Ross, Inquest into the Death of [2019] NICoroner 14 (27 February 2019)

Ross, Inquest into the Death of [2019] NICoroner 14 (27 February 2019)

James Ross did not receive TRiM during or after his HERRICK 15 tour because he did not experience events traumatic enough to warrant it. There was no causal link between lack of TRiM and his death. Although POSM records were incomplete, evidence suggests he likely completed the process and there was no causal connection between any procedural deficiency and his death. No systemic defect or omission contributed to his death. The inquest complied with Article 2 ECHR requirements.

Citation
[2019] NICoroner 14
Parties
Deceased: Lance Corporal James Ross; Next of Kin: Mrs Linda Ketcher; Interested Party: Ministry of Defence; Coroner: Coroner for Northern Ireland, Mr Joseph McCrisken
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Judgment Date
27 February 2019
Procedural Posture
Inquest / Final Factual Findings and Conclusions
Outcome
Death by hanging; suicide. No systemic defect or procedural failure causally contributed to the death.
Legal Topics
Inquest Procedure, Article 2 ECHR Compliance, Military Welfare, Suicide, Post Operational Stress Management
Coronial Law Human Rights Inquest Procedure Article 2 ECHR Compliance Military Welfare Suicide Post Operational Stress Management

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Full judgment text Downloadable case file Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 4 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Lance Corporal James Ross

Deceased

Mrs Linda Ketcher

Next of Kin

Ministry of Defence

Interested Party

Coroner for Northern Ireland, Mr Joseph McCrisken

Coroner

Procedural Posture

Inquest / Final Factual Findings and Conclusions

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Lance Corporal James Ross's death was causally linked to failures in Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) or Post Operational Stress Management (POSM) procedures
  2. 2 Whether any systemic defects contributed to the death
  3. 3 Compliance with Article 2 ECHR inquest requirements

Ratio Decidendi

James Ross did not receive TRiM during or after his HERRICK 15 tour because he did not experience events traumatic enough to warrant it. There was no causal link between lack of TRiM and his death. Although POSM records were incomplete, evidence suggests he likely completed the process and there was no causal connection between any procedural deficiency and his death. No systemic defect or omission contributed to his death. The inquest complied with Article 2 ECHR requirements.

Court Disposition

Death by hanging; suicide. No systemic defect or procedural failure causally contributed to the death.