A retired female Irish army corporal has opened up about a time she was sexually assaulted by a member of the Defence Forces while they were serving overseas.
In a harrowing interview on the show Upfront with Katie Hannon in the wake of the report into equality and dignity issues in the Defence Forces, Roslyn O'Callaghan explained how the assault was carried out by a senior non-commissioned officer during the 1990s.
O'Callaghan’s revelations come as a national probe to hunt down "predators" in the Defence Forces was launched after it was uncovered there have been 26 allegations of sexual assault since the 1960s.
READ MORE: Gardaí hunting predators in the Defence Forces after uncovering 26 sexual assault allegations
In her first interview since the incident occurred decades ago, Ms O'Callaghan told Katie Hannon that the horrific assault reportedly happened while attending an off-base drinks party - just weeks after her birthday.
O'Callaghan continued, explaining that she became violently ill following a night of drinking "too much" which resulted in being put into a recovery position in a colleague’s room as she was unable to get access to her room. However, it was at this point that O’Callaghan claims she was attacked.
Speaking on the show, Ms O'Callaghan explained: "I remember waking up. I remember this man kissing me. I can remember my shorts being taken off me and my underwear. I remember this man having sex.
"I describe it as if there was an angel looking over me trying to wake me up. I knew there was something happening, but I couldn't stop it. I wasn't able to fight.”
The attack was reported the following morning to two senior officers. Several weeks following this, she was told her attacker would not be charged with rape, as a result of the forensic exam which was carried out in the civilian hospital failing to produce any evidence of physical injury.
"I couldn’t believe this. I didn’t know who to trust. I was always of the opinion that the army will look after me. They’ll believe me. How wrong I was.
"He denied the fact that he raped me. He keeps saying it was consensual," she added.
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