Susan Dublin

Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirms he believes that children can be transgender, but says he doesn't want to be drawn into "culture wars like they have in the UK": Gript - "Do you believe that a child can be transgender?" Taoiseach Micheál Martin - "Yes - I do believe [that]."

Garda Boss Declares War: Mass Prosecutions Launched to Deter Future Protests Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has established dedicated investigation teams to pursue anyone who broke the law during the recent fuel protests that caused widespread disruption across Ireland two weeks ago. Speaking at the Garda Representative Association’s annual conference in Westport, Co Mayo, Commissioner Kelly announced that an incident room has been set up in each of the country’s four Garda regions. These units, led by senior officers, are focusing on criminal offences committed during the blockades, including the harassment of gardai and other emergency personnel, both in person and online. He said the force is actively encouraging any officers who experienced abuse, threats, or intimidation during or after the protests to report it to the incident rooms. “This is a really serious matter for me,” Kelly stated, describing some of the behaviour captured on footage as “absolutely appalling.” He noted that the harassment extended not only to gardai but also to fuel truck drivers and other transport workers assisting police. The Commissioner added that Gardaí are reviewing existing laws around the blockade of critical infrastructure, such as the Whitegate oil refinery in east Cork, and will recommend new legislation if current measures are deemed inadequate. While some offences already exist under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, authorities are examining whether additional laws are needed. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan, who also addressed the conference, strongly condemned the harassment. He described online abusers as “anonymous cowards” and said it is “totally unacceptable” for people to intimidate gardai who are protecting the public. O’Callaghan expressed hope that successful prosecutions would send a strong deterrent message to those involved. The moves come as senior police figures emphasise their determination to hold accountable anyone whose actions during the fuel crisis crossed into criminal territory.