Members of An Garda Síochána will take part in Dublin's Pride parade in uniform for the very first time this year.

The Garda Commissioner Drew Harris made the announcement at the Garda Representative Association (GRA) annual conference in Co Kerry on Tuesday.

In 2017, uniformed Gardaí joined their PSNI colleagues in Belfast's gay Pride parade.

However this will be the first time they have marched in uniform in Dublin.

PSNI officers and staff have been involved in the festival there for many years - but 2017 was the first time they did so in uniform.

Members of the Garda Marching Band have been involved in Dublin's Pride parade since 2014.

An estimated 60 floats and over 30,000 people took part in the event last year.

Former President Mary McAleese also marched in the 2018 parade with her son Justin and his husband, Fionan Donohoe.

She was joined by Minister Katherine Zappone, as well as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's parents.

Governments Buildings in Dublin lit in rainbow colours for Pride 2018 | Image via @merrionstreet on Twitter

Government Buildings were also illuminated in the Pride colours.

Commissioner Harris told delegates in Killarney that the announcement is part of wider changes to the uniform.

"Our society is becoming increasingly diverse - as the GRA has rightly point out, it is essential that An Garda Síochána reflects the diverse society we serve.

"And that is why our uniform policy has been amended to allowing the wearing of the hijab or turban as an item of Garda uniform.

"And this year, An Garda Síochána will take part in Dublin's gay Pride in uniform for the first time".

The parade will take place on Saturday June 29th.

Additional reporting: Shane Beatty