Ireland's Eye: What's going on in the old sod this week

A look at news from around Ireland

O’Doherty said while government continues to treat the gay and transgender people as second class citizens, there is the risk that this is how they will be viewed by the general public.

The Equality Commissions report found that over a quarter of people (27%) would mind a gay, lesbian or bisexual person living next door, compared to 14% in 2005. The report also revealed 42% said they would be unhappy about a gay person becoming an in-law.

Around a third of people (35%) would mind a transgender person as a work colleague, rising to 40% as a neighbor and 53% as an in-law.

“What this report clearly shows is that not enough is being done to address the negative perceptions that exist. While government ministers continue to refuse to introduce legislation to allow same sex couples to adopt children or get married, no consideration is given to the impact this has on attitudes towards our community,” O’Doherty said.

O’Doherty says good relations policy must also extend to the LGBT communities.

Foyle SDLP MLA Colum Eastwood said the report questions the “illusion of progress emanating from Stormont’s leadership.”

Derry Sinn Fein councilor Patricia Logue described the report as “ an appalling indictment on attitudes within our society.”

Derry Journal

Shocking Seal Discovery
VOLUNTEERS at the Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary were horrified recently when they discovered two severed seal heads nailed to the sign outside their premises.

The severed heads of a grey seal and a harbor seal were fixed to two wooden placards with the words “RIP Cull” and “I Am Hungry” painted in red.

Staff at the sanctuary initially thought the heads were from two seals they have been nursing back to health with a view to releasing them back into the wild this week. This proved not to be the case, but the gruesome scene left volunteers at the center in shock.

"We are absolutely horrified, disgusted and upset. To come into work and find that, at first you think am I really seeing this, is this for real?" said seal sanctuary volunteer Emily Butt. "Your mind can't comprehend that you are seeing something that sick."

Seven volunteers work at the sanctuary where they care for injured and orphaned seals as well as birds and other wildlife.

"My first thought was that our two seals, which we had been caring for, had been killed," Butt added.

"They weren't but this was still animal cruelty; it goes against everything we are trying to achieve here."

Dingle Gardai said the investigation into the incident was ongoing. "We are making enquiries around the area and interviewing anyone that has information," said Dingle Garda Sergeant Noel Burke.
 
The Kerryman

​
Nster.com