Soldier beats a woman unconscious, gets a great reference from his commanding officer, avoids jail.

No idea what you are on about.

He's a human, not a fooking robot. So what if he is a member of the defence forces. Does this preclude him from saying he was horrified and disgusted that a man could batter a woman like what Crotty did? No, he was disappointed…….says a lot about the individual who stood up with the glowing words of commendation for Crotty

Your point has no relevance.

Jaysus this thread would make ye wonder what kind of country we're living in regarding the authorities and people in general. We have a report from a prison worker that says judges have been told not to jail scumbags like this. Another report from an ex army member saying it's optional for commanding officers to give a character reference. Christ almighty.

I think it is a reflection. First reflection is the very fact that he made a conscious decision to stand up in court to give a character reference BEFORE a decision was made, and knowing full well what this man did to that woman.

He was not compelled to do this. Then, his reference is all about how good:upstanding this man was as a soldier. The reference has to impact and resonate in the judgment in this case. Oh, but I guess he did add that he was disappointed…

So yes, an absolute reflection on what type person Togher is

When you are called as a witness. You have to go.

When the judge or a barrister asks you to read out the soldiers history to date, you have to answer.

The reason this crotty shi7 is out is that there is no jail places. We have had 25 years of rich progressives talking about no more hang em high Judges, mitigating factors of social oppression and exclusion, that jail is not the best recourse but is "regressive".

As for the person above saying that suspended sentences are not usually given out for such brutal assaults. Where have you been hiding?

Where was it that Togher had to attend and speak in court? As a citizen of the state, what in this case was it that Togher absolutely had to attend court and give that reference? Am I missing something?

Anyway, I stand by my assertion: I'd ether refuse to attend or attend and say I have nothing to say about this animal….and I'd accept the consequences of that.

Called by defense .

I had to testify in court previously and it was clear on the summons that I would be brought to court if not attending.

I was for the defense and secured a conviction against a drugged up scrote who beat up a neighbour and punched a 80 year old woman.

I have no doubt that he would have killed the neighbour if I hadn't intervened, the guard arresting him said he was the most out of it he had ever seen.

He was already inside at the time of the Court case and is out now. Got out early and didn't serve time for that particular incident

walshb have you been watching Al Pacino?

Where did the judge in this case suggest/imply/say that the reason Crotty is not in jail is because there are no jail spaces? Absolute nonsense. He is not in jail because his career is more important than justice….and didn't he plead guilty, doing that poor woman such a favor. This judge was not ordered to not jail Crotty due to a lack of jail/prison spaces

Do judges now have some algorithm that tells them there are 0 jail spaces, so you must NOT jail?

Jail spaces are not the remit of judges. It's nothing to do with them. They pass sentence.

Grand, so you admit you were wrong then.

Crotty is not in jail because a judge decided not to jail him, not because a judge couldn't jail him due to no prison spaces.

You know, I don't think so.

I think this is one of first times I've seen CA posters completely united over an issue.

(miracles can happen!)

It would be very surprising if the DPP didn’t appeal the leniency of the sentence - saying that, my guess is that it will be a partially suspended sentence with little actual jail time.
But like, what possessed this guy to do this? He had a job/start of his career - unprovoked- a young lady-and his social media bragging after - it makes absolutely no sense

Shocking. The entire leniency on the fact that he pleaded guilty is a joke. He plead guilty after he was shown irrefutable CCTV footage showing that what he originally claimed was completely false. If there was no CCTV footage, I guarantee he would have continued to deny the actual events.

Whether this verdict has an affect on his future employment opportunities should have zero bearing on the sentencing. You do the crime, you do the time and any repercussions that follow it are on you. His entire narrative that he ran away because he 'realised he f***** up' is BS. He was happy to post about it hours later on social media. That doesn't sound like someone who thinks they've messed up. He is a bully who legged it when another guy came to the scene.

Soldiers and Gardai should be held to a higher degree in accountability given that their job is to protect. They are trained in aggression, and more importantly when to use it. He is a disgrace to the armed forces and should be dishonourably discharged with the DPP appealing the sentencing.

Of course it makes sense….people commit scummy acts every day of the week. This is just another scummy act. Possessed by anger and a short fuse no doubt. Add in alcohol. Add in that some people are nastier than others. Males will always be violent. What makes less sense is how we as a society deal with these violent thugs who cause pain and misery to people. How this thug was dealt with is why so many people are disgusted

But I do understand your take here

It looks like the story is gaining momentum. I do hope that the DDP does appeal .

"The Minister for Justice has commended Natasha O'Brien for speaking openly and bravely following the "vicious" assault on her, adding that the DPP can lodge an appeal after a serving solider received a fully suspended sentence over the attack.

"It’s so important that victims of violence come forward," she said, adding that she could not comment on the case as there’s a clear separation of powers.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne, Minister Helen McEntee said the DPP can appeal a case in a scenario such as that involving Ms O’Brien.

Ms O’Brien yesterday said it was "not justice" after a serving soldier who beat her unconscious in a random street attack and boasted about it on social media, walked free from court after being given a fully suspended sentence




https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0621/1455952-mcentee-gender-violence/

Beat a woman unconcious. Walk free.

What, are the prisons going to be any emptier if he happens to get in trouble again? Creative writing exercise aside, just who the hell are you trying to fool here with the 3 years nonsense?

Oh for fcuk's sake Helen!

Speaking on Today with Claire Byrne, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “It’s important to acknowledge somebody has been found guilty here. There has been a prosecution.

“There has been a conviction for this brutal and vicious and unprovoked assault on a young woman who was simply walking down the road, which shouldn’t have happened.”

When asked if Crotty should remain in the Defence Forces, McEntee said it was not a matter for her and added that she does not wish to say anything that could prejudice any future appeals that may take place.

Shades of the Judge in those first two quotes. 🤬

Jesus, someone please call that General Election. I've had enough.

It's rare I agree with anything Mary Lou says, but I agree with her here.