The Women of Honour group has questioned the Government’s ‘shock’ at revelations 68 serving Defence Forces members have been convicted or charged with criminal offences.

In a statement this afternoon, the group said it had consistently called for crimes perpetrated by military personally to be included in the Terms of Reference for the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Defence Forces.

The group said the Tánaiste Micheál Martin had told it “at the time, earlier this year and last year” that criminal offences could not be included in the Tribunal on the advice of the Attorney general.

“Therefore, we find today's commentary from Government on their ‘shock’ very surprising,” it said.

Criminal charges

It emerged yesterday evening that 68 serving members of the Defence Forces have either been convicted of or are before the courts on a range of criminal charges.

There is reportedly deep anger in Government circles about the report - because an earlier report from the Defence Forces contained a much smaller number.

Meanwhile, there are fears that more cases are yet to be discovered as the Defence Forces expands its search further back in time.

This afternoon, Minister Martin said he had requested a further review – and has appointed a barrister to analyse the report further to see what changes need to be made to procedures.

The Tánaiste said the crimes outlined in the report were wide-ranging.

“They range from assault – Section 3 assaults which are very serious to sexual assault,” he said.

“From drink driving offences to intoxication to some drug possession charges, one or two burglaries.

“There is a range of offences.”

Tribunal of Inquiry

The Women of Honour group is now calling for the terms of reference of the Tribunal of Inquiry to be amended “even at this late stage” to include crimes perpetrated by Defence Forces personnel.

“It is a reflection of the extent of the still-current cultural cancer in the Defence Forces that members continue to serve who are either convicted or charged with criminal offences,” it said.

It said the defence forces must “urgently clarify” exactly how many members have convictions and what they were convicted of.

It said the Defence Forces must also clarify what actions it has taken against members with conviction – including releasing details of how many soldiers have been suspended with or without pay and how many are carrying out their duties as normal.

“When this information is provided, then it will become much clearer as to whether the Defence Forces are harbouring criminals within its ranks after conviction and will be an indicator of the level of the criminality that exists within the Defence Forces today,” it said.

“Many more questions still exist regarding the numbers protected from criminal prosecution in the first place.

“The ongoing revelations confirm a view we have long held that the same rotten culture of concealment, as applied for so long in the religious world, is still alive in the Defence Forces – the most important institution of the State in the troubled security world we all live in now.

“Defence Forces reform is urgent and the Tribunal should be allowed a full inquiry including into criminal activity which was deliberately excluded.”

In a statement, the Department of Defence said the Tánaiste is adamant that anyone convicted of serious physical assaults, sexual offences or domestic or gender-based violence should not be allowed to remain in active service with the Defence Forces.