I was viciously beaten by ex-soldier in the street – but same unsettling question plagued me after he was finally jailed
The
Advertisement
5
Natasha O'Brien says she never intended for her attacker to be so vilified
Credit: AYESHA AHMAD/RTE
5
The Limerick woman was viciously beaten by former soldier Cathal Crotty
Credit: Collect
5
Brave Natasha admits Crotty's jailing left her conflicted
He was
The DPP
But Natasha admits Crotty's jailing left her very conflicted.
She told The Irish Sun: 'A year ago I never felt listened to. My physical and mental scars were not considered by the court and handing him a suspended sentence completely compounded everything for me.
Advertisement
Read more in News
'Then the DPP appealed it and for the first time in an Irish court I felt listened to and the court decided to send him to jail. But I took no pleasure in seeing a young man being led away to prison. In fact, I found the experience quite unsettling.
'He made a mistake. Yes, it was a very bad mistake but he's not the only person who's done something like this and so many others don't get punished at all.
'He was so vilified and became this poster boy for gender-based violence and that wasn't fair because he's not the only one.
'And who knows what effect all of this has had
Advertisement
Most read in Irish News
Exclusive
She added: 'If the courts had done its job in the first place then maybe he wouldn't have been so vilified in its aftermath or become this poster boy for the whole movement.
'So I think in many ways he became a second victim of this very flawed justice system.'
Natasha O'Brien bravely opens up on horror attack by Defence Forces soldier Cathal Crotty
Natasha was attacked after finishing a shift at a Limerick pub. She had asked Crotty to stop using homophobic language.
He grabbed her by the hair and pushed her to the ground, before punching her in the face until she lost consciousness.
Advertisement
Vile Crotty later boasted on
Natasha was attacked just months after
'COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFERENT'
And ahead of a documentary on Natasha airing on
'And it came so soon after Ashling Murphy died so it made me very aware that things could have been very different.
Advertisement
'But
'If one small thing came from my case, it's that maybe it has helped others to be able to speak out or come forward. And if that has happened then everything has been so worth it.'
5
Natasha said: 'I had to be a voice for so many others who didn't have one'
Credit: Liam Burke/Press 22
5
A documentary on Natasha is airing on RTE 1
Credit: AYESHA AHMAD/RTE
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
35 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Heartbreaking first picture of ‘true gentleman', 25, killed in crash after ‘day on motorbikes ended in absolute tragedy'
Cops investigating the crash are hoping to speak to a tractor driver ROAD HORROR Heartbreaking first picture of 'true gentleman', 25, killed in crash after 'day on motorbikes ended in absolute tragedy' TRIBUTES have poured in for a 25-year-old "gentleman" who was killed in a horrific motorbike crash in Co Antrim on Sunday. William Hewitt, 25, died from his injuries following the morning crash at Loughareema Road, outside Cushendall. Advertisement 2 William has been remembered as 'one of the good ones' Credit: Facebook 2 The young motorbike enthusiast passed away on Sunday Credit: Facebook And William's pals have told how a "day on the bikes ended in absolute tragedy". Posting a photo of the 25-year-old one friend said: "Very sad news today my friends, what started out as a crackin day on the bikes ended in an absolute tragedy with the death of our good and dear friend William Hewitt. "Willy was a true gentleman and a good mate. My thoughts are with his family and all his friends. "Rest in Peace Willy, your in our thoughts. Sadly sadly missed." Advertisement And sharing a snap of William, who was from Belfast, alongside a motorbike another pal followed suit with a similar tribute. They wrote: "Saddened today with the news of my friend William Hewitt one of life's gentlemen called far too soon rest easy m8." William's wider friend group also rushed to pay tribute following his sudden and tragic death. One said: "Still can't believe it he was one of the good ones." Advertisement Another added: "Very sad indeed. Lovely lad." Gardai and RSA measures aimed at driving crash deaths on Irish roads And a third said: "Devastating news." William was the only person involved in the collision on Monday. The PSNI have new launched a probe into the crash and are appealing for any witnesses to make contact with them. Advertisement In particular, they are hoping to speak to a tractor driver who is understood to have assisted at the scene. Roads Policing Inspector Cherith Adair, from the Police Service Collision Investigation Unit, said: 'Our officers received and responded to a report of a collision involving a motorcycle in the area shortly after 11.30am. 'Colleagues from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service also attended, however, Mr Hewitt sadly died from his injuries. 'The investigation remains ongoing, and we would ask anyone with phone or dash-cam footage, or information which may assist, to get in touch. Advertisement "Police are particularly keen to hear from the driver of a tractor who assisted at the scene. 'The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 655 of 10/08/25.'
Irish Post
2 hours ago
- Irish Post
India day celebrations called off in Dublin after recent attacks
INDIA DAY has been postponed for the first time since its launch in 2015, amid growing concerns over a wave of racist attacks targeting the Indian community. Originally scheduled to take place this Sunday at Farmleigh House in Dublin's Phoenix Park, the event was called off by the Ireland India Council following what it described as an increasingly hostile environment, both offline and online. While organisers emphasised that there were no specific safety threats to the event itself, they cited the damaging impact of social media narratives and the broader national climate as key reasons behind the cancellation. Prashant Shukla, co-chair of the Ireland India Council, said it was a hard decision but ultimately the right one. He noted that the risk of even a single incident stemming from the negative perception online was too great, stating, 'The main purpose of India Day is friendship and the celebration of freedom, not only by the Indian community but also the Irish community.' The cancellation comes in the wake of a series of disturbing incidents that have sparked alarm within the Indian diaspora. Last month, a newly arrived Indian man was violently assaulted and stripped in Tallaght, Dublin. The attack was recorded and widely circulated on social media. In another incident, a six-year-old Irish-Indian girl was attacked and racially abused outside her home in County Waterford. These attacks are part of a broader pattern that Indian community leaders say has escalated since early 2024, following the Dublin riots the previous November. The India Day festival typically attracts thousands of attendees and hundreds of performers. Its sudden cancellation has not only disappointed participants but also highlighted the rising tension felt by many Indian residents. The Irish government has responded with a series of high-level meetings. Tánaiste Simon Harris met with representatives of the Indian community earlier this week and strongly condemned the attacks, calling them 'despicable' and 'deeply concerning.' He acknowledged the Indian community's vital role in Irish society, especially in the healthcare sector and other essential services. Harris expressed particular concern about the involvement of children and teenagers in recent attacks, calling for a review of existing laws to ensure that youth offenders face appropriate consequences. He also criticised the role of social media in amplifying hatred and misinformation, suggesting that platforms were enabling the normalisation of racist ideologies among young users. 'Social media can't be the Wild West,' he said, calling for stricter regulation and mandatory age verification. The Ireland India Council is calling for stronger legislative action, including the recognition of these assaults as hate crimes, a cross-departmental task force on youth violence and racism, enhanced policing and greater accountability for parents of underage offenders. Archbishop Dermot Farrell of Dublin described the attacks as 'truly shocking' and called on Irish society to stand in solidarity with Indian families. He praised the Indian community's contributions to healthcare, public services, and parish life, while condemning those spreading hate through social media as 'vile' and 'blasphemous'. Archbishop Michael Jackson of the Church of Ireland also urged a coordinated, national response to the rising racism. Despite the cancellation of the main India Day event at Phoenix Park, another celebration organised by the Federation of Indian Communities in Ireland is set to go ahead this Sunday in Merrion Square. The Indian Embassy in Dublin has released a public advisory urging citizens to take precautions and avoid isolated areas. A vigil also took place outside the Department of Justice last month by members of the Indian community. Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy said he expects the incoming Garda Commissioner to prioritise tackling hate crimes and called for a stronger policing response, particularly considering how some assaults have been recorded and shared online. He emphasised that both the physical attacks and their digital amplification are equally unacceptable. Shukla expressed hope that India Day can be rescheduled later this year, possibly in September or October, depending on how the situation evolves. 'We want to balance the counter-narratives,' he said, referring to the false claims circulating online about the Indian community. 'It is time to call out those who peddle racial hatred.' See More: Colm Brophy, Dublin, India, Phoenix Park, Tánaiste Simon Harris
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
One in three SMEs a victim of crime in the past year
More than one in three Irish businesses have been the victim of a crime in the past year, according to research by ISME, the independent busienss association representing small and medium enterprises. The findings were revealed in ISME's Business Crime Survey 2025, showing that 64% of Irish SMEs surveyed said they were unaffected by crime in the past 12 months. Of the 36% of businesses which did experience crime, 68% were targeted more than once. The most common offences were anti-social behaviour (21%), vandalism (19%), burglary (17%), and phishing attacks (15%). The report showed that businesses who have been affected are left facing considerable costs, with 28% facing increased security costs, 22% faced higher insurance premiums, and 17% saying they had to make expensive physical alterations to premises. "It is encouraging that most SMEs avoided crime over the past year, but the reality for repeat victims is stark. These businesses are paying more for security, more for insurance, and losing valuable time and productivity," said ISME chief executive Neil McDonnell. Of those businesses who have been victims of crime over the past 12 months, 73% rated the response of gardaí as adequate or very effective. Nevertheless 85% of all SMEs surveyed said they want more gardaí. Some 78% of all respondents believe the judicial system fails to deter repeat offenders, with 76% calling for tougher sentencing, and 73% favouring increased CCTV coverage and data-sharing. "SMEs are sending a clear message, they want more gardaí on the streets, tougher sentencing, and smarter use of technology like CCTV. If repeat offenders are allowed to operate without consequence, the burden will keep falling on the businesses that can least afford it,' said Mr McDonnell. ISME's survey showed that three-quarters of businesses are aware of the Garda National Cybercrime Bureau, yet only 9% have engaged with it. Meanwhile, 34% of SMEs spend over €5,000 annually on crime prevention, with CCTV and alarms the most widely used measures. Extensive research of more than 5,000 court cases from the courts in Cork city published in the Irish Examiner or The Echo between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2024, showed theft was mentioned in a third of all the court cases analysed, with an average sentence of just over 11 months. Indeed crime data from city garda stations from the CSO reported in the Irish Examiner showed Anglesea Street Garda Station received 1,309 reports of thefts and related offences among 3,328 crimes recorded last year. The Bridewell handled 1,743 crime reports last year, including 696 thefts and related offences. National crime figures from 2024 showed of 206,371 recorded crimes, 76,178 were for theft and related offences.
