Soldier assault victim Natasha O’Brien tells politicians ‘do your job’ as hundreds turn out for solidarity rally

Natasha O’Brien (24) told political leaders and the Defence Forces to “do your jobs” and address the issues around gender-based crimes.

The Limerick woman earlier watched from the public gallery of the Dáil as politicians discussed the controversial case. At one point, TDs on all sides of the house rose to give her a standing ovation.

Later, hundreds attended the demonstration outside Leinster House. Thousands attended similar rallies across Ireland at the weekend.

Standing ovation in Dáil for Natasha O’Brien

Ms O’Brien told this evening’s event: “I sat up in the public gallery, I was looking down at the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice and (thought) ‘What are you going to do, what are you going to do? I’m right here’.

“I’m going to keep doing that and they’re going to feel the pressure.”Ms O’Brien said she felt a “little bit hopeful” after receiving so much support and said she believed she had found a “purpose” in speaking up.

“I am not the first by a long way to speak up, and I know I’m not going to be the last, but if I can achieve anything with what I am doing right now it is to make it easier for the next person that something heinous and violent might happen to,” she said.

Commenting on the standing ovation she received in the Dáil, Ms O’Brien added: “I was honoured, it was incredible, however, you know, your applauses are amazing, but let’s use those applauses and let’s actually do something and do your job.”

Feminist and LGBT activist Ailbhe Smyth has praised and thanked Ms O’Brien for speaking out, telling her “you are our hero”. She called her a powerful speaker who has intelligence and “anger to drive you forward”.

“I loved your comment outside the court: ‘I didn’t come here for pocket money’.”

The crowd cheered after her address and chanted “not one more”.

Earlier, Mr Harris warned the Defence Forces that there should be no place in the military for personnel with criminal convictions.

Mr Harris issued the stark message to commanders after making clear he was not satisfied with how they had handled the fallout from the case. The Taoiseach demanded to know if there are other members of the military who are “hiding with convictions” for domestic, sexual or gender-based violence.

Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, walked free from court last week when he was given a three-year suspended sentence for attacking Ms O’Brien.

The 22-year-old soldier, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting her on a night out in Limerick city in 2022.

Ms O’Brien watched from the Dáil’s public gallery as Mr Harris fielded opposition questions on the controversy over the suspended sentence. The Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil Seán Ó Fearghaíl said he was breaking with tradition to ask TDs to stand and applaud her.

After the ovation, Mr Ó Fearghaíl looked up at Ms O’Brien and said: “We are on your side.”

The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, has undertaken an audit to establish whether there are other serving members with convictions for gender-based violence.

The findings were due to be handed to Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin today.

The Defence Forces have emphasised that any conviction in a civilian court has implications for a member of the military, but the organisation said it cannot act until the court processes have been completed.

Mr Harris said he wanted to meet Ms O’Brien and commended her for coming forward.

“We need more people to be coming forward, we need to have a zero-tolerance approach, and what we certainly don’t need is anybody being put off coming forward,” he said.

Mr Harris also expressed anger at a “flurry of activity” by the Defence Forces now, questioning whether it was prompted by the public interest in the case.

“It’s a harsh thing for me to have to say as Taoiseach but I feel I need to say it, would the Defence Forces be carrying out their review that they’re now carrying out was there not so much public interest in this?” he said outside Government Buildings.

“There are people in the Defence Forces who clearly knew this was happening, why did they do nothing? These are very serious questions and as Taoiseach I am not satisfied in relation to this, I am not satisfied at all.

“I am really angry about it because we are now seeing a flurry of activity but that flurry of activity is only coming about because of the bravery of Natasha O’Brien and I want to know how many other people are hiding with convictions in relation to domestic, sexual or gender-based violence.

“They have no place, absolutely no place, in the Defence Forces.”

In a statement, a Defence Forces spokesperson said that there is no place for any form of gender-based violence, abuse or any form or inappropriate behaviour by Defence Forces members, on or off duty.

“The Defence Forces unequivocally condemns any actions by serving personnel that are contrary to military regulations or that do not reflect our values.

“Any conviction in a civilian court has implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in military regulations.”