Case of Dundalk man denied Defence Forces’ pension raised again in Dáil

The case of Dundalk man John McNeela, who was denied a Defence Forces’ pension following the death of his son Michael died while on UN duty, was raised again with Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris, by Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú during the Dáil’s first week back after summer recess.

Before the summer break, Minister Harris had committed to exploring new legislation so that Mr McNeela could continue to receive the small pension payment given by the State to his late wife following the 1989 death in Lebanon of his son.

The case was first raised earlier this year by the Sinn Féin TD who brought it directly to Minister Harris again on Thursday.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “Regarding the Army pensions case involving John McNeela, whose son Michael made the ultimate sacrifice in Lebanon while peacekeeping, we all know that the allowance paid to John's wife when she died was not transferred to him. 

“The Tánaiste promised to update the legislation. Is there a possibility of finding an administrative solution? Could we have a timeline on that? It is right that we do right by the memory and families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in peacekeeping”.

Minister Harris said he had the honour of meeting Mr McNeela during the National Day of Commemoration in July.

Minister Harris said: “We are committed to rectifying this in primary legislation and I spoke to my Secretary General in recent days about this. It will need to be changed through primary legislation. 

“I am not sure there is an administrative solution but I have asked for the quickest bill into which to insert this amendment. If it can be a vehicle other than a defence bill, I am open to that. We are engaging with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Social Protection. 

“I will try to come back to the Deputy with a timeline in the next couple of weeks as to how we can move this forward. It does not necessarily have to wait for defence legislation. Other legislation could move more quickly”.

On the issue of whether the pension could be retrospective, Minister Harris said he would check with the Attorney General on that issue.