Clare soldier convicted of attacking woman formally told he may face dismissal from Defence Forces
Cathal Crotty was convicted of a 'vicious and unprovoked' attack on Natasha O'Brien in Limerick City
It has emerged that the soldier convicted of an unprovoked attack on a woman in Limerick city has been formally brought before his commanding officer and told that he faces dismissal from the Defence Forces.
Cathal Crotty, aged 22, of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, beat Natasha O’Brien, 24, unconscious in a random unprovoked attack, which occurred on May 28, 2022, on O’Connell Street in Limerick, and boasted about it afterwards on social media.
Mr Crotty, a serving Irish Defence Forces soldier, received a three-year sentence, suspended in its entirety, after pleading guilty to “assault causing harm”.
The Journal reports that Mr Crotty was paraded before a senior commanding officer earlier this Friday, June 21, and informed that he is likely to face dismissal from the military in the wake of his conviction.
In a statement posted on X this Friday, the Defence Forces confirmed that proceedings had commenced against Mr Crotty, who presently serves as a private, however stated it would be "inappropriate" for them to comment any further at this time.
"We wish to address the conversation that is currently taking place on social media, as we are an organisation committed to honesty and transparency," they stated.
"Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations.
"Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities, in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations.
"We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case," the statement reads.
The suspended three year sentence, handed down on Thursday by Judge Tom O'Donnell, has provoked ouutrage across the country.
There has been a swell of outrage across the nation and the case has been the subject of headlines and long discussions on the national media including RTE's Liveline and The Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk.
Meanwhile, ROSA, the Socialist Feminist Movement, have organised a demonstration this Saturday, June 22 at 3pm on Bedford Row, the details of which have been widely shared across social media platforms this Friday by members of the public.
"The patriarchal justice system makes its priorities clear again, abusers livelihoods mean more than women’s lives. Protest the culture of impunity that perpetuates male violence against women this Saturday at 3pm on Bedford Row," ROSA stated in their press release.