Advertisement
We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you’ve seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
One-off amount
I already contribute
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Investigates
Investigates
Money Diaries
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
The Journal TV
Climate Crisis
Cost of Living
Road Safety
Newsletters
Temperature Check
Inside the Newsroom
The Journal Investigates
The Explainer
A deep dive into one big news story
Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
Advertisement
More Stories
Doherty asked what Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have “got against” the people who fought in the RisingOireachtas TV
‘Don’t you dare’: Heated Dáil exchange over GPO changes and Republican ‘revisionism’
Harris accused Doherty of “revisionism” and said Sinn Féin has worked to “undermine” the Republic.
2.52pm, 26 Jun 2025
Share options
TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS got into a heated exchange with Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty during Leaders’ Questions today, as Doherty accused the government of “disrespecting and vandalising” Irish history.
Doherty had asked why they’d chosen to open shops and offices in complex of the GPO on O’Connell Street, arguing that it was an inappropriate use of the historic building.
“The GPO is the most iconic site of our country’s fight for freedom. It’s the place where the Republic was declared. It’s where it was bravely defended during the Easter Rising, and it’s disgraceful stuff coming from your government,” he told Harris.
The Journal / YouTube
Doherty also criticised the government’s decision to call the new children’s hospital ‘National Children’s Hospital Ireland’, rather than name it after Kathleen Lynn, a doctor and activist who was involved in the Easter Rising of 1916.
Doherty asked: “Are you joking?”
“In no other country that fought for its freedom would you have a government so blatantly disrespecting and vandalising its hallowed ground and history.
“And sure, we all remember your party, your government, wanted us to commemorate the black and tans just five years ago.”
Advertisement
Doherty asked what Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have “got against” the people who fought in the Rising.
In response, Harris accused him of “revisionism” and said Sinn Féin has worked to “undermine” the Republic.
“Don’t you dare present yourself as a defender of the Republic. There’s gardaí dead in this country as a result of the actions of your party’s army wing,” he said.
A number of gardaí were killed by various factions of the IRA. Victims include Detective Garda Jerry McCabe, who was killed in Limerick in 1996 during an attempted post office robbery.
The IRA initially denied involvement, but then claimed that the operation was “not authorised by the Army Council, but authorised at a lower level by an authorised person”. Sinn Féin later lobbied for an early release for those convicted.
After serving their prison sentences two of the killers, Pearse McAuley and Kevin Walsh, were collected from Castlerea Prison in 2009 by former Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris, something Harris alluded to today in the Dáil.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has condemned the IRA men who murdered McCabe.
Garda Gary Sheehan was also killed by the IRA during a hostage rescue operation in Leitrim in 1983.
Along with Private Patrick Kelly, Sheehan were killed in Derrada Wood, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, during an operation to rescue Quinnsworth supermarket executive Don Tidey, who had been kidnapped for 23 days in Dublin.
Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone…
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article.
Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Support The Journal
Mairead Maguire
View 11 comments
Send Tip or Correction
Embed this post
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Email “’Don’t you dare’: Heated Dáil exchange over GPO changes and Republican ‘revisionism’”.
Recipient’s Email
Feedback on “’Don’t you dare’: Heated Dáil exchange over GPO changes and Republican ‘revisionism’”.
Your Feedback
Your Email (optional)
Report a Comment
Please select the reason for reporting this comment.
Please give full details of the problem with the comment…
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
before taking part.
Leave a Comment
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Damaging the good reputation of someone, slander, or libel.
Racism or Hate speech
An attack on an individual or group based on religion, race, gender, or beliefs.
Trolling or Off-topic
An attempt to derail the discussion.
Inappropriate language
Profanity, obscenity, vulgarity, or slurs.
Advertising, phishing, scamming, bots, or repetitive posts.
Please provide additional information
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
Leave a commentcancel
Newly created accounts can only comment using The Journal app.
This is to add an extra layer of security to account creation.
Download and sign into the app to continue.
Access to the comments facility has been disabled for this user
View our policy
⚠️ Duplicate comment
Post Comment
have your say
Or create a free account to join the discussion
Leaders’ Questions
Pearse Doherty
Simon Harris
News in 60 seconds
Assault on garda
Man arrested after Garda in his 20s stabbed at scene of burglary in Blanchardstown
Middle East
Supreme Leader Khamenei declares ‘victory’ over Israel and says Iran will ‘never’ surrender
Netanyahu thanks Trump for weighing in on his ‘witch hunt’ corruption trial
PodcastThe Candidate
How to talk to Trump: call him daddy, apparently
28 mins ago
The Phone Box Babies
Three people abandoned as babies in the 60s believe new documentary could uncover fourth sibling
29 mins ago
Get rich quick scams
‘It’s a scam’: Financial advisor and TV host Eoin McGee warns people about scams using his name
35 mins ago
Fight for Democracy
Hungary is setting ‘political trap’ for EU with Pride ban, says Leo Varadkar
Lauren Boland
reports from Budapest
Accommodation wind down
Locals push back as 120 Ukrainians told to leave accommodation in County Cork
J1 clamp down
Ivana Bacik holds up meme of bald baby JD Vance in the Dáil
Around 100 jobs set to be cut at Primark’s headquarters in Dublin
Cork man died after he received five to six wasp stings in his garden, inquest hears
more from us
Investigates
Daft.ie Property Magazine
Allianz Home Magazine
The 42 Sports Magazine
TG4 Entertainment Magazine
Money Diaries
The Journal TV
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
About FactCheck
Our Network
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
more from us
TV Listings
GAA Fixtures
The Video Review
Journal Media
Advertise With Us
Our Network
The Journal
FactCheck Knowledge Bank
Terms & Legal Notices
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
© 2025 Journal Media Ltd
Terms of Use
Cookies & Privacy
Advertising
Competition
Switch to Desktop
Switch to Mobile
The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie
Report an error, omission or problem:
Your Email (optional)
Create Email Alert
Create an email alert based on the current article
Email Address
One email every morning
As soon as new articles come online