Former Defence Forces officer accused of altering medical records

A former Defence Forces officer has been accused of “knowingly or wrongfully” altering electronic medical records, resulting in a female former captain being de‑selected for overseas service.

The alleged changes are said to have downgraded the captain’s operational status between July and December 2020. Defence Forces Tribunal lawyers have ordered the Defence Forces to provide documents relating to a complaint made by the ex‑captain about the officer’s conduct, seeking a court order for the chief of staff to supply the material by 7 October.

The request covers “discrete” categories of documents concerning a Military Police investigation into an allegation that the officer entered false information into the Socrates system – the Defence Forces’ electronic medical records platform – around 14 May 2020. Tribunal lawyers argue this led to the captain’s medical downgrading and de‑selection.

The tribunal also seeks all records of an appeal the former captain lodged with a senior Defence Forces officer on 21 October 2020 regarding her de‑selection. It states the documents are “necessary and proportionate” and relevant to allegations of retaliation after the captain complained of abuse.

The case adds to a series of concerns about the Socrates system, including whistle‑blower warnings in 2015 and investigations into data‑protection breaches reported in 2023.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: CQF-Avocat / Pexels.