It has emerged that 68 members of the Defence Forces have been convicted or are before the courts for a range of offences.
The figure was provided to Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin in a report from Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy last night.
Mr Martin has sought advice from the Attorney General on how the information can be appropriately published.
A spokesperson for the minister said: “The Tánaiste has been absolutely clear since becoming Minister for Defence 18 months ago on the need for urgent transformation of the culture in the Defence Forces.
“He is adamant that the Defence Forces is a place where no one convicted of serious physical assaults, sexual offences or domestic or gender-based violence can continue to be in active service.
“Following the Natasha O’Brien case, the Tánaiste was informed last Friday of another case involving a Naval Service member who is still serving after being convicted of assault causing harm last November.
“In light of this, he requested a report from the Chief of Staff to find out how many serving members of the Defence Forces have civil convictions, or are before the civil courts on serious criminal offences.
“Last night, the Tánaiste was informed of 68 Defence Forces personnel who have been convicted, or are currently before the civil courts, on a range of criminal offences including public order, drink driving, drugs offences, physical assault and sexual offences.
“He also received the report requested on the case of the Naval Service member convicted of assault causing harm.
“The Tánaiste has now asked officials to provide a concise report based on the information received. He has sought legal advice from the Attorney General on how this information can be published in an appropriate and legally sound way.”
Mr Martin requested the report in the wake of the conviction of Private Cathal Crotty for assaulting Natasha O’Brien in 2022.
Crotty was given a suspended sentence for the attack last week, after pleading guilty.
The sentence, which Ms O’Brien has described as not providing justice, has been widely condemned by members of the public and some politicians.
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Earlier, Taoiseach Simon Harris said consideration needed to be given to changing Defence Forces regulations so that those facing serious allegations in relation to sexual and gender-based violence may not continue to serve.
Speaking in Brussels, Mr Harris also reiterated that in his view, there was no place for people who have convictions in the Defence Forces, particularly convictions in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
“I also think there’s serious consideration together we need to give, and I accept this may require change on our end too, in relation to if there are serious allegations made against somebody, what happens to them in the period of time before that allegation goes to court?
“How can they possibly be allowed continue to serve, and is there a need to change regulations in that space? There may be,” Mr Harris said.
He added: “So enough of the whataboutery, enough of the anonymous briefing. It’s a serious issue here, and as Taoiseach I remain concerned this afternoon and we’re going to get to the bottom of this and we’re going to get it right.”
Decision on Crotty’s future in Defence Forces due
The Defence Forces is in the process of examining the future of Private Crotty.
It previously said that it had to wait until due process had been completed in a civilian court of law.
It is understood that the Defence Forces has to wait to determine if Crotty will initiate legal proceedings of his own against a potential dismissal.
Crotty has been formally “paraded” – a process which could lead to his discharge from the Defence Forces. He has seven days within which to make a representation on his own behalf, today marking the seventh and last day in which he can do so.
A decision will be made by his commanding officers on a number of options and that decision could be made early next week.
Mr Harris said the best thing he could do for members of the Defence Forces was not let such matters lie, adding that this would not be accepted and should be called out.
“Remember, it’s only about a year since a judge-led independent review into our Defence Forces, uncovered really horrific situations, horrific situations. The Chief of Staff referred to the findings as stark.”
“We then had a situation where the Government has had to establish a tribunal of investigation. So let me just be clear. The last thing we need and the last thing I’ll tolerate is anonymous briefings in relation to the Defence Forces.
“I am the Taoiseach of this country, and zero tolerance is not a political slogan. Zero tolerance is the cultural change that must become embedded in every part of Irish society, including the Defence Forces.
“And anonymously brief away if you wish. But I will speak up and speak out for the women of this country who have felt failed – badly failed – over a significant period of time.”
He added: “We are not where we need to be in relation to zero tolerance. And people in every aspect of Irish society need to know, zero tolerance isn’t just something they talk about in the Dáil, it’s something you have a responsibility to implement in your workplace as well. And I’ll await the full report and detail from the Tánaiste, who is due to meet with the chief of staff.”
Sinn Féin has called for the report detailing the number of personnel serving who have a conviction relating to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence to be published.
The party’s Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence Matt Carthy said: “There’s huge reputational damage done to the Defence Forces.”
“Nobody’s more angered than those majority of members of the Defence Forces who are upstanding members who serve our country with distinction, but just like the rest of society they’ve been horrified at the revelations that people who’ve been convicted of serious, violent assault, for gender-based attacks remain within their ranks and there is no place within the Defence Forces for people who’ve been convicted of such crimes,” he said.
Solidarity for victim at event in Cork
Crotty’s victim Natasha O’Brien said she is willing to meet Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to discuss measures to tackle violence.
She was speaking as around 60 people gathered outside Cork Courthouse on Washingon Street this evening to show solidarity with her.
Earlier this week, Ms O’Brien criticised Ms McEntee, saying she “wouldn’t need to speak out” if the minister was doing her job “correctly”.
Yesterday, at a human trafficking conference in Cork, Ms McEntee offered to work with Ms O’Brien to ensure changes are made to make women feel safer in Ireland.
