Gardaí criticised for alleged strip searches of protestors following vigil for Gaza

Michael Bolton

Members of the public criticised gardaí over how they treated a group of women at a protest for Gaza in Dublin earlier this year.

Fourteen people who attended the Mothers Against Genocide group protest against the Israeli war in Gaza were arrested after an entrance to Leinster House in Dublin was blocked.

The group said some of the women who were arrested at a group protest were strip-searched, and one was subjected to a cavity search.

In documents seen by BreakingNews.ie, there were 132 correspondences to the Department of Justice on how protestors were treated by gardaí that day, and the alleged cavity and strip searches.

The gardaí's actions compared to how they handled other protests were brought up to the Department of Justice, as one person said: "I have not seen this level of aggressiveness directed towards people who were literally running riot on our streets or those burning down buildings dedicated to housing immigrants, or camping out and stoking racism in sites such as Coolock. "

In another email to the Minister for Justice, a member of the public said: "Given the nature of the protest, there are legitimate questions to be asked about why this level of force was deemed necessary.

"In particular, there is concern about the apparent disparity in Garda responses to this protest when compared with other demonstrations, for example by far-right groups, which at times have involved threatening or intimidating behaviour with a visibly lighter."

The number of gardaí involved in the protest was also brought into question, with people saying the number of gardaí heavily outnumbered the protestors.

"The high level of Garda presence is very difficult to comprehend. These women were mothers, and were present at the Dáil as part of a Mother's Day Vigil to honour the murdered mothers and children of Palestine. They hoped to deliver a letter to incoming TDs this morning regarding Ireland's part in all of this."

Another person compared their experience in needing the gardaí in a different situation and questioned why such a large force was necessary.

"I recently called the Gardaí in a serious situation, and it took 20 minutes for officers to arrive. How was such a large force available soquickly for a non-violent gathering?"

An email to the Taoiseach's Office was also forwarded to the Department of Justice, where concerns were raised over alleged strip searches.

"This practice raises significant human rights concerns and has the potential to cause undue distress and humiliation, particularly when conducted without sufficient justification or oversight.

"Numerous reports have highlighted instances where strip searches were carried out in circumstances that may not have warranted such invasive procedures.

"The lack of clear safeguards, transparency, and independent oversight leaves room for potential abuse and a violation of individuals' dignity and rights. Furthermore, strict guidelines, accountability measures, and independent oversight must be implemented to prevent the misuse of strip searches. "

A joint letter from Senators Lynn Ruane, Alice-Mary Higgins, Frances Black and Eileen Flynn was sent to the Department questioning how protestors were treated when arrested.

"From our knowledge, some of those arrested were strip searched and visually cavity-searched. Can you outline for us the reasons for such an escalation on behalf of the Gardaí for what was a peaceful protest?

"We are very worried about the lack of standardised policing practice that was applied to different individuals who were arrested. It is our understanding arrested protestors received different levels of treatment at different Garda stations, with significantly different levels of invasiveness.

"We request that you seek a full report from each Garda station as to the steps and decisions they took.

"Specifically, we also want to ask you what are the internal policies are in the Gardaí when it comes to respecting cultural and religious norms in the event of a strip search, with particular regard to hijabs?"

Both the Department of Justice and gardaí were contacted, and both said they had nothing further to comment on the story.

Back in May, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said: “I can confirm the Garda members involved in conducting the searches acted at all times professionally, lawfully, and in accordance with established procedures and legislative provision."

Mr Harris said statements made by People Before Profit TDs Richard Boyd-Barrett, Paul Murphy, and Ruth Coppinger on the arrests and alleged strip-searches were "wholly inaccurate".

“As a direct consequence of these wholly inaccurate statements and the widespread coverage of them in the media, I am deeply concerned about the damage that may be caused to public confidence and trust in policing."