Report on Dail protest against rape comments by gardai

national | gender and sexuality | news report Friday April 08, 2011 19:44 by Laurence Cox - NUI Maynooth

Today's lunchtime protest expressed widespread outrage at Garda comments and solidarity with the women concerned, and called for an independent inquiry into the policing of the Corrib pipeline.

Protestors outside the Dail

150 people took part in a lunchtime protest today, Friday 8 April, outside the Dail, to express their outrage at the rape remarks made by Gardaí against two Shell to Sea female protesters earlier this week. The organisations represented at the demonstration were the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Shell to Sea, SIPTU and the National Women’s Council of Ireland as well as migrants, environmental and community organisations. Many individuals concerned with equality and human rights were also in attendance.

The purpose of the gathering was to send a message of solidarity to the women concerned; to stand up for the right of all women to protest without the threat of rape or deportation and to vehemently oppose the trivialisation of rape. It called for the suspension of the Gardai in question. It also called for an end to the harassment of protesters opposed to the Corrib pipeline and to demand a robust, transparent and independent enquiry into the behaviour of the Gardaí.

Ailbhe Smyth of the Feminist Open Forum and Grainne Griffin of Shell to Sea Dublin spoke at the event. The outrage was palpable and it was clear that those attending, as well as many others who sent messages of support, are not prepared for this issue to be brushed aside.

Support was called for the protest in Belmullet to be held tomorrow Saturday at 2.pm. This is being organised by Shell to Sea. For further details, contact Caoimhe Kerins at 085 8328130.

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