Woman forced to remove breast prosthesis in public before flight to Donegal

A woman has told of the traumatic experience of having to remove a breast prosthesis in public as she travelled from Donegal Airport to Donegal.

Réaltán Ní Leannáin was getting ready to board a flight to Carrickfinn last month.

The Belfast native, an acclaimed Irish language writer, was alarmed when a member of the Dublin Airport security staff stopped her after new body scanners flagged her prosthetic.

Ms Ní Leannáin, who now lives in Dublin, had a mastectomy 15 years ago, says she was not offered a private search – and was unaware that she could have requested one.

“We were in the middle of the security hall with hundreds of people around,” she told Liveline on RTE Radio 1.

“I was like a rabbit in the headlights. The whole world was passing through Dublin Airport. It was the weekend before St Patrick's Day.

“I am 15 years out from diagnosis and 15 years wearing a prosthesis. I still find it has affected me more than any single other aspect in those years. It surprised me how much it upset me.”

Ms Ní Leannáin said her dignity was not protected and highlighted how she has passed through other airports, including Donegal Airport, with 'not a bother'.

She said: “They need to put it up online what happens with the new scanners. It has to be dealt with in a dignified way.

“It is not a reflection on the staff member, but it is a reflection on the training.

“I still want to know when I travel what do I say to them. “I want to know that no other woman post-breast cancer or post-mastectomy will be affected by the implementation of the new technology.”

DAA, who operate Dublin Airport, say that a full investigation has been carried out and the matter 'should have been handled better.

DAA said they wished to offer Ms Ní Leannáin “a full apology” and “can assure her that steps have been taken to ensure a similar situation is avoided in the future”.