'Unprecedented' meeting to discuss how Defence Forces handles offenders

It comes as Simon Harris said it was “utterly unacceptable” that serving soldiers with convictions for gender-based violence could be allowed to “hide” in the Defence Forces.

The Defence Forces’ Chief of Staff has summoned senior officers to an “unprecedented” meeting on Friday to discuss how the army handles offenders among its ranks.

Sources say the meeting was sparked by the Taoiseach’s public condemnation of army officials who knew about the Cathal Crotty case but “did nothing”.