Three members of Defence Forces dismissed due to domestic or sexual violence

Kenneth Fox

Three members of the Defence Forces have been dismissed due to domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence since 2016 — reflecting the "culture of misogyny" in the organisation.

The figures include Cathal Crotty who was dismissed earlier this month following his conviction for the vicious and unprovoked assault on Limerick woman Natasha O'Brien in 2022.

One member was dismissed in 2017 for a sexual offence while another was dismissed in 2023 for domestic violence.

As the Irish Examiner reports, the figures were provided in a response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns to Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin.

Ms Cairns said the figures are deeply concerning and raise further questions for the Government and the Defence Forces.

In June, Mr Martin told the Dáíl that 68 currently serving members of the Defence Forces have been convicted of a crime in the last three years or are currently before the courts.

Of these, approximately six cases relate to domestic incidents or breaches of barring orders and a further five relate to sexual assault.

Around 24 cases relate to assault generally, but it is not yet known whether any of these are gender-based incidents.

Ms Cairns said she will be seeking clarity on these details.

Ms Cairns said that it was shocking but not surprising that three members have been dismissed for domestic, sexual, or gender-based violence.

She said it speaks to the culture of misogyny and bullying that has been allowed to fester unchecked within the Defence Forces for years as highlighted by the Women of Honour.

"The latest figures show that a root-and-branch transformation of the Defence Forces and proper oversight of existing procedures cannot come soon enough."

In his response, Mr Martin expressed his "unequivocal condemnation of any form of gender-based violence".