Open verdict on soldier who lay undiscovered in Army base 'for more than three weeks'

The inquest into the death of a soldier who was found in his room at an Army base has returned an open verdict.

The body of Lance Corporal Bernard Mongan, who was serving with 1 Military Intelligence, was discovered on January 23rd, 2020 – three weeks after he had last been seen.

John Heath, the senior coroner for North Yorkshire, ruled that he was unable to determine whether LCpl Mongan had died as a result of suicide or natural causes, in part due to the level of decomposition that had occurred.

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But Bethany Mongan, LCpl Mongan's widow, said it was her belief that her estranged husband had taken his own life, and that it was "unforgivable" that he had lain undiscovered for so long in his room at barracks.

The inquest heard how LCpl Mongan had been spoken to and treated differently by senior NCOs at his Catterick-based unit. These accusations were acknowledged by the coroner, which the family said – via a statement – supported their view that Bernie, as he was known, had been the victim of bullying.

One of the senior NCOs accused of bullying LCpl Mongan told the inquest he had since "adapted his leadership style".

It was also heard that LCpl Mongan, who had rejoined the Army in 2015 after previously serving with the Irish Guards, had attempted to take his life on previous occasions, and that he had been the victim of a serious assault in Catterick in 2018.

LCpl Mongan was last known to be alive in the early hours of 2 January, 2020. On 7 January, he was due to begin a course at another Army base but did not arrive. His absence was not flagged by those running the course, which contributed to the father of three lying undiscovered in his room for so long.

In a statement, the Mongan family said it remained shocking that a body could lie undiscovered for more than three weeks in the British Army.

"The Army has rightly accepted that there were serious failings that allowed this to happen and has said sorry for them.

"But that failure has had terrible consequences today because it has meant the coroner cannot be satisfied as to the medical causes of Bernie's death."

Coroner John Heath said he would consider issuing a future prevention of death report, but granted legal representatives time to make further submissions before making a ruling on the matter.

An Army spokesperson said: "Our deepest sympathies remain with the family and friends of Lance Corporal Bernard 'Bernie’'Mongan.

"His loss has been profoundly felt throughout the Army, but we recognise that no one has felt this tragedy more deeply than those closest to him.

"The Army accepted and is actioning all of the recommendations identified by the Service Inquiry report into Bernie's death.

"We deeply regret and apologise for the shortfalls in our duty of care towards him, which were clearly unacceptable.

"We're grateful to HM Coroner for the thorough and diligent examination of the circumstances surrounding his death."

The spokesperson added: "Bernie's service will not be forgotten, and we owe it to his memory, to his loved ones, and to all who serve to ensure that we consistently and diligently provide the duty of care our people need and deserve."