Plans to pay tribute to retiring judge cancelled due to controversy over Cathal Crotty sentence

Protesters gather in Dublin in solidarity with Natasha O'Brien who was attacked by Cathal Crotty, a serving member of the Defence Forces, who walked free from court after he was given a three-year suspended sentence by judge Tom O'Donnell. Photograph: Cate McCurry/PA Wire

Legal sources confirmed tributes to the judge would not be heard in the court on Wednesday as it was feared it would further fuel what some feel are unfair criticisms of him. A reception took place in a Limerick hotel last week in recognition of his 47-year career as a solicitor and judge of the District and Circuit Courts.in response to the suspended three-year sentence imposed on Defence Forces member Cathal Crotty for attacking Natasha O’Brien.

A male passerby intervened and Crotty ran away but he later that day boasted in messages to friends on Snapchat: “Two to put her down, two to put her out.” Legal sources said they had sympathy for Judge O’Donnell who one said had found himself “in the midst of a tornado” of public discord. Sources said they disagreed with some of the subsequent commentary aimed at the judge, particularly online, since the sentence was handed down.

Natasha-O-Brien Limerick Circuit-Court

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