Hundreds of people turned out to protest in Limerick City today in support of a 24-year-old woman who was viciously beaten by a Clare soldier who was given a suspended prison service.
Other protests were held in Cork and Dublin after Cathal Crotty (22), with an address in Ardnacrusha in Clare, received a fully suspended sentence despite being convicted of beating Natasha O’Brien unconscious in an unprovoked attack.
Ms O’Brien was punched repeatedly until she fell unconscious in the Limerick city attack.
At Limerick Circuit Court, after he pleaded guilty to the attack, Crotty was handed a three year suspended sentence. He admitted to Gardaí that he punched Natasha “four times” on May 29th 2022, including in the face after she had fallen to the ground.
Crotty bragged about the attack on social media afterwards, telling friends in a Snapchat story: “Two to put her down, two to put her out”.
Ms O’Brien sustained a broken nose, bruising, nightmares and panic attacks afterwards, said she thought Crotty was going to kill her during the attack when she spoke in court.
Today’s protest in Limerick was organised by Socialist and Feminist Movement ROSA in response to Crotty’s suspended sentence. The organisation said they wanted to send a message that society must reject all forms of gender-based violence.
Ms O’Brien herself joined the hundreds of people who gathered on Bedford Row in the city in solidarity with her.
In a statement on social media, the Irish Defence Forces said: “We wish to address the conversation that is currently taking place on social media, as we are an organisation committed to honesty and transparency.
Any conviction in a civilian court may have implications for the retention and service of members of the Defence Forces, as stipulated in Defence Forces Regulations. Once due process has been completed in a civilian court of law it becomes a matter for the relevant Defence Forces authorities, in accordance with Defence Forces Regulations.
We can confirm that these proceedings have commenced and as such, it would be inappropriate to comment further on this specific case.