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IRISH AIR CORPS whistleblowers say they hope an independent report due to be published this week will corroborate their claims that safety procedures around chemicals at Baldonnel Airfield put them at risk.
In the last 12 months, at least six former members of the Defence Forces have started legal proceedings against the State, alleging that they were exposed to toxic levels of chemicals and that a lack of protective equipment has left them with lifelong illnesses.
In January of this year, Junior Defence Minister Paul Kehoe ordered that an independent investigation be conducted by former Attorney General senior official Christopher O’Toole. The complainants have been told this crucial report will be released this week.
One whistleblower told TheJournal.ie that he hopes O’Toole’s report will vindicate him and his colleagues by backing up what they said in their protected disclosure to the Minister.
A number of the former Air Corps personnel have contracted different forms of cancers which they claim are linked to the exposure of chemicals present at Baldonnel Airfield.
Yesterday, the Department confirmed that the Minister had received the O’Toole report and would be sending it to those who made the disclosures later this week.
“He will be inviting their observations on the report and will then consider the next steps,” a spokesperson said.
In response to a number of queries from TheJournal.ie this year, the Department of Defence has sent the following statement:
The State Claims Agency is currently managing six claims taken by former and current members of the Air Corps against the Minister for Defence for personal injuries alleging exposure to chemical and toxic substances whilst working in the Air Corps in Baldonnel in the period 1991 to 2006. Given these matters are subject to litigation, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
In a protected disclosure made by a former Air Corps staff member which was seen by this publication, a Defence Forces whistleblower 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.
“For the last 12 months I have watched colleagues of mine die, develop cancer or heard of them taking their own lives,” the whistleblower said.
“I know of so many partners of these men who have suffered miscarriage after miscarriage.
We were all exposed to these different organic compounds. And now they’re waiting for us to die off. We’ve had to take the Government to court.
“We need to be vindicated. We’ve suffered so much. Friends are dead or dying.”
A 2016 inspection by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) identified a number of shortcomings at Baldonnel with corrective actions then taken by the Defence Forces in relation to how it handles such chemicals.
According to the HSA report seen by TheJournal.ie, the Air Corps was warned it could face prosecution if it did not “comply with advice and relevant legal requirements” about how hazardous substances were managed, among other safety matters.
Another whistleblower said this week that he is constantly worried he won’t be around to support his family if he were to die early.
He told TheJournal.ie: “It’s something I’m always going to be thinking about. I have a heart murmur, have had a heart attack in the last two years and I also have chronic fatigue. I left the Air Corps a number of years ago. I need to be able to support my family even if I die.
“In our minds, we are victims of the State not taking the proper precautions to protect us. They want us swept under the rug.”
‘Life-changing conditions’
The HSA’s 2016 report stated immediate attention was needed at Baldonnel and that protective equipment must be made available to staff. The necessary equipment should include protective gear for eyes and hands, as well as respirators to protect against inhalation of toxic fumes.
In the documents, which have been seen by TheJournal.ie, the HSA said a number of safety measures must be implemented “with immediate effect” at Baldonnel.
The HSA report also advised the Air Corps that work activity involving category 1a or 1b chemicals (Cancer-causing), ” a higher ‘as far as technically possible’ standard applies”.
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I’d rather watch the lovely girls competition 1996
Rte wasting money on an extra host.
Cringeworthy
RTE ticking the diversity box to get a woman to co-host. Waste of money, all they had to do was get Daithi to identify as a woman and get a few boxes ticked at the same time as saving money.
@Nick Cahill: Take your cue from Rte trying to get in the back door of Euro Vision failing all of the time never mind to getting on stage then there’s your answer for the Rose of Tralee in 2 word’s pathetic and hopeless
I purposely don’t have rte. I have no interest in globalist propaganda.
@James murphy: cool story bro, I bet you family love talking to you
@James murphy: … no point talking about friends lol
@James murphy: How do you not have RTE?
@James murphy: but you do have lots of time for the tin foil wearing narcissists
@Roj Blake: better than being a government cheerleader who swallows their crap on a daily basis.
@James murphy: ‘globalist propaganda’ lol, i’m looking at a program right now on rte teaching kids the alphabet …. so much propaganda hahahaha
@Keith Fay: A for Ally, B for BLM, C for Coming Out etc etc.
Only thing its good for is for the local economy in tralee…..everything else includng the two cabbages of presenters are redundent
Can we make sure the roses don’t get mugged and kicked in the face an inch close to death? Just that….this does tend to happen lately, especially in Dublin.
@Keth Tgi: chill out they are in Kerry
@Margaret Deacon: maybe the words “of Tralee” were too subtle a hint of the location of this competition?
@Seamus Enright: That wasn’t going to stop him randomly conflating two completely unrelated issues in an effort to sound edgy.
@Keth Tgi: Bit of a stretch there,trying to include dublin in this one,but on your other point I agree,I hope no harm comes to anyone involved.
Never watched it and never will .
It’s definitely not a beauty contest going by the pic, the best is a 4
@John Jon: if your going to create a new profile name John John at least be a bit more original…let the trolling commence…
@John Jon: never was a beauty contest, personality all the way
@Clare Power: There’s a lot of Snowflake accounts on here It’s probably they can say what they like with no accountability what so ever. I remember Journal.ie some years ago all these snowflake accounts were to be got rid of. But I suppose if they did that at that time there would have been very few of us left .
@John Jon: You must be a ride then John?
@Terry Fagan: Yep
@John Jon: it’s always ugly men who say things like this
lmfao
@Terry Fagan: ya wouldn’t ride him into battle
@Clare Power: That lot have so many accounts even they can’t keep up.
I’ll be busy, defragmenting my hard drive.
Outdated tripe
They give out about being looked at it the street but still want a lovely girls competition and us all to watch…double standards..pot kettle bla
@Derek O Gorman: who gives out about being looked at in the street? I presume that’s what you’re trying to say? Are you being ignored? Could you do with an aul wink & a whistle?
@Derek O Gorman: In fairness I’ve never heard of a Rose of Tralee contestant giving out about being looked at in the street… Seems a bit counter intuitive, considering they presumably want fame…
Looks like all paper bag jobs.
To qualify for the competition, you must be a primary school teacher, a non-drinker, be living away from home, describe what being Irish means to them, what the GAA means to them, what their faith means to them, like tea, mention their favourite Claddagh ring, their noble deeds in life, teir boyfriends/fiancés, their Mammies and Daddies. Non-Irish Roses are further obligated to explain where ‘their people’ are from, prove their Irishness and say hello to their distant cousins. “A big hello to the McGintys in Ennis!” Then perform a talent, like a song, a dance, a rap … that kind of thing. To present the show, you must pronounce the word steak like ‘shteak’.
Kathryn Thomas —– why does RTE hate its viewers so much …..
Is that still on christ!! It is so cringeworthy
If Daithí’s little fantasy comes through it will become a “spot the Tranny” competition :-)
The ROT is the perpetration of a lie. A place that no longer exists that was sold away a long time ago. It, and its ilk are essentially a painkiller, a bottle of vodka to quell the masses from realising the dilemma they and their descendants are subject to.
You ask this every year and the answer is NO everytime. I Can’t Stand this Muck!!!
I used to love watching it as a kid. its now ruined though with having to be all PC and all that. I wish though RTE would provide audio description even to describe the dresses, not being able to see it anymore has taken the fun out of it, It was an Irish institution and I was one of its residents.
@Jacqueline MCBrearty: How is it ‘all PC and all that’ now??
@Jacqueline MCBrearty: you’re gas. I hope we’ll be hearing more from you
I genuinely didn’t know it was on this week until now. To be fair it’s always a bit of a laugh and Daithí makes it entertaining. Not able to watch it this year though.
@Daithí O’Gruagáin: ( Daithi entertaining)????
For F sake is it any wonder Rte is the way it is when they can pay the likes of this fella Daithi big money ? (better not use that word) I have another word rubbish.
Would rather watch the 2014 All Ireland final replay
If you’re watching the rose of Tralee .You need to get a real life.Or a hobby
Why? To see the 1950s again. Backward thinking program
My middle aged hubby watches it, should I be concerned?
@stella Ormes: only for the spark that has died between you
@stella Ormes: Only if the box of tissues mysteriously goes missing.
John John; And the 4 would be for Daithi.
I would sooner cut off both my legs than listen or watch Thomas, who is being foisted on at every opportunity by the c0##upt rte.
Yes. I want to see all of the lovely bottoms.
@I’m Far Right: Be careful you will be called out by the snow—— sisterhood.
I don’t watch RTE
Do people still watch that cringe fest
Two terrible people hosting it – I would prefer to be crucified
I’d rather watch grass growing than that talentless cattle show. (This is only my own commented feeling and not meant to provoke rabid response).
A publicity shot for the rose of TRALEE taken in Dublin. Laughable.
At least the contestants are all Irish.
Of all the things the Irish copy from abroad, this is the worst.
Keth Tgi. Maybe you could lend us a few cops from the arse of hole Kerry to patrol are streets they might even get a smell of Sam.
Like the “Late Late Show”, the Rose of Tralee should only be seen on “Reeling in the Years”. The girls have lost the innocent charm of years ago and the interviews are now rehearsed to within an inch of their lives. Bring back the girls who only wanted to help the poor children in Africa
Ofc,you all do, just the luvly gurls competition ain’t what it used be. i cri everytiem for late 90′s/early noughties festival.
Definitely not . Rte never on in mine. Programmes are dated . Why pay tv licence in this country is beyond me especially with what’s going on in Rte.
2014 first gay rose
2018 first black rose
2023 first trans rose? first non binary rose?
@TomDuffy: 2025 first AI rose?
Why can’t they just show Reeling in the Years on a loop instead.
The rose of Tralee is a tourist campaign for Kerry.
Taxpayers in the rest of the country should not be forced to pay for this cringeworthy travesty.
In the bin with the Puck.
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