Family of Paul Cochrane claim RIR had 10 year history of physical, sexual, verba
Jenny B | 24.05.2003 19:30
The family of RIR soldier Paul Cochrane who commited suicide claim that the commander of the RIR, lieutenant colonel Tim Collins failed to counteract the vicious and pervading bullying culture that drove their son to his death. 'There were 17 cases being investigated at Drumadd Barracks Armagh at the time of Paul's death, the night of Paul's funeral, a soldier in his battalion was raped by another high ranking officer'.
The Cochrane family claim that Colonel Collins failed to take appropriate action to deal with the officers bullying their son Paul. Paul had written to Col Collins a few weeks before he died naming senior officers he accused of bullying him and asking for the commanding officer's help. A secret tape Paul made of a meeting with senior officers was found mangled in the grounds of the army camp 3 days before his death. The Cochranes requested that the alleged bullies not attend their son's funeral, but found out the officer bullies had sat just a few feet away from them in church. 'We are upset and furious' said Mrs Cochrane. 'We felt let down and betrayed by Col Collins and the army. We have not seen or heard from Col Collins since the funeral'. 'Nearly 2 years on the army still hasn't released a report into what happened and therefore we can't have an inquest'. Julie Clark, Paul's cousin set up a support group for victims of army bullying and their relatives, Families United. 'For a long time we thought we were alone in this'Ms Clark said, 'but we have heard all sorts of stories of physical, verbal, sexual and mental abuse stretching back 8 or 10 years'. Just a few weeks ago a young soldier at Drumadd hanged himself. The Cochrane family have no faith in an internal MOD inquiry, they feel it would be simply officers investigating each other. Mr Cochrane said 'There has to be a full public inquiry into Paul's death and what is going on in the RIR'. The Cochrane family were speaking in the Guardian newspaper today.
Jenny B
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The soldier who would not die
25.05.2003 22:36
In the weeks before Paul's death, Paul had written to Col Collins for help, and requesting leave to go home. Paul was ill with a serious ear infection. Despite evidence from the army's own doctors who confirmed and diagnosed Paul's illness, Paul was not granted sick leave. Instead Paul was moved to a room beneath Drumadd barracks helicopter pad. One of the noisiest areas of the base. On the night of his death, Paul phoned his mother crying, unable to speak for sobbing, clearly very distressed and told his mother 'he was very frightened'. Paul's mother began crying on hearing the distress of her son. This phonecall was cut short, and Paul's mother tried ringing him back to no avail. Paul's father then phoned him on his mobile and was able to speak to him, Paul seemed calmer, and told him he would phone his mother back soon, the phonecall was abruptly ended by the sound of a gun shot, and Paul spoke no more. By the time the Cochranes and emergency services got to Drumadd barracks Paul was dead, with a gunshot wound to his head. The Cochranes would like to know, if their son was off duty sick, and unfit for duty, why was he in possesion of a firearm and where did he get the firearm from?. Why was Paul so frightened?, what was going on at Drumadd barracks? Paul left a note saying that 'he had been driven into this situation by 'bad men'', the note named the RIR officers who were bullying him. The Cochranes appealed personally to Col Collins to keep these men away from Paul's funeral, yet despite this heartfelt request Col Collins allowed these men to attend Paul's funeral. This act of gross thoughtless arrogance added insult to injury for the Cochranes and was a final bitter blow to Paul's memory. That those officers who drove Paul to his death, that tormented Paul throughout his short life, should have the last laugh and be able to follow Paul to his graveside to torment Paul during his last shared moments with his family on this earth is sadistic and evil. Paul was a fit, strong, healthy, talented young man but something happened at Drumadd barracks that reduced him to a quivering sobbing wreck. Paul had no peace during his short life, How can Col Collins live in peace with his conscience now. Paul may be dead, but the battle to unravel the circumstances surrounding his death is far from dead.
clodagh