Anger in Ireland over the release of a soldier who brutally assaulted a woman in the street

A wave of anger is sweeping Ireland over the acquittal of a soldier who brutally assaulted a woman on a Limerick street in 2022.

Trooper Cathal Crotty, 22, violently assaulted Natasha O’Brien, 24, after she asked him to stop shouting homophobic slurs at passersby. The assailant and the victim did not know each other.

Cathal Crotty, who was off duty, grabbed Natasha O’Brien by the hair, threw her to the ground and beat her. He nailed it Fist bump Leave it spread out with concussion.

Hours later, he bragged about the assault to his friends via Snapchat: “Two to knock it down, two to hit it.”

During the trial, the policeman said that it was the girl who started the fight. A version that had to be changed when street CCTV footage showed that Natasha O’Brien did not approach him at any time.

The judge suspended the prison sentence for 3 years

It took two years for the case to be decided, but what angered the victim and part of Irish society was that The judge decided to suspend the prison sentence for three years Which was imposed on him because of aggression. The judge is qualifiedA “cowardly and merciless” attack.But he took into account the testimony of his superiors in the army, who described him as… An “exemplary and disciplined” soldier. And the fact that he has no criminal record to suspend the restraining order. His imprisonment would have led to his expulsion from the army.

On Saturday, thousands of people demonstrated in Dublin, Limerick, Galway or Cork against the court’s decision. They see the ruling in the Natasha O’Brien assault case as an example of how the Irish justice system deals with violence against women and its disdain for women, and are calling for legal reform.

The victim of the brutal assault reported that phrases like his It deters victims from seeking justice.

Natasha O’Brien, who took part in the demonstration in Limerick, said she was seeking justice not just for herself, but “for all of us”.

“The system has failed us and I must use my voice to speak out. The Ministry of Justice and the Armed Forces should have supported me, but because they did not, it took the support of the people. They should not be the victims when we are exposed to danger over and over again, they should protect us.”

Women’s rights groups organized protests under the slogan “Not One More” and called for an end to the radical legal changes “The Epidemic of Gender-Based Violence” To live the country

“The profession of a violent soldier could not be more important than the safety of women. Our justice system stands on the side of violence,” condemn feminist groups.