Outraged Limerick robbery victim says suspended sentence sends message: “Violence is OK”

The judge said there was “no doubt” in his mind that his military career would be “over” if he were sentenced immediately to prison.

Cathal Crotty, of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Clare, punched Ms O’Brien, 24, six times, knocking her unconscious in a random street attack, after which he boasted on social media: “Two to knock her down, two to knock her unconscious.”

Mrs O’Brien told the Irish Examiner: “I am just absolutely outraged at the message this suspended sentence sends.

“Future offenders are now being told that violence and homophobia are OK and that they are unlikely to face consequences for similarly serious crimes.

“The message being sent to victims of crime is that they are not important and that the future of convicted criminals is more important.”

She added: “When I left the courtroom, I felt so invisible. I felt so utterly neglected, so let down by the justice system, and I wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone.”

Since Ms O’Brien spoke out about the case, there have been fierce protests. Justice Minister Helen McEntee spoke of an “epidemic” of violence against women.

In his inaugural speech as Limerick’s first directly elected mayor, John Moran spoke of his vision for a safer Limerick in light of the attack on Ms O’Brien.

“I think we all want a safe city and a safe county. It’s going to be my top priority to really get this problem under control,” he said.

Women’s Aid chair Sarah Benson said: “The facts are clear: a man who was – and still is – serving in the military can brutally attack a woman in public, brag about it on social media and try to blame the victim, and yet be described in court as ‘exemplary’, ‘polite’ and ‘professional’. This is not squaring the circle.”

British Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Secretary Micheál Martin confirmed that the armed forces had begun an internal process into Crotty’s treatment. Mr Martin also praised Ms O’Brien.

“It was brutal,” Martin said. “It was unprovoked and I want to commend Natasha O’Brien’s bravery, courage and dignity in the face of such an attack and also for the way she has conducted herself since.”

He and several other senior politicians declined to comment on whether the sentence was too lenient, but Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Let me say this: the legal process may not be over yet because the prosecutor always has the opportunity to appeal against a sentence and also to appeal against the leniency of a sentence.”

“We live in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence,” Harris said.