'This is not justice': Woman's anger as soldier who 'viciously' attacked her gets suspended sentence

A PRIVATE in the Irish Army who punched a woman in a “cowardly, unprovoked and vicious assault” in Limerick city received a fully suspended sentence which the victim said “is not justice”.

The victim and her friend had told a group of men, which included the defendant, prior to the attack not to use the word “faggot” which they had shouted at a man across the street.

Cathal Crotty, aged 22, of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Natasha O’Brien at O’Connell Street, Limerick on May 29, 2022.

Ms O’Brien said in her victim impact statement that the “memory of that vicious, sinister look in his eyes as he approached me will haunt me forever”.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence at Limerick Circuit Court on Wednesday with the assistance of Garda Brian Carroll.

Ms Buckley said Ms O’Brien, aged 24, was walking home at around 1.30am after working in The Black Rabbit pub.

“She and a friend were behind a group of men. They shouted 'faggot' at a male across the street. Her friend said, ‘Don’t call anyone a faggot’. It was said in a banter type of way and not condescending. As the two women filtered through the group Ms O’Brien said, ‘Don’t be using those kinds of words’. 

Pictured is Cathal Crotty, who pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Natasha O’Brien.

“She said the accused was very aggressive towards her, roared ‘faggot’ at her and called her a ‘dirty lesbian'. She said he grabbed her by the hair and began punching her in the face with up to six right hook punches in the same area of the head.

"She began falling to the ground. She put her hands over her head to protect herself. He was still punching her on the ground. She was shouting ‘please, stop’. She does not remember him stopping. She believed she passed out,” said Ms Buckley.

Her friend and a male passerby, who intervened, assisted Ms O’Brien. Gardai and an ambulance were called and she was taken to University Hospital Limerick.

Ms O’Brien received a broken nose, concussion, swelling and bruising. CCTV from inside Brown Thomas was played to the court. Mr Crotty was “tracked down” through social media by Ms O’Brien and her friend. He was identified by gardai, arrested and questioned.

Garda Carroll said Mr Crotty told them he was in the army in Sarsfield Barracks for two years. Mr Crotty told gardai Ms O’Brien hit him first and it was “fight or flight”. After he was shown the CCTV he accepted he was wrong, said the garda. When Garda Carroll showed him photos of Ms O’Brien’s injuries, Mr Crotty said: “They are brutal. They are bad. I regret it.”

Garda Carroll said Mr Crotty’s phone was seized. 

“He shared a story on Snapchat in which he said, ‘Two to put her down, two to put her out’,” said Garda Carroll. The prosecuting barrister said this was “bravado”.

Ms O’Brien read out her own victim impact statement in which she said she thought she was going to die.

“When Cathal Crotty attacked me I went into a state of complete shock. I couldn't understand why this was happening to me. I felt completely helpless, feeling like I was being used as a punching bag. I didn't feel human as I laid in a foetal position losing consciousness. He continued his relentless beating. My last conscious thought was, he's not stopping, I'm going to die,” said Ms O’Brien.

The physical injuries she sustained were "devastating", she said. 

“A severe concussion, broken nose as well as severe swelling and bruising on both arms, shoulders, head, right hip and thigh, left eye, cheek and jaw. I spent the following weeks and months attending countless hospital and doctors appointments. 

“Due to persistent concussion symptoms, I was deemed high risk for a brain bleed and I attended Ennis Hospital. I received a battery of tests, including a head CT scan. The severity of my concussion impacted me for three long months during which I lived in constant fear that it could still result in my death,” said Ms O’Brien.

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The victim said Mr Crotty's actions left her in a place of darkness.  

“I have been suffering with symptoms of PTSD  and have had to attend multiple therapists. The sense of constant dread and isolation was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I spiralled into self destructive behaviours and lost all interest and motivation for life. 

“Basic tasks at work became incredibly difficult and I ultimately lost my job due to my rapid decline in performance. I became numb and detached from reality, living in perpetual fear of seeing him again. He may not remember but the memory of that vicious, sinister look in his eyes as he approached me will haunt me forever,” said Ms O’Brien, who considers herself incredibly fortunate “to be here today to have my voice heard”. 

“I am lucky to be alive, and I believe that the male passerby who intervened saved my life. I am here to seek justice, not just for myself, but to protect others from the violence and malice I experienced,” said Ms O’Brien.

The next person to enter the witness box was Commandant Paul Togher. Mr Crotty is a member of his Company at Sarsfield Barracks. Commandant Togher said the accused’s conduct at work is exemplary and he has shown himself to be courteous, professional and disciplined.

“This is extremely out of character. I am extremely disappointed by his behaviour,” said Commandant Togher. Ms Buckley asked him why he was in court.

Commandant Togher said there is a requirement to attend and report back to the army because “it may affect their employment”.

Ms Buckley said Mr Crotty’s conduct was not befitting an officer. Commandant Togher said Mr Crotty is not an officer but that it was “extremely surprising and disappointing”.

Ms Buckley said the army’s role is to keep people safe. 

Donal Cronin, barrister for Mr Crotty, said his client is unable to provide any reason for his conduct.

“He is ashamed and embarrassed. He assures me nothing like this will ever happen again. He has instructed me to apologise sincerely and genuinely to Ms O’Brien.

“He is at a very serious crossroads. A custodial sentence would have very serious ramifications and effectively bring an end to his career,” said Mr Cronin, who asked Judge Tom O’Donnell to take into account his client’s age and his previous good character as he has no previous convictions.

Judge O’Donnell said it was one of the most outrageous cases he has come across in recent times.

“It was absolutely appalling - assaulting a female in the most egregious fashion and continuing while she lay on the ground defenceless. It was a cowardly, unprovoked, vicious and totally unnecessary assault,” said Judge O’Donnell, who described the victim's impact statement as erudite and spoke of how she is still living with what happened to her

The judge said the CCTV shows that what Mr Crotty told gardai regarding Ms O’Brien hitting him first was “a barefaced lie”. The judge said the Snapchat conversation also does him no credit.

In mitigation, Judge O’Donnell said Mr Crotty has pleaded guilty thus avoiding a trial, has no previous convictions and is in the army.

“A custodial sentence would end his career. It is a hard judgement call to make. The accused was completely out of order. He has come to court and acknowledged his wrongdoing,” said Judge O’Donnell.

He imposed a three-year prison sentence which he suspended in full and ordered him to pay compensation of €3,000 by way of general damages with no prejudice to any civil damages.

Speaking to reporters after the sentence was handed down, Ms O’Brien said: “I don't feel there was justice here today. I didn't come here to this circuit court to stand in front of my abuser to receive some pocket money because that’s all this payment is to me in adverse to what I suffered.” 

Ms O’Brien also said she lost her job but the judge doesn’t want Mr Crotty to lose his job. “It’s lunacy,” said Ms O’Brien.

Watch the video for her full reaction.

Ms O’Brien also wished to thank Garda Brian Carroll who responded to the assault and who has been a constant support to her "from the start".