Complaints to military ombudsman up by 39pc
THE number of complaints lodged with the country's military watchdog has risen by more than a third in the past year, with bullying and promotion making up the bulk of the cases.
Last year the ombudsman's office investigated 106 cases, a 39pc increase.
The report reveals that of the 106 cases accepted for investigation, 27 came from one complainant -- the first time the office has dealt with a high number of multiple complaints from one individual.
Of the cases investigated last year, a final report was issued in 34. Of these, almost 60pc were upheld in favour of the complainant. Preliminary view reports (PVR) were issued in 48 cases.
Increase
For the second consecutive year there was a significant increase (58pc) in the number of cases that had originally been processed through the Defence Forces' own complaints procedures system.
"This trend illustrates the growing confidence and trust which members and former members of the Defence Forces place in my office to fairly and independently adjudicate appeals from the outcome of the internal Redress of Wrongs procedures," Defence Forces Ombudsman Paulyn Marrinan Quinn said.
Launching her third annual report, she said there was growing confidence in her office as a watchdog with teeth.
Some 229 complaints were referred by the ombudsman's office, but 119 were deemed to be outside its terms of reference, while a further four were withdrawn.
- Fergus Black
