, but aircrew continued to fly on board without safety precautions.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “We hugely value our service personnel and veterans and owe a debt of gratitude to all those who serve, often with great personal sacrifice.
“We continually review our policies to ensure they are aligned with good practice and protect our people from harm.
Service personnel and veterans who believe they have suffered ill health due to service from 6 April 2005 have the existing and long-standing right to apply for no-fault compensation under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.”
Untimely* deaths of serving & former Irish Air Corps personnel
105 verified deaths have occurred in total since 1980
92 of these deaths have occurred since 2000
67 of these deaths have occurred since 2010
We picked the 1st of January 1980 as an arbitrary date to start counting deaths from. Obvious earlier deaths are much more difficult to discover but either the rate of death is accelerating or we are missing many deaths from previous decades or possibly both.
Most Significant Causes of Death
Cause
Air Corps Cohort
Ireland
Cancer
43%
TBA
Cardiac
30%
TBA
Suicide
14%
TBA
Male Average Age of Death
53 years
80 years
Air Corps Untimely Deaths - Cancer
Type
% of Air Corps
% of IRL 3-Year
Difference
Lung
20.0%
16.1%
124%
Oesophageal
11.1%
4.3%
258%
Pancreatic
11.1%
4.4%
252%
Colorectal
8.9%
8.7%
102%
Blood
8.9%
6.9%
129%
Brain
8.9%
2.7%
330%
Skin
8.9%
1.6%
556%
Renal
6.7%
2.1%
319%
Prostate
4.4%
9%
49%
Salivary Gland
4.4%
2.1%
210%
Air Corps Untimely Deaths - Cardiac
Type
% of all (105) deaths
% of cardiac (31) deaths
Atherosclerosis
15%
52%
Ischaemic
5%
16%
Atherosclerosis & Ischaemic
Combined
20%
68%
Cardiomyopathy
5%
16%
Thrombosis
2%
6%
*We record untimely as dying at or before age 66 (civilian pension age), average age of death is 53 years. We are counting deaths from medical reasons & suicide, we are not counting accidental deaths nor murder.
We are not stating that every single death is directly due to chemical exposure but many personnel who did not handle chemicals directly were unknowingly exposed due to close proximity to contaminated work locations.
Cancer statistics for Ireland 3-Year are taken from NCRI Annual Statistical Report 2022 taking the 3-year annual average male cancer deaths from 2018 to 2020 inclusive. We are not statisticians & these figures have been compiled to the best of our ability.
This morning at 1130hrs on Monday the 1st of January 2024 a list of 105 untimely / premature deaths of serving & former Irish Air Corps personnel was delivered to the gate policeman of Áras an Uachtaráin by a group representing commissioned, non-commissioned & enlisted former Air Corps personnel.
Left to right Niall Donohue (Comdt retired), Michael Brennan (Sgt retired) & Gavin Tobin (former Airman) Photo by Sean Tobin – Further photos below
This list was presented for the attention of President Michael D. Higgins in his role as Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces as 61 of the untimely deaths occurred since he assumed office in 2011. We believe that some of these lives could have been saved or prolonged and thus held our first protest outside the Áras to highlight the inaction of the Supreme Commander on this life or death issue.
The Minister for Defence was made aware of decades of serious chemical malpractice at the Air Corps in 2015 via multiple protected disclosures. However, successive Ministers for Defence, up to and including the current minister Micheál Martin, as well as their associated governments have refused to order the urgent medical investigations & interventions proven to save lives in other jurisdictions.
The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, in his previous role as Minister for Defence, has acted to turn a medical problem, that can be mitigated, into a purely legal problem inappropriately defended using state funds.
Further protected disclosures highlighting related chemical malpractice have been made to or handled by the Chief of Staff, the Health & Safety Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency as well as the Department of Defence.
Death certificate details including the following information has also been shared with the Supreme Commander.
Average age of deaths is 53 years.
41% of deaths are from cancer
12% of cancer deaths are specifically pancreatic cancer
9% of cancer deaths are specifically glioblastomas of the brain
30% of deaths are cardiac related
20% of cardiac deaths are specifically cardiomyopathy
14% of deaths are from suicide (at least 15 suicides)
We have been forced to present the list directly at Áras an Uachtaráin today after the failure of President Higgins to meet with survivors despite multiple requests going back as far as October 2018 with the most recent request in early April 2023 shortly after the publication of the Independent Review Group Defence Forces final report.
It should be noted that Air Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors engaged extensively with the IRG-DF and after the report was published President Higgins met with other groups, including those who did not engage with the IRG-DF, however we have been excluded without reason.
It is our intention to participate in further protests at Áras an Uachtaráin in association with other victim’s groups to highlight both historic & ongoing wrongdoings by the Defence Forces & the Department of Defence until appropriate moral, professional & statutory intervention by our Supreme Commander.
Air Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors – Photo by Sean TobinAir Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors – Photo by Sean TobinAir Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors – Photo by Sean Tobin
Defence Minister Micheál Martin has been accused of turning his back on survivors of toxic chemical exposure while serving in the Air Corps.
They say they have asked for direct engagement with him before agreement on the format of a statutory inquiry related to Defence Forces abuse allegations is reached.
Mr Martin has been holding meetings with representatives of serving and former Defence Forces personnel.
Those not invited to such meetings are instead emailed what the Air Corps Chemical Abuse Survivors (ACCAS) describe as round-robin and impersonal “Dear Stakeholder” updates by civil servants.
One of the latest face-to-face meetings with Mr Martin was last Thursday and it was with the Women of Honour group.
They featured in RTE’s Katie Hannon’s expose in 2021, which led to the launch of the Independent Review Group investigation into allegations of sexual abuses in the Defence Forces.
The review group’s report in March included allegations of both male and female soldiers being raped, sexually assaulted, and bullied.
However, while the Women of Honour did not give evidence to the review group, ACCAS did.
The extent of abuse they allege they suffered was so extensive the report recommended their allegations should feature in a statutory investigation.
A photo of the Irish Air Corps NDT Shop taken in 2007
Like members of Women of Honour, a number of ACCAS members are also suing over abuse they allege they endured.
The ACCAS say the Defence Minister’s failure to engage with them contrasts with a meeting he had with them in June 2017 when he vowed to support their cause “because it is the right thing to do”
34 men and 1 woman have died prematurely since Martin stood up in the Dáil and called for a public inquiry into the Air Corps toxic chemical exposure scandal on the 1st of February 2017.
Some of these serving & former personnel could have been saved by awareness campaigns and risk specific medical interventions, since he gained power Martin has chose to let suffere & die unnecessarily.
Martin has failed to respond to requests for meetings with survivors since he came to power despite precedent where previous Minister’s for Defence such as Simon Coveney & Paul Kehoe met with the same personnel.
Absolutely nothing has been done to provide targeted healthcare for exposed personnel since this date despite damning findings by the HSA which the Department of Defence and the defence forces continue to try to downplay.
Untimely* deaths of serving & former Irish Air Corps personnel
104 verified deaths have occurred in total since 1980
91 of these deaths have occurred since 2000
66 of these deaths have occurred since 2010
Either the rate of death is accelerating or we are missing many deaths from previous decades or possibly both.
3 most significant causes of death
41% of deaths are from cancer
5% of deaths are specifically pancreatic cancer
30% of deaths are from cardiac issues
6% of deaths are specifically cardiomyopathy related
14% of deaths are from suicide (at least 15 suicides)
*We record untimely as dying at or before age 66 (civilian pension age), average age of death is 53 years. We are counting deaths from medical reasons & suicide, we are not counting accidental deaths nor murder.
We are not stating that every single death is directly due to chemical exposure but many personnel who did not handle chemicals directly were unknowingly exposed due to close proximity to contaminated work locations.
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Féin)
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
