Senior Defence Forces officer under investigation over behaviour towards female colleague

The specific details or nature of the complaint are not known but it is understood that following an initial assessment of her complaint, a decision was made to launch a formal military police investigation.

A senior male officer in a branch of the Irish Defence Forces is being investigated about alleged inappropriate behaviour towards a female colleague.

A military police investigation has been launched arising out of a formal complaint about the alleged incident which is understood to have occurred while both were representing the service overseas.

The Defence Forces was asked if the male officer has been suspended, how long the probe might take, and if certain matters might be referred to gardaí.

A spokesperson said it would be “inappropriate to comment” due to an ongoing investigation into the matter.

It is understood that the female member of the Defence Forces came forward in recent months with the complaint arising out of the alleged historic incident.

The specific details or nature of the complaint are not known but it is understood that following an initial assessment of her complaint, a decision was made to launch a formal military police investigation.

The officer at the centre of the probe is a long-serving member of the Defence Forces and has, over the years, risen through the ranks to a senior position.

He has served in key roles in several international and multi-national missions and he has also played a crucial managerial and planning role on various projects over the years.

The officer at the centre of the probe is a long-serving member of the Defence Forces and has, over the years, risen through the ranks to a senior position. File picture: Sam Boal

The Women of Honour group, which is made up of several former female Defence Forces members who acted as whistleblowers after being bullied and sexually harassed while serving in the Defence Forces, declined to comment on the specific incident but said they were "surprised and saddened" by this allegation.

“We are reassured that people in general feel more comfortable coming forward but still remain very concerned that there is no appropriate process with which to deal with these issues,” a spokesperson said.

“A fair investigation by competent, impartial and qualified personnel with justice and proportionate accountability is required. 

"We have yet to see any such process.

“It is particularly disappointing that it is so public already, ahead of any investigation which does little more than fuel gossip and rumours, causes untold reputational damage and serves no one least of all the alleged victim. 

"Suitable supports need to be put in place for the individuals involved.

“It is vital that this situation is not seized upon to serve a larger agenda but is dealt with fairly and confidentially.

“As damaging as these situations can be, the mishandling of them is infinitely worse and something that is very hard to recover from."