A TOTAL of 38 Defence Forces personnel are taking cases against the government for post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing deaths, injuries or gun battles while on overseas duty.

A number of soldiers have already successfully sued the state for damages, with one former private getting more than €300,000 in damages.

If all 38 of those involved in suits for post-traumatic stress were successful, the bill for the taxpayer could be as high as €13m, which would not include legal fees.

However, the Department of Defence appears determined to vigorously contest all claims and has already taken steps to have 10 cases dismissed, it has confirmed.

A statement said: "[The] department currently has approximately 38 personal injury claims primarily alleging post-traumatic stress disorder arising from service abroad.

"Ten of these cases are currently in the process of being discontinued as no formal proceedings have been received.

"An estimate of the potential liability of quantum in relation to PTSD claims is difficult to predict. This is due to the fact that each case is judged on its own merits and accordingly, it is not possible to estimate the value of each claim."

Retired army captain Tom Clonan, a military commentator, said: "In any combat, one third of all casualties are of a psychological nature so it does go with the territory.

"It should not be frowned upon or stigmatised and it is simply a natural consequence of all military service.

"The figures certainly are not inconsistent with what happens on the international arena.

"When you put people in harm's way, this is one of the things that will happen. It is absolutely essential that you have counselling and psychological services in place and I know that a review of that is currently underway in the Irish Defence Forces, which is very welcome."