Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Politics
Clark Garret Alvarez

Ireland's Grandparents Hug Advert Ignites Debate Over Children's Consent and Family Affection

An Irish advert about children’s consent sparked backlash after depicting a girl uncomfortable with hugging her grandparents (Credit: Screengrab from @europa/x)

An Irish advertisement encouraging children to set boundaries with their grandparents has sparked controversy after a viral video accused authorities of discouraging family affection.

The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) removed the advertisement on Thursday, 22 October 2026, following criticism from Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan, who described its portrayal of grandparents as 'demeaning' and 'counterproductive'.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.