Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fail TD Niamh Smyth has offered her support to Natasha O'Brien. The Limerick woman was viciously assaulted by a 22 year old soldier who received a suspended sentence. The government is now considering the next steps after it was revealed yesterday that 68 serving members of the Defence Forces have criminal convictions or are currently before the courts.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Deputy Smyth praised Ms O'Brien for her "strength" and "courage." Deputy Smyth added that it is "unfortunate" that it took someone like Natasha O'Brien to bring this matter to the fore. "It is quite understandable how Natasha and the public are outraged to think that Mr Crotty could commit such a heinous crime and be back in his role. I think the public need to have confidence that everyone within the Defence Forces has a clean record in order to keep that reputation that is so critically important to our Defence Forces at home and abroad in good stead."
