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A DEFENCE FORCES whistleblower has made a protected disclosure alleging that a number of children of Air Corps workers have died as a result of being exposed to toxic chemicals at Baldonnel Airfield.
In a document seen by this publication, a Defence Forces whistleblower has said that he has uncovered “the untimely deaths of at least 20 adults…of which I believe died of illness related to unprotected chemical exposure”.
The protected disclosure details the rank and specific illness of each of those who have passed away. We are not publishing these details as to do so would breach data protection rules.
There are also claims that the partners of male members of the force suffered serious fertility issues and a number of miscarriages. Other children, according to the protected disclosure, are living with life-changing illnesses.
It has previously been alleged that the Defence Forces failed to protect workers from exposure to harmful chemicals which have been proven to cause various cancers and autoimmune diseases.
In his address to 17 people, including Ministers, TDs, senators and a senior member of the Defence Forces, the former Air Corps mechanic claims that: “I have come across several personnel whose wives have had multiple miscarriages both in serving and in retired personnel. In one case, a retired member’s wife had eight miscarriages in succession. I am also aware of three personnel who shared in an office in ‘photo section’ (area of Baldonnel’s engineering wing) whose wives all had a miscarriage in the same six-month timeframe.”
In another worrying claim, the latest protected disclosure details the illnesses contracted by children of those who served in the Air Corps at Baldonnel.
The whistleblower, with the permission of the children’s parents, has claimed that :
It has been alleged that there was a systematic failure on the part of the Defence Forces which allowed Air Corps personnel be exposed to harmful chemicals during his time at Baldonnel. The Defence Forces, which are facing legal action by some former employees, have said, “Given these matters are subject to litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
TheJournal.ie has obtained a detailed list of chemicals which were purchased for use by the Air Corps. These include the highly toxic Ardrox 666 and Ardrox 670.
Other chemicals which have been used at Baldonnel include:
All these chemicals have been proven to cause serious damage to humans after long-term exposure.
When asked to specifically comment on the new accusations in relation to fertility matters, a statement from the Department of Defence stated: “In September 2016, the Minister appointed an independent third party to review allegations made in a number of protected disclosures relating to health and safety issues in the Air Corps which were received in late 2015 and early 2016.
“Once a final review is to hand, the Minister will determine any further steps required and ensure that all recommendations, whether arising from the work of the Health and Safety Authority or the ongoing protected disclosure review, will be acted upon to ensure the safety of the men and women of the Air Corps. It would be inappropriate to comment in advance of the Minister receiving and considering the report.”
Earlier this year, TheJournal.ie reported how a large number of Air Corps members have experienced brain inflammations, Crohn’s Disease, cardiac arrest, ulcerative colitis and leukaemia.
The general secretary of the representative association for Defence Force members, PDFORRA’s Gerry Rooney, has said that chemicals and their use have been a problem for defence forces worldwide.
Speaking to TheJournal.ie, he said that the representative association is working closely with all the whistleblowers and said that attitudes within the force would have to change if better health and safety practices were to be implemented.
“There’s a tendency in military organisations to focus on carrying out the operation at all costs.
“It’s fairly clear there was a problem with chemicals and their use.”
Sinn Féín TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh has accused junior Justice Minister Paul Kehoe of being indifferent “to the plight of the Defence Forces”.
The Dublin South Central TD said: “His claims that the health and wellbeing of members of the Defence Forces are a priority for him, contrasts with his refusal to ban the anti-malaria drug Lariam, despite the fears that it has caused severe mental and physical side effects on serving and retired soldiers.
“Equally serious are the protective disclosures that have been made by retired Air Corps personnel in recent months, whose revelations about a lack of even the most basic health and safety procedures at Casement Aerodrome are alarming. Their claims that exposure to highly toxic chemicals has resulted in serious health complications, and in some cases fatalities, to personnel performing their duties from as far back as the 1990s have largely fallen on deaf ears.”
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The whole ‘parliament’ thing needs to be examined – It is not democracy to go to the pub then pass legislation that affects the whole population and then not listening to the opposition or not allowing them to talk.
@eastsmer #IRExit: It’s one this to describe the forum examining Dáil privilege as an “expert one”, but exactly how does Mary Hanafin and Conor Brady qualify as legal or constitutional experts?
As far as I can see the only thing they both have in common is an innate ability to look after their own interests and Hanafin ‘obtained’ a diploma in legal studies from DIT. Doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, another outcome written before the forum meets.
@eastsmer #IRExit: We are governed by a sound bite government of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, the fact their intellects are eclipsed by their egos is becoming more apparent each passing day.
@The Risen:
They couldn’t nail him in court now they’re trying to silence him in the Dail.
Paul Murphy’s influence grows stronger by the week.
The rightful heir to Joe Higgins throne.
Comic Gold.
@Hurt Stoogie:
The 2% who brought the government to its knees over Irish Water and have instilled such fear and trepidation in Fine Tory that other much touted financial impositions such as a Broadcasting Charge and and privatised waste management proposals have been hastily shelved.
The current establishment are the enemy of the people and Paul Murphy is our champion.
@Emmet Dillane: 2%? That from a polling company, is it?
In a recent case taken by a certain Denis O’Brien, the Supreme Court ruled that Dail privilege is an absolute right defined as such in the Constitution. So the C.C. has no right to curtail it. The people alone have the right to censure a TD by declining to re-elect him. In a country where there have been too many secrets for too many decades we should value Dail privilege highly now that we are finally electing some TDs with the courage to use it.
There is no basis for using the Dail’s rules to science an individual member. The TDs do not answer to each other. They answer to us.
As the issue is covered by the constitution then I would have thought that the Supreme Court is the only forum which has the authority to definitively decide such matters.
@Jimmy McCarthy: There might well be actions taken by the committee which are then challenged in court.
Did the Gardai, commit perjury and why doesn’t the AG bring charges for it?
No.
Beachside, no.
@Stephen murphy: it appears there’s no offence of perjury in Ireland on the statute books ; though perverting the course of justice does exist.
The establishment cannot contain themselves. We need to overthrow the government.
Is that Mary who the people of Dunlaoighre said no thanks. If it is it really does show no difference between the two government party’s . F/F F/G. Are they getting payed?
Why now does the Ceann Comhairle need to examine when Dail Privilege is exceeded! He is the Ceann Comhairle, and as so, should Know when, or not it’s breached! Why Now does he need an Expert Group to examine this! He either knows his Job, or he doesn’t. Which is it?
@Hurt Stoogie: Put back in their boxes? Not a fan of free and open democracy then are you ye blueshirt bootlick?
You have to laugh at this meaningless bullsh!t. What did we ever do in days before:
Tribunals
Hearings
Reports
Commissions
Inquiries
Probes
investigations
Special task forces
Citizens assemblies
And now Expert forums…..
“Summer recess” youd be amazed what all that free time does to the mind in The Dail Bar. Just wait for the Tin Foil Hat Treaty
What a waste of time and money. Murphy was not convicted of anything yet our Taoiseach accused him of being a thug. Then the Taoiseach should be reprimanded and told to Mind his rhetoric in future.
@Paul Coughlan: Thuggery is not a criminal offence.
@Paul Coughlan: he didn’t accuse him of being a thug . He said that there was a lot of thuggery going on that day . There’s a difference. ..
EXpert FORUM ,can we be tolled what exactly these guys are expert in ,maybe gombeenism .
@The Risen: Murphy and Mary Lou, who lied in the Dáil, need to be put back in their boxes.
@Hurt Stoogie: Just to clarify, before I report your comment, was it directed at me?
@The Risen: you ok hun? PMSL
@james connolly: Someone must have reported all Risen/Jammin’s defamatory comments…
The words kangaroo and court and exceeding your authority spring to mind.
Expert forum to shut up those whom go against the status quo… FG FF LIEBOUR hate the likes of P Murphy. His stature is growing and they need him nullified. Courts couldn’t so Dail will try.. Fools adding to his rise ..
Lols
@Emmet Dillane: yes, the 2% popular party..
@Hurt Stoogie: It’s name calling but never mind I understand your connection with reality is fairly tentative.
@The Risen: poor snowflake.. what comment? That Mary Lou lied in the Dáil or that Pbp are on 2%? Are you jamming?
@Hurt Stoogie: It’s ironic that you resort to name calling given your comment about the “brainless left”
@Hurt Stoogie: Thought so. All mouth, no pantaloons.
@The Risen: watching that runt murphy being put in him box by Leo was one of the truly epic Dail moments.
@james connolly: it was a great moment …
@The Risen: Is “the Risen” your real name shinnerbot?
Solicitors for the Gardaí will like to know when they’re suing you for defamation…
@The Risen: At least he made it to Barcelona to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution. Fond memories include: 15 million dead in the ensuing chaos, dictatorship of the proletariat, Lenin, Stalin. Good times.
@Emmet Dillane: Paul Murphy is no Joe Higgins
@Bryan Kelly: telling lies us free and open is it? Calling names is the resort of the brainless left…
@Diarmuid: But Diarmuid I suspect they can spell better then you can. Maybe we should stop educating these wild left wingers?
@ Butt hurt
Probably time that you considered reinventing yourself again stoogie
@Hurt Stoogie: Poor Risen/Were Jammin/For Connolly is pure jealy he’s not one of the Jobstown Martyrs.
@Diarmuid: the poor snowflake is rather upset that everyone see murphy for the thug that he is
@The Risen: thought what? I notice you don’t engage in discussion re points made about dear deputy leaders lie in the Dáil… all mouth, no actual balls.
Expert Forum needed to establish how those idiots got in the Dail, don’t mind worrying about privileges.
@Kerry Blake: it’s not name calling, it’s stating facts.
@high ho silver: and that gives Murphy the right to break the Dail rules?
One embarrassment after another…
What a load of loaded nonsense
One woman in a 4 person panel. It would have been nice to see gender balance.
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