Ken O'Flynn TD - €10m in payouts for suicide-linked drug given to Irish Troops on UN Missions

“Like a horror show in a pill.”

Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn has established that the State Claims Agency has settled legal claims worth almost €10million in relation to the issuing of the anti-malarial drug Lariam to members of the Defence Forces who served on UN missions including in sub-Saharan Africa.

The payouts initially began following a successful legal action taken in 2019 by an Irish soldier who had retired from the Irish Defence Forces in 2013. Since then, hundreds of such claims have been made.

The Defence Force member claimed that the Minister for Defence, Ireland, and the Attorney General were negligent in their duty towards his physical and mental health.

Deputy O’Flynn said, “These cases represent a catastrophic breach of care. What makes it worse is that we have known pretty much since the 1970’s when the drug was introduced into the US Army that it was, to quote one US Army Physician, “like a horror show in a pill.”

“In our own cases, it is tragically ironic that the people most harmed were those most willing to put themselves in harm’s way in the defence and protection of others.”

“Little did they know that the danger would come from their own people who were tasked with looking out for them in terms of their medical care.”

“These are people who stepped forward to serve Ireland, often in dangerous conditions, and they were entitled to the highest standard of care. Instead, many were left with long-term health problems and years of uncertainty.”

“The Department can recite process. The State Claims Agency can outline costs. But none of this addresses the lived reality for soldiers who suffered devastating side effects and who were ignored for far too long. They deserve truth, not evasive language. They deserve support, not a system that forces them into litigation to be heard.”

He continued:

“The treatment of these personnel is one of the most serious failings in recent Defence Forces history. There were clear warnings about Lariam internationally. There were repeated concerns raised by soldiers themselves. Yet the State pressed on, and now the taxpayer is on the hook for €9.99 million while the people who wore the uniform are still fighting to have their ordeal recognised.”

“We owe these men and women more than respectful words. We owe them accountability. We owe them full openness about how this happened and why concerns were dismissed. Most of all, we owe them proper medical and psychological support for as long as they need it.”

Deputy O’Flynn concluded:

“Ireland’s soldiers serve with loyalty and courage. They expect the State to stand by them with the same loyalty in return. That did not happen with Lariam. It is time for a complete reckoning and a clear commitment that this failure will never be repeated.”