Jane Matthews Jane Matthews reporting from Brussels

TAOISEACH SIMON HARRIS has said members of the Defence Forces who have been accused of serious crimes should not be allowed to continue to serve while they await trial.

He said the Government will possibly have to look at new legislation to allow for this. 

Speaking to reporters in Brussels this afternoon, Harris said a zero tolerance approach to domestic, gender and sexual violence is needed in the Defence Forces and across wider society. 

Earlier this week, in response to the Cathal Crotty case, the Taoiseach ordered an audit of the Defence Forces to establish how many members have criminal convictions.

Crotty, a member of the Defence Forces, was handed a three-year suspended sentence after viciously and randomly attacking a woman in Limerick.

Natasha O’Brien, the victim, subsequently waived her right to anonymity and has since led a campaign calling for an overhaul of the justice system.

As first reported by The Journal last week, the Defence Forces begun the process of dismissing Crotty following the sentencing. 

The Taoiseach said he wants to establish if there are people in the Defence Forces who have a criminal conviction and if there are people who have a criminal conviction related to domestic, sexual and gender based violence. 

He also wants to know if there are members of the Defence Forces who may not not yet have a conviction, but have been accused of such crime.

He said today he understands the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin now has received some of this information and it is in the process of being analysed.

“I’ll await the full report in detail from the Tánaiste, who is due to meet with the Chief of Staff [of the Defence Forces], but I do remain this afternoon very concerned,” Harris said. 

New laws

The Taoiseach said it is his view that there is no place in the Defence Forces for people who have convictions, particularly convictions in relation to domestic, sexual and gender based violence.

He said the Government must now look at changing legislation to enable the Defence Forces to suspend members who have allegations made against them.

“There’s serious consideration we need to give, and I accept this may require a change on our end too, in relation to if there is serious allegations made against somebody, what happens to them in the period of time before that allegation goes to court?

How can they possibly be allowed to continue to serve?

And is there a need to change regulations in that space? There may be,” the Taoiseach said.

“Anonymous briefings” 

The Taoiseach also railed against “anonymous briefings” being given to media in relation to issues in the Defence Forces and said “enough of them”. 

Although he did not specifically say what he was referring to, he mentioned a report in the Irish Times today.

“Remember, it’s only about a year, since a judge-led independent review into our Defence Forces uncovered really horrific situations, horrific situations. The Chief of Staff referred to the findings as stark.

“We then had a situation where the Government decided to establish a tribunal of investigation. So let me just be clear the last thing we need and the last thing I’ll tolerate is anonymous briefings in relation to the Defence Forces. I am the Taoiseach of this country. And zero tolerance is not a political slogan,” he said.

“Zero tolerance is the cultural change that must become embedded in every part of Irish society, including the Defence Forces. Anonymously brief away if you wish, but I will speak up and speak out for the women of this country who have felt failed, badly failed over a significant period of time,” he added.

‘Let this be a wake up call’

Meanwhile inside the Irish Defence Forces efforts to deal with the fall out are continuing. The Chief of Staff Lt General Seán Clancy issued an internal communication to all serving personnel. 

The Journal has got sight of this missive from multiple sources – Clancy calls out gender based violence and told soldiers, air crew and sailors to “let this be a wake up call for us all”. 

“In the wake of the most recent media attention and the actions of some of our own, we must take a hard look at our organisation and accept the role we have played in this. 

“If one person acts in a way that compromises our values, it affect us all. There is no place in our organisation for those who do not wish to live our values,” the communication said. 

Clancy’s message went on to tell his troops that “the actions of a few must not overshadow the dedicated service of the many”. 

He said that he has directed all “brigades and formations” to ensure that military regulations are being adhered to and that a report has been prepared for the Tánaiste. 

The Chief of Staff said that all personnel have a “collective responsibility” to ensure that proceedings are carried out fully. 

Clancy said that all members must continue to support each other and “uphold our values” and said he is committed to restoring the reputation of the military. 

“We must affirm our commitment to the highest standards of conduct and ensure that our ranks are filled with individuals who uphold the values we cherish,” he added. 

The Journal also understands that there will be a special meeting of all military commanding officers tomorrow to be briefed on the events of the last week.

With additional reporting from Niall O’Connor.