Cathal Crotty's dismissal from the Defence Forces is down to 'public outcry’ and nothing else, according to the Women of Honour group.

Mr Crotty from Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare last month admitted his guilt and was handed a fully suspended for a vicious attack on Natasha O'Brien on Limerick's O'Connell Street.

The DPP has since appealed the sentence on the grounds of undue leniency.

The 22-year-old was dismissed from the Defence Forces at midnight on Thursday.

Women of Honour member Diane Byrne told Newstalk Breakfast the case is one of many in the organisation.

"You can only welcome the removal of somebody who's been found guilty of a violent crime from being armed in the course of their duty for everybody's safety," she said.

"This is one of many situations that are out there and we're keen not to lose focus that dealing with this one situation is enough to deal with the bigger picture."

Natasha O'Brien speaking to Lunchtime Live on Newstalk. Image: Newstalk

Ms Byrne said she believes intense scrutiny has led to Mr Crotty's dismissal.

"There can't be a claim that the issues such as what Natasha has experienced, and all of the abuses that we've raised for three years... this is all known, very well known," she said.

"If it wasn't for the public scrutiny and the timing perhaps - because the Tribunal [of Inquiry into the Defence Forces] had commenced the same day as the sentencing - perhaps that's the reason and Natasha having to speak out as she has.

"Public outcry has caused this; we don't believe anything else has had anything to do with it".

'Pattern of victim destruction'

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has appointed a senior counsel to further examine a report which found 68 serving members have a criminal conviction of some kind or are currently before the courts.

Ms Byrne said the entire approach by the Defence Forces is wrong.

"There's always been an acceptance of a range of abuses and there is a pattern of victim destruction, removal of a victim for speaking out because they are considered the problem," she said.

"What has happened isn't considered the issue; it's speaking out that's considered the issue.

"There's an awful lot of history and a pattern of behaviour that exists here."

Ms Byrne added that "very good people in the Defence Forces" are being "tarnished by this as much as anybody else".

Last month Taoiseach Simon Harris issued a stinging criticism of the Defence Forces – questioning how many of its members were “hiding” with convictions.

Main image: Diane Byrne and Cathal Crotty