The Tánaiste has instructed any Defence Force members who've been convicted of sexual offences or rape to be placed on leave.
Micheál Martin has also 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.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy says personnel with serious convictions have no place in its ranks.
Inconsistent approach
The Defence Minister said there's been an inconsistent approach to this issue within the Defence Forces.
"Suffice to say that some of the cases are very grave and serious, and for more analysis, the reports illustrate a lack of proactive management of these cases across the Defence Forces," he said.
“There’s also been a lack of a central database and flow of information and collection of data in response to very serious issues.”
Natasha O'Brien speaking outside the Dail. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNewsThe Tánaiste said Defence Force members have now been placed on leave as a result of convictions.
“Last evening I took the step of instructing the Secretary-General and the Chief of Staff to make sure that any person or any case in respect of sexual assault or rape that those people would be placed on what is termed local leave without prejudice to the final outcome of their cases,” he said.
Cathal Crotty
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 on Limerick’s O’Connell Street.
Ms O'Brien suffered a broken nose, bruising, nightmares and panic attacks after the unprovoked attack.
Hours after the attack, Mr Crotty boasted about what he had done, writing to friends on Snapchat, "Two to put her down, two to put her out."
Delivering the sentence, Judge Tom O'Donnell said Crotty's actions were "utterly appalling" but said he was not imposing an immediate jail sentence because he had 'no doubt' it would end his army career.
Ms O’Brien has since been campaigning for reform of Ireland’s justice system and at a protest last night, she said she doesn’t want to “live in a world where this kind of thing continues”.
