Natasha O’Brien has revealed how she tracked down soldier Cathal Crotty on social media after he attacked her. 

In 2022, Crotty punched Ms O’Brien several times in Limerick, after she challenged him for using a homophobic slur. 

Speaking to The Pat Kenny Show ahead of a new documentary about her ordeal, Ms O’Brien explained that she was always determined to bring him to justice. 

“My friend that was with me recognised one of the males in that group,” she said. 

“That was the beginning. 

“We spent weeks, we went into this individual’s profiles, we went into all his tagged photos. 

“All his friends, all their friends, all their tagged photos. 

“And kept going systematically for anyone that might have resembled my attacker and that’s when we came across a group photo with my attacker in the middle smiling.” 

File photo of Defence Forces soldier Cathal Crotty.

Before the attack, Ms O’Brien worked in a student bar in events management and social media. 

Afterwards, she had to resign from her job.

“I lost my will,” she explained. 

“The job I was in was very social, having to be on site and taking lots of photos and event management. 

“I couldn’t do it; I couldn’t face people. 

“In crowds, I was searching for his face and that just really fell apart for me.” 

Protesters gather in Dublin in solidarity with Natasha O’Brien who was attacked by Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces. Photo: PA

Last year, Crotty of Ardnacrusha, County Clare, pleaded guilty to assault and was handed a two year suspended sentence. 

Judge Tom O'Donnell condemned Crotty's actions as "utterly appalling", but cautioned that if he imposed a custodial sentence on Crotty that his career in the Army would be "over".

The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the decision and in January, an Appeal Court imposed a three year sentence, with the final year suspended. 

Reflecting on her ordeal, Ms O’Brien described the suspended sentence as a “true injustice”. 

Natasha O'Brien speaking to the media. Picture by: Gareth Chaney/PA Wire

“The sentencing judge explained that if I give this individual a custodial sentence then he will lose his job in the Defence Forces,” she said. 

“I had read my victim impact statement, I explained about how I’d lost everything, I’d had to move back home to my mother’s house at 23. 

“I’m now on illness benefit because I’m too unwell to work… and this is all as a result of this individual’s actions. 

“Yet, you’re trying to save his job? That’s not justice.” 

Natasha will be broadcast on RTÉ One at 9.35pm on Wednesday.

 

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Main image: Natasha O'Brien. Picture by: Karlis Dzjamko/Alamy Live News.