Suspended sentence for soldier who beat woman unconscious.

[NitroNine]

A soldier who responded to a request to stop shouting homophobic abuse at passers-by by beating the woman who made it until she lost consciousness - ceasing only when passer-by intervened - has been given a 3-year suspended sentence & €3000 payment to the victim.

The judge was utterly focused on protecting this thug’s career. He’s never been caught being violent before so why she he lose his career - in the way his victim did in the aftermath of the attack? Who better to be in the army than someone incapable of controlling their temper; unwilling to take responsibility for their actions; & dishonest (he initially told the Gardaí his victim had attacked him)?

Absolutely disgraceful.

if judges can learn to use female pronouns for various males on trial (e.g. Barbie Kardashian), they can certainly learn to be equally respectful and empathetic to female victims of violence.

You wee utopian daydreamer you @UtopiaPlanitia! (And you are very welcome.)

As it determined to prove his raging misogyny before retirement, O’Donnell has chosen to imprison a woman for taking part in a mugging (she was not the instigator) during which she kicked her 61yo victim. She actually did admit her guilt - but she should have psychically known the guy had a heart condition; & it’s important to Make An Example Of Her. Whereas, as we all know, it’s just grand to batter a woman nearly to death; Ireland has no issue at all with VAWG; & green-lighting beating women for saying something you dislike is better than making it clear the full weight of the law will be brought to bear^ on violent men.

Irish Independent
Archive Version

^ & sure isn’t it the bear we’d choose over specimens like the judge & Crotty both?!

In fairness, she deserved to be jailed. She was involved in a robbery and also assaulted the victim.

However, the two men (Cathal Crotty - Army and David O'Gorman - Navy and heavyweight boxer on the navy team) he gave suspended sentences to for much more serious assaults on women also deserved to be jailed, and for a longer period of time give the viciousness of both assaults. So yes, very much evidence of misogyny.

The article states: "Judge O’Donnell also said that the victim was “not a good candidate for assault” given his heart condition." So does that mean that the two women viciously beaten by the two members of the armed forces were "good candidates for assault"? Given O'Gorman is still serving in the navy over a year after his conviction, that must be the case. I assume the only reason the army are looking at dismissing Crotty is due to the bravery of Natasha O'Brien in coming forward.

It's utterly sickening.

I’m not sure where the 61yo bit came from, sorry - was writing two things at once 😵‍💫

I was much more meaning that if the vastly more violent men were let walk free, he’s no business locking up the woman if he’s actually administering justice. It being the least-violent of the three - & the only one that’s female - to be locked up that highlights his gross misogyny. All three violent offenders should have been incarcerated - instead the judge’s sympathies are with men, whether they’re victim or offender, to a literally absurd degree. Clearly being attacked by the women was traumatic for the guy in the case in question & violence is never ok; but the judge behaving as if they should have divined he had a heart condition is absolutely out there.

I understood what you meant and fully agree. I also think it's important to remind everyone that this judge has form for suspending sentences of males who viciously assault, and in the case of O'Gorman, permanently disfigure their victim. It certainly appears that only some victims matter and that the careers of man take precedence over the lives of women.

The Tánaiste is having cases involving IDF members looked at. Am a wee bit boggled there’s not currently a mechanism to suspend members who’re being investigated for a crime. I mean, maybe not graffiti, but rape or murder? 😶 Jaysus.

Archived article

For some reason MN removed above link when I first posted.

DPP have appealed against the sentence!

Edit: I accidentally used the British term, realised & corrected it but MN reverted to what I first put on posting. Helpful. But hence the edit.

Good. I hope he gets locked up.

Shame the DPP didn't also appeal the suspended sentence the same judge gave to O'Gorman, the naval heavyweight boxer, who beat his ex to a pulp and permanently disfiguring her. O'Gorman is still serving in the navy

It's almost like the only reason this sentence is being appealed is because of the publicity.

@OchonAgusOchonOh

Totally agree that it’s only the publicity level that’s got the DPP to appeal. O’Gorman will be covered by the review ordered by the Tánaiste but who knows how long that’ll take 🫤 And as for creating a mechanism like the one the Gardaí have for suspending anyone accused of committing a crime…

@NitroNine Yes, he'll be covered by the review, which would not have happened either without the publicity. Even if he is kicked out, he still got off with only a suspended sentence.

Crotty (not “Grotty” tyvm autocowrecks) will get the boot on Thursday.

No mention of O'Gorman being kicked out too.

@OchonAgusOchonOh
It’s very unfair, isn’t it? So dreadful for the victim in that case - I’m sure she doesn’t begrudge Natasha this outcome; but how could you not see the imbalance? And probably feel some - utterly misplaced! - guilt (you know, “if I’d spoken out as she had, maybe…”). Apparently the IDF are “still investigating” how it is he wasn’t discharged 🙄

I have absolutely no doubt that Crotty would still be in the army if Natasha O’Brien, and the country, didn't kick up such a stink. It's something we shouldn't have had to do. Let's see if it changes anything systemically 🤞
In my naivety I thought having a woman as Minister for Justice would benefit the women of Ireland, but it looks like it's the same as any other politician - all talk!

The DPP should also be investigating why the leniency of the sentence was not appealed too. I understand victims can request that. Maybe victims are not being given that information and so don't request the appeal. It shouldn't be the case that the DPP needs to see public dissatisfaction reported in the news in order to appeal.

It is being appealed. It even says so in that article, but we knew that a couple of weeks ago.

I was referring to the O'Gorman case, which was the one referred to in the comment I quoted.

The comment I quoted stated the IDF are investigating why he (O'Gorman) was not dismissed and I replied to state the DPP should also be investigating why his (O'Gorman's) case was not appealed.

@NitroNine and @OchonAgusOchonOh are talking about David O'Gorman, whose sentence was also suspended & (to date I believe) has not been appealed.

Cross Post with Ochon, who posted while I was double checking.

It might be his victim was too traumatised by the attack & the trial process to enter the appeal process. The DPP failed her by not bloody doing it themselves.

As you say, they need to look at whether victims are being properly supported through the process including their right to appeal sentencing - but the DPP also need to be pro-active about appealing sentences that are so grossly unjust.

Completely agree. There should be a process whereby unusual sentences (e.g. fully suspended if the norm is custodial) are automatically referred to the DPP's office to determine whether they should be looked at. Relying on the victim, who is likely to be traumatised, or on public outrage, is completely unacceptable.

Unfortunately, O'Gorman's sentence can't be appealed at this stage. The DPP needs to do it within 28 days or, in some instances, 56 days if he/she asks for more time.