Protestors take to the streets of Cork in solidarity with Natasha O'Brien 

Thousands of people gathered in Cork, Dublin and Limerick on Saturday to show their solidarity with Natasha O’Brien.

Protests were organised across the country after Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, was given a three-year suspended sentence for an assault on Ms O’Brien.

The 22-year-old, with an address at Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms O’Brien in Limerick in 2022.

Ms O’Brien has criticised the three-year suspended sentence handed down to Crotty, saying she feels let down by the judicial system.

Solidarity

Many people taking part in Saturday’s protest in Cork were also vocal on the issue, including a number of councillors.

“I feel the protest [on Saturday] was important to show solidarity with Natasha,” said Sinn Féin councillor for Cork City North West, Michelle Gould.

Sinn Féin councillor for Cork City South-Central Fiona Kerins said women all over this country “feel unsettled” after the suspended sentence.

Labour Party councillor for Cork City North West, Laura Harmon, said that there is a need for a zero tolerance approach to violence against women and hate-motivated crimes: “I am in awe of the bravery of Natasha O’Brien for speaking out and I think the protests this weekend show the demand for change from the public.”

Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those who praised Ms O’Brien for coming forward and speaking out after she was assaulted by Crotty.

Asked about the suspended sentence Crotty received, Mr Harris said: “I find myself precluded from being allowed to comment on the sentence of a court despite perhaps having quite a lot that I would have liked being able to say, other than let me say this — the legal process may not be concluded because it is absolutely always open to the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] to appeal a sentence and also to appeal the leniency of a sentence.

“I need to be particularly careful in that context.

“But we are living in a country where there is still an epidemic of gender-based violence.”