Former soldier tells of aiding veterans cope in post service world

Longford's storied military links have shaped the town as much as the River Camlin that carves its way through the limestone, basal and shale bedrock on which it rests.
Longford town had a fortification located on the north bank of the Camlin for hundreds of years before it closed its gates in 2009.

Although the Sean Connolly Barracks was established in the late 1700s, it's proximity to Longford Castle hints at its importance as a strategic fort for centuries before that.
The military installation was the beating heart of the town. It provided employment, the soldiers' income a crucial economic stream.

Steven Shields, Veteran Support Officer (VSO) with Irish Defence Forces' charity ONE, was one of the soldiers to serve in the barracks. ONE – Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann (or the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel) – is a registered Irish charity offering housing and support for Defence Forces' veterans, with the ultimate goal of accessing permanent accommodation, improving mental health, and preventing future homelessness.

A native of Longford, now living in Leitrim, Steven spent nearly three decades in the Irish Defence Forces, before retiring in 2014. Since retirement he worked in a number of positions, including with the HSE and the Department of Social Protection as a rehabilitation manager for addiction and mental health clients.

Steven's VSOs role sees him focus on the East, Midlands, West, and Northwest regions: “I am originally from Teffia Park in Longford town. I served most of my career in Connolly Barracks in Longford. I spent 27 years in the Defence Forces,” he told the Leader.

“I come from a family very involved in the Defence Forces. My uncle Desmond Abbott served 21 years in the naval service. When the barracks in Longford closed down I went on to serve in Mullingar and Cavan. I ended my career in Custume Barracks in Athlone. I served in most of the barracks in the Midlands,” the former army man said.

Steven has drawn on his own background, life experiences and personal challenges to help vulnerable veterans struggling due to homelessness, addiction and other personal difficulties: “I am one of three VSOs in the country. We have an officer in the south and one in Dublin, and I take the northern part of the country. We have a centre in Dublin that houses over 35 clients who are dealing with homelessness.”

He spends much of his time on the road, meeting upwards of 40 veterans a month, supporting them in their transition back to civilian life and helping them overcome the challenges they face. Addiction, homelessness and relationship breakdowns are some of the common issues he encounters daily, and Steven knows all too well how easy it is to fall on hard times.

“My role covers Midlands, West and north West. I am working with over 14 veterans from Longford,” he explained, “It's an eye opener. Four of them have addiction issues, I am working to assist two people facing homelessness, four have mental health issues. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a real issue. I do a lot of work in that area. Of the others I am counselling two for loneliness and two for grief.”

Throughout his career, including in his role as VSO, Steven has helped hundreds to face their demons and overcome their challenges. His training and expertise, in conjunction with his own personal experience, has enabled him to empathise with his clients.

Stephen had personal experience of addiction and mental health issues. He found himself on the verge of homelessness after his own marriage broke down. His life's journey has helped him in his career.
“It's varied and wide,” he says of his role, “Veterans give their lives to the Defence Forces. We don't say “where did you work”, we say “where did you serve”. That has different connotations. Even when training you are away from family and friends for a significant amount of time. Then there's the time people spend serving overseas. It's a huge commitment.

“When people leave the Defence Forces, for whatever reason, they sometimes find it difficult to adjust to civilian life. It can be hard, particularly when they encounter problems like marriage break up, mental health issues, and addiction issues,” he says.

Stephen is an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist. He uses his training and experience in all types of situations within the Defence Forces, including dealing with complex PTSD cases. Having left the Defence Forces in 2014, he worked in a number of civilian roles in counselling and addiction services, before being appointed to his position as VSO in 2021.
Assisting through times of extreme difficulty is a challenge. Stephen has a wide remit: “We help with issues everyday people have to deal with.

For veterans, because of our “institutionalisation”, for want of a better word, sometimes it can be very hard to look for help. Our service is for families, for gardaí, for Red Cross and Civil Defence. We provide a service for all those organisations across Longford and the wider region.”
Stephen spent 15 years as a sergeant with the Personnel Support Services (PSS), worked as an Addiction Counsellor within the army, and has conducted stress debriefs in Lebanon, Kosovo, Bosnia and Chad.

He says the Defence Forces are respected across Irish society, but adds a caveat: “I think generally there is respect, but there's also an unknown factor when it comes to what we do as Defence Force members and as veterans. If we talk about the war in Ukraine or the British service people who served in Afghanistan and Iraq people are aware of the horrors of those tours of duty. Irish servicemen and women have witnessed, and been involved in, a lot of humanitarian issues. They witnessed catastrophes, death, death in service and all that goes with it.”

The trends he observes point to an increasing demand for veteran support services. ONE helps veterans struggling: “Our personnel have had to deal with some fairly serious issues in Lebanon, in Chad and in the Congo. Some of my clients served in the Congo 60 years ago. I have dealt with people who still suffer PTSD from those conflicts 60 years down the line.”

Stephen's purview is particularly wide. He has worked in closed and open prisons for the Irish Prison Service; with voluntary groups such as the MOVE programme working with partners and ex-partners of domestic abuse; and with the SIMON Community, TUSLA Child and Family Agency. His primary experience is in trauma abuse, homelessness and addiction.

He is a mediator and stress management facilitator with extensive experience in trauma and physical, mental, emotional, and sexual abuse. He also works in parenting and is a Parenting Under Pressure therapist and supervisor and has an Honours Degree in Counselling and Addiction, and a Master's Degree in Clinical Supervision.

Óglaigh Náisiúnta Na hÉireann, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE) offers Support, Comradeship, Advocacy and Remembrance: “We are a charitable organisation,” Stephen told the Leader, “It's important that if people see our appeal they support it. If there are any veterans out there who feel they could benefit from our support they should make contact with us.”

ONE takes a 'hands-on' approach to address the increasing challenge of homelessness among veterans. They have developed a nationwide network of 38 Branches and 15 Veteran Support Centres, and continue to develop its professional Veteran Mental Health Support Services.

Stephen says local ONE members are very active: “We are looking to establish a veteran support centre. This is a place when veterans can come, have a cup of tea and mingle. We have an application with the council and we hope they will support us in our efforts to set one up.”

While Stephen is engaged in a full time post, he commends the local organisation: “There are a number of key ONE volunteers locally who have to be acknowledged; Pat Masterson, Busty Coy, Pat McGann, Seamus Keaveney and Tommy Watson all do trojan work behind the scenes.

“They are the local Peter Keenan branch. They are very active, particularly for the St Patrick's Day parade, commemorations and other events. I have to give great respect to them for their work.”
The ONE offers services to all veterans of the Defence Forces.