Defence Forces officer accused of using rank to solicit sexual favours from female colleagues

A member of the Defence Forces has been accused of sexually harassing several female colleagues under his command.

In some cases, the non-commissioned officer was accused of abusing his rank and authority to solicit sexual favours from female members of the force.

The long-serving Defence Forces member previously pleaded guilty and was given the Probation Act in relation to a criminal offence.

It is understood he is also being investigated for making a violent threat against a woman outside of the forces.

Details of the case emerged as the military comes under intense political pressure amid the public outcry over the suspended sentence handed down to a serving soldier, Cathal Crotty, who beat a young woman, Natasha O’Brien, unconscious on a street in Limerick.

It is understood the case was discussed by the accused’s commanding officer and the Defence Force’s chief legal officer last Friday week ahead of a separate meeting of the army top brass at Baldonnell to discuss the fallout over the Crotty sentencing controversy.

However, the Defence Forces said they could not comment on the case this weekend.

Two women who made complaints against the senior Defence Forces member have come forward to detail how he used his rank and authority to sexually harass them.

It is understood at least a dozen complaints have been made against him spanning several years.

In one case, he allegedly stripped to his waist before pushing himself up against a terrified female colleague.

It was also alleged he falsely accused at least one female colleague of insubordination after she made a verbal complaint about been forcefully pinned against a wall and held there against her will for several minutes.

He was also accused of simulating sex noises while stroking a female in an intimate way and pushing his body against her without her consent.

It was further alleged the non-commissioned officer attempted to block a female colleague in an empty office before telling her: ‘I have you now.’

The long-serving member was also accused of bullying junior colleagues and repeatedly making lewd, sexual remarks. Despite the serious nature of the complaints, it is understood that no disciplinary action was ever taken against the Defence Forces member by his military bosses.

On several occasions, superiors opted to transfer the non-commissioned officer and continued to send him on overseas trips.

However, the case was discussed quietly behind the scenes last week as the Defence Forces came under intense political pressure over the Crotty sentencing controversy.

A source said: ‘The Chief of Staff [Lieutenant General Seán Clancy] had a meeting at Baldonnell Aerodrome on Friday a week ago and up to 160 officers attended that meeting. It went on from about 11.30 am until lunchtime.’

‘But before that meeting, the military’s chief legal officer had a meeting with this man’s general officer in command, and that meeting was solely about what to do with this man.’

‘That meeting was held around 10.30 am before the meeting between the Chief of Staff and his 160 most senior officers. The Chief of Staff was not at the earlier meeting,’ the source said. 

‘This man has been a thorn in their side for years, and after the weekend contact was made with him to tell him that he was going to be put on local leave or administration leave.’

In a separate case, an officer with a medical qualification was arrested for the coercive control of his partner after he was previously fined for breaching a court order.

A file was sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions following his arrest in 2021, more than a year after the officer was fined €1,000 for holding his terrified partner and the couple’s child against her will at their home.

Meanwhile, a third member of the Defence Forces who was facing a court martial for committing three sexual assaults was also allowed to leave the military with a full pension.

He has since been convicted and is now awaiting sentence. Details of the new abuse cases emerged as the Defence Forces comes under mounting pressure to stamp out criminal behaviour involving its members.

Speaking in the Dáil on Thursday, Tánaiste and Defence Minister Micheál Martin said five cases relating to 68 Defence Forces personnel who are convicted or before the courts relate to sexual assault, while 24 involve physical assault.

Mr Martin confirmed that six of the cases relate to domestic violence. He told the Dáil many of the individuals involved in the criminal cases are ‘on local leave’.

The Government has vowed there will be ‘no place in the Defence Forces’ for members with criminal convictions, while the Chief of Staff insisted ‘no one within the Defence Forces can avoid the consequences of their actions’.

The Defence Forces refused to comment on the case involving the non-commissioned officer accused of sexually harassing female colleagues under his command this weekend.

In response to detailed queries, a spokesperson said: ‘The Defence Forces unequivocally condemns any actions by serving personnel that are contrary to military regulations or that do not reflect our values. The Defence Forces does not comment on the specifics of individual cases.’

The Defence Forces also declined to comment on the case involving the officer who was arrested for the coercive control of his partner.

A spokesman also would not confirm if the individuals at the centre of the new alleged abuse cases were highlighted in the dossier of 68 criminal cases given to Minister Martin a week ago.

The Defence Forces also did not respond to queries asking how many members left the military with full pension entitlements after complaints were made against them.

Instead, the Defence Forces reissued a press release in which the Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy stated: ‘I agree with the remarks by An Tánaiste regarding the unacceptable presence of personnel with serious convictions including gender-based violence within the Defence Forces.’

‘Such individuals have no place in our ranks. The Defence Forces are committed to the highest standards of conduct and integrity. My commitment to these standards has not waned.’

‘My actions have been guided by our dedication to transparency and accountability. We owe it to the bravery of individuals like Natasha O’Brien, to those impacted within our own organisation and to the values we stand for to ensure that no one within the Defence Forces can avoid the consequences of their actions.’

Meanwhile, in a separate message sent directly to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, Lieutenant General Clancy wrote of the current controversies: ‘Let this moment be a wake up for us all. We must reaffirm our commitment to the highest standards of conduct and ensure that our ranks are filled with individuals who uphold the values we cherish.’

‘Together, we will face these challenges head-on, a transparent organisation not shying away from hard truths, but addressing them with the courage and integrity that is the foundation of Óglaigh na hÉireann,’ he wrote.

‘I am committed to addressing all issues and making positive changes for the future.’

‘This change is happening, and this organisation is transforming into a modern Defence Force where our organisational culture is underpinned by dignity, equality and mutual respect. We must not let the actions of a few overshadow the dedicated service of the many.’