Soldier Lay Dead for 3 Weeks in Barracks Unnoticed

A soldier whose body lay undiscovered for three weeks in his barracks room was the victim of “systematic harassment,” an inquest heard.

Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, 33, suffered “bullying by those responsible for his welfare” at his camp in Catterick, North Yorkshire. Bullies included some of Lance Corp Mongan’s superiors in his own chain of command, it was also heard at the inquest today.

The hearing at Northallerton Coroner’s Court in North Yorkshire was told Lance Corp Mongan was discovered dead in his single-living accommodation on January 23, 2020 – three weeks after he was last seen. The soldier had, over the previous two Christmases, complained to his bosses about feeling suicidal over the festive periods.

Welfare checks were supposed to be made on him over the Christmas period of 2019-2020 – the very period in which he met his death. Craig Hassall KC, independent counsel appointed to advise the inquest, said Lance Corp Mongan was last seen alive on January 2, 2020, reports Mail Online.

The soldier, who was also the victim of a serious racially aggravated assault in 2018, was found weeks later, which barrister Jesse Nicholls, for Lance Corp Mongan’s widow Bethany, said was “an inhumane and completely unacceptable period of time”.

There was also concern from the family that the Army’s official investigation had never properly investigated the bullying – concluding rather just that it should be investigated. He said Bethany was also concerned that the truth would not come out unless those accused of bullying her late husband were called as witnesses at the hearing.

He continued: “There is copious evidence from multiple witnesses that those responsible for his welfare were bullying and harassing him. They recognised he was vulnerable. He had felt suicidal over the two previous Christmases and did not like being in single living accommodation. They put him on a regime of welfare checks because of that concern. They are now saying the evidence is there were systems in place but it appears they were not complied with.”

There was also the question over whether the case came under Article Two of the European Convention of Human Rights, which imposes a duty on the state to protect its citizens.

Coroner Jonathan Leach ruled he would not be bound by Article Two but would keep an open mind about whether it applied. He added: “There will be a full, fair, and fearless investigation into the death of Lance Corporal Mongan and the circumstances surrounding his death.”

He will give a ruling on the scope of the inquest over the next seven days and a written ruling on an Article Two inquest in 14 days. The inquest will resume later in the year.