Crotty case and the Defence Forces

A chara, – The Taoiseach “is not satisfied with how the Defence Forces have handled” the Pte Crotty assault case (News, June 25th). The judge in this case was appointed by government. Furthermore, the military regulations around soldiers’ convictions in civilian court and attendance of officers at court are also a matter for government, as civilian overseers of the military.

Perhaps the Taoiseach should direct his ire more productively at members of his own Cabinet. I hope and expect that the chief of staff will vigorously protest the Taoiseach’s ill-informed comments on behalf of the thousands of decent soldiers, sailors, and air crew who are just as appalled as the rest of us are at the justice denied to Natasha O’Brien. – Is mise,

DONNCHA LENIHAN,

North Strand,

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Dublin 3.

Sir, – It is perhaps unsurprising that the ranks of our Defence Forces are depleted and morale low when you consider the Taoiseach’s criticism of their handling of the Crotty case. If the Defence Forces were to have opened a kangaroo process, it would have prejudiced the legal case.

Our serving members deserve both respect and due process. – Yours, etc,

GARETH GREGAN,

Ennis,

Co Clare.

Sir, – The Taoiseach is not satisfied with how the Defence Forces have handled the fallout from the case of an Irish soldier who viciously assaulted a woman. He expressed his anger at the “flurry of activity”, questioning where it was only a reaction to public interest in the case.

There is little doubt the Defence Forces have been slow to take action, for which there is little or no mitigation. However, the Defence Forces had nothing to do with the litany of cases highlighted by Fintan O’Toole in his article “Cathal Crotty’s suspended sentence another example of how judicial system is failing women” (Opinion & Analysis, June 25th), which detailed numerous cases where men convicted of violence against women, some sustained and premeditated, have walked away from court with little more than a slap on the wrist. That is the responsibility of the court system, the Department of Justice and ultimately the Taoiseach’s Government and previous governments. – Yours, etc,

BARRY McCONVILLE,

Foxrock,

Dublin 18.