A report on the prevalence of convictions among members of the Defence Forces has found that there are 68 personnel who have been convicted or are currently before the courts on a range of criminal offences.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin received the report on Wednesday but it is understood clarification was sought on a number of matters.
It is understood that the some of the cases involve assault, some involve sexual assault and rape. Other charges include driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and possession of drugs. Some members of the Defence Forces who have been convicted or charged have been suspended, but some have not.
A spokesman for the Tánaiste said he has been “absolutely clear since becoming Minister for Defence 18 months ago on the need for urgent transformation of the culture in the Defence Forces”.
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“He is adamant that the Defence Forces is a place where no one convicted of serious physical assaults, sexual offences or domestic or gender-based violence can continue to be in active service.”
“Following the Natasha O’Brien case, the Tánaiste was informed last Friday of another case involving a Naval Service member who is still serving after being convicted of assault causing harm last November.”
“In light of this, he requested a report from the Chief of Staff to find out how many serving members of the Defence Forces have civil convictions, or are before the civil courts on serious criminal offences.”
“Last night, the Tánaiste was informed of 68 Defence Forces personnel who have been convicted, or are currently before the civil courts, on a range of criminal offences including public order, drink driving, drugs offences, physical assault and sexual offences.”
“He also received the report requested on the case of the Naval Service member convicted of assault causing harm.
“The Tánaiste has now asked officials to provide a concise report based on the information received. He has sought legal advice from the Attorney General on how this information can be published in an appropriate and legally sound way.”
It is understood there is considerable anger in Government that an earlier report from the Defence Forces, supplied a few days ago, did not contain all these details.
Asked on Thursday if he was happy with the information the Government had received from Defence Forces chiefs, Mr Harris said: “I want to reserve judgment on that ... What I want to have is a very clear understanding of the picture of the question I asked this week: are there people serving in the Defence Forces who have a criminal conviction? Are there people serving in the Defence Forces who have a criminal conviction in relation to domestic, sexual or gender-based violence? And are there people serving in the Defence Forces who may not yet have a conviction, but may be accused of such crimes?”
The Taoiseach was also highly critical of what he described as “anonymous briefings” on the issue, apparently emanating from the Defence Forces.
“The last thing we need, and the last thing I’ll tolerate, is anonymous briefings in relation to the Defence Forces,” Mr Harris told journalists in Brussels.
“I’m the Taoiseach of this country and zero tolerance is not a slogan. Zero tolerance is the cultural change that must come about in every part of Irish society, including the Defence Forces. And anonymously brief away if you wish but I will speak up and speak out for the women of this country who felt failed, badly failed, for a significant period of time.”
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