Tipperary's Yvonne O'Rourke is honoured for her role with Women of Honour

Roscrea woman Yvonne O’Rourke - who was a catalyst behind highlighting abuse in the Defence Forces through her involvement in the Women of Honour - has been honoured by Thurles Municipal District Council with a Civic Reception.

The call to mark her contribution to tackling bullying, violence and sexual harassment of women in the forces was made by Roscrea’s Cllr Michael Smith.

Nominating her for the highest award the council can bestow on an individual, Cllr Smith said that Ms O’Rourke had been brave and courageous to stand up and with Women of Honour had been the catalyst for change in the Defence Forces.

He said that her family should be “very proud” of her.

“She is a remarkable person to do what she did,” said Cllr Smith.

Following the presentation of a piece of sculpture and a scroll on behalf of the council by district Cathaoirleach Cllr Peggy Ryan,

Ms O’Rourke was interviewed on stage by Paul Collins.

The former Aer Corps captain said that the award was “totally unexpected” and a “privilege”.

On a night that she said was full of emotion for her, she thanked her family and Cllr Smith.

Ms O’Rourke described her husband, Ollie, who was present along with her children and parents as “the rock, the foundation of everything that happened. It couldn’t have happened without him”.

She said that through the work of Women of Honour the truth was finally revealed about what was going on in the Defence Forces.

“We were listened to by the Irish public; they got behind us and I cannot thank the Irish public enough,” she said.

What the women had suffered was “moral injury”, said Ms O’Rourke which was where you felt shame because of what you had been subject to.

“However, when you find your voice and can name what has happened. When you tell people you become free to fly and tell the truth,” she said.

Ms O’Rourke revealed that she “loved the army. It was my life.”

When she joined as a cadet at the age of 17, she said her parents had been so proud of her.

“It did not want to leave the army. It is a great career in the right circumstances, but what what is happening there is not right,” said Ms O’Rourke.

Highlighting that the Government had now set up a statutory inquiry into what was happening, she said that there was a need to “get it right”, and for councillors to back them.

“If we don’t get the right outcome, it will be a failure,” she told the gathering.

In relation to bullying, she said that there was a need for everyone who saw something that was wrong to speak out.

“What keeps jumping out at me is that evil thrives when good people do nothing,” she said.

Her own trigger for speaking out had been a WRC case which she took in 2020 and won, which gave some people in the Defence Forces a glimmer of hope.

However, the real catalyst for change came two years ago, after the Katie Hannon documentary, following which the Government appointed an Independent Review Group (IRG)

What happened when someone stood up was, there was a protection of the institute, she said, and the they will do whatever to protect the institute above the person who speaks out, making them the target, the problem, instead of taking a step back and saying, let’s listen to the person, she said.

Ms O’Rourke said that it was now the intention of Women of Honour to link with other groups and with the public.

“We are trying to make Ireland better, not just the Defence Forces,” she said. “We want to stop bullying, violence, sexual harassment in society.”

Ms O’Rourke had words of advice for people who were going through or had gone through what had happened to the Women of Honour.

“When you stay silent, you internalise everything and it eats you up. It’s not good. If you can, speak to someone. There is always one good adult.

“To young people I would say never be afraid to do the right thing. If you are hurting, find your voice. Once you can speak you will begin to heal and you will find your freedom,” she said.