News

The Justice Minister’s failure to meaningfully engage with members of An Garda Síochána is compounding an already serious crisis in the force, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “Speaking on RTÉ this morning, the general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors […]

Justice Minister Jim O Callaghan’s decision not to attend the Garda Representative Association’s rank and file annual conference this year is a missed opportunity to demonstrate meaningful support for members of the force at a crucial juncture, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “The […]

The Social Democrats will introduce a landmark Bill to provide for the suspension of child guardianship rights where a parent is convicted of the murder or manslaughter of the other parent. The Guardianship of Infants (Amendment) Bill 2025 would allow for an interim suspension of guardianship rights immediately on conviction, with exceptions allowed for in […]

Viktor Orbán’s latest attempt to dehumanise members of the queer community in Hungary by banning Pride events is a blatant violation of their human rights, according to the Social Democrats. Pádraig Rice TD, the party’s Health spokesperson, said: “The decision to ban Pride in Hungary is a full-frontal attack on LGBTQ+ human rights and fundamental […]

Prioritising band-aid measures while ignoring the deeper issues in policing will not address the Garda recruitment and retention crisis, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon was commenting as Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan prepares to bring a report to Cabinet detailing changes to public order policing in the wake of the 2023 […]

The Social Democrats have today announced a strategy to tackle violence in Dublin city. Gary Gannon TD, who represents Dublin Central and is the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “As violence increases on our streets, this government seems to see crime as something to be responded to after the fact. “This approach has been a demonstrable […]

Today’s admission by Jim O’Callaghan that he does not spend a huge amount of time looking at online content was an extraordinary comment for a Minister for Justice to make, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is a TD for Dublin Central and the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “Minister O’Callaghan was […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has expressed disgust and outrage at the fully suspended sentence handed down to a serving member of the Defence Forces who viciously beat a young woman unconscious in Limerick. “People around the country are shocked and angered by the leniency of the three-year suspended sentence that Cathal Crotty received, despite […]

The intimidation and harassment of politicians by so-called protesters must be met with a robust policing response, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The alarming scenes we witnessed last night outside the home of Minister Roderic O’Gorman must not be allowed to continue. “It is concerning that no apparent action was taken by gardaí […]

A multi-layered response is required to tackle knife crime across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy. Deputy Murphy, who is the party’s spokesperson on justice, said: “Figures supplied to me through a parliamentary question give rise to serious concerns. “According to the Department of Justice, more than 18,000 knives have been seized […]