TD: PROBE INTO ARMY BASE SEX ABUSE CLAIMS

Dail move after fresh allegations

SINN Fein is set to table a motion in the Dail calling for an inquiry into allegations of sexual and physical assault within the defence forces.

Roscommon TD Claire Kerrane said yesterday the party would bring forward a private members’ bill demanding a Commission of Investigation be set up.

The move comes in the wake of fresh allegations of sexual abuse of a female soldier by a male army officer at Mckee Barracks in Dublin in June 2020.

The defence forces is investigating an alleged sexual and physical assault after an outdoor party held during Covid restrictions.

Military police have filed a full report to the Director of Military Prosecutions and a court martial is expected in coming months.

Ms Kerrane said Sinn Fein was taking action as the party believes that “the minister is failing” in his duty to hear the complaints. She told RTE radio’s Katie Hannon: “These are really serious allegations and they’re not historic, either.

PRESSURE

“I think the women... feel they are not being heard in relation to this.

“If we are bringing a review forward that the Women of Honour have no confi- dence in and aren’t willing to

participate in then that’s not the route to take.” The Government is coming under increasing pressure to investigate reports of abuse, sexual assault and harassment of female military.

Representative group Women of Honour have also called for a public statutory investigation claiming any judge-led review is “flawed and entirely unfit for purpose”.

However, Taoiseach Micheal Martin has insisted the review will go ahead as planned before any further decision is taken.

Yesterday Green Party Minister Pippa Hackett described as “absolutely sickening” the latest allegation of sexual assault within the army.

Speaking on RTE radio she said it “puts the onus” on swift action and compounds the need for a thorough investigation in light of previous allegations.

I think the women feel they are not being heard in relation to this CLAIRE KERRANE ON RTE RADIO YESTERDAY