Natasha O’Brien tells Limerick Pride she would call out homophobia ‘again and again and again’ despite assault

NATASHA O’Brien said she would call out homophobia “again and again and again” despite it being the issue that caused her to be viciously assaulted.

Cathal Crotty, aged 22, of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare pleaded guilty to assaulting the then 22-year-old on O’Connell Street in Limerick in May 2022. The court heard that Mr Crotty was among a group of men shouting “faggot” at a man across the street when Ms O’Brien and her friend intervened.

Ms O’Brien, who addressed a large crowd after the Limerick Pride parade on Saturday, said: “Walking down the street one night two years ago, I witnessed some violent homophobia, some horrific slurs, and I didn’t have to think twice, I knew it was wrong.  I did not want to see another human being harmed. That’s not me, and I don’t think that’s any one of us right here.”

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She said people ask her if that happened again, would she keep her head down to avoid all of this?

“My answer is no, I would not. I would do it again and again and again because I’m always going to stand up for what’s right. I am one woman I cannot do this alone. I need each and every one  of ye. We are an army, we have taken down an army and we are going to tear it all down,” said Ms O’Brien.

She concluded her speech by saying, “Be yourself, be you, that’s what I am doing right now and look what’s happening”.

Mr Crotty was discharged from the Irish Defence forces at 23.59pm last Thursday night.

The DPP have appealed the decision to give him a suspended sentence on the grounds of undue leniency.

Watch the full video of Ms O’Brien’s address at Limerick Pride above.