AN ENGINEER has told the High Court that billet accommodation in which Irish soldiers were sleeping when their Unifil post in Lebanon came under mortar attack in May 1999 exposed the soldiers to "very serious" risk.
It would have been a "very simple process" for the Army to have provided billets which were better protected, Niall Lydon said.
A consultant mechanical and civil engineer, Mr Lydon was giving evidence on the fourth day of an action in which Pte Darren Clarke and former Pte David Concannon claim they suffered post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their experiences in Lebanon in 1999, particularly a mortar attack on their post near Brashit on May 31st, 1999.
They allege negligence in the manner in which their disorder was treated and also allege failure to provide a safe place of work. They claim their billets were not suitable for use by peace-keeping forces.
It is also alleged that, had the Defence Forces responded more speedily in getting the soldiers from their billets to bunkers as soon as the mortar firing began, Pte Billy Kedian (22) may not have died and others, including Pte Ronnie Rushe and Pte Clarke, may not have sustained injuries.
The Minister for Defence and the State have denied the claims in proceedings which continue on Tuesday before Ms Justice Mary Irvine.
Mr Lydon said the soldiers' billets were made of aluminium sheet cladding and provided no protection from projectile debris as a result of mortars exploding.