Soldier Walks Free After Beating Woman Unconscious And Boasting About It On Snapchat

Thursday, 20 June 2024 16:46

By Martin Osborne

He messaged friends on Snapchat with the words, “Two to put her down, two to put her out."

A serving Irish soldier, who beat a woman unconscious in a random attack, has walked free from court after getting a fully suspended sentence.

Cathal Crotty, who is 22 and of Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, County Clare, boasted about the incident afterwards on social media.

Crotty had initially tried to blame the victim, 24 year old Natasha O'Brien, by wrongly telling arresting Gardaí that she had instigated the attack.

It happened on O'Connell Street in Limerick on May 29th 2022.

The court heard it appeared he had lashed out at Ms O’Brien, after she and a friend of hers had “politely” asked him to stop shouting a slur.

However, after Gardaí showed the accused CCTV footage of him attacking Ms. O'Brien without provocation, he admitted his guilt.

Hours after the attack, Crotty messaged friends on Snapchat with the words, “Two to put her down, two to put her out."

Ms O’Brien sustained a broken nose, bruising, nightmares and panic attacks afterwards.

Judge Tom O'Donnell said Crotty's actions were “utterly appalling”, but said he had “no doubt” if he imposed an immediate jail sentence on Crotty his army “career is over”.

The Judge imposed a three-year sentence which he suspended in its entirety.

Crotty was ordered to pay €3000 compensation to Ms O’Brien.

Speaking afterwards, Ms. O'Brien criticised the sentence, saying she felt "there was no true regard given for the seriousness of his violent crimes, nor the lifelong trauma I am now forced to suffer”.

More from National News

Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Jury Delivers Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity Verdict In Ballyfin Demesne Strangling Case

31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death at the 5-star hotel.