News

The government’s headlong rush to introduce facial recognition technology (FRT) without adequate safeguards or transparency is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Dublin Central TD and spokesperson on justice, said: “This week’s comments from the Minister for Justice about the ‘well advanced’ work on introducing facial recognition technology […]

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 […]

The government must finally make a stand against violent extremism and online incitement, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, who is the party’s justice spokesperson, said: “Recently released internal documents, as reported in the media, reveal that the government decided to halt the opening of asylum centres in certain areas in response […]

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 […]

Overcrowding in our youth detention system must be urgently addressed, but it is essential that we move away from simply expanding detention facilities, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “While the recent crackdown on the ‘Lucky Dip’ gang by An Garda Síochána is welcome, the root cause […]

Attempts to abruptly move Ukrainian refugees from student accommodation in Dublin are chaotic and cruel, according to Social Democrats justice spokesperson Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon said: “Last month, more than 200 Ukrainian refugees were told they would be moved from accommodation in Dublin 1, where many of them have put down roots in the community. […]

There’s no time to waste when it comes to addressing appalling conditions in our prison system, according to Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon. Deputy Gannon, the party’s Justice spokesperson, said: “The conditions described in the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) report are horrendous – some prisoners are forced to sleep on floors and […]