Hundreds take part in rival protests on transgenderism in Dublin

Hundreds of campaigners took part in rallies on opposing sides of the transgender debate in Dublin on Saturday.

A large gardai presence was visible in and around Merrion Square for the two events and metal barriers were erected to create a space between the rival demonstrations.

Father Ted creator Graham Linehan, another vocal critic of aspects of the trans rights movement, was also among those who attended that event.

The counter demo organised by Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin assembled outside the Dail on Kildare Street ahead of marching to Merrion Square.

Leading pro trans activist Jenny Maguire told the crowd: “We as queer people are forced into a world that’s not meant for us.

She added: “Trans people aren’t going anywhere.”

At Merrion Square, the trans campaigners chanted and played loud disco music in a bid to drown out speakers addressing the crowd at the Let Women Speak event on the other side of the metal barriers.

He criticised the rival event.

“I just want to kind of expose them for trying to silence women and that’s why I’m here,” he said.

The writer said the vast majority of people agreed with his position on the trans issue.

“It’s only a few extremists who don’t think that women shouldn’t have their own sports and their own private spaces,” he added.