Donegal native claims DFA failed to support her in US embassy dispute

A Donegal woman has claimed before the High Court that she was raped in the home of a US embassy official here more than 35 years ago after a drug was put into her drink in the embassy bar.
60 year-old Ailish Nic Phaidín has sued the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the State arising from the alleged handling of matters by the Department of Foreign Affairs following her dismissal or forced resignation from the US embassy, Ballsbridge, Dublin, in 1987.
Ms Nic Phaidín, originally from Rathmullan, Co Donegal, but now a PR consultant living in Palm Bay, Florida claims that while working for the US embassy, she was interrogated for two hours before being told she could be fired or resign.
She was later escorted out by a US marine.
During her 11-year employment in the embassy, she claims she was pinned to a wall and assaulted on one occasion.
She alleges on another occasion a drug was put into her drink when she was in the basement bar of the embassy and she woke up in the home of an embassy official where, she claims, she was raped.
Ms Nic Phaidín was giving evidence in the first day of her action before the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, arising from losing her job at the embassy.
In her action, Ms Nic Phaidín, , claims she sought assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs in the settlement of her employment dispute with the US embassy.
The Minister denies the claims of breach of duty of care while the State claims it had no duty of care to Ms Nic Phaidín and pleads at all times the department did its best for her.