Airport Promises To Investigate After Cancer Survivor Forced To Remove Breast Prosthesis

A woman was forced to remove her breast prosthesis in public after it set off security scanners at Dublin Airport.

Réaltán Ní Leannáin underwent a mastectomy 15 years ago after a cancer diagnosis. When the passenger explained that she was wearing a prosthesis to a member of the security staff, Ní Leannáin claims she was told to remove it in front of other passengers.

The incident took place last month when Ní Leannáin was traveling from Dublin to Donegal.

“I sat and cried the whole way on the flight to Donegal after realizing what the hell had just happened,” the woman said.

Réaltán Ní Leannáin says airport staff at Dublin Airport told her to remove her breast prosthesis after it activated a body scanner

Image credits: Réaltán Ní Leannáin

“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.”

The airport policy states that passengers have a right to request a private search in a separate room if they activate a body scanner. However, Ní Leannáin wasn’t aware of this possibility and wasn’t offered the chance to remove her prosthesis away from the crowd.

Speaking with RTE Liveline, the Belfast native said her “dignity was not protected on that day.”

The Irish woman underwent a mastectomy 15 years ago and has worn a prosthesis ever since

Image credits: Pexels/Guilherme Rossi

Now, she wants to share her case to ensure it doesn’t happen to other women who have experienced such traumatic situations in the past.

“I still want to know when I travel what do I say to them,” Ní Leannáin said. 

“I want to know that no other woman post-breast cancer or post-mastectomy will be affected by the implementation of the new technology.”

She added: “Glasgow, Donegal, and Amsterdam seem to be coping with the new scanning technology much more sensitively than Dublin.”

“I sat and cried the whole way on the flight,” the affected passenger said

Image credits: Pexels/Oleksandr P

Dublin Airport operator DAA has shared a statement in response to the situation, offering an apology to the passenger for her “negative experience.”

The DAA wrote: “The team carried out a full investigation into the incident, and the situation should have been handled better.”

“All passengers in such situations can request a private screening, which is then facilitated by a trained member of staff.

“We offer a full apology to the passenger and can assure her that steps have been taken to ensure a similar situation is avoided in the future.”

Furthermore, the airport said it would get back in touch with Ní Leannáin and added that it “looks forward to welcoming her back to Dublin Airport soon, when [they] can assure her of a much more positive experience,” as per the Irish Independent.

Bored Panda has contacted Réaltán Ní Leannáin and Dublin Airport for comment.

People sided with the passenger, labeling the incident as “degrading and disrespectful”

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