Taoiseach questions if Defence Forces members under investigation should serve
Taoiseach Simon Harris confirmed that Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who also serves as Defence Minister, has received information he sought from the Defence Forces Chief of Staff regarding the number of people in the force with convictions.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has suggested that regulations may need to be changed so that people cannot serve in the Defence Forces when they are being investigated for serious crimes.
He also lashed out at people providing “anonymous briefings” regarding the Defence Forces to the media in recent days.
Mr Harris confirmed that Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who also serves as Defence Minister, has received information he sought from the Defence Forces Chief of Staff regarding the number of people in the force with convictions.
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The Taoiseach said earlier this week that it was “unacceptable” that he did not have this information as the fallout from soldier Cathal Crotty’s case continues.
Mr Crotty, 22, from Parkroe Heights in Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, was spared jail last week over his assault on Natasha O’Brien in Limerick in 2022. He beat her unconscious after she objected to him shouting gay slurs at another man. He boasted about the attack on Ms O’Brien on social media. His three-year jail sentence was suspended in full.
In Brussels, Mr Harris questioned whether laws need to be changed to prevent Defence Forces members from serving while they are under investigation for serious crimes.
He said: “There is no place, in my view, for people who have convictions in our Defence Forces, particularly convictions in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
“I also think there's serious consideration together we need to give, and I accept this may require a change on our end too, in relation to if there are serious allegations made against somebody, what happens to them in the period of time before that allegation goes to court? “How can they possibly be allowed to continue to serve? Is there a need to change regulations in that space? There may be.
“Enough of whataboutery and enough of the anonymous briefing, it's a serious issue here.”
Mr Harris said that the report received by the Tánaiste is being “analysed”.
He stated that an independent review into the Defence Forces uncovered “horrific situations”. This included widespread sexual assault and gender-based violence.
A Tribunal of Inquiry examining issues in the Defence Forces sat for the first time this week.
The Taoiseach then hit out at “anonymous” briefings being given to the media about the Defence Forces.
He did not explicitly state what he was speaking about but mentioned a report in Thursday’s Irish Times. This story, as first reported by the Irish Mirror on Wednesday, stated how the Defence Forces expect to expel Crotty next week.
“Let me just be clear, The last thing we need and the last thing I'll tolerate is anonymous briefings in relation to the Defence Forces,” he continued.
“I am the Taoiseach of this country. Zero tolerance is not a political slogan. Zero Tolerance is the cultural change that must become embedded in every part of our society, including the Defence Forces.
“Anonymously brief away if you wish, but I will speak up and speak out for the women of this country who have felt failed, badly failed, over a significant period of time.”
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