Sunday 1 November 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. 23661Insubordination (military) · Co. Dublin

Insubordination charges against senior Defence Forces officer dropped

Insubordination charges against Lieut Col Fintan McCarthy, a senior Defence Forces officer, were dropped after he took a judicial review in the High Court. The charges, brought by Col Jerry Lane in June 2020, related to a complaint McCarthy made about Lane's conduct in the Defence Forces legal affairs office.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whenCol Lane submitted formal military charges against McCarthy in June 2020 alleging insubordination and making a false accusation against a superior officer. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe charges related to a complaint made by McCarthy in October 2019 with the General Officer Commanding. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe Chief of Staff appointed another colonel to investigate the insubordination charges, which concluded when McCarthy was informed the charges were being dropped. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMcCarthy took a judicial review in the High Court to prevent the charges from proceeding. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe Defence Forces will not contest McCarthy's case and the full hearing scheduled for January will be set aside. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMcCarthy also claimed Col Lane displayed unacceptable behaviour towards Defence Forces legal officers and had discontinued overseas service with UNIFIL for legal officers. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA General Routine Order in 2019, signed by then Maj Gen Clancy, granted additional powers to Col Lane including supervisory powers over disciplinary actions and the power to appoint prosecuting officers. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe GRO was revoked by the Minister for Defence in February after concerns it was in conflict with legislation and the matter was referred to the Attorney General's office. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherCol Lane had previously taken a High Court action relating to a protected disclosure alleging officers were being granted preferential treatment in appointments, which he withdrew in 2019. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 8 Dec2022
    Otheririshtimes.com, first report
    Insubordination charges against senior Defence Forces officer dropped ahead of High Court hearing

    Reports that the insubordination charges against Lieut Col McCarthy have been withdrawn, that the Defence Forces will not contest his judicial review, and that the full hearing scheduled for January will be set aside. Provides background on the long-running discord in the Defence Forces legal affairs office and the General Routine Order dispute.

    accused, Fintan McCarthy, male, named, irish (judged from name)Fintan McCarthyvictim, Jerry Lane, male, irish (judged from name)Jerry Lane