A woman arrested during a protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza outside Leinster House was allegedly ordered to strip naked and subjected to “absolutely disgusting” treatment, the Dáil was told, reports RTE.
Solidarity-People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett read from a letter he received, describing what he claimed was the treatment one of the Mothers Against Genocide protesters experienced.
According to him, some protesters were “arrested very, very violently” despite participating in a peaceful demonstration, reports RTE.
One woman stated in her letter: “I was stripped completely naked” and was warned that “force would be used violently” if she did not comply.
Reading from the letter, Mr. Boyd Barrett said that after removing her underwear, officers “looked inside my private areas and touched all my sensitive parts,” reports RTE.
His colleague Paul Murphy described the treatment of the women as “absolutely horrific,” pointing out that the woman who wrote the letter was Palestinian.
She was allegedly warned that she would face punishment if she attended another protest, he said, reports RTE.
In response, Taoiseach Micheál Martin assured the Dáil that he would consult the Minister for Justice regarding the actions taken, including the reported strip searches.
Sinn Féin’s Ruairí Ó Murchú said the “serious allegations” raised needed to be investigated, reports RTE.
Solidarity-People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger also criticized the conduct of the gardaí, claiming that one officer had kicked a picture of a deceased Palestinian infant.
Mr. Martin stated that on Monday, protesters had blocked access to Leinster House, which he described as unnecessary, reports RTE.
He also noted that gardaí had issued a public order directive.
In a statement, An Garda Síochána said that an initial review by local garda management found all searches were conducted in accordance with the Treatment of Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations Regulations under the Criminal Justice Act of 1984.
They denied any claims that a cavity search had taken place, reports RTE.
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