Defence Forces Tribunal hears army chaplain told rape victim to forget assault

An army chaplain told a 17-year-old soldier who reported being raped to forget about it and get on with his life, the Defence Forces Tribunal heard on Wednesday. The Irish Examiner, the Irish Times, and BreakingNews.ie all reported on the testimony given by the witness, who was granted anonymity and identified as Mr H. The Irish Examiner and BreakingNews.ie noted the evidence was given behind a screen by the witness, who is now a married man with a family. [1][2][6]

The Irish Examiner reported that the assault occurred in Munster in 1970 after a group of privates returned late to a camp where they had been training. A sergeant on duty ordered the teenager into his office and assaulted him. According to the Irish Examiner, the former soldier testified under direct examination from tribunal counsel Lalita Morgan Pillay that the sergeant assaulted him on at least 10 occasions. [1]

The Irish Times reported that the witness had joined An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil, which is now called the Army Reserve, and described two incidents of sexual abuse during his testimony. The tribunal, presided over by Judge Ann Power, is charged with investigating how the Defence Forces handled complaints of sexual harassment and bullying, as well as the culture surrounding those complaints. [2]

The Irish Times previously reported that the tribunal was established following concerns raised by a 2021 RTÉ Radio documentary titled Women of Honour. The inquiry has also heard testimony from former female personnel regarding systemic sexual harassment and bullying within the military. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the tribunal has previously taken evidence from other former service members detailing historical complaints of sexual assault and the handling of internal grievances by military authorities. [4][9][10]