Commissioner to write to Ceann Comhairle over Dáil claims on Palestine protest

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

The Garda Commissioner is to write to the Ceann Comhairle about allegations made in the Dáil about garda treatment of Palestine protesters.

14 people were arrested after a vigil was held outside Leinster House for Mother’s Day, to remember women and children killed in Gaza and Lebanon.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Richard Boyd Barrett told the Dail on April 1st that the Mothers Against Genocide group were taking part in a peaceful sit-down protest when some were “very violently” arrested and strip searched.

His party colleague Paul Murphy said that the protesters were “forcibly removed by the gardaí” and one woman was subjected to a cavity search.

The day after the statements in the Dáil, gardaí said preliminary enquiries conducted by local Garda management found that any searches were in line with regulations.

“An Garda Síochána refutes any allegation that a cavity search took place,” it said.

On Tuesday, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said he would write to Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy about the “inaccurate” allegations made in the Dáil.

Reacting, Mr Murphy said it was “quite incredible” if the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan was “just taking the word” of the Garda Commissioner that strip or cavity searches did not take place.

He said complaints to the new Garda oversight body, Fiosrú, were being prepared.

“This is the Minister effectively calling these mothers liars before there has been any independent investigation of their complaints,” he said.

“I believe the multiple women who have described their experience of being strip searched and one of being cavity searched.

“They are standing over their statements and are currently preparing complaints to Fiosrú.

“The Minister for Justice should have waited for an independent investigation before coming to a conclusion on this. If these mothers are vindicated, as I believe they will be, his position will be untenable.”