Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has encouraged victims to make an official complaint in the wake of the Women of Honour report. 

The Independent Review Group concluded there was widespread bullying and sexual abuse of women in the Defence Forces. 

Those who gave evidence spoke about drinks being spiked and female officers being told to put two locks on their doors. 

Twenty-six complaints have been made so far - some dating back to the 1960s - and Commissioner Harris said victims could contact any Garda station. 

“We do stand ready - both at a national level and indeed a divisional level,” he said.

“We have our protective service units; they are experienced and qualified investigators. 

“We would encourage individuals, who do wish to make a complaint, to come forward to any Garda division and their complaint will be dealt with in confidence and reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions.” 

An Irish Defence Forces arm patch of a soldier in October 2016. Picture by: Andy Gibson / Alamy Stock Photo

Commissioner Harris added that the Gardaí was aware of just how serious the problem had become in the Defence Forces. 

“Victims may have been victimised [and] attacked on a number of occasions,” he said. 

“But we also have to take into account that there may be predators out there and we want to make sure that if individuals are accused of multiple offences that we gather all the evidence and report that to the DPP.” 

Following the publication of the Independent Review Group’s report, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin said it demonstrated a “critical need for fundamental and immediate cultural change” in the Defence Forces.

Main image: Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Picture by: Alamy.com