Three Defence Forces members dismissed due to domestic, sexual or gender-based violence 

The figures include Cathal Crotty who was dismissed earlier this month following his conviction for the vicious and unprovoked assault on Limerick woman Natasha O'Brien in 2022.

Three members of the Defence Forces have been dismissed due to domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence since 2016 — reflecting the "culture of misogyny" in the organisation.

The figures include Cathal Crotty who was dismissed earlier this month following his conviction for the vicious and unprovoked assault on Limerick woman Natasha O'Brien in 2022.

One member was dismissed in 2017 for a sexual offence while another was dismissed in 2023 for domestic violence.

The figures were provided in a response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns to Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin.

Ms Cairns said the figures are deeply concerning and raise further questions for the Government and the Defence Forces.

In June, Mr Martin told the Dáíl that 68 currently serving members of the Defence Forces have been convicted of a crime in the last three years or are currently before the courts.

Of these, approximately six cases relate to domestic incidents or breaches of barring orders and a further five relate to sexual assault.

Around 24 cases relate to assault generally, but it is not yet known whether any of these are gender-based incidents.

Ms Cairns said she will be seeking clarity on these details.

Following a query by the Irish Examiner, the Defence Forces were unable to divulge how many of the 11 cases relating to domestic or sexual incidents are still before the courts.

"The Defence Forces unequivocally condemns any actions by serving personnel that are contrary to military regulations or that do not reflect our values," a spokesperson said.

"The Defence Forces does not comment on the specifics of individuals cases."

Ms Cairns said that it was shocking but not surprising that three members have been dismissed for domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence.

It speaks to the culture of misogyny and bullying that has been allowed to fester unchecked within the Defence Forces for years as highlighted by the Women of Honour.

"The latest figures show that a root-and-branch transformation of the Defence Forces and proper oversight of existing procedures cannot come soon enough."

In his response, Mr Martin expressed his "unequivocal condemnation of any form of gender-based violence".

He added: "The Defence Forces is not a place where someone who has been convicted of a serious offence, including sexual offences or domestic or gender-based violence, can continue to serve."

The Irish Examiner reported last week that the Defence Forces only asked for the power to suspend members pending a criminal trial on June 25 — five days after Crotty was given a suspended sentence for his attack on Ms O'Brien.

Mr Martin said he has issued an instruction for the placement on local leave, with immediate effect, of serving personnel in the Defence Forces who have been convicted of sexual assault or rape and awaiting discharge, or who have been charged and awaiting trial, on local leave, on a without-prejudice basis.

“The ability to take this measure is already allowable in current Defence Force regulations and I have been absolutely clear that it must now be applied uniformly in all such cases,” Mr Martin said.