'We were tortured': ex-soldier on Army Apprentice School (opens original article in a new tab)

A former soldier testified about severe abuse at the Army Apprentice School, describing it as a 'hellish' environment with verbal, mental, and physical mistreatment. The tribunal is examining how the Defence Forces handled abuse complaints, with witnesses citing a toxic culture and a cover-up related to a recruit's suicide. Another former soldier compared the conditions to a 'penal colony' and expressed regret for not speaking out.

• A former soldier described severe abuse at the Army Apprentice School in Devoy Barracks, including verbal, mental, and physical mistreatment.
• The tribunal is investigating how the Defence Forces handled abuse complaints between 1983 and 2024, with witnesses citing a toxic environment and a cover-up regarding a recruit's suicide.
• Another former soldier compared the conditions to a 'penal colony' and expressed regret for not speaking out against the treatment of a colleague.