The Taoiseach has issued a stinging criticism of the Irish Defence Forces – questioning how many of its members are currently “hiding” with convictions for domestic, sexual or gender-based violence.

Simon Harris was answering questions about the Natasha O’Brien case on his way into Cabinet this morning.

Last week, serving soldier Cathal Crotty (22), of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, County Clare, walked free from court after he was handed a suspended sentence for beating Ms O’Brien unconscious in a vicious attack on Limerick’s O’Connell Street.

Speaking to Lunchtime Live last week, Ms O’Brien said she was “completely horrified” by the sentence but was not surprised – claiming Ireland’s justice system regularly hands out soft sentences to violent criminals.

She also said she could not describe the ‘pain and absolute horror’ of hearing an Irish Defence Forces commandant give a character reference for her attacker in court.

Meanwhile, The Irish Times reports that Defence Forces generals have held a “high-level meeting” to find out how many serving members have convictions for gender-based violence.

‘As Taoiseach, I am really angry about it’

Simon Harris has strongly criticised the #DefenceForces – questioning how many of its members are currently “hiding” with convictions for domestic, sexual or gender-based violence.

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) June 25, 2024

Speaking to Newstalk reporter Stephanie Rohan this morning, the Taoiseach said the leadership of the Defence Forces has “very serious questions” to answer.

“I do think there are very specific issues here in relation to the Defence Forces – and it is a harsh thing for me to have to say as Taoiseach but I feel I need to say it,” he said.

“Would the Defence Forces be carrying out the review they are now carrying out was there not so much public interest in this?

“There are people in the Defence Forces who clearly knew this was happening – why did they do nothing?

“These are very serious questions.”

"Really angry"

He said that, as Taoiseach, he is “not satisfied at all” with the Defence Forces reaction in recent days.

“I am really angry about it,” he said.

“Because we are 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 Defence Forces.”

Judicial training

The Taoiseach insisted that he takes the issue of gender-based violence “extraordinarily seriously” – and claimed that Justice Minister Helen “has done more on this issue” than any other minister in the history of the State.

Noting that he can’t comment on individual cases, he said the last few days have show us how far Ireland has to go to reach the zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence Minister McEntee is aiming for.

The Taoiseach said new sentencing guidelines and training for judges “absolutely needs to be considered”.

He noted that the DPP still has the option to appeal the leniency of the sentence handed down in the Natasha O’Brien case – but added that once the case is definitively finalized, “I’ll absolutely want to meet with Natasha O’Brien.

“Because we need more people to be coming forward,” he said. “We need to have a zero-tolerance approach.”

“What we certainly don’t need is anybody being put off coming forward by a situation where they feel that a crime carried out wasn’t matched in terms of justice.”

Director of Public Prosecutions

The DPP can ask the Court of Appeal to review any sentence handed down by the Circuit, Central Criminal or Special Criminal Court if she feels it is ‘unduly lenient’.

The Appeal Court will not increase a sentence simply because it believes it is lenient.

It will only increase a sentence if it believes the original trial judge made an error in law in handing down the original sentence.

In some cases, the DPP can apply for more time to ask for a review; however, there is an upper limit of 56 days.

Protest

Separately a demonstration in support of Ms O’Brien is due to be held outside the Dáil this evening.

Ms O’Brien will also be joining Andrea Gilligan on Lunchtime Live this afternoon.

With reporting from Stephanie Rohan and Eabha Casey.