Ah no. Very sad to read this.

The International Federation of Journalists and European Federation of Journalists have called for the reinstatement of the journalist who was fired for asking an EU Commission spokesperson if Israel should pay for Gaza's reconstruction

Stop. Policing. Poppies. That's. Not. What. Remembrance. Is. About.

Never have I seen such a perfect example of Schrödinger's Migrant. Zia Yusuf, asked whose PIP Reform would cut, talks about "foreign nationals". Less than a minute later, same "foreign nationals" are taking all the jobs and damning British youth to life on PIP. 🤡 Utter clownshow. ~AA

"I imagine one of the reasons people cling to their hates so stubbornly is because they sense, once hate is gone, they will be forced to deal with pain." This James Baldwin quote is hitting harder than ever.

OK, we're going to need to know how the "fireworks" line made it out into the media, when it very much appears that this is a clear-cut case of arson.

Right wing dickheads want you afraid of foreign criminals coming in, putting "our women and children" at risk, meanwhile this is what they're doing to women and children

They should have a running total on how much he and his family have cost the state, indexed to how many surgeries etc it could have paid for.

"Re-enforcing". bsky.app/profile/bloo...

More than 80 people killed by the IDF overnight in Gaza, including many children. This morning: "Oh the ceasefire is back on."

“I don’t see any protests for us – the thousands of women who are assaulted by Irish men”

Hats off to President Michael D and Sabina Higgins , staff and of course *all* their Dogs for 14 years and more for being absolute sounders @president.ie #Aras25

In fairness Heather Humphreys gave a gracious concession speech, congratulating Catherine Connolly, and wishing her well as President. In a democracy the losing side accepting the outcome is vital. #aras25

Connolly's younger volunteers and organisers are fantastic and deserve huge credit. Smart, optimistic, strategic, disciplined, tapped into culture, positive message-bearers, excellent communicators. It's so great to see people putting their energy into a movement that expresses hope. 🇮🇪 #Aras25

I think the relevant comparison point for the spoiled votes isn't the 2018 spoils btw, but 2018 Casey votes

Turns out voting for Catherine Connolly is a rural pursuit.

Even the Healy Rae machine (they canvassed for Humphreys) is vulnerable to left unity. Final tally in Kerry has Catherine Connolly on 62% #aras25 #speirgorm #ConnollywillbePresident

Just turned off the radio cos it was all “low turn out” and spoiled votes and Maria Steen because everything is just a game and nothing really matters

Just Conor McGr*gor's boxing coach there, calling for the ethnic cleansing of the Roma people. "Legitimate concerns", my hole. Fascists to a man.

As someone who tracks far-right, authoritarian, and conspiracy mobilisations in Ireland - online and off - I’m not surprised by the vote spoiling. Some people spoiled because they wanted a broader ballot, others because they ultimately express POVs about breaking democracy, not bolstering it.

There is no doubt that high no of spoiled votes is one of the stories of this election - a lesser one than the actual result of course-but it is due some serious consideration That said, I suspect we will instead get the usual shallow analysis-suggesting an ignored conservative electorate #aras25

I do love a vote on a fresh Autumn morning. Done and dusted. #Connolly4President #Aras25

Vote, vote, vote #connolly4president #aras2025 #speirgorm

Well said Eimer. The conversation needs to be about male violence against women - with or without immigration there has long been a crisis of gender based violence - against women and children. #speirgorm

A curious approach from people who don't like the concept of immigration

Nelson's Victory crew included a Brazilian and a Russian, 2 Indians, 2 Swiss, 2 Portuguese, 3 Danes and 3 Norwegian sailors. There were 3 Germans, 4 Italians, 6 Swedes, 7 Dutchmen, 9 West Indians and an African, as well as 21 Americans, 63 Irish, 64 Scots, 441 English.... oh, and 3 French men, too.

Ah, give it a rest. Some original analysis would be refreshing.

Final #Aras25 poll sees Catherine Connolly extend her very significant lead. On track to be elected in the 1st count.

I've written a newsletter on why the FG attack video is both bad content, and bad strategy (If you subscribed you'd have gotten this in your inbox with the heading "Why that FG ad is giving you the ick") (It's free) www.thebriefing.ie/fine-gaels-a...

The Bar Council, some leading lawyers and now the Justice Minister have all come out in defence of the cab-rank rule in the context of FG attacks. While we can't see what impact the strategy will have on polling day yet... it's hard not to see this as an own goal for the Party of Law & Order ™️

Well, that was inevitable.

Every political poster should be shown to a 14-year-old boy before being approved, because accidental innuendo makes you look like a tool.

The Government needs to find around 70,000 extra people in a variety of construction-related roles to fulfil Ireland’s housing targets. To bridge this shortfall, it is asking Irish construction workers the world over to return and “Build Back Home”. jrnl.ie/6847369

I remember once talking with a legislative draftsperson who worked at a high level in government who told me that they voted against every constitutional amendment that they drafted. By the same token it is perfectly possible for someone who is ‘pro-European’ (whatever that is)…

This is Seamus. This beautiful boy is looking for his forever home. Could you be the lucky one and have the gorgeous hound in your life? m.facebook.com/story.php?st...

Beautiful Seamus needs a new home - are you the lucky one who gets to have this boy in your life? If we didn’t have three already, I’d be the first in the queue! m.facebook.com/story.php?st...

Crispy chicken tostadas — golden cornflake-coated chicken with smoky salsa roja, lime and coriander slaw, and a fresh tomato salsa on top. A mix of crunch, heat and freshness that’s quick to make and full of flavour. Full recipe on Instagram: www.instagram.com/p/DPrcnpRjKB...

Marvellous Minoan clay vessels made by creative potters on the island of Crete during the Aegean Bronze Age around 3,500 years ago! 🤩 Heraklion Archaeological Museum 📷 by me #Archaeology

BREAKING: ICE agents just abducted a press camera operator in Chicago. WGN-TV’s Debbie Brockman was dragged to the ground, cuffed and bundled into a van - which then rammed her vehicle to escape. What the hell is happening in America? (🎥 Original footage via Josh Thomas/FB)

“The existence of even one ex gay dismantles the central lie of homosexuality, that it is an innate characteristic from birth and therefore should have human rights awarded to it.” Same shit different era.

One significant - & dangerous - thing to watch for is professional commentators objecting to words rather than examining the evidence. It's pearl-clutching & cowardly, obviously, but also a deliberate attempt to avoid confronting exactly what they themselves are facilitating and often cheering on.

Two Irish novelists have now done more to break the blockade and end man-made famine in Gaza than the entire UK government. (Naoise Dolan on the flotilla and Sally Rooney with her words and deeds)

“This new data confirms what we already knew: there is a trans+ healthcare crisis in the UK. But the actual numbers are stark. The system of NHS gender clinics, which is failing to give people an appointment in their entire lifetime, is limiting the number of people who can transition.” Appalling.

Me every single budget day: STOP GIVING MILLIONS TO GREYHOUND RACING

I call for a national holiday in my honour.

Relived and delighted to read this #stopthegenocide #lifttheblocade Irish citizens taken from Gaza aid flotilla released from prison in Israel jrnl.ie/6836403

Tickets still available for the Dublin debut of my new show, ‘HIGHWAY TO THE DAVID ZONE’ featuring special guest Shane Clifford @brilliantshane.bsky.social this weekend. Join me! www.vicarstreet.com/component/th...

I know this is obvious when you think about it but we don’t think about it enough: fascists have to cow & persecute decent journalists to prevent them from reporting exactly what they, the fascists, are doing. Fascist-adjacent ‘journalists’ help by insisting that we shouldn’t call fascists facsists.

What an admirably clear statement from the Jewish Leadership Council, especially when all of those involved must surely have been dealing with so many other urgent challenges in safety, security and grief + shock today before having this further divisive and distracting intervention to address too.