100 women of 2024: Saoirse Mackin hopes 'everyone can live their lives without fear'

100 women of 2024: The LGBT+ community engagement officer and law student is running as a first-time candidate in the upcoming local elections for the Social Democrats, making her the first openly transgender person to run for public office in Ireland

Saoirse Mackin at Fitzgerald's Park, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

Saoirse Mackin recently bought a bike so she could flee a potential assailant on the streets of Cork more quickly than on foot.

The 25-year-old LGBT+ community engagement officer and law student, who is transgender, is subjected to frequent abuse both on the streets and on social media.