A man whose soldier son took his own life has pleaded with the Defence Forces to stop administering controversial anti-malaria drug Lariam.

Ven Naughton’s son Greg committed suicide at the age of 34 and he fears repeated exposure to the drug, which can cause serious psychotic side effects, may be to blame.

Ven told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “He used to complain about the Lariam, saying the effing officers get something else but we get this s**t.

“His flat mate said he was a bit strange when he came back from Chad. Other people said he used to go into trances. He came back early from his last tour of duty, and nobody knew why.”

Greg served as a signalman in the Army for 13 years and completed six tours of duty abroad.

Signs of depression emerged the Christmas before he died when Greg, who was usually “suited and booted” and loved visiting pals, arrived in a track suit and did not call to see his friends.