Army abuse complaint
Deputy Coppinger raises a serious case involving alleged abuse and intimidation of a woman by an Army member, saying she has not received adequate protection. The Tánaiste asks for the details and says he will personally look into the matter and consider forthcoming defence legislation changes.
Last night, the "Natasha" documentary on RTÉ charted what happened to Natasha O'Brien. It was a valuable documentary. I want the Tánaiste to take seriously the case of a woman who has spoken to me and who was abused by an Army member. He used his Army position, military surveillance, Army guns and even a grenade to threaten her and her family. He told this woman that he was untouchable. I am talking about sexual assault and very serious abuse. She reported him to the Defence Forces for sending pictures of guns to her in November 2022. She made statements to the military police. She still has not had an outcome to that case.
She was told last July, when she pressed again, by the victim liaison officer of the Defence Forces that the investigation was complete and she would be sent the results. In response to a parliamentary question I put to the Tánaiste in April, I was told that an investigation was ongoing and had been referred to the Garda. Which is it? This woman has been given two different stories.
I believe the Defence Forces member in question is on special leave with full pay. How long can it continue that the taxpayer is providing full pay for someone who may or may not have committed offences? Another woman has made allegations against the same person. Will the Tánaiste look into this case on behalf of this woman? It is unacceptable. She has been traumatised for years since all of this happened.
Comment on this
I absolutely will look into it. Will the Deputy send me the specific details today? I am conscious that I have answered a parliamentary question on the case, but if the Deputy could send me the specific details, I will personally look into the matter today.
We are planning changes in one of the forthcoming defence Bills. There are powers available to the Garda Commissioner that I believe the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces needs. Where allegations are made against somebody, the Chief of Staff needs to be able to take action in terms of his or her service in the here and now. There are other arrangements in place in the interim, but I would like that to be on a statutory basis. I will come back to the Deputy directly on the matter.