AN ARMY Captain was “shamefully neglected” by the Army authorities who never once asked him how he was after suffering four life-threatening incidents in Lebanon, his lawyer told the High Court yesterday.
Vincent Foley was making his closing address in the action by retired Captain Patrick Holmes (54), St Mary’s Road, Galway, over the alleged failure to diagnose and treat him for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) allegedly suffered as a result of UN peace-keeping duties in Lebanon in 1981.
The action for damages is against the Minister for Defence and the State, who reject the claims and deny Mr Holmes suffered PTSD. The case concluded yesterday and Mr Justice Séan Ryan reserved judgment.
The court had heard Mr Holmes secured a degree in philosophy and archaeology in 1989 and a masters degree in peace studies in 1990. Earlier yesterday, Mr Foley cross-examined consultant psychiatrist Prof Patricia Casey who, in evidence for the defence, had said she found such academic achievements incompatible with PTSD.
Mr Foley put to Prof Casey that Dr Miriam Moore, who diagnosed Mr Holmes with PTSD in 1998, found it was possible for PTSD sufferers to become workaholics as a means of escape from themselves.
Prof Casey said she would find it very difficult to believe somebody with full-blown PTSD would be able to throw themselves into work to that extent.
In his closing arguments, Colm Ó hOisín, for the defence, said claims that Mr Holmes suffered severe PTSD did not stand up.