Figures just released shows 68 serving members of the Defence Forces have criminal convictions or are currently before the courts on criminal charges ranging from drink driving to sexual assault. The figure is contained in a report compiled by the Defence Forces Chief of Staff and presented to Tánaiste Micheál Martin.
Alan Cantwell reports: "These figures come on foot of a review following the conviction of 22 year old Cathal Crotty who avoided a jail sentence for a violent attack on Natasha O’Brien in Limerick two years ago and a separate case involving a Naval Service member who is still serving after being convicted of assault causing harm last November.
"When informed of the this second case Micheál Martin requested a report from the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces to find out how many serving members of the Defence Forces have civil convictions, or are before the courts. A spokesman for the Tánaiste said Micheál Martin 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.
