Former Army Corporal Says She Was Raped While Serving Overseas

Tuesday, 4 April 2023 09:37

By Caoimhe Harney

Roslyn O'Callaghan was speaking to Upfront with Katie Hannon about her experiences in the Irish Defence Forces.

A retired female Irish army corporal has said she was raped by a more senior member of the Defence Forces while serving overseas.

Roslyn O'Callaghan said the attack was carried out by a senior non-commissioned officer while she was serving as a private in the late 1990s.

She was speaking to Upfront with Katie Hannon on Monday night in the wake of the publication last week of the damning report by the Independent Review Group into equality and dignity issues in the Defence Forces.

It found that "neither men nor women in the Defence Forces are working in a safe environment" and that it "barely tolerates" women.

In her first media interview, Ms O'Callaghan said the incident happened after she attended an off-base drinks party.

"I had an out of body experience"

Roslyn O Callaghan tells Katie Hannon about the night she was sexually assaulted during a tour of duty while serving as a member of the Irish Defence Forces. #RTEUpfront pic.twitter.com/cs2WUNToVa
— Upfront with Katie Hannon (@RTEUpfront) April 3, 2023

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