Irish Defence Forces Tribunal hears soldier was downgraded after assault complaint

A Irish Defence Forces soldier had his status downgraded after making a formal complaint about a sexual assault by an army chaplain, according to the Irish Examiner and the Irish Times. Sergeant Noel Brennan gave evidence to the Defence Forces Tribunal on Friday regarding the incident, which occurred in 2015 at Cathal Brugha Barracks in Dublin. [1][2]

Sergeant Brennan reported that he was sexually assaulted by Father David Tyndall, a former Defence Forces chaplain whom he had considered a friend. The Irish Examiner reported that Sergeant Brennan delayed reporting the incident because he feared it would affect his career while applying to join a specific unit. He formally lodged his complaint in 2021. [1][2]

The Irish Examiner said Sergeant Brennan felt officers tried to convince him to resolve the complaint through mediation rather than a formal process. The Irish Times noted that the Defence Forces subsequently medically downgraded his status following his formal report. Father Tyndall was later convicted in Dublin District Court of the 2015 sexual assault, receiving a three month suspended sentence according to the Irish Times, while the Irish Examiner reported his conviction occurred in 2021. [1][2]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, the Defence Forces Tribunal is examining whether soldiers suffered reprisals and faced a culture that discouraged them from reporting abuse. The tribunal resumed its second public module this week to investigate allegations of harassment, bullying, and sexual assault within the military. [1][2][9][10]