Black Woman Handcuffed and Arrested for Not Paying Fare.

longford | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Tuesday August 12, 2008 09:13 by Margaret O'Regan - SWP

Handcuffed/Arrested for Not Paying Fare.

A black woman was handcuffed and arrested at Longford Railway Station yesterday evening at about 6 pm for not paying her fare on a bus or train.

While standing on the platform at Longford Railway Station yesterday evening at about 6 pm, I saw a black woman, who was handcuffed, being taken away, presumably to the local Garda Station. Her crime? Not paying her fare on a train or bus - I believe it was an 8 euro fare!

There were two Gardai, and one of them had her handcuffed arms pulled over to one side, as she was placed between them when they walked along the platform. She couldn't straighten herself up, and she kept repeating, in a calm voice "You are hurting my hands - you are pinching my arm". The two Gardai ignored this.

I was shocked that this violence was perpetrated on a woman who was alleged to have done no more than not pay her fare - I believe a mere 8 euros.

Does anyone know who this woman was, and the outcome?