Initial invitation came from Northern Ireland’s ex-deputy Drew Harris

Policing’s increasingly strong links across the divided island of Ireland will see PSNI officers break new ground this weekend.

For the first time they will officially join thousands of participants in the Dublin Pride parade – an event which celebrates those who identify as LGBTQ.

Officers will parade in uniform along with the Garda who took part in last year’s Belfast Pride for the first time.

The move followed an invitation from An Garda Siochana Commissioner Drew Harris – who took up the post as Ireland’s most senior officer after being deputy to PSNI chief constable George Hamilton.

CC Hamilton, who retires from the force today after five years in charge of Northern Ireland policing, gave permission for PSNI officers to attend in uniform.

PSNI deputy chief constable Stephen Martin said of the historic ‘foirst’: “Pride is an important series of events for those who identify as being LGBTQ and we see this as an opportunity to continue to support, and build upon our relationship with, the LGBTQ community and our colleagues in An Garda Siochana.

“Over the last few years, officers from An Garda Síochána have participated with us as part of Belfast Pride.

"This will be the first time that officers in uniform and staff from the Police Service of Northern Ireland have taken part in Dublin Pride on foot of an invitation."