Protests erupted in four cities in the Republic of Ireland after a serving soldier was given a suspended sentence for attacking a woman on a Limerick street. Cathal Crotty, 22, punched 24-year-old Natasha O’Brien six times after she asked him to stop shouting homophobic abuse. He later boasted about the incident on social media.
Ms O’Brien, whose injuries included a broken nose, has criticised the Irish justice system after Crotty avoided prison. On Saturday, protests in support of Ms O’Brien were held in Limerick, Cork, Dublin, and Galway. Over 500 people gathered in Limerick’s Bedford Row, where Ms O’Brien delivered a speech.
Crotty was given a three-year suspended sentence on Thursday, which Ms O’Brien described as unjust and unfair. In a statement, Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee praised her bravery in coming forward and added that prosecutors could appeal the sentence. Ms O’Brien stated that cultural and legal changes were needed rather than an appeal.
Tom Clonan, a senator in the upper house of the Oireachtas (Irish parliament) and a former Irish Army officer, believes that there is an issue of gender-based violence within the Irish Defence Forces. However, he also stated that every organisation has violent members within their ranks. The Irish Defence Forces condemned Crotty’s actions in a statement and began internal proceedings following his conviction while praising Ms O’Brien’s bravery.
Ms O’Brien has stated that she came forward to use her voice as numerous women in Ireland had been traumatised. She wants to see reform within the Irish Defence Forces and the justice system, adding that they are failing victims of violence
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