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

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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.

Highlights
  • A woman was made to remove her breast prosthesis at Dublin Airport, triggering public outcry.
  • Réaltán Ní Leannáin underwent a mastectomy 15 years ago following a cancer diagnosis.
  • Dublin Airport apologized and admitted the situation could've been "handled better."

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.

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.

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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.”

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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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Marina Urman

Marina Urman

Writer, BoredPanda staff

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Marina is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, reading, or watching a docuseries. Her main areas of interest are pop culture, literature, and education.

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Marina Urman

Marina Urman

Writer, BoredPanda staff

Marina is a journalist at Bored Panda. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, she holds a Bachelor of Social Science. In her spare time, you can find her baking, reading, or watching a docuseries. Her main areas of interest are pop culture, literature, and education.

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

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I am employed as a Visual Editor in the news team. I make sure you have the best pictures near the most interesting text. In general all day I am looking at all you favourite celebrities facies and I am geting payed for it!

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Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Ugnė Lazauskaitė

Author, BoredPanda staff

I am employed as a Visual Editor in the news team. I make sure you have the best pictures near the most interesting text. In general all day I am looking at all you favourite celebrities facies and I am geting payed for it!

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Ru Bee
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No excuse for this. It can and is handled with far more sensitivity at other far more major airports.

Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sue the hellllll out of them. I don't know about Ireland, but in Spain there's this wonderful NGO that will give you emotional, psychological and legal assessment to cover any situation you might encounter as a cancer patient. This would be a clear case for them.

PeePeePooPoo
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man... thinking about how upset she must have been to cry on the fight, makes me cry. I feel so sorry for her, that's just horrible. I wish I was there to hug her and to tell them to suck it instead of her. Poor lady.

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Ru Bee
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No excuse for this. It can and is handled with far more sensitivity at other far more major airports.

Pittsburgh rare
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sue the hellllll out of them. I don't know about Ireland, but in Spain there's this wonderful NGO that will give you emotional, psychological and legal assessment to cover any situation you might encounter as a cancer patient. This would be a clear case for them.

PeePeePooPoo
Community Member
7 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man... thinking about how upset she must have been to cry on the fight, makes me cry. I feel so sorry for her, that's just horrible. I wish I was there to hug her and to tell them to suck it instead of her. Poor lady.

Load More Comments
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