Yes, facts do matter
The Journal's attempted take-down of the criticisms of the ALCI's invitation to Mr Jacob Engelsman is a distraction from the real issue: only women breastfeed. And child health and safeguarding should be the priority, not the ideology of adults.
Based on thread from 26th October 2026
The Journal's Stephen McDermott whose Twitter/X bio reads
"Editor @TJ_factcheck for @thejournal_ie. Any opinions are mine."
reported yesterday in The Journal regarding the recent controversy over Mr Jacob Engelsman's planned talks to the ALCI, the Association of Lactation Consultants in Ireland:
But Mr Engelsman had provided a link to his CV through his website https://www.jacobengelsmanibclc.com/
And his CV clearly lists his conference presentations and also provides an email address:
The Journal is one of the members of a sub-group of the Government's National Counter Disinformation Strategy Working Group: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/national-counter-disinformation-strategy-working-group/
It's just a distraction though from the really important issue, isn't it? One which the ALCI flunked.
Breastfeeding is only done by women.
Babies need breastmilk not ideology.
No one can change sex no matter what they think.
Most importantly: #ChildSafeguardingMatters @HSELive
Further to this:
We now know that one session at the original ALCI conference was to include advising parents on questions about "lactating while taking testosterone"
But what risks does this pose to a baby?
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill needs to have this issue investigated urgently. Are women who imagine themselves to be men getting pregnant and hoping to breastfeed while taking testosterone?
What exactly is the ALCI's policy on this?
Which is more important - protecting a baby's health and well-being or pandering to an ideology which isn't based on biological reality?
