ONE of the women arrested at a protest in support of Palestine outside Leinster House was ordered to strip naked and subjected to “disgusting” treatment, the Dail has heard.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett raised the issue on Tuesday, saying the women were “arrested violently and strip-searched” despite being on a peaceful protest.
The demonstration on Sunday night saw those from Mothers Against Genocide stage a sleep-out at the gates to highlight the war in Gaza.
The group held a vigil for the mothers and children of Gaza to highlight the impact of displacement and violence on women and kids.
Mr Boyd Barrett, reading the letter from one of the women arrested at the Dail, said: “I was stripped completely naked and asked to remove my underwear.
“When I questioned the necessity for this I was told I would be forced violently if I didn’t comply and they didn’t want any trouble.
“After removing my underwear they looked inside my private areas and touched all my sensitive parts.”
His party colleague Paul Murphy said that the treatment was “absolutely horrific”.
Mr Murphy added that 14 people were arrested on Sunday, and noted that the women who has written the letter was Palestinian.
He also said she was “forced to remove her underwear, her private parts were touched and looked inside” and subjected to a “cavity search”.
Mr Murphy added: “Her hijab was confiscated to check if it was allowed before it was being returned to her.”
He said that she had been warned that she would be punished if engaged in any further events.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he will follow-up with the Minister for Justice over the assertions and allegations in relation to strip searches.
He added: “I have no information as to that but I will follow up on it because I do not understand the necessity for any strip-searching or whatever.”
In a statement, a An Garda Siochana spokeswoman said: “An Garda Siochana is aware of statements made in Dail Eireann today under privilege.
“Any person that has a formal complaint to make can do so at any Garda Station or through the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission.”
