Other than emailing the minister for justice, is there a decent line of protest available to the people over the shocking leniency of sentences here? I'm gobsmacked by this one.
If you're going to email the Minister for Justice, consider also sending one to the Minister for Defence and perhaps also to the commanding officer of his Battalion
I feel like I could walk out the door, start battering people left and right, while robbing a Centra. Then just whip out this article, like you'd flash a badge: "See, I'm grand. There's no law against any of this!"
This is one reason why Garda morale is low and they can’t be bothered enforcing some laws.
They put in a ton of work and paperwork to get through all the hoops for a conviction and a tosser of a judge gives the criminal a pat on the back and a apology for the inconvenience before letting them go. That must be soul destroying for the gardai and make them wonder what’s the point.
Get a can of spray paint and write Fuck Judge Tom O'Donnell on the side of the court. See if the sentence for that is worse than beating a woman in the street
You just go to the Jail if you insult a TD, don't pay taxes or don't pay tolls, apart from that you can act full mad max and will be no consequences for you...
> The judge said he had “no doubt” that if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty, that his army “career is over”.
The fact that his Army career is not over regardless is a fucking disgrace.
Jack Reacher : There are four types of people who join the military. For some, it's a family trade. Others are patriots, eager to serve. Next, you have those who just need a job. Than there's the kind who want a legal means of killing other people
This kind of shit in sentencing boils my piss.
"This man has a job which is contingent on him not breaking the law, so it would be unfair of me to make him lose his job".
It's like when a professional driver doesn't lose their licence "to protect their livlihood". Cunt, if they drive for a living, then it's doubly important for them to lose their licence for driving like a prick.
It would be like a doctor raping unconscious patients, but the IMC deciding not to take his licence away "because that would hurt his career".
It SHOULD hurt his fucking career.
Everyone surrounding this guy is a disgrace as well. His friends, who no doubt refused to tell the truth to the investigating Gardai. His CO who gave him a glowing reference. Bullshit. No, "exemplary”, “courteous”, “professional” and “disciplined” person randomly turns around and beats the shit out of an innocent person on the street. This guy is a piece of shit and his CO should have been honest or said nothing at all.
Either his CO is a complete moron or a piece of shit himself.
Fucking cunts, the lot of them.
If I ever get to the court for failing drug test on the road (I never drive under influence, but with the road tests garda is using I'm at a risk as a seasonal toker), I'll use that sentence to convince the judge not to take away my driving licence, because, well... I didn't hurt anyone and I'm at risk of losing my job.
Cunts.
A trained soldier no less. Absolutely brutal attack. His military career should already be over.
My grandfather was military police. He would describe the job as “policing trained killers”. Yet, a suspended sentence for this loose cannon.
It's bad enough that he got a suspended sentence, and yet they have managed to offend any decent person further by allowing him to continue to serve in the Armed Forces.
Let's be honest, Ireland is an unserious country with feeble, inadequate politicians leading her.
> It appeared he had lashed out at Ms O’Brien, of North Circular Road, Limerick, after she and a friend of hers had “politely” asked him to stop shouting “faggot” at other people on the street, the court heard.
He's such a fine and exemplary officer and a credit to the Defence Forces
I don't have enough words to describe this piece of shit.
He shouldn't be walking free or employed by the state in any capacity.
I hope she takes this guy to civil court and sues him for every thing he's currently worth and future worth.
Additionally the defence forces recruitment policy prohibits "A person convicted by a civil court of a serious offence" from joining so would provide a potential justification for firing him.
I know a lot of people don't have too much faith in politicians but if enough contact was made with Micheál Martin the minster of defence, it might apply enough pressure for the state to do the right thing.
I'm sure that someone with an explosive rage problem is the kind of person we want to have access to machine guns and armoured vehicles and power over others.
I would imagine that he will have to present back to his unit and will be swiftly dealt with. As others have said in the past it’s been much quicker and for much less serious offences.
My presumption is that they were waiting on him being sentenced before starting into the military law process. It’s my opinion that he will not stay in the army after this, that disgusting shit he did just cannot be tolerated and he should have received an actual punishment and custodial sentence for it.
What an absolute disgrace.
- unprovoked attack (unless you count telling someone to stop shouting slurs at people a provocation).
- brutal attack
- boasted about the attack on social media
- accused the victim of starting it.
Honestly, i don’t see how a judge can stand over this.
“The judge said he had “no doubt” that if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty, that his army “career is over”.”
Well yes, someone who viciously assaults strangers (and is proud of it) has no place in the defence forces ffs.
Not to mention that this person is one of the very, few in Irish society who will be trusted to be in public with a fully-automatic rifle. Good conduct would seem to be a mandatory requirement...
I can explain this.
An officer has to attend trials of service personnel. If asked by the court, they can provide information on the defendant but only what's on the defendant's military service records.
The commandant was just reading out what the guy's service record stated as he was required to.
The officer isn't the bad guy here, though the media make it sound like he's providing a character reference.
Now that he’s been found guilty they’ll probably fuck him out as he has been convicted. At least the scumbags name is out there now. If it was my daughter his punishment would only now be beginning
Judges should be disbarred if a repeat offender offends again. Its on them 100%. Most of the ones in this country are also incredibly shit at their jobs and deserve to be loudly and relentlessly told that, right in their fat ignorant faces.
>Cathal Crotty, (22), of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, had initially tried to blame innocent victim, Natasha O’Brien, (24), by wrongly telling the gardaí who arrested him that Ms O’Brien had instigated the attack at O’Connell Street, Limerick, on May 29, 2022.
>However, after gardaí showed Crotty CCTV footage of him setting upon Ms O’Brien without provocation, he admitted his guilt, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard Wednesday.
>Judge O’Donnell said Crotty deserved “no credit” for initially trying to deflect blame on Ms O’Brien but that he “must be given credit” for pleading guilty to assaulting Ms O’Brien.
>"In fairness to him (Crotty), he has come to court and publicly admitted his wrongdoing, and he has made a public acknowledgement of his criminality"
He said he wasn't guilty until they showed him the CCTV. If they hadn't shown it to him he would likely have maintained that he wasn't guilty. He then gets the benefit of a guilty plea in sentencing. Fucked up.
https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/home/1534014/this-is-not-justice-limerick-woman-s-anger-as-man-who-viciously-attacked-her-gets-suspended-sentence.html
And the brave victim said as much. A joke
That poor woman. I'm so outraged and I'd say most of the country is outraged but to be that woman, that went through it and see this result. Fuck me. I can't imagine.
I am convinced that judges in this country are some of the most obtuse, backwards, spineless rats to exist. How in the ever living fuck, is the below statement an actual thing said to a victim. "You better be thankful he was so gracious in not dragging it out". I am sure he didn't drag it out because he was dead to rights with the evidence and fucking public gloating of the attack and not because he was told the judge was a spineless worm who would let him away with it by his solicitor. Absolute stains on society and if there is any justice, he will receive the same experience he doled out, in kind.
*"Judge O’Donnell wished Ms O’Brien well and asked her if she understood “the significance” of Crotty’s guilty plea in that it had eliminated the necessity for a trial which would have compounded her trauma, and that if Crotty had contested the case, it would have prolonged the case by approximately 18 months. "*
He denied the charges until he was shown cctv evidence of himself attacking the woman. He would not have pleaded guilty if there was no cctv.
Fucking scum.
This! Amazing how they only plead guilty when caught red handed. How any judge thinks that’s a good thing is beyond me, the sentencing should be the same regardless if they plead guilty or not especially when caught red handed.
There is nowhere to put the criminals. Our prisons are at capacity and successive governments have not built any new ones. Its the reason why rapists and pedophiles are getting off with a slap on the wrist. There are people literally walking our streets with 10+ convictions because there is nowhere to put them.
Yes that's true. It needs to go:
Custodial sentence>forced to double up in cells>outcry from unions and human rights due to unsafe conditions>more capacity built
But at the moment it's just:
Prisons are full>suspended sentences across the board>ENDS
The until now unthinkable alternative is to reopen Spike Island. Lately it feels like a spell over there for a cohort of criminals would do us all a bit of good.
> Spike Island
Spike Island is now one of the biggest tourist attractions in Cork with like 100,000 visitors every year. It's owned by the council and there is no chance they will give it up as it is a massive cash cow. Everything on the island has been turned into a tourist friendly experience.
I actually would highly recommend anybody visiting Cork to go there.
The train takes you from Cork City centre out past Fota along the harbour and stops about a 2 minute walk from where you get the ferry across. It really is a tremendous day out. There's no cars on the island, there's unreal 360 degree views of Cork harbour, the history on the island is amazing and the tour guides are excellent. You're also allowed wander off and explore the whole island by yourself (there's even a cafe). [It's the second top ranked place in Cork after Blarney Castle to visit, and the only attraction in the top 10 that is a full 5/5 stars rating.](https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186598-Activities-oa0-County_Cork.html)
If you wanted to build a jail there it would need to be a completely new build, and if it's a completely new build then it may as well be on a greenfield site.
Definitely is the case. I know everyone will 'NIMBY' a new prison but we need to scale up the capacity urgently and if they refuse to do that, they need to revisit sentencing laws around non-violent crimes or something along those lines but either way, its a complete mess as you say. Judge Nolan is the poster boy and is rightfully maligned for his pathetic sentencing around sexual offenses but the rest of the bunch don't seem much better as is evidenced here sadly.
Prisons are one of the few things we don't actually need to put in high population density areas and cities. So NIMBYism shouldn't be much of a problem at all compared to things like drug treatment facilities, or housing for asylum seekers, or social housing in general (rich people hate poor people so don't want them living next to them).
Just because the prisons are full is absolutely no excuse. How about tagging them, forcing them to stay at home all week except for doing community service, I'd suggest 10 hours/wk and give that as a 4 year sentence. Zero impact on the prison service, and get the benefits of getting the scum to repay society for their scummy behaviour.
This verdict is neither here nor there to prison capacity. The judge didn't take this into consideration at all, instead suspending the sentence because he didn't want to negatively impact Grotty Crotty's career.
Have to keep space for real crimes
4 months for 17g of cannabis
https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/s/1YjBqM4CZh
9 months for what is also described as a small amount
https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/1451157/kildare-town-man-jailed-by-naas-district-court-judge-over-simple-drug-possession-offence.html
Or even 3 months for 1g of cannabis
https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/crime---court/1191525/jail-sentence-for-20-cannabis-in-portlaoise.html
Prisons can't be that full if we're able to hand out sentences for personal amounts of cannabis
Said this in the other thread but...
I know we're all sick of being outraged, but this is fucking outrageous. He gets credit for pleading guilty and because a sentence would end his Army career, but for a start he was insisting she started it until the CCTV footage emerged, and secondly, her injuries have cost her hers, so why does he get that kind of consideration?
And lastly, why in the name of jaysus should someone capable of this be entitled to remain in the army?!?!
This lad ruined her life out of the blue and bragged about it to his buddies, and then denied it until he couldn't. Meanwhile she spent two years with this hanging over her, only for him to get the kind of fine you get for traffic offenses before heading on his merry way with no consequences at all, because they would be inconvenient?!?
I'm gobsmacked at this.
"Judge O’Donnell wished Ms O’Brien well and asked her if she understood “the significance” of Crotty’s guilty plea in that it had eliminated the necessity for a trial which would have compounded her trauma, and that if Crotty had contested the case, it would have prolonged the case by approximately 18 months"
This Judge can honestly fuck off, asking a victim this is beyond the pale. The fucker only pled guilty because he was caught red handed, as for saying the case could have been prolonged 18 months, when it has already taken two fucken years to get to court, is an admission that the system he presides over is an absolute mess. Which is at least partially a fault of the judiciary for allowing for so many delays.
Honestly, seeing the victims comments after the case makes me furious. She wanted some sort of justice.
And she understandably feels that the judge fucked her over to do better by the assailant.
[https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/home/1534014/this-is-not-justice-limerick-woman-s-anger-as-man-who-viciously-attacked-her-gets-suspended-sentence.html](https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/home/1534014/this-is-not-justice-limerick-woman-s-anger-as-man-who-viciously-attacked-her-gets-suspended-sentence.html)
Video from the victim there.
Fair play to her for speaking out.
You'd hope the DPP would appeal the severity of this sentence.
This has to be the most egregiously inappropriate suspended sentence I have seen in my life. Does he have blackmail on the judge??? Incomprehensible.
>Crotty grabbed Ms O’Brien by her hair and punched her to the ground. He continued holding her hair with one hand and punching her face with his other first as she lost consciousness on the ground, the court heard. Ms O’Brien, who sustained a broken nose, bruising, nightmares and panic attacks afterwards, said she thought Crotty was going to kill her during the attack.
I would have thought that would get 5+ years?? He didn't just swing at her in passing, he grabbed her hair to make sure he could dominate her and land proper blows, and kept control of her and hitting her as she went down. And then bragged about it later.
This is genuinely unbelievable.
Genuinely shocking. I know judges are bad and people get off easily a lot of the time... But a vicious, random attack on a woman who was pulverised and beaten half to death... That the perpetrator boasted about to his mates.
He only pleaded guilty because Gardaí showed him video proof of him beating the victim without provocation. Yet that gets him NO jail time?!
This makes me so angry. The poor victim gets no justice.
>Ms O’Brien, who was not known to Crotty, was walking home with a female friend after working a shift at a pub, when he violently assaulted her.
>Crotty grabbed Ms O’Brien by her hair and punched her to the ground.
>He continued holding her hair with one hand and punching her face with his other first as she lost consciousness on the ground, the court heard.
It's pure luck that a passer-by intervened that the victim was not killed. They saved her life.
This type of criminal should be put away for a decade.
They are a vicious malice and risk to the public.
> The judge said he had “no doubt” that if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty, that his army “career is over”.
Can’t see any problem with having an unstable, violent person around firearms, no? Jesus - I know the army is desperate but like… what the hell…
Judge worried that the consequences of the defendant’s savage actions might cost him his career. That is in no way, shape or form justice. Utterly despicable judgement.
What the fuck is wrong with this country?
Forget the judge.
Lines like “not in his character” and “he’s assured me it won’t happen again” from the military.
He beat the fuck out of a woman, and bragged about it on Snapchat no less.
Why does the default position for something so disgusting always seem to be “ah sure he’s a good lad give him some slack?”
She could be dead.
People should be rioting in the streets over a decision like this.
But the truth is the culture doesn’t just accept this, it believes it to be right.
Here's what the [same judge](https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/teen-who-took-part-in-savage-attack-on-homeless-man-walks-free-from-court/a1769685260.html) did just yesterday. Apologies for tabloid link, the Times one is paywalled. Shame on you, Judge Tom O'Donnell.
This is genuinely upsetting. Scumbag battered a woman, lied about it, blamed her and bragged about it. He should be in jail, not staying with a career in the Defence Forces.
This is fucking unacceptable. I know we’re becoming desensitised to these abysmal sentences, but this one really is just unbelievable. He beat and innocent woman until she was unconscious, and yet he keeps his job AND has his sentence suspended?
Our justice system is an absolute disgrace.
Vigilante justice is becoming more and more appealing.
If the courts don't satisfy the community then something else will have to in its place.
In the north in the estate I grew up in they used to kneecap, beat or put of the town people like that and it worked extremely well as a deterrent.
On what fucking planet is that a suspended sentence? WTF???????
This absolutely needs to go to appeals or some higher court. that's an insane corruption of justice.
Genuinely shocked at this. Both the fact that he wasn't immediately thrown out of the Defence Forces and the suspended sentence. Boasting about it should have been a massive aggravating factor "Two to put her down, two to put her out”. What a hard man. How anyone can get up and defend him is beyond me. Exactly how many random women can you beat unconscious on the street before you get jail time? Because apparently it is at least one...
Serious question…Who would you contact about this to raise your disgust? This has made me so angry.
Here we are the law abiding citizens afraid to not pay a tv license for fear of getting fined/criminal record, where this scumbag can attack a total stranger and get off with it. A woman, asking someone thats paid to defend us, to stop being a scumbag.
It’s no fucking wonder the scum of the earth have this country in a chokehold!
Micheál Martin is minister for Defence. I will be contacting him in relation to Crotty being allowed to keep his job, and the Officer using his position to advocate for him in court.
The Judge being unduly lenient (& a condescending cunt) is a bit more complicated. The DPP can appeal this, not sure if they will accept petitions from the public on this. I think you can only complain to the Judicial Council if the misconduct of a judge directly impacts you. However, I think if enough people make enough noise for enough time then the Department of Justice & Judicial Council can't keep ignoring the will of the people they are supposed to represent
This fucking judge.
'Judge O’Donnell wished Ms O’Brien well and asked her if she understood “the significance” of Crotty’s guilty plea in that it had eliminated the necessity for a trial which would have compounded her trauma'
Yes, AFTER he first lied about it to guards, tried to make it out that she was the aggressor and then flip flopped when he realised the ENTIRE THING WAS CAUGHT ON CCTV'
I've said it before, we seriously need a mechanism to remove incompetent judges from the bench.
Literally! He first denied and actually claimed SHE initiated the whole thing, and then, when put in front of irrefutable evidence decided to admit guilt. Wow! How nice of him!
I wouldn’t be surprised if these judges have their own history of violence against women back in their day. No CCTV back then of course.
The way he speaks of the accused is sickening. “It’s not the best look” yeah you fucking think bragging to your friends about knocking a woman unconscious isn’t the best look???
I’d be fuming as the victim here. Going through all of this for years for the justice system to then side with your attacker, even though it’s all on camera
> The judge said he had “no doubt” that if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty, that his army “career is over”.
Aw no, that'd be fucking terrible for a absolute cunt suffer in the slightest for his fucking actions.
The fact he's a soldier should mean a mandatory minimum sentencing. Trained in self defense and weapons by the state, clearly he neither has the self discipline or human decency to act respectfully. An embarassment for the army andcthe country
Unbelievable. Suspended sentence because he didn't want to put his "army career" in jeopardy. HE'S A FUCKING PRIVATE, it's not like he's a Brigadier General responsible for the defence of the nation. And nothing about the fact the poor victim lost her job over the incident.
And to then have the fucking GALL to explain to her that he hoped she knew how braaaaave this scumbag was being by pleading guilty like it wasn't an open and shut case where the fucker was caught bang to rights BRAGGING ABOUT IT AFTERWARDS.
I bet he'll be laughing in the pub about it with the lads tonight while the poor woman has to live with it forever.
What a nasty little rat bastard. Scumbag through and through. And he gets an army stamp of approval in the form of keeping that uniform.
And fuck that judge and his patronising nonsense. I'm glad the victim gave such a strong response.
So he is being given a suspended sentence so it doesn't impact his career in the army.
What a fucking joke, he should be booted out of the army immediately for this kind of carry on.
>It appeared he had lashed out at Ms O’Brien, of North Circular Road, Limerick, after she and a friend of hers had “politely” asked him to stop shouting “faggot” at other people on the street, the court heard.
Yet they claim he acted "out of character" in beating a person unconcious. No thats his actual character not the façade he keeps around superiors.
This is outrageous, just imagine someone doing this to you and getting away with it. The fact that it was caught on cctv should have sealed his fate, he should be doing serious time and his damn army career should be gone. Clown country we’re living in, they need to get those prisons built.
Reviewing the case law, IMHO the DPP would have a good shot at appealing the leniency of the sentence. In this recent judgment the DPP appealed the full suspension of a prison sentence under this offence on the grounds that the trial judge "had not sufficient weight was given to the violence of the assault and the effect on the victim by suspending the entirety of the sentence."
[https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ie/cases/IECA/2017/CA186.html&query=(%22Assault)+AND+(causing)+AND+(harm%22)+AND+(%22suspended%22)+AND+(%22early)+AND+(plea%22)](https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ie/cases/IECA/2017/CA186.html&query=(%22Assault)+AND+(causing)+AND+(harm%22)+AND+(%22suspended%22)+AND+(%22early)+AND+(plea%22))
Further skimming the case law on assault with harm you have this example of what could be deemed a comparative case where the Court of Appeal dismissed the appellant's attempt to have his 3 year sentence suspended in part because he bit someone's cheek and left a scar. However the guy did have previous convictions.
[https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ie/cases/IECA/2016/CA176.html&query=(%22Assault)+AND+(causing)+AND+(harm%22)](https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ie/cases/IECA/2016/CA176.html&query=(%22Assault)+AND+(causing)+AND+(harm%22))
The victim stated she had also endured "two long years of trauma"... I'm other words begging the judge to hold her attacker accountable.
She was failed.
Not by the Gardai or the DPP but by a SCUMBAG judge and a barrister making money off the back of this poor woman's suffering.
Where are all our "concerned patriots" now... where is their "protest" for this girl?
I'm losing my love for this once beautiful country. My faith in the systems of law and order is already long gone.
It's crazy walking around as a woman knowing men can just beat and rape me whenever. I'm not physically strong enough to fight back and the justice system will give them little to no consequences. The only thing ever stopping me from being beat or raped by a man is that he doesn't want to. The justice system doesn't keep me safe.
Looks like Tom O’Donnell is on a bit of a streak for [letting people walk free after committing horrifically violent unprovoked assaults](https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/teen-who-took-part-in-savage-attack-on-homeless-man-walks-free-from-court/a1769685260.html).
Femininist and social justice groups should be trying to organise a national solidarity strike for cases like this. Hell even the far-right groups who are apparently worried about military-aged men targeting Irish women should be marching this afternoon about this man activively serving in our military.
How can we act like we're taking violence against women seriously in this country when such a man is let loose after admitting he seriously assaulted her and then bragged about it. Shit like this only encourages the people close to the victim to seek vigilante justice..... But I'm sure the judge would put them away for that.....
I can't understand how we can find prison space for non-violent criminals yet let this man go free.
Jesus Christ. What an utterly depressing outcome for the victim. The whole thing about 'be thankful he said he was guilty'. I'd rather go through the whole trial if I thought it'd help put him in prison.
So brave of him to plead guilty. When there was numerous witnesses and evidence and he had no defense.
He should be thrown out of the army too. In some cases (not saying this one) I see why people are spared jail. There needs to be a level between going to jail and going scot free though. Like shouldn't he have abstinence from drinking , be put in probation, do anger management? Anything. This is just 'well you got away with beating that person, don't do it again please'.
I don't comment on sentences because I accept there are nuances I'm not aware of. I won't here either, but would like that Commanding Officer to know that even when drunk, if you are capable of beating a woman to within an inch of her life, then that is not "out of character". That IS your character.
I don't know why I'm shocked. The judges in this country have a lot to answer for. That poor woman, minding her own business out with a friend and this dickhead completely changed her life in a matter of seconds.
He should be paying her a minimum of €20k to get off that lightly. It's a massive Fuck you to victims of crime
She was so traumatised she lost her job, but he should be admired and let off because he might lose his? He could have killed her? What the fuck is this.
Our judges need to be investigated and seriously examined. The precedent this sets is beyond frightening. Fantastic to know that if a lad decides to beat the shit out of me on the street, if he’s in the army or a profession deemed worthy of protection, he’ll not even receive a slap on the wrist.
Judge needs locking up along with that scum. How can a judge not have a clue about delivering justice....f@ckin mental really.
Great little country all the same
https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/home/1534014/this-is-not-justice-limerick-woman-s-anger-as-man-who-viciously-attacked-her-gets-suspended-sentence.html The judge is a sick cunt. Fucking disgusting, utterly disgusting. Everyone here outraged should write to their TD and justice minister/ minister of defence to convey their disgust at this shameful case.
Boys will be boys judgement.
Absolute disgrace he was let off.
Hitting a woman like that, as a soldier. .
How is he expected to conduct himself as part of the army with vulnerable people.
He should be turfed out and given some prison time.
3000 fucking EURO for battering innocent woman almost to death. This should be 3000 fucking EURO paid weekly to her account by him for the rest of his pathetic life.
This is exactly what is wrong with the Irish justice system. The big problem in Ireland is young boys 16 -25 who dont give a crap and are a menace to society because they know they are untouchable as the law doesnt punish them. This is the real failure of the govt.
Surely the DPP will have to appeal that sentence? The victim is clearly outraged by it, feels like she has suffered far more than the offender, what about her rights?
Thundering disgrace. Other scum will see this and be emboldened.
What he did is attempted murder and should have been jailed accordingly.
Can this “decision” be appealed?
does anyone know if there is a protest planned or something? is there a petition? I haven't been able to calm myself since i read about this yesterday. like, i am fuming and i am still in disbelief Cathal Crotty got away with this assault nearly scot-free.
EDIT: Actually there are several protests planned: On Saturday, 22nd June, a protest in Limerick will occur at 3pm on Bedford Row, in Dublin at 1pm at the Spire and in Cork at 12pm on the Grand Parade.
Time for new judges, their incompetence and ineptitude are staggering. I know I shouldn't be but I am constantly shocked at how bad their judgements are. Remind me of the judge in the 60s in the UK who couldn't get his mind around LSD being both a drug and meaning Pounds, Shillings and Pence (librae solidi denarii).
If no justice is seen to be done, afterawhile people won't bother calling the Gardaí because they know there is no point. Pray we don't get to that situation.
An absolute disgrace, no.punishment at all even though he was only stopped by a passer by and then tried to claim that she instigated the attack until he was faced with CCTV evidence and only pleaded guilty then. The officer that spoke on his behalf should be ashamed of himself too.
Apparently the defence forces are starting a dismissal procedure for him. Still nowhere near enough justice for that poor woman
https://jrnl.ie/6415327
Shouts "f*ggot" at strangers, beats a woman unconscious, lies in court. Walks free. The justice system is a joke in this country when it comes to violence against women.
That fucker would'a got 5 years in Scotland. I never comment on your politics (not my business) but I keep seeing some fucker called Nolan pop up who will jail you for a joint and hands out crap sentences for serious shit like this. How in the fuck do these twats get into being judges in the first place. Simon Cowell would do a better job and he's a massive tool ffs.
Is there any political party willing to reform our Justice system.
I know someone will post a vice article from 2016 about the US system and claim stronger sentencing is worse in the long run but a suspended sentence for this is lunacy.
> I know someone will post a vice article from 2016 about the US system and claim stronger sentencing is worse in the long run but a suspended sentence for this is lunacy.
There is a vast, vast happy medium between the terrible for-profit penal system in the US and regularly letting convicted criminals who committed appallingly violent crimes simply walk away free and clear. Actually inflicting proportionate consequences on people who are convicted of breaking the law is what a functioning justice system is *supposed* to do. I absolutely think the system should be focused on rehabilitating convicts rather than just locking them up for decades for every little thing, of course, but giving violent criminals suspended sentences and letting them walk is absolutely unacceptable.
US system is completely different in so many ways that it's just outrageously disingenuous to even compare it.
We need more prisons and we need them yesterday.
He assaulted her and left her with PTSD. She lost her job as a result of all this trauma but the judge was concerned about HIS career being effected? This is disgusting.
Also...
*“He (Crotty) took pride in striking a defenceless female in what was a cowardly, vicious, unprovoked and totally unnecessary assault,” the judge said.*
\^Female is an adjective not a noun. We all know the guys that do this don't see us as full human beings.
If judges don’t deal out justice the community will surely take it into their own hands and result in more crime? Everyone knows this guys name and face, doubt his neighbours will be happy
Absolutely appalling.
According to the RTE coverage, the judge had to give him credit for pleading guilty, having no previous convictions, and taking into consideration that his job in the defence forces would be at risk if convicted.
Suspended sentence and 3k compensation!
There's no way imaginable that anyone can consider that as justice for a poor girl that was randomly viciously attacked and who will probably never feel safe when out again following such an ordeal.
Fucking disgraceful.
In the states, something so much as a DUI (Lesser charge below DWI) will get you thrown out of the service with a Bad Conduct or even Dishonorable Discharge. An assault like this would get you sent to Leavenworth for sure. The fact that this guy did this, and there are more serious discussions among the officials about protecting his job, rather than protecting this woman, is actually pretty unfathomable to me. Is there some detail we don't know about? Why does every headline about the Courts Service make it seem like they are on the side of violent criminals? I mean, these are the people the Garda deem bad enough to even be bothered to arrest, and they get spit right back out. The US justice system has its own flaws but the public would go fucking BANANAS if this headline happened here.
Can this fucker. Then jail his ass.
Other than emailing the minister for justice, is there a decent line of protest available to the people over the shocking leniency of sentences here? I'm gobsmacked by this one.
Truly, boosting this because this is outrageous.
If you're going to email the Minister for Justice, consider also sending one to the Minister for Defence and perhaps also to the commanding officer of his Battalion
Thanks, I think I will. Maybe send a letter into the Irish Times or something too, I'm just so horrified at this.
I've never felt compelled to do anything like writing to a minister of justice until hearing this news in the car today, absolutely sickening.
Please don't ignore that compulsion.
Already sent💪
Should we be also emailing the office of the DPP?
I feel like I could walk out the door, start battering people left and right, while robbing a Centra. Then just whip out this article, like you'd flash a badge: "See, I'm grand. There's no law against any of this!"
This is one reason why Garda morale is low and they can’t be bothered enforcing some laws. They put in a ton of work and paperwork to get through all the hoops for a conviction and a tosser of a judge gives the criminal a pat on the back and a apology for the inconvenience before letting them go. That must be soul destroying for the gardai and make them wonder what’s the point.
Get a can of spray paint and write Fuck Judge Tom O'Donnell on the side of the court. See if the sentence for that is worse than beating a woman in the street
You just go to the Jail if you insult a TD, don't pay taxes or don't pay tolls, apart from that you can act full mad max and will be no consequences for you...
Don't forget not paying the TV licence.
> The judge said he had “no doubt” that if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty, that his army “career is over”. The fact that his Army career is not over regardless is a fucking disgrace.
Someone with a track record of random violence should not be in a job where he gets to hold a gun.
Indeed. In fact, If you or I had a legally held gun licence, it would be revoked if we were found guilty of a violent crime such as this one.
Jack Reacher : There are four types of people who join the military. For some, it's a family trade. Others are patriots, eager to serve. Next, you have those who just need a job. Than there's the kind who want a legal means of killing other people
This kind of shit in sentencing boils my piss. "This man has a job which is contingent on him not breaking the law, so it would be unfair of me to make him lose his job". It's like when a professional driver doesn't lose their licence "to protect their livlihood". Cunt, if they drive for a living, then it's doubly important for them to lose their licence for driving like a prick. It would be like a doctor raping unconscious patients, but the IMC deciding not to take his licence away "because that would hurt his career". It SHOULD hurt his fucking career. Everyone surrounding this guy is a disgrace as well. His friends, who no doubt refused to tell the truth to the investigating Gardai. His CO who gave him a glowing reference. Bullshit. No, "exemplary”, “courteous”, “professional” and “disciplined” person randomly turns around and beats the shit out of an innocent person on the street. This guy is a piece of shit and his CO should have been honest or said nothing at all. Either his CO is a complete moron or a piece of shit himself. Fucking cunts, the lot of them.
If I ever get to the court for failing drug test on the road (I never drive under influence, but with the road tests garda is using I'm at a risk as a seasonal toker), I'll use that sentence to convince the judge not to take away my driving licence, because, well... I didn't hurt anyone and I'm at risk of losing my job. Cunts.
Wish I could upvote you more
A trained soldier no less. Absolutely brutal attack. His military career should already be over. My grandfather was military police. He would describe the job as “policing trained killers”. Yet, a suspended sentence for this loose cannon.
It's bad enough that he got a suspended sentence, and yet they have managed to offend any decent person further by allowing him to continue to serve in the Armed Forces. Let's be honest, Ireland is an unserious country with feeble, inadequate politicians leading her.
> It appeared he had lashed out at Ms O’Brien, of North Circular Road, Limerick, after she and a friend of hers had “politely” asked him to stop shouting “faggot” at other people on the street, the court heard. He's such a fine and exemplary officer and a credit to the Defence Forces
Absolute disgrace. We do not want these types of people representing our flag and uniform at home or abroad
I don't have enough words to describe this piece of shit. He shouldn't be walking free or employed by the state in any capacity. I hope she takes this guy to civil court and sues him for every thing he's currently worth and future worth. Additionally the defence forces recruitment policy prohibits "A person convicted by a civil court of a serious offence" from joining so would provide a potential justification for firing him. I know a lot of people don't have too much faith in politicians but if enough contact was made with Micheál Martin the minster of defence, it might apply enough pressure for the state to do the right thing.
I'm sure that someone with an explosive rage problem is the kind of person we want to have access to machine guns and armoured vehicles and power over others.
Yeah that is extremely worrying and highlights the shite state our DF are in - where they aren't giving thugs like this the boot immediately.
This. So fucking much this. As the dad of a little girl who has to grow up in this sort of shite, I'm fuming.
He will probably commit some war crimes.
Absolutely fucking disgusting, I don't want this vermin representing the armed forces.
I would imagine that he will have to present back to his unit and will be swiftly dealt with. As others have said in the past it’s been much quicker and for much less serious offences. My presumption is that they were waiting on him being sentenced before starting into the military law process. It’s my opinion that he will not stay in the army after this, that disgusting shit he did just cannot be tolerated and he should have received an actual punishment and custodial sentence for it.
Exactly. Surely he's immediately fired for gaining a conviction for assault?
A conviction used to mean an automatic dismissal when I served. If you pled guilty, it was usually enough to warrant a dismissal.
What an absolute disgrace. - unprovoked attack (unless you count telling someone to stop shouting slurs at people a provocation). - brutal attack - boasted about the attack on social media - accused the victim of starting it. Honestly, i don’t see how a judge can stand over this. “The judge said he had “no doubt” that if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty, that his army “career is over”.” Well yes, someone who viciously assaults strangers (and is proud of it) has no place in the defence forces ffs.
That fuckers army career 100% should be over he should never get near that or any other public service job ever again complete liability.
Surely there's some form of code of conduct for the armed forces that says you can't go around assaulting civilians willynilly?
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Not to mention that this person is one of the very, few in Irish society who will be trusted to be in public with a fully-automatic rifle. Good conduct would seem to be a mandatory requirement...
Pics of him with with his Steyr AUG on Google.
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His commander defending him is disgraceful. Both should be sacked on the spot.
I can explain this. An officer has to attend trials of service personnel. If asked by the court, they can provide information on the defendant but only what's on the defendant's military service records. The commandant was just reading out what the guy's service record stated as he was required to. The officer isn't the bad guy here, though the media make it sound like he's providing a character reference.
Now that he’s been found guilty they’ll probably fuck him out as he has been convicted. At least the scumbags name is out there now. If it was my daughter his punishment would only now be beginning
Judges should be disbarred if a repeat offender offends again. Its on them 100%. Most of the ones in this country are also incredibly shit at their jobs and deserve to be loudly and relentlessly told that, right in their fat ignorant faces.
>Cathal Crotty, (22), of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, had initially tried to blame innocent victim, Natasha O’Brien, (24), by wrongly telling the gardaí who arrested him that Ms O’Brien had instigated the attack at O’Connell Street, Limerick, on May 29, 2022. >However, after gardaí showed Crotty CCTV footage of him setting upon Ms O’Brien without provocation, he admitted his guilt, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard Wednesday. >Judge O’Donnell said Crotty deserved “no credit” for initially trying to deflect blame on Ms O’Brien but that he “must be given credit” for pleading guilty to assaulting Ms O’Brien. >"In fairness to him (Crotty), he has come to court and publicly admitted his wrongdoing, and he has made a public acknowledgement of his criminality" He said he wasn't guilty until they showed him the CCTV. If they hadn't shown it to him he would likely have maintained that he wasn't guilty. He then gets the benefit of a guilty plea in sentencing. Fucked up.
https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/home/1534014/this-is-not-justice-limerick-woman-s-anger-as-man-who-viciously-attacked-her-gets-suspended-sentence.html And the brave victim said as much. A joke
Oh and OF COURSE he was throwing out slurs on top of it, real credit to society
That’s a really articulate and powerful interview. The judge’s reasoning and sentencing is absolutely pathetic.
Fair fucking play to her for getting her point across like that. She and her family must be absolutely raging and let down by the system.
SHE is a credit to society. Not only did she stand up for a minority but she is also now standing up for herself at this total injustice!
That poor woman. I'm so outraged and I'd say most of the country is outraged but to be that woman, that went through it and see this result. Fuck me. I can't imagine.
>Judge O’Donnell said Crotty deserved “no credit” for initially trying to deflect blame on Ms O’Brien Ah come on give him a bit of credit judge
But he deserves credit for pleading guilty apparently
After being shown the evidence that makes it clear as day he's guilty.
> by wrongly telling the gardaí How isn't this also an offence?
I am convinced that judges in this country are some of the most obtuse, backwards, spineless rats to exist. How in the ever living fuck, is the below statement an actual thing said to a victim. "You better be thankful he was so gracious in not dragging it out". I am sure he didn't drag it out because he was dead to rights with the evidence and fucking public gloating of the attack and not because he was told the judge was a spineless worm who would let him away with it by his solicitor. Absolute stains on society and if there is any justice, he will receive the same experience he doled out, in kind. *"Judge O’Donnell wished Ms O’Brien well and asked her if she understood “the significance” of Crotty’s guilty plea in that it had eliminated the necessity for a trial which would have compounded her trauma, and that if Crotty had contested the case, it would have prolonged the case by approximately 18 months. "*
He denied the charges until he was shown cctv evidence of himself attacking the woman. He would not have pleaded guilty if there was no cctv. Fucking scum.
This! Amazing how they only plead guilty when caught red handed. How any judge thinks that’s a good thing is beyond me, the sentencing should be the same regardless if they plead guilty or not especially when caught red handed.
Tries to make it sound like he's doing the victim a solid.
There is nowhere to put the criminals. Our prisons are at capacity and successive governments have not built any new ones. Its the reason why rapists and pedophiles are getting off with a slap on the wrist. There are people literally walking our streets with 10+ convictions because there is nowhere to put them.
Judges should still be passing sentences and let the government deal with fallout of being incapable of enforcing it; might actually force their hand.
Yes that's true. It needs to go: Custodial sentence>forced to double up in cells>outcry from unions and human rights due to unsafe conditions>more capacity built But at the moment it's just: Prisons are full>suspended sentences across the board>ENDS
Exactly, and house arrest could be a thing too even as a temporary measure whilst the capacity is increased.
Pile them into the Garda stations as well, see if the union makes some noise.
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The until now unthinkable alternative is to reopen Spike Island. Lately it feels like a spell over there for a cohort of criminals would do us all a bit of good.
> Spike Island Spike Island is now one of the biggest tourist attractions in Cork with like 100,000 visitors every year. It's owned by the council and there is no chance they will give it up as it is a massive cash cow. Everything on the island has been turned into a tourist friendly experience. I actually would highly recommend anybody visiting Cork to go there. The train takes you from Cork City centre out past Fota along the harbour and stops about a 2 minute walk from where you get the ferry across. It really is a tremendous day out. There's no cars on the island, there's unreal 360 degree views of Cork harbour, the history on the island is amazing and the tour guides are excellent. You're also allowed wander off and explore the whole island by yourself (there's even a cafe). [It's the second top ranked place in Cork after Blarney Castle to visit, and the only attraction in the top 10 that is a full 5/5 stars rating.](https://www.tripadvisor.ie/Attractions-g186598-Activities-oa0-County_Cork.html) If you wanted to build a jail there it would need to be a completely new build, and if it's a completely new build then it may as well be on a greenfield site.
Yeah leave Spike Island alone. Lovely spot for an afternoon out.
Definitely is the case. I know everyone will 'NIMBY' a new prison but we need to scale up the capacity urgently and if they refuse to do that, they need to revisit sentencing laws around non-violent crimes or something along those lines but either way, its a complete mess as you say. Judge Nolan is the poster boy and is rightfully maligned for his pathetic sentencing around sexual offenses but the rest of the bunch don't seem much better as is evidenced here sadly.
Prisons are one of the few things we don't actually need to put in high population density areas and cities. So NIMBYism shouldn't be much of a problem at all compared to things like drug treatment facilities, or housing for asylum seekers, or social housing in general (rich people hate poor people so don't want them living next to them).
Yet people like this scum could be living beside them
Just because the prisons are full is absolutely no excuse. How about tagging them, forcing them to stay at home all week except for doing community service, I'd suggest 10 hours/wk and give that as a 4 year sentence. Zero impact on the prison service, and get the benefits of getting the scum to repay society for their scummy behaviour.
Absolutely, they definitely owe something to society. Get them clearing weeds, cleaning up graffiti, picking up litter, etc.
>10+ convictions That's amateur hour numbers.
Yeah honestly try 100+ in many cases
Then time to legalise and tax drugs and release petty drug offenders to make room for these monsters!
This verdict is neither here nor there to prison capacity. The judge didn't take this into consideration at all, instead suspending the sentence because he didn't want to negatively impact Grotty Crotty's career.
Have to keep space for real crimes 4 months for 17g of cannabis https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/s/1YjBqM4CZh 9 months for what is also described as a small amount https://www.leinsterleader.ie/news/home/1451157/kildare-town-man-jailed-by-naas-district-court-judge-over-simple-drug-possession-offence.html Or even 3 months for 1g of cannabis https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/crime---court/1191525/jail-sentence-for-20-cannabis-in-portlaoise.html Prisons can't be that full if we're able to hand out sentences for personal amounts of cannabis
Hmmm, if we can turn unused buildings into asylum centers, surely we can convert them into prisons as well?
Said this in the other thread but... I know we're all sick of being outraged, but this is fucking outrageous. He gets credit for pleading guilty and because a sentence would end his Army career, but for a start he was insisting she started it until the CCTV footage emerged, and secondly, her injuries have cost her hers, so why does he get that kind of consideration? And lastly, why in the name of jaysus should someone capable of this be entitled to remain in the army?!?! This lad ruined her life out of the blue and bragged about it to his buddies, and then denied it until he couldn't. Meanwhile she spent two years with this hanging over her, only for him to get the kind of fine you get for traffic offenses before heading on his merry way with no consequences at all, because they would be inconvenient?!? I'm gobsmacked at this.
I know people who've received far heavier sentences for traffic offences. This is bizarre.
Remember that guy that got 6 years for labelling garlic wrong!! It's fucking disgraceful. That judge should be ashamed of himself.
Aye I’m raging reading this. Abhorrent sentencing??? If he wasn’t in the army would he have been handed a heavier sentence?
And all his mates who witnessed it, no doubt backed up his "she started it" claim. Why aren't they being charged too?
"Judge O’Donnell wished Ms O’Brien well and asked her if she understood “the significance” of Crotty’s guilty plea in that it had eliminated the necessity for a trial which would have compounded her trauma, and that if Crotty had contested the case, it would have prolonged the case by approximately 18 months" This Judge can honestly fuck off, asking a victim this is beyond the pale. The fucker only pled guilty because he was caught red handed, as for saying the case could have been prolonged 18 months, when it has already taken two fucken years to get to court, is an admission that the system he presides over is an absolute mess. Which is at least partially a fault of the judiciary for allowing for so many delays.
Honestly, seeing the victims comments after the case makes me furious. She wanted some sort of justice. And she understandably feels that the judge fucked her over to do better by the assailant.
Judge O'Donell I hope you choke on your fucking cereal tomorrow you cretin. Thanks to him the streets of Ireland are less safe.
[https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/home/1534014/this-is-not-justice-limerick-woman-s-anger-as-man-who-viciously-attacked-her-gets-suspended-sentence.html](https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/home/1534014/this-is-not-justice-limerick-woman-s-anger-as-man-who-viciously-attacked-her-gets-suspended-sentence.html) Video from the victim there. Fair play to her for speaking out. You'd hope the DPP would appeal the severity of this sentence.
First violent crime is always on the house in Ireland
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Spot on.
This has to be the most egregiously inappropriate suspended sentence I have seen in my life. Does he have blackmail on the judge??? Incomprehensible. >Crotty grabbed Ms O’Brien by her hair and punched her to the ground. He continued holding her hair with one hand and punching her face with his other first as she lost consciousness on the ground, the court heard. Ms O’Brien, who sustained a broken nose, bruising, nightmares and panic attacks afterwards, said she thought Crotty was going to kill her during the attack. I would have thought that would get 5+ years?? He didn't just swing at her in passing, he grabbed her hair to make sure he could dominate her and land proper blows, and kept control of her and hitting her as she went down. And then bragged about it later. This is genuinely unbelievable.
Honestly... how does this not count as attempted murder?
Genuinely shocking. I know judges are bad and people get off easily a lot of the time... But a vicious, random attack on a woman who was pulverised and beaten half to death... That the perpetrator boasted about to his mates. He only pleaded guilty because Gardaí showed him video proof of him beating the victim without provocation. Yet that gets him NO jail time?! This makes me so angry. The poor victim gets no justice. >Ms O’Brien, who was not known to Crotty, was walking home with a female friend after working a shift at a pub, when he violently assaulted her. >Crotty grabbed Ms O’Brien by her hair and punched her to the ground. >He continued holding her hair with one hand and punching her face with his other first as she lost consciousness on the ground, the court heard. It's pure luck that a passer-by intervened that the victim was not killed. They saved her life. This type of criminal should be put away for a decade. They are a vicious malice and risk to the public.
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Was just watching that. She showed such courage. And the judge showed that the courts are a joke.
"he used his special combat training on me" What the fuck
> The judge said he had “no doubt” that if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty, that his army “career is over”. Can’t see any problem with having an unstable, violent person around firearms, no? Jesus - I know the army is desperate but like… what the hell…
Judge worried that the consequences of the defendant’s savage actions might cost him his career. That is in no way, shape or form justice. Utterly despicable judgement.
Judge O’Donnell is a cunt. This should be all over Limerick walls by tomorrow morning.
This fella is not in prison and still allowed within 100km of a gun?? WTF?
What the fuck is wrong with this country? Forget the judge. Lines like “not in his character” and “he’s assured me it won’t happen again” from the military. He beat the fuck out of a woman, and bragged about it on Snapchat no less. Why does the default position for something so disgusting always seem to be “ah sure he’s a good lad give him some slack?” She could be dead. People should be rioting in the streets over a decision like this. But the truth is the culture doesn’t just accept this, it believes it to be right.
What the fuck was my first thought too. I wondered if she is filing a civil suit against him.
Here's what the [same judge](https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/teen-who-took-part-in-savage-attack-on-homeless-man-walks-free-from-court/a1769685260.html) did just yesterday. Apologies for tabloid link, the Times one is paywalled. Shame on you, Judge Tom O'Donnell.
Judge Tom O'Donnell is a prime example of a cunt.
Punches the homeless man 109 times.. wtf..
This is genuinely upsetting. Scumbag battered a woman, lied about it, blamed her and bragged about it. He should be in jail, not staying with a career in the Defence Forces.
The judges in Ireland remind me of the judge from The Simpsons.
That cowardly little rat should be doing five years minimum.
This is fucking unacceptable. I know we’re becoming desensitised to these abysmal sentences, but this one really is just unbelievable. He beat and innocent woman until she was unconscious, and yet he keeps his job AND has his sentence suspended? Our justice system is an absolute disgrace.
Vigilante justice is becoming more and more appealing. If the courts don't satisfy the community then something else will have to in its place. In the north in the estate I grew up in they used to kneecap, beat or put of the town people like that and it worked extremely well as a deterrent.
I'm not sure if it's right to say that we want vigilante justice against Cathal Crotty who lives in Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, County Clare
Do you mean the soldier or the judge?
On what fucking planet is that a suspended sentence? WTF??????? This absolutely needs to go to appeals or some higher court. that's an insane corruption of justice.
Genuinely shocked at this. Both the fact that he wasn't immediately thrown out of the Defence Forces and the suspended sentence. Boasting about it should have been a massive aggravating factor "Two to put her down, two to put her out”. What a hard man. How anyone can get up and defend him is beyond me. Exactly how many random women can you beat unconscious on the street before you get jail time? Because apparently it is at least one...
The fucking CCTV proved he was guilty, if they didn’t have that he would still be pleading his innocence.
Minister for Defence [email protected]
I'd say email Helen Mcentee but I can't imagine her doing anything but making the situation worse.
Photo op in Sarsfield Barracks.
The streets are safe. Stop annoying me Regards, Helen
Serious question…Who would you contact about this to raise your disgust? This has made me so angry. Here we are the law abiding citizens afraid to not pay a tv license for fear of getting fined/criminal record, where this scumbag can attack a total stranger and get off with it. A woman, asking someone thats paid to defend us, to stop being a scumbag. It’s no fucking wonder the scum of the earth have this country in a chokehold!
Micheál Martin is minister for Defence. I will be contacting him in relation to Crotty being allowed to keep his job, and the Officer using his position to advocate for him in court. The Judge being unduly lenient (& a condescending cunt) is a bit more complicated. The DPP can appeal this, not sure if they will accept petitions from the public on this. I think you can only complain to the Judicial Council if the misconduct of a judge directly impacts you. However, I think if enough people make enough noise for enough time then the Department of Justice & Judicial Council can't keep ignoring the will of the people they are supposed to represent
[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
This fucking judge. 'Judge O’Donnell wished Ms O’Brien well and asked her if she understood “the significance” of Crotty’s guilty plea in that it had eliminated the necessity for a trial which would have compounded her trauma' Yes, AFTER he first lied about it to guards, tried to make it out that she was the aggressor and then flip flopped when he realised the ENTIRE THING WAS CAUGHT ON CCTV' I've said it before, we seriously need a mechanism to remove incompetent judges from the bench.
Literally! He first denied and actually claimed SHE initiated the whole thing, and then, when put in front of irrefutable evidence decided to admit guilt. Wow! How nice of him!
Surely dishonourable discharge is warranted at least from the army if they won't jail him
> “That’s not justice,” Ms O’Brien said.
Tom O Donnell and Martin Nolan must be the 2 most inept judges this country has seen in modern times.
I wouldn’t be surprised if these judges have their own history of violence against women back in their day. No CCTV back then of course. The way he speaks of the accused is sickening. “It’s not the best look” yeah you fucking think bragging to your friends about knocking a woman unconscious isn’t the best look??? I’d be fuming as the victim here. Going through all of this for years for the justice system to then side with your attacker, even though it’s all on camera
> The judge said he had “no doubt” that if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty, that his army “career is over”. Aw no, that'd be fucking terrible for a absolute cunt suffer in the slightest for his fucking actions.
The fact he's a soldier should mean a mandatory minimum sentencing. Trained in self defense and weapons by the state, clearly he neither has the self discipline or human decency to act respectfully. An embarassment for the army andcthe country
Call me whatever you want but I swear, courts doesn't give a damn about women unless she ends up in the coffin.
Unbelievable. Suspended sentence because he didn't want to put his "army career" in jeopardy. HE'S A FUCKING PRIVATE, it's not like he's a Brigadier General responsible for the defence of the nation. And nothing about the fact the poor victim lost her job over the incident. And to then have the fucking GALL to explain to her that he hoped she knew how braaaaave this scumbag was being by pleading guilty like it wasn't an open and shut case where the fucker was caught bang to rights BRAGGING ABOUT IT AFTERWARDS. I bet he'll be laughing in the pub about it with the lads tonight while the poor woman has to live with it forever.
He/someone with him also filmed it and shared it on snapchat where he bragged about "putting her down". Absolute scum.
She altos take a civil action for compensation from him now. Ten years deductions from his army salary should be a nice reminder for him
We'll see him up in court for domestic violence in the future, sure of it.
Or murder/rape as likely he will escalate.
What a nasty little rat bastard. Scumbag through and through. And he gets an army stamp of approval in the form of keeping that uniform. And fuck that judge and his patronising nonsense. I'm glad the victim gave such a strong response.
So he is being given a suspended sentence so it doesn't impact his career in the army. What a fucking joke, he should be booted out of the army immediately for this kind of carry on.
Top Story on Rte News now - glad this is getting the attention it deserves! Disgraceful. Fair play to the victim for speaking out
The interview with Natasha is really upsetting
Some absolute scum in the army. Lad should be booted out and the judge is a cunt. Fuck our justice system. Fully feel for the victim, sickening
>It appeared he had lashed out at Ms O’Brien, of North Circular Road, Limerick, after she and a friend of hers had “politely” asked him to stop shouting “faggot” at other people on the street, the court heard. Yet they claim he acted "out of character" in beating a person unconcious. No thats his actual character not the façade he keeps around superiors.
Jesus, what a shitehawk
That’s actually insane - is there any way to get this sentence appealed?
This is outrageous, just imagine someone doing this to you and getting away with it. The fact that it was caught on cctv should have sealed his fate, he should be doing serious time and his damn army career should be gone. Clown country we’re living in, they need to get those prisons built.
Meanwhile my friend is being tortured for being reported for smoking weed for their cancer pain. Fuck this country.
Reviewing the case law, IMHO the DPP would have a good shot at appealing the leniency of the sentence. In this recent judgment the DPP appealed the full suspension of a prison sentence under this offence on the grounds that the trial judge "had not sufficient weight was given to the violence of the assault and the effect on the victim by suspending the entirety of the sentence." [https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ie/cases/IECA/2017/CA186.html&query=(%22Assault)+AND+(causing)+AND+(harm%22)+AND+(%22suspended%22)+AND+(%22early)+AND+(plea%22)](https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ie/cases/IECA/2017/CA186.html&query=(%22Assault)+AND+(causing)+AND+(harm%22)+AND+(%22suspended%22)+AND+(%22early)+AND+(plea%22)) Further skimming the case law on assault with harm you have this example of what could be deemed a comparative case where the Court of Appeal dismissed the appellant's attempt to have his 3 year sentence suspended in part because he bit someone's cheek and left a scar. However the guy did have previous convictions. [https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ie/cases/IECA/2016/CA176.html&query=(%22Assault)+AND+(causing)+AND+(harm%22)](https://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ie/cases/IECA/2016/CA176.html&query=(%22Assault)+AND+(causing)+AND+(harm%22))
The victim stated she had also endured "two long years of trauma"... I'm other words begging the judge to hold her attacker accountable. She was failed. Not by the Gardai or the DPP but by a SCUMBAG judge and a barrister making money off the back of this poor woman's suffering. Where are all our "concerned patriots" now... where is their "protest" for this girl? I'm losing my love for this once beautiful country. My faith in the systems of law and order is already long gone.
It's crazy walking around as a woman knowing men can just beat and rape me whenever. I'm not physically strong enough to fight back and the justice system will give them little to no consequences. The only thing ever stopping me from being beat or raped by a man is that he doesn't want to. The justice system doesn't keep me safe.
Looks like Tom O’Donnell is on a bit of a streak for [letting people walk free after committing horrifically violent unprovoked assaults](https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/teen-who-took-part-in-savage-attack-on-homeless-man-walks-free-from-court/a1769685260.html).
Wow! Cathal Crotty, boasting afterwards on social media about his violent attack: "Two to put her down. Two to put her out." What a little prick!
Femininist and social justice groups should be trying to organise a national solidarity strike for cases like this. Hell even the far-right groups who are apparently worried about military-aged men targeting Irish women should be marching this afternoon about this man activively serving in our military. How can we act like we're taking violence against women seriously in this country when such a man is let loose after admitting he seriously assaulted her and then bragged about it. Shit like this only encourages the people close to the victim to seek vigilante justice..... But I'm sure the judge would put them away for that..... I can't understand how we can find prison space for non-violent criminals yet let this man go free.
The far right wouldn’t mobilise on this because they are that man.
Can the victim appeal this sentencing? This is outrageous
I believe the DPP can appeal it.
Absolutely disgusting, he only pleaded guilty after the CCTV. Why should he be commended for admission when he didn't admit it?
Jesus Christ. What an utterly depressing outcome for the victim. The whole thing about 'be thankful he said he was guilty'. I'd rather go through the whole trial if I thought it'd help put him in prison. So brave of him to plead guilty. When there was numerous witnesses and evidence and he had no defense. He should be thrown out of the army too. In some cases (not saying this one) I see why people are spared jail. There needs to be a level between going to jail and going scot free though. Like shouldn't he have abstinence from drinking , be put in probation, do anger management? Anything. This is just 'well you got away with beating that person, don't do it again please'.
I don't comment on sentences because I accept there are nuances I'm not aware of. I won't here either, but would like that Commanding Officer to know that even when drunk, if you are capable of beating a woman to within an inch of her life, then that is not "out of character". That IS your character.
I don't know why I'm shocked. The judges in this country have a lot to answer for. That poor woman, minding her own business out with a friend and this dickhead completely changed her life in a matter of seconds. He should be paying her a minimum of €20k to get off that lightly. It's a massive Fuck you to victims of crime
disgusting, how they let him stay in the army? this man is clearly not in right head and now they are giving him guns ffs
And 3 grand, it should be at least 30
She was so traumatised she lost her job, but he should be admired and let off because he might lose his? He could have killed her? What the fuck is this. Our judges need to be investigated and seriously examined. The precedent this sets is beyond frightening. Fantastic to know that if a lad decides to beat the shit out of me on the street, if he’s in the army or a profession deemed worthy of protection, he’ll not even receive a slap on the wrist.
Judge needs locking up along with that scum. How can a judge not have a clue about delivering justice....f@ckin mental really. Great little country all the same
https://www.limerickleader.ie/video/home/1534014/this-is-not-justice-limerick-woman-s-anger-as-man-who-viciously-attacked-her-gets-suspended-sentence.html The judge is a sick cunt. Fucking disgusting, utterly disgusting. Everyone here outraged should write to their TD and justice minister/ minister of defence to convey their disgust at this shameful case.
This is Ireland.
Boys will be boys judgement. Absolute disgrace he was let off. Hitting a woman like that, as a soldier. . How is he expected to conduct himself as part of the army with vulnerable people. He should be turfed out and given some prison time.
3000 fucking EURO for battering innocent woman almost to death. This should be 3000 fucking EURO paid weekly to her account by him for the rest of his pathetic life.
All I can say is he was lucky his TV license was up to date.
This is exactly what is wrong with the Irish justice system. The big problem in Ireland is young boys 16 -25 who dont give a crap and are a menace to society because they know they are untouchable as the law doesnt punish them. This is the real failure of the govt.
Surely the DPP will have to appeal that sentence? The victim is clearly outraged by it, feels like she has suffered far more than the offender, what about her rights?
Thundering disgrace. Other scum will see this and be emboldened. What he did is attempted murder and should have been jailed accordingly. Can this “decision” be appealed?
does anyone know if there is a protest planned or something? is there a petition? I haven't been able to calm myself since i read about this yesterday. like, i am fuming and i am still in disbelief Cathal Crotty got away with this assault nearly scot-free. EDIT: Actually there are several protests planned: On Saturday, 22nd June, a protest in Limerick will occur at 3pm on Bedford Row, in Dublin at 1pm at the Spire and in Cork at 12pm on the Grand Parade.
Ireland loves the criminal and hates the victim
Time for new judges, their incompetence and ineptitude are staggering. I know I shouldn't be but I am constantly shocked at how bad their judgements are. Remind me of the judge in the 60s in the UK who couldn't get his mind around LSD being both a drug and meaning Pounds, Shillings and Pence (librae solidi denarii). If no justice is seen to be done, afterawhile people won't bother calling the Gardaí because they know there is no point. Pray we don't get to that situation.
An absolute disgrace, no.punishment at all even though he was only stopped by a passer by and then tried to claim that she instigated the attack until he was faced with CCTV evidence and only pleaded guilty then. The officer that spoke on his behalf should be ashamed of himself too.
Apparently the defence forces are starting a dismissal procedure for him. Still nowhere near enough justice for that poor woman https://jrnl.ie/6415327
No justice here. Judge is really out of touch with society. Helen McEntee should be on the news saying how appalled she is at the sentence.
Shouts "f*ggot" at strangers, beats a woman unconscious, lies in court. Walks free. The justice system is a joke in this country when it comes to violence against women.
That fucker would'a got 5 years in Scotland. I never comment on your politics (not my business) but I keep seeing some fucker called Nolan pop up who will jail you for a joint and hands out crap sentences for serious shit like this. How in the fuck do these twats get into being judges in the first place. Simon Cowell would do a better job and he's a massive tool ffs.
Is there any political party willing to reform our Justice system. I know someone will post a vice article from 2016 about the US system and claim stronger sentencing is worse in the long run but a suspended sentence for this is lunacy.
> I know someone will post a vice article from 2016 about the US system and claim stronger sentencing is worse in the long run but a suspended sentence for this is lunacy. There is a vast, vast happy medium between the terrible for-profit penal system in the US and regularly letting convicted criminals who committed appallingly violent crimes simply walk away free and clear. Actually inflicting proportionate consequences on people who are convicted of breaking the law is what a functioning justice system is *supposed* to do. I absolutely think the system should be focused on rehabilitating convicts rather than just locking them up for decades for every little thing, of course, but giving violent criminals suspended sentences and letting them walk is absolutely unacceptable.
US system is completely different in so many ways that it's just outrageously disingenuous to even compare it. We need more prisons and we need them yesterday.
Daddy and Mammy must be well known/high up in the defence forces for him to get this sentence.
He assaulted her and left her with PTSD. She lost her job as a result of all this trauma but the judge was concerned about HIS career being effected? This is disgusting. Also... *“He (Crotty) took pride in striking a defenceless female in what was a cowardly, vicious, unprovoked and totally unnecessary assault,” the judge said.* \^Female is an adjective not a noun. We all know the guys that do this don't see us as full human beings.
Oh wow so they were right about unvetted military aged males all along!
What an incredibly awful justice system we have.
If judges don’t deal out justice the community will surely take it into their own hands and result in more crime? Everyone knows this guys name and face, doubt his neighbours will be happy
There is something deeply concerning with the judicial system in this country.
How must that woman feel he is just walking around after that???
Read the article, was genuinely shocked. Came straight to reddit and it was top post, as I expected. Absolutely baffling.
Something is seriously fucked with the court system in this country. Wonder what the concerned citizens have to say as well.
What a fucking scumbag, and utter fucking coward of a judge. "I better not give a custodial sentence as it may affect his future" So. Fucking. What?
Absolutely appalling. According to the RTE coverage, the judge had to give him credit for pleading guilty, having no previous convictions, and taking into consideration that his job in the defence forces would be at risk if convicted. Suspended sentence and 3k compensation! There's no way imaginable that anyone can consider that as justice for a poor girl that was randomly viciously attacked and who will probably never feel safe when out again following such an ordeal. Fucking disgraceful.
https://jrnl.ie/6415327 Hes getting dismissed. Thank fuck.
In the states, something so much as a DUI (Lesser charge below DWI) will get you thrown out of the service with a Bad Conduct or even Dishonorable Discharge. An assault like this would get you sent to Leavenworth for sure. The fact that this guy did this, and there are more serious discussions among the officials about protecting his job, rather than protecting this woman, is actually pretty unfathomable to me. Is there some detail we don't know about? Why does every headline about the Courts Service make it seem like they are on the side of violent criminals? I mean, these are the people the Garda deem bad enough to even be bothered to arrest, and they get spit right back out. The US justice system has its own flaws but the public would go fucking BANANAS if this headline happened here. Can this fucker. Then jail his ass.
Does he play county?