Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 2297Judicial review (Defence Forces discharge) · Co. Cork

Defence Forces reservist Kealan Harrington settles High Court action over security discharge

Kealan Harrington, a Defence Forces reservist from Ballintemple, Co Cork, settled his High Court judicial review action against the Minister for Defence, with orders made to quash his April 2021 discharge from the Reserve Defence Forces on grounds of being a security risk to the State.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court18 Feb
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe reservist was discharged from the Defence Forces on grounds that he was a risk to national security (irishtimes.com)
  • whatKealan Harrington brought judicial review proceedings in 2021 against the Minister for Defence, Ireland and the Attorney General (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHarrington believed his dismissal was linked to his role as public spokesperson for the family of Aaron Brady (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAaron Brady was convicted and jailed in 2020 for the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe seven years earlier (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe joined the Permanent Defence Forces a year later but left shortly afterwards (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was told in April 2021 that he was being discharged as his services were no longer required and he was a security risk to the State (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe claimed he asked for material concerning the reasons for his discharge but was not provided with anything (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe claimed his discharge was unlawful and in breach of natural and constitutional justice (irishtimes.com)
  • whereHarrington is from Ballintemple, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
  • whenHarrington joined the RDF in 2014 (irishtimes.com)
  • whenIn 2019 he re-enlisted in the RDF and was subject to security vetting and security analysis (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe action was settled and an order could be made quashing the decision to discharge him from the Reserve Defence Forces (irishtimes.com)
  • courtFechin McDonagh SC appeared for Harrington before Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 18 Feb2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Defence Forces reservist settles High Court action over discharge

    Reports the settlement of the judicial review, with orders to quash the discharge decision. Harrington's solicitor Fechin McDonagh SC told Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty on 18 February 2025 that the action was settled.

    victim, Kealan Harrington, male, irish (judged from name)Kealan Harrington