Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Ceann Comhairle has said, I extend our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and loved ones of Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, a man who it is fair to say can only be described as a legend of Irish life. He was the voice of the GAA and what a tonal voice he had. His voice will forever be associated with long, hot summer afternoons and the hopes and expectations of so many. He was a very proud Kerryman, an ambassador of the kingdom but also of everything that is great about being Irish. We are so sorry to hear of his passing. He lived to a good age and certainly was the most active of the active retired. It is always the finality of a person's passing and death that stops us all in our tracks. I know people across Ireland and across the world will now lament the passing of a very great Irishman, but also record the great gift he was to all of us. We extend our sympathies. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

People across the country are reeling at the news of a vicious, brutal assault on a young woman on the streets of Limerick city. It was an attack committed by a member of the Defence Forces. It was filmed, posted on social media and bragged about. It was a harrowing assault that is the worst nightmare of every woman in this country. The victim of this assault, Natasha O'Brien, came forward and sought justice. In good faith, she put herself in the hands of the State. She relived the distress of her assault in statements to An Garda and in court. She believed in justice. She wanted to ensure that her assailant would not be free to walk the streets again and would not pose a danger to other women. Shockingly, the assailant was handed down a three-year suspended sentence. Shockingly, he is free to walk the streets again. Shockingly, the Defence Forces described him as exemplary, courteous, professional and disciplined as a soldier. Natasha asked the question of what message this sends to perpetrators, because while Cathal Crotty is now free to go about his life, she feels trapped in the traumatic aftermath of what was an appalling crime. She now tries to pick up the pieces and rebuild her life. Natasha is here with us in the Public Gallery this afternoon, so the Taoiseach knows.

Women, girls and indeed everyone in our society are entitled to be safe and protected, whether walking the streets or in our own homes. This should go without saying in 2024. It should be a bare minimum. It is the most basic freedom that women and girls should be able to take for granted, but we cannot. As shocking as it is, women know that this case is not a stand-alone case. This is not an aberration or something that happened in splendid isolation. This is a symptom of an epidemic in our society. It is a case which sadly has parallels and echoes throughout the courtrooms and the experiences and stories that women and girls carry with us throughout our lives. They are experiences of not feeling safe, not being safe, and not being able to have confidence that the system will keep you safe.

Women are now again making our message heard loud and clear that enough is enough. Women have now had enough. The reality is that, in modern Ireland, violence against women and girls remains far too common. Just last week, the Women's Aid report recorded a record number of reports of gender-based violence, with more than 40,000 disclosures of abuse in 2023. That is the highest in its 50-year history. As a society, we cannot accept anything other than zero tolerance for this appalling violence, whether on the street, in relationships or in families. There has to be zero tolerance for the culture that facilitates this violence. There is an epidemic of violence against women and a culture that facilitates it. Cathal Crotty was not on his own when he attacked Natasha. He had male friends with him at the time. They failed to intervene. Thankfully, another man did. Let me say that. Thanks to him.

There has to be zero tolerance for violence against women in our Defence Forces. Yesterday, the tribunal of inquiry into abuse, violence and harassment of the Women of Honour opened. That tribunal came about because the women affected took a stand against the Defence Forces, yet it seems this culture continues. We have a judicial system, Defence Forces, a political system and a society that is failing to confront violence against women and that fails us all. We need urgent action to address this epidemic of violence against women across society so that there is truly zero tolerance for such crimes.

As I told the Taoiseach, I met Natasha earlier. She feels so betrayed and let down. In her own words, everything about this needs to change. I ask Deputy Harris, as Taoiseach and leader of Government, what is going to change and when.

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