A Kerry TD has called for stronger laws to protect people in "special public spaces such as libraries' following an incident which saw protesters storm a children’s storytelling event in a public library in Tralee during the Kingdom Pride Festival.
Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating an incident in Tralee, which took place on Thursday in the library in Moyderwell, organised as part of the Pride festival’s programme of events in Kerry.
It is understood that five protesters, three women and two men, entered the premises at around 12.30pm and began shouting.
Around 20 adults and their children were attending the event.
The incident is said to have left those attending, as well as staff at the library, shaken and upset.
Gardaí said they attended the scene of a "public order incident" at the library and are making inquiries "into all the circumstances surrounding" the matter.
They said no arrests have been made and their inquiries are ongoing.
Following the incident, Kerry Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin told Nuacht TG4 that, in his opinion "stronger laws are needed" to protect people in "special public spaces, such as libraries" to ensure they are "safe spaces for all" and that the current laws are inadequate in providing the necessary protection needed.
An ongoing protest has also been taking place at Cork City Library where protestors have been entering the building, approaching staff and filming them, while voicing their dissatisfaction surrounding certain books and materials held in the library that relate to LGTBQI+ topics.
A counter protest was organised last week in Cork city, calling for greater protections for library staff to ensure they can operate in a safe work space.
Kingdom Pride events organised in Kenmare yesterday went ahead without incident, with the festival encouraging the public to continue to participate in the remaining Pride events planned in Kerry this weekend.
A statement released by Listowel Family Resource Centre, the lead organisation governing Kingdom Pride, said they are focused on supporting those affected by Thursday’s incident in Tralee and on "ensuring that the people of Kerry, including our LGBTQ+ community, continue with the various events planned as part of Kingdom Pride."
"On behalf of Kingdom Pride, Listowel FRC would like to commend the staff of Tralee Library for their support and to thank An Garda Síochána for their immediate response. We can never accept attacks on our LGBTQ+ community, and we will not allow hate to triumph over love and decency."
Kingdom Pride events will continue to take place throughout Kerry this weekend, including the main Pride Parade organised in Killarney town today, beginning on Plunkett Street at around midday, with live music afterwards at Killarney House and Gardens.
