My attacker is victim of the justice system

Victim Natasha says ex-soldier subjected to 'media manhunt'

- BY SANDRA MALLON Showbiz Editor

CAMPAIGNER Natasha O'Brien has said her attacker is a victim of Ireland's justice system.

In 2022, the Limerick native was viciously attacked by Cathal Crotty, who was then a member of the Irish Defence Forces. He was given a three-year suspended sentence in June 2024.

An appeal was lodged the following month, and the sentence overturned by the Court of Appeal in January, and he was sentenced to two years in jail.

But Natasha admitted Crotty was also a victim and added: "It's not his fault that the system is broken. If that judge last year had insured justice, my attacker would always have received justice.