Limerick TD reveals personal family details when heckled in the Dáil

AN INDEPENDENT Ireland TD from County Limerick who was heckled in the Dáil chamber while supporting a motion for trans healthcare revealed that his own son is gay and that people should not make assumptions. 

Speaking during a motion on trans healthcare, Deputy Richard O'Donoghue urged his fellow politicians that regardless of party politics or beliefs, respect should be at the core of all that they do.  

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Addressing the Dáil chamber, he said: "I've been heckled in this house saying that I'm anti-gay, anti-this," and is again interrupted and has to say "excuse me, again you can't be quite and listen to someone else's opinion - it's called respect."

He continued: "I'm a parent, I'm a grandparent, I have a son that's gay - ye don't know me but ye make assumptions about people."

Deputy O'Donoghue argued that no matter what side of an issue people stand on personally, everyone has a right to healthcare and everyone should be advocated for. 

"Whether I agree or not, I will respect and help you," he said, adding that a lot of people are scared, for themselves and their children, in an ever-changing world. 

The Limerick TD said: "Anyone in this country deserves healthcare - regardless of circumstances, you deserve healthcare." 

Deputy O'Donoghue posted the video of his speech to his Facebook page, it shows him speaking and being interrupted at intervals, for just under five minutes. 

The video has been viewed almost 25,000 times and has more than 120 comments of support.