Standing ovation in the Dáil for Limerick soldier attack victim, Natasha O’Brien

On Lunchtime Live this afternoon Natasha O’Brien said she had spent the weeks leading up to the hearing preparing herself for a soft sentence.
She said victims of violent crime in Ireland see their attackers walk free far too often, adding, “It's the system of justice we are the true victims of”.
The 24-year-old said she came to court hoping to prove that there are repercussions for intentionally harming others - but warned that the “exact opposite message” has now been sent out.
22-year-old soldier Cathal Crotty of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, County Clare walked free from court after he was handed a three-year suspended sentence for the attack on Ms O’Brien.
Ms O'Brien suffered a broken nose, bruising, nightmares and panic attacks after the unprovoked attack.
Hours after the attack, Mr Crotty boasted about what he had done, writing to friends on Snapchat, "Two to put her down, two to put her out."
Delivering the sentence, Judge Tom O'Donnell said Crotty's actions were "utterly appalling" but said he was not imposing an immediate jail sentence because he had 'no doubt' it would end his army career.
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[@lynne-du9ql]

MY old man a soldier abused me for seven years and I brought a case against him. The army in Limerick knew what he was being changed with. Two months before the case went to court in 2009 after waiting for five years he died. THE ARMY BURIED HIM IN THE IRISH FLAG! Hypocritical...the lot of them. Natasha has a long road of healing in front of her. Put him in prison where he belongs. That would be a breaking tradition!!

[@franobyrne2032]

What about the poor homeless 'man' this same judge gave a suspended sentence to his 3 attackers who kicked and punched him over 109 times on d street in Limerick. This is not a female/male problem. Suspended sentences for these thugs are the problem and an everyday occurrence in this country. Where's the standing ovation for that defenceless homeless man ?

[@maymalone1505]

Ur ✅️ but this may be a step in the right direction, but natasha will have to have the back of people to fight for this. It won't be changed easily.

[@joestrawberry5959]

That applause is for their own peace of mind,why don't they correct what occurred in that court.

[@dawnburke2756]

Hypocrites , a little too late for clapping . Shameful .

[@Munstermarty]

Look at the judges, some related to td's or ex td's. That's who appoints them

[@Prodrive1]

Shame on them all for gross negligence

[@lincolnarmasols283]

A freak show, applauding instead of insisting he is jailed that's the best way to show Natasha your care and concern,all hypocrisy there.

[@ginnyjo]

Amazing. But they should be insisting he is imprisoned.

[@KeithMillar-jr3uy]

Natasha does not need a meaningless standing ovation - what she needs is legislators to legislate and a proper training course and refresher courses for Judges - that judge is reputed to make some outlandish judgements, what he did in this instance is to say the least, amateurish and demeaning of Natasha herself. Revisit the case in the courtroom or sack the judge. At the other end of the spectrum, the Judge that is keeping Enoch Burke in jail, because he will not purge his contempt, costing the taxpayers in Ireland a little fortune - time to end that abuse of power too - the average person knows Enoch will not move but he judiciary are inept not to see that and find a way out and save the ordinary people scarce money. Stop the appointment of Judges by the sitting parties in Leinster House, who are then beholden to the said parties - possibly in Natasha's case also. Judges should solely be appointed by a panel of their own peers or even by postal public mini-referendum - the Judiciary and Dáil Éireann clowns should be entirely separate entities with intervention only from An tÚachtarán who is non-party.

[@timyolanda166]

With all due respect "a standing ovation" or to break a "house tradition" is an appalling vista. It reflects the shamless calibre of polititians. There is a public outcry about the gross malfuntion of the legal and judicial system in Ireland. And all the Dáil and Government do is to applaud . "Nothing to see here".

[@eamonfay1599]

Well said and its legal system that failed once again

[@wayneneeson2093]

He's has to be recharged and jailed

[@gingergandalf4869]

The Dáil makes the sentencing guidelines. But the DPP can appeal the ruling as too lenient and bring it to the court of appeals but that’ll take time

[@Tyr-not-mars]

This is a common law state ,..judges make the laws not politicians...don't forget that or maybe that's the source of these women getting braid... the politicians have convinced them they are the law ?

[@jimmyobrien8738]

He will be jailed the uproar is too much but again a process has to occur

[@tadghsmith1457]

Under the rule of “double jeopardy”, you can’t be tried for the same crime twice. His sentence could be increased on appeal, but only if more evidence came to light, for instance evidence of pre-meditation, or else if the original sentence was found to be unlawfully lenient. It is extremely lenient, but I don’t think unlawfully so.

[@raffles7556]

Absolute hypocrisy!

[@johnkearns4790]

What are they going to change for this young woman change our Laws fir All woman in this Country

[@NewHandle_]

So they stand there and clap instead of putting the fella and his mates in prison? Horrible

[@josephprendergast2]

@@NewHandle_ A standing ovation is not gonna somehow make this woman's life any better, not by a long shot

[@NewHandle_]

@@josephprendergast2 it's not gonna do anything at all

[@josephprendergast2]

@@NewHandle_ Well I'm sure for Natasha it meant something to her in the moment but yes I agree long term it doesn't make her predicament any better

[@balorgalore5629]

The minister for justice standing there clapping her,with absolutely no shame 😂😂😂

[@rorymcgrath7998]

Hypocrite hypocrite Prix

[@gingergandalf4869]

This is just more political grandstanding and virtue signalling nonsense from the Dáil. Crotty should be in prison no doubt but it’s the Dáil who enact sentencing guidelines for judges to follow, the judges can’t go off script and breach the separation of powers. Your justifiable anger is misdirected at the courts but it should be directed at TD’s. Legal practitioners have for years called for a reform of sentencing rules. This clip is just pantomime

[@happydaze7976]

The Irish justice system is broken. This young woman got NO justice while the judge was concerned for her attackers career! Well done to her for speaking out.💚🤍🧡

[@martinafitzgerald6995]

She represents the woman who was treated the exact same way, by the same " judge" in a case shortly before natashas

[@michellemccrohan7323]

@@martinafitzgerald6995 and many more of us who sat before judges in this same situation..violence against women in Ireland is so tolerated under old school rules by men and male judges here ..treated like dirt getting a barring order in place would be a situation many DV people will share the same experience !

[@martmart-nw3mg]

Even when they fail they think there right 😢 room fool of sad old people

[@tomgreen2737]

the judge is retiring this week from this moment on he shouldn't get a minute's peace

[@slugger7520]

That’s bullying and not acceptable in a civilised society- cop on to yourself

[@lusean193]

You know what applauding is worth

[@PatrickSlane-l8i]

That's the problem with this body of wasters. I refuse to call them political representatives as they don't listen. They only react when forced to. Something should have been said before now. This young lady has been so brave and the judge compounded her trauma by showing compassion for the perpetrator and not the victim.

[@sandraallen4142]

Applause is one tiny gesture but what are they going to do about it?

[@JoanneForde-v3i]

So is something going to be done now? Is this miscreant going to jail?

[@ThomasRyan-p8p]

I wonder what would happen if it was a Non-irish that did it. It would be swept under the carpet , like it never happened

[@seamusdoherty]

We are living in a post truth world.

[@jameswalsh2427]

I was in court for sentencing. The problem is lack of prison space. Judge O Donnell was following normal sentencing guidelines in this case for first offenders that pleadi guilty and avoiding a trial. This situation has now become political and nobody saying anything about the need to build extra prisons. Ask any prison officer and you will be told about all the first offenders that are committed today and released tomorrow morning. James J Walsh in Limerick

[@maymalone1505]

Understand what ur saying, But this is so severe, that a jail sentence should have been automatic, let some one out who has been in for a while for a much lesser offence, building prisons dosent seem to be the answer, there has to be a number of different solutions, but for sick violent people the criminaly insane type of prison would be right for them.

[@nicolacoffey2802]

Did all the clapping change things?

[@KimPhilby203]

Crotty has destroyed his career and possibly more ....he might as well emigrate now

[@johnobrien921]

He will not be allowed into some countries due to his criminal record.

[@darrenfarrell-bn2cb]

That Needs to go back to Court is it possible

[@cailin8580]

Where's the standing ovation for the woman attacked getting off the luas 4 wks ago? She was assaulted so badly the filth who did it even bit her face a number of times. Syrian attacker arrested and currently on remand. There's an agenda around highlighting this case

[@beanHole-ek3ib]

Everyone in that room is a complete and utter hypocrite of the highest order it's sickening.

[@gerardfolan8491]

That's great, but that judge still has his job,

[@Rashers-]

That boy is getting kicked out the army and straight into a cell and I know that feeling

[@lfcforever2329]

This house is a joke... never would of happened if it wasn't exposed... shame

[@mcgoogle4812]

A prison in ireland... 3x square meals a day...tv with netflix in room... thats a deterrent right...

[@johnobrien921]

All because as Shakespeare would say,” The lady doth protest too much”.

[@Danigirl72]

Do better! For all victims. Women have been enduring this far too long I choose the Bear!

[@johnobrien921]

Enduring what exactly?

[@maymalone1505]

If a perpetrator of a crime,can appeal a guilty sentence,So should a victim be able to appeal, I'm sure a sentance handed down has been changed for a less leient 1 befour.

[@BillyBroaders]

It's our goverment and that useless minister of justice who would b better off minding her children and doin house work have justice system way it is in this country

[@Frack_Black]

Are you saying Helen McEntee would be better off at home .... in some sort of 'a woman's place is in the home' kinda way? Please tell me that's not what yer saying.

[@barrychallomoner8250]

​@@Frack_Black It's the Islam way and the future of Ireland, if you've a problem with that tough luck

[@Frack_Black]

@@barrychallomoner8250 dream on kid.

[@barrychallomoner8250]

@@Frack_Black dream ? Wake up you fool

[@Tyr-not-mars]

A seventh degree marriage is a soldiers marriage and that's the Irish tradition...this provisional government is behaving like unbias observer's in this matter...They use these soldier's for their own personal gain and then fail to teach them humanity after dehumanising them ...

[@Frack_Black]

Are you offering some sort of defense for what that soldier did, am I reading this right?

[@Tyr-not-mars]

@@Frack_Black Yes I am absolutely offering a defence for that soldier his rights in a common law state and the wars he has fought as a man which women will never fight despite their equality... women can pull a trigger too or are you saying the cannot ?.. Judges make our laws not political activists.

[@Frack_Black]

@@Tyr-not-mars what wars has he fought? Also, let me be clear..... I don't defend what he did or anyone that does that to another on the street whether they be men or women. It's inexcusable whether he's a soldier or not.... his occupation has nothing to do with it. He assaulted another person on the street.... end of. Now, you still got excuses for this guy?

[@Tyr-not-mars]

@@Frack_Black Ten years ago an Irish trooper went missing in Thailand...a Denis Leahy...the remains of a Thai call girl were found strewn around his hotel room her name Bupha Tanchiangpin..If however the woman is Irish his victim on return to Ireland Rose Kenny ??!...Irish troops burn out at seventeen years service and they cannot collect a pension until twenty one years service.. Even the French Foreign Legion pays pensions after fifteen years service...There is a trend here not excuses.

[@Frack_Black]

@@Tyr-not-mars sure, campaign for all the supports you want for Irish DF members, I'll agree with you on that but what this guy did to that women in Limerick cannot be hidden behind any excuse. I'm ex Irish DF myself btw so please don't try to tell me we go through stuff that somehow excuses what Crotty did.

[@sean550]

Clapping to keep their seats.

[@JackieOConnor-t7c]

The laws need to be change for family's of homside it doesn't stop with the judges it's all of ye

[@KevinDyas-j4y]

And he’s walking around 👎

[@davidmc...80]

Cringy and awkward 😬

[@CoderDad]

I don't get it, she started on yirman and now we're supposed to applaud her?! Not saying his reaction was warranted but she'll be running around running her mouth at anyone non stop now. I think his sentence was harsh

[@yurt8522]

This has to be a troll 😂 she asked him to stop homophobically abusing 2 men and he attached her !

[@CoderDad]

​@@yurt8522yeah if I don't automatically agree with the hoard then I'm a troll, I get it. She started on them, it was none of her business. They didn't want her opinion.

[@roryd1888]

What do you mean “she started on him”??

[@theeggtimertictic1136]

Maybe you'd want to examine your morals.

[@maureenbrophy7852]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏