Disgraced soldier’s lawyer condemns some media’s ‘lack of balance and dignity’ towards Limerick judge

A LAWYER representing disgraced soldier Cathal Crotty in a court case that has dominated the news for the past week has lent his support to Judge Tom O’Donnel, who presided over the case.

His decision to impose a suspended sentence on the Clare soldier who brutally attacked Natasha O’Brien was widely criticized, with the victim saying after the verdict: “This is not justice.”

Defense attorney Sarah Ryan said there was no way the person in question could be given a right of reply and some of the words used to describe the decision made “could put their safety at risk.”

The judge, who retires this week, was due to hold a farewell party at Limerick District Court on Wednesday, with several speeches planned. However, it was canceled on Monday. On Tuesday afternoon, when he left the bench for the last time, there were muted speeches.

Rosa’s protest, a socialist feminist movement against sexism, oppression, inequality and capitalism, took place this Wednesday afternoon and Ms. O’Brien took part.

Ms Ryan said that having represented clients before Mr Justice O’Donnell (pictured above) in the District and County Courts in Limerick for almost 20 years: ‘I feel sorry for him and his family that his decision in the case decided by him in In the last week of his refereeing career he became the subject of criticism in a way that we have witnessed since last week.

“That a judicial decision is subject to criticism is nothing new, and I have not seen or heard of any agency or body discouraging or suppressing individual views. The way in which the criticism has been expressed is in many ways a new phenomenon. “I am astonished for what I believe is worth the disregard for fairness, balance and dignity shown by some in the media,” Ms. Ryan said in a statement.

“I recognize that comments are healthy and debate must be protected in a democracy, but there must certainly be a responsibility on those using public platforms to speak with dignity, substance and at least be careful about the impact their words may have on people. who listen to them.

“As a lawyer who has appeared before Judge O’Donnell (pictured above) for almost two decades, I am disappointed by some of the comments in the public domain that characterized a naturally decent, polite and conscientious man as many qualities he felt he did not display. as such for the almost twenty years that I knew him in both courts. I had the benefit that a lot of commentators didn’t have because I saw him at his job for a long time,” Ms. Ryan (pictured below) said.

The barrister said that for many years the work of the Limerick District Court continued late into the night and involved what could only be described as huge lists.

“In my experience in these court hearings, in the presence of court staff, police officers, correctional officers and probation officers, Judge O’Donnell participated in the proceedings of the court with the highest standards of professionalism, honesty, patience and integrity.

“From my observations, Judge O’Donnell did not in any way treat defendants or practitioners differently, including on the basis of gender. All persons appearing in his court were treated with respect and maintained all dignity, even when it seemed that his patience would be exhausted, but it was not.

“Respect and dignity have remained the hallmarks of Judge O’Donnell’s court, whether on the district or circuit court. “I was never in any doubt that his decisions were made after long consideration, conscientiously and only after careful consideration of the information presented to the court,” Ms Ryan said.

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She said Judge O’Donnell, assigned to the district court, heard the family law list.

“Here, too, we showed compassion, empathy and great understanding, and at the same time we were not afraid to make decisions that, according to an objective analysis, were difficult.

“I offer Judge O’Donnell and his family my best wishes for the years ahead,” concluded Ms. Ryan.