The director said some of his best friends are gay and lesbian and that he understands the term “queer” is embraced by the LGBT community. The restaurant has been ordered to pay €20,000 in compensation to the bar manager.

Five young pupils in Coláiste Mhuire in Buttevant have scooped the first Rotary Young Citizen Peacemaker Award for their work tackling difficulties affecting fellow students.

Even if LGBT people achieved absolute social acceptance in Ireland, the parades that inject Irish cities with a rainbow of colour would still be necessary. Brian O’Flynn explains why