A drinking party held at the Irish Army headquarters during COVID-19 was in breach of pandemic restrictions, an independent investigation has found.
The holding of a barbeque by the very group in charge of the Army’s pandemic response “was a decision which lacked judgment and ought not to have happened”.
The hugely embarrassing report for the Defence Force found: “The requirements under the COVID legislation at the time were not adhered to.”
A sexual assault of two female members of the Defence Force also took place by an attendee at the event.
The drinking party only came to light as a result of WhatsApp messages circulating about this incident.
There has been a conviction for a number of offences, including sexual assault, at an Army court martial and sentencing is awaited.
The outdoor party was held for members of the Defence Force’s group that assisted with the response to the pandemic.
The event was held at the Defence Force’s COVID Taskforce headquarters at McKee Barracks in Dublin on 25 June, 2020.
The party, which began at 2pm and finished up sometime after 9.30pm, was attended by 37 people, despite restrictions at the time limiting gatherings to 15 people.
The investigation by barrister, Hugh Mohan found the function might have been intended to be “a working lunch”, but it became an event “for entertainment and social reasons”.
“The very fact that alcohol was purchased and was being served, regardless of whether it was on sale or not, to a group of people in excess of 15 was in the circumstances against the very spirit of what was required of all citizens of the country,” Mr Mohan (pictured) said.
He repeatedly referred to the group being in charge of the Defence Force’s pandemic response.
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister), Micheál Martin has now ordered the Defence Force’s Chief of Staff to look again at the disciplinary actions taken against senior officers involved.
“Having read the report, it is absolutely clear that this event should not have been organised, and it was wrong to do so during a time when many people were subject to emergency public health restrictions,” Mr Martin said.
“The organisation of this event represented very poor judgement by all concerned.”
Dublin, 25 March 2023
