Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

These mothers were protesting from Mother's Day. They were protesting in support of the Occupied Territories Bill, which the Taoiseach promised would be passed during the election. They were protesting to stop weapons going through Irish airspace, which continues and is increasing and which the Taoiseach has refused to do anything about. I hope he will support the arms embargo Bill coming up in the Seanad tomorrow.

They were protesting against complicity on the genocide and slaughter that is taking place in Gaza, and how were they treated? They were forcibly removed by the gardaí. Fourteen were arrested and then, like Deputy Boyd Barrett said, what is coming out about how they were treated in the Garda stations is absolutely horrific. I will quote the same person Deputy Boyd Barrett just did. She is a Palestinian woman. Deputy Boyd Barrett has spoken about how she was effectively forced to remove her underwear. Her private parts were touched and looked inside of, and she was subjected to a cavity search. In addition to that, her hijab was confiscated to check if it was allowed before being returned to her. She said, "After the procedures were completed, I was released with a warning that if I participated in any further events, I would be punished, and that this was my only chance." What sort of repressive State is this that is operating in such a way? This needs immediate condemnation from the Garda. We need to be assured that people have the right to protest without being treated in such a way.

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