‘We are making a difference’ – O’Brien tells Dáil rally

Natasha O’Brien, who was beaten unconscious by a serving Irish soldier, has told a solidarity rally in Dublin that she will keep the pressure on politicians to take action on tackling violence against women.

Hundreds of people took part in the demonstration outside Leinster House, where the 24-year-old told politicians and the Defence Forces to “do your jobs” and address the issues around gender-based crimes.

Thousands attended similar rallies across Ireland at the weekend.

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

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Ms O’Brien told this evening’s demonstration: “We are doing something, making a difference, keeping the pressure on.”

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.”

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.

Earlier, Taoiseach Simon 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 Ms O’Brien’s 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.