The Women of Honour group has said more people have come forward following the release of the review into bullying and sexual harassment allegations in the Defence Forces.
Earlier this week, the Garda Commissioner announced a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within the Defence Forces.
Drew Harris said gardaà had received 26 complaints so far dating back to the 1960s, but expected to receive more, and encouraged victims to come forward.
The Defence Forces has said that it will assist gardaà if required.
The announcement followed a year-long independent review into gender-based violence, harassment and bullying in the Defence Forces. The review recommended a full statutory inquiry into the controversy.
Speaking today, spokesperson for WoH Honor Murphy said since the findings were published last week, more people have made contact sharing their experiences.
She said: “It’s not only sexual abuse and sexual harassment that they’re coming to us with now, it’s a lot of discrimination and severe bullying that has happened to them in the Defence Forces.”
The additional contacts made to the WoH group are separate to the complaints received by the gardaÃ.
Speaking to RTÉ News, Ms Murphy said she wanted to reiterate “that confidentiality is our priority, so anyone that does come to us, we won’t go anywhere with it unless they’re comfortable to go”.
“And some of the stuff doesn’t needed to go to the guards, not yet anyway, so that’s important for people to know.”
The WoH group said it is due to meet the Garda Commissioner Drew Harris soon to discuss the criminal investigation announced earlier this week.
Ms Murphy said: “We have put the wheels in motion now for a meeting with the Garda Commissioner. He has said he will meet us. So we’re just trying to find a date that will suit everyone and we’ll meet him soon.”
She said the group expects more people to come forward.
“Hopefully, once we know the process that’s going to happen with the gardaÃ, that they will feel more able to come to us,” added Ms Murphy.
RACO raises concerns over ‘unfair generalisations’
The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) has raised concerns over what it described as the “unfair generalisations” in the IRG report.
RACO said the Defence Forces has been “the subject of scathing criticism,” much of which it said was warranted.
In an internal e-mail to members, the officers’ body welcomed the recommendations in the review including the establishment of a statutory inquiry – all of which it said should be fully implemented.
The association said “there is absolutely no question of doubting or denying the lived experiences of the women and men who came forward to the IRG”.
RACO also commended their “bravery and honesty”.
However, it said the language used throughout the report “relating to the alleged common traits and characteristics of officers in particular, are presented as established fact, and this has been a source of great concern and frustration to our members, who have contacted us in large numbers”.
“What members have found particularly hard to stomach however is the clear impression given by the language in the report that all officers are culpable in displaying these behaviours. This is simply not true.”
Lieutenant Colonel Conor King, the General Secretary of RACO, said the association “welcomes the report of the IRG and is committed in assisting in the implementation of its recommendations and ensuring accountability for the defence organisation”.
However, speaking to RTÉ News he said RACO has been contacted by “many, many members who have been devastated by the manner in which the allegations and crimes of some have tarnished the reputation of the vast majority of men and women of all ranks of Óglaigh na hÉireann who continue to serve the State with dignity, honour and pride”.
Govt committed to ensuring inquiry gets to root of issues – Minister of State
Meanwhile, the Minister of State at the Department of Housing said the Government is committed to ensuring an inquiry will get to the root of all issues in the Defence Forces.
Malcolm Noonan said it was important to engage with all stakeholders.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin programme, he said it was important that the statutory inquiry was judge led.
“These are shocking figures and survivors deserve accountability,” he said.
Sinn Féin’s party spokesperson on Public Expenditure, National Development Plan and Reform said it would be inappropriate for the Department of Defence Secretary General to be part of the oversight group.
Rose Conway-Walsh said a statutory inquiry must involve the permanent Defence Forces, the reserves, the Department of Defence and other ministerial roles.
She said the victims must be central to the enquiry.
“They know the truth of what happened to them,” she said.
Michael Fitzmaurice, Independent TD for Roscommon-Galway, said the number of people who were affected by abuse in the Defence Forces and are now coming forward is multiplying.
“It is a damning report,” he said.
Mr Fitzmaurice said the inquiry should be completely independent.
More people coming forward, says Women of Honour group
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