Taoiseach: Natasha O'Brien case raises 'grave' questions about Defence Forces

Simon Harris has said there should be no hiding places within the Defence Forces for individuals convicted of either sexual or gender-based violence

Natasha O'Brien. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

"Very grave" questions have been raised about the Defence Forces following the case of Natasha O'Brien, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Mr Harris said there should be no hiding places within the Defence Forces for individuals convicted of either sexual or gender-based violence.

Last week, a court heard that Cathal Crotty, a serving Irish soldier, beat Ms O’Brien unconscious in a random street attack, and boasted about it afterwards on social media. He walked free from a court on Wednesday after getting a fully suspended sentence.

Mr Harris said: "I think this has also shone a very serious light in relation to the Defence Forces. I think it raises very grave, serious questions.

"There can be no hiding place in the Defence Forces, nor indeed in my view, any place for anyone in the Defence Forces who has been convicted of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence."

The Taoiseach said Ireland needed to have a "zero tolerance" approach to sexual and gender-based violence.

"I do think there's very specific issues here in relation to the Defence Forces and it's a harsh thing for me to have to say as Taoiseach, but I feel I need to say it. Would the Defence Forces be carrying out the review that they're now carrying out was there not so much public interest in this?" Mr Harris asked.

"There are people in the Defence Forces who clearly knew this was happening. Why did they do nothing?

"These are very serious questions. And as Taoiseach, I'm not satisfied in relation to this. I'm not satisfied at all. I am really angry about it. Because we're now seeing a flurry of activity, but that flurry of activity is only coming about because of the bravery of Natasha O'Brien.

I want to know how many other people are hiding, hiding with convictions in relation to domestic, sexual or gender-based violence. They have no place, absolutely no place, in our Defense Forces.

Mr Harris added that he was eager to meet with Ms O’Brien, but that he may need to wait until all legal processes are complete.

“I just need to check when the appropriate time from a legal point of view. I say this not to be in any way cold, I really want to meet Natasha O’Brien. I am conscious that the legal process may not yet have concluded,” Mr Harris said.

Defence Minister Micheál Martin last week condemned the assault on Ms O’Brien and confirmed that the Defence Forces has launched an internal process to deal with her attacker.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Martin cited the establishment of the new Defence Forces Tribunal as proof he was working to stamp out gender-based and sexual violence from within the Irish army.

“There’s no toleration for any violence against women or indeed anybody within the Defence Forces. There’s a value system there and there are many, many members of the Defence Forces who adhere to those values,” Mr Martin said when pressed on his work in dealing with gender-based violence within the Defence Forces.

“There has to be clearly no tolerance for the kind of behaviour that came forward in the courts, particularly last week.

Meanwhile, Mr Harris said he was eager to meet with Ms O’Brien, but said he may need to wait until all legal processes are complete.

“I just need to check when the appropriate time from a legal point of view. I say this not to be in any way cold, I really want to meet Natasha O’Brien. I am conscious that the legal process may not yet have concluded,” Mr Harris said.

In a statement this afternoon, a spokesperson for the Defence Forces condemned “any actions” by serving personnel that are either contrary to military regulations or “that do not reflect our values”.

“The Defence Forces have been clear that there is no place for any form of gender-based violence, abuse or any form or inappropriate behaviour by Defence Forces members, on or off duty.

“Any conviction in a civilian court has implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in military regulations.

“The Defence Forces cannot act until due process has been completed in a civilian court of law. It is then a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities in accordance with military regulations.” The spokesperson confirmed that Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy has instructed a review across all brigades and formations to ensure that army regulations are being adhered to in relation to gender-based violence incidents.

They added that a report is being prepared for Tánaiste Micheál Martin on the matter.

The spokesperson also said that it would be “inappropriate” to comment on cases highlighted by the media, beyond saying that proceedings have commenced.