4 December 1997 Edition
Refused a hearing
By Eoghan MacCormaic
I WAS thinking there, that maybe I should offer my services as a witness in an upcoming case. Well, in a number of upcoming cases really. 11,000 upcoming cases. The case of the Deaf Soldiers. You see I could vouch for their audio limitations. I've witnessed it!
I was once refused entry into an army barracks. I don't frequent barracks as a rule, and while I've been inside a few it was normally against my will. Once however, I was invited to represent UCG students at a post-debating function in Dúnaras Mhaoilíosa, in Galway. Which reminds me, isn't it strange how the state should name so many of its barracks after those it executed...
The cadets billeted there study in the University. As the ex Union President I was invited to patiently sit through two hours of noisy, point-of-order raising, Mister-chairmanning debates. The motion was that This House Would Include Sinn Féin in Talks. Ten teams of the country's finest 1994 University debaters thrashed it out, and came to the conclusion that the House Would. It was a night of promise: students were opening their minds to the idea of all inclusive talks. That much of the night's business over, the guests were bussed to the barracks for a drink. Promises, promises.
I was reminded of that night this week when the furore broke over the number of soldiers who have put in claims for hearing damages. And there I was thinking that it was something completely different that made you deaf. It is a disgrace. Thousands of our young men going deaf for Ireland.
Now I understand why there's so much shouting on the parade ground. And the claims don't stop there. No indeed. Other claims could be in the offing. Chaffed thighs, from years of wearing those manky green canvas trousers. That should raise a few bob. And the military equivalent of tennis elbow, military shoulder, brought on from a combination of holding rifles and saluting every time you meet an officer. The country could be bankrupt if this keeps up. Long nights on Sentry duty leading to colds and flu, varicose veins from square bashing, there's no end to it. The Forsaí Cosanta are becoming the Forsaí Costasacha.
The gardaí are next in the offing for the injury claims court. Apparently solicitors are preparing cases for trainees who suffered hearing impairment during their days in Templemore. And numerous Branchmen could be set for a windfall bonus for haemorrhoids after years of sedentary activity. Sitting in cars. Observing us. Where is it all going to stop?
Of course not everyone is happy about this situation, and already the tide of public opinion is turning against the soldiers' claims. It's all a bit far fetched to expect people to believe that so many valid claims can be made, and that then, in addition to the actual claims, that the solicitors and barristers are about to make a killing too. But as I say, I might be able to offer some evidence on the question.
Back on that night in 1994, at the barrack gates, or rather, just inside the gates, I was stopped by the soldiery. On security grounds, I wasn't to be allowed in. The motion on inclusiveness had just been passed by the house, but rejected by the military. I protested. 11,000 claims of deafness doesn't surprise me in the least. When I protested, that night, on behalf of the students of the college at the insult to their elected Union, my complaints fell, as you might say, on deaf ears.
I WAS thinking there, that maybe I should offer my services as a witness in an upcoming case. Well, in a number of upcoming cases really. 11,000 upcoming cases. The case of the Deaf Soldiers. You see I could vouch for their audio limitations. I've witnessed it!
I was once refused entry into an army barracks. I don't frequent barracks as a rule, and while I've been inside a few it was normally against my will. Once however, I was invited to represent UCG students at a post-debating function in Dúnaras Mhaoilíosa, in Galway. Which reminds me, isn't it strange how the state should name so many of its barracks after those it executed...
The cadets billeted there study in the University. As the ex Union President I was invited to patiently sit through two hours of noisy, point-of-order raising, Mister-chairmanning debates. The motion was that This House Would Include Sinn Féin in Talks. Ten teams of the country's finest 1994 University debaters thrashed it out, and came to the conclusion that the House Would. It was a night of promise: students were opening their minds to the idea of all inclusive talks. That much of the night's business over, the guests were bussed to the barracks for a drink. Promises, promises.
I was reminded of that night this week when the furore broke over the number of soldiers who have put in claims for hearing damages. And there I was thinking that it was something completely different that made you deaf. It is a disgrace. Thousands of our young men going deaf for Ireland.
Now I understand why there's so much shouting on the parade ground. And the claims don't stop there. No indeed. Other claims could be in the offing. Chaffed thighs, from years of wearing those manky green canvas trousers. That should raise a few bob. And the military equivalent of tennis elbow, military shoulder, brought on from a combination of holding rifles and saluting every time you meet an officer. The country could be bankrupt if this keeps up. Long nights on Sentry duty leading to colds and flu, varicose veins from square bashing, there's no end to it. The Forsaí Cosanta are becoming the Forsaí Costasacha.
The gardaí are next in the offing for the injury claims court. Apparently solicitors are preparing cases for trainees who suffered hearing impairment during their days in Templemore. And numerous Branchmen could be set for a windfall bonus for haemorrhoids after years of sedentary activity. Sitting in cars. Observing us. Where is it all going to stop?
Of course not everyone is happy about this situation, and already the tide of public opinion is turning against the soldiers' claims. It's all a bit far fetched to expect people to believe that so many valid claims can be made, and that then, in addition to the actual claims, that the solicitors and barristers are about to make a killing too. But as I say, I might be able to offer some evidence on the question.
Back on that night in 1994, at the barrack gates, or rather, just inside the gates, I was stopped by the soldiery. On security grounds, I wasn't to be allowed in. The motion on inclusiveness had just been passed by the house, but rejected by the military. I protested. 11,000 claims of deafness doesn't surprise me in the least. When I protested, that night, on behalf of the students of the college at the insult to their elected Union, my complaints fell, as you might say, on deaf ears.