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Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin today published the independent report by Ruth FitzGerald S.C into allegations of sexual abuse, and actions taken by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces.

The external independent report was commissioned in May 2022, following receipt of correspondence from former Irish Defence Forces Member Anthony O’Brien relating to alleged sexual offences.

The report, received by the Department in recent weeks and shared with Mr O’Brien, set out;

• to establish whether the actions taken on foot of the correspondence were correct, having regard to the regulatory frameworks, policies and internal grievance systems in place.
• to advise the Minister whether the correspondence establishes evidence of inappropriate sexual behaviour within the Defence Forces during the time of the allegations.
• to inform any other proper actions the Minister could take.

Any allegations relating to sexual offences are taken very seriously by the Minister, the Department and the Defence Forces.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence said: “There is zero tolerance of any sexual abuse in the Defence Forces, and any allegations should be thoroughly investigated.

“I have agreed to adopt the recommendations outlined in the report. Anyone who has made allegations of a sexual offence to a superior, that have not been followed up, should contact the military authorities and Gardai directly.”

Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy said: “Since I became Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, the safety and wellbeing of our personnel has and will remain my priority. I wish to state in the strongest terms possible, there is no place for any form of abuse or failure to act on any form of inappropriate behaviour in the Defence Forces. We are working tirelessly to ensure that Óglaigh na hÉireann is a work environment, where the pervading culture is underpinned by the principles of dignity, equality & mutual respect.”

The report is accessible here.

ENDS