Taoiseach Simon Harris criticized Defence Forces for not acting on assault case involving Cathal Crotty.

Taoiseach Simon Harris criticized Defence Forces for not acting on assault case, despite regulations preventing them from taking action before the criminal/civil court. Employment lawyer and former army officer, Barry Crushell, says Harris "threw the Defence Forces under the bus" as the Taoiseach questioned why they did nothing. Harris' comments follow a case where Cathal Crotty, a serving soldier, was sentenced for assaulting Natasha O'Brien, leading to public outcry.