A retired Army captain presented with a “clear-cut” and severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when he was assessed by a clinical psychologist, the High Court was told yesterday.
Dr Miriam Moore was giving evidence in the continuing action by retired Capt Patrick Holmes, who is suing the Minister for Defence and the Attorney General for allegedly failing to properly diagnose and treat his PTSD. The claims are denied.
Mr Holmes (54), St Mary’s Road, Galway, claims he received no support, screening or treatment following a number of “near death” experiences in Lebanon during his first tour of duty there in 1981.
Yesterday, Dr Moore said she undertook a lengthy consultation with Mr Holmes in November 1998.
Dr Moore, author of a report on PTSD in soldiers between 1991 and 1994, said she found Mr Holmes to be “a sad man with a great tenseness about him”.
She said Mr Holmes considered four events which happened during his time in Lebanon to have been life-threatening incidents, and these were “sufficient” to give rise to PTSD.
The case continues.