‘Informed by decades of visiting and ministering to men in prison, he (Fr Peter McVerry) often quips that prison is the only public service with no waiting lists. Never has this been more true, which is particularly clear after the documentary’s revelations.’

I forgot to tell you guys but I went on the radio last week to tell the people of Ireland that the storms are bad and gonna get worse. My colleagues talked me down from going full Prophet on the listeners about just how bad the climate crisis is gonna get www.spiritradio.ie/podcast/kevi...

Last week, RTE's Psychiatric Care Scandal docs and Ivan Rosney's death report shone light on the some of the darkest recesses of Irish society. "Prisons ... exacerbate the rapid fraying of a person’s mind. It is not too much to draw an equivalence to torture." www.jcfj.ie/2026/02/16/p...

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/dubl... Mid-week good news! Imagine being able to stroll down several streets in Dublin without any cars.

Everyone in @jcfjustice.bsky.social is very excited about this from @mickbyrne.bsky.social

Learn about the Economy of Francesco, young adult community. Talk about the issues that you care about and the changes you want to see in the world.⁠ ⁠ www.Francescoeconomy... ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ #care #commongood #irisheconomy

Still looking for people, if you regularly use an e-scooter, please get in touch #escooters

"For women in prison, one abuser is replaced with another. The U.S. calls this “justice.”"

www.jcfj.ie/2026/02/03/t... 'Ireland proved that even smaller nations can lead by example, demonstrating that financial commitment to climate justice is both possible and necessary.' Now we must continue to be examples in our community and further afield

www.jcfj.ie/issue/99-the... We are delighted to share the electronic copy of WN 99 The Hungry Gap: Food and Social Justice An excellent look into how what we do with our food has consequences.

New blog by @kevinhargaden.bsky.social on rise of objections (and shakedowns). "We're failing to meet our climate targets ... The rate of road deaths rises. And even when it isn’t motivated by whingeing, there is something depressingly reactive about objection culture. www.jcfj.ie/2026/01/16/o...

A very helpful source of sound people to keep up to date on the small wins and the ongoing struggle for environmental justice in Ireland

New IPAN blog on treatment experienced by women in Irish prisons. "Crimes of misery and survival should make women targets for care, not custody. So, let’s not keep putting women behind bars and instead fund meaningful community initiatives." www.irishpenalabolitionnetwork.com/blog/women-i...

www.jcfj.ie/2026/01/08/t... Should we have to turn to gambling to be homeowners?

JCFJ extends our sympathies to the Marist Sisters, the family and friends of Sr Brigid Reynolds, and to everyone at @socialjusticeire.bsky.social who are mourning. The Gospel assures us that shewill be reunited in the next life with all whom she served and advocated for in this life.

Looking to 2026, our predictions for housing and prison policy are bleak (sorry!) with some signs of hope in environmental justice and theology. Ultimately, we resolve to not "embrace the politics of fear" and enter 2026 knowing "the world is enough for all our needs." www.jcfj.ie/2026/01/01/a...

Our latest @jcfjustice.bsky.social research on migration and faith is featured on RTÉ today. Faith communities must be recognised as essential strands of the common good. Excellent interview with our brilliant research assistant, Sophie Manaeva, on the ground-level impact. www.rte.ie/news/dublin/...

www.jcfj.ie/research/usi... 'If costs are affecting the property market and the delivery of social housing, while in the middle of a housing and homelessness crisis, it is logical that we explore every possible option for bringing costs down.' From our new report!

My first report with @jcfjustice.bsky.social came out today, entitled “Using the Kenny Report to End Land Hoarding”, and is available to read now: www.jcfj.ie/research/usi...

I wrote a blog for the Irish Penal Abolition Network on prison overcrowding as a symptom, not the disease. This is the first in a series of posts of an abolitionist hue by IPAN members. www.irishpenalabolitionnetwork.com/blog/blog-po...

Reverence

TII says there's nothing it can do to fix the traffic on the M50. They could try building Metro West.

www.theguardian.com/global-devel... 'Most of these women don’t represent a danger to society...' It is important we take a step back and look at the damage we are causing by locking them away There are many rehabilitative ways to help these women! Building more prisons is not one of them.

Our Social Theologian, Kevin Hargaden, is currently at the #aarsbl conference in Boston, where he presented a paper on how to think theologically about the Future Generations initiative, a campaign that JCFJ is a constituent member of: fitforfuturegenerations.eu

www.theguardian.com/environment/... 'Talks at the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil were disrupted on Thursday after a fire broke out in the venue, triggering an evacuation just as negotiators were preparing to try to land a deal to strengthen international efforts to address the climate crisis.'

When a person is sent to prison, the family and children bear a cost. In a new report -Paying the Price- the @irishpenalreform.bsky.social outline and describe the extent of these costs.

'Even ignoring the climate cynics on social media, I’d still find myself asking: is this really working? Until I remember, of course, those climate tipping points and realise once again, that these are the most important negotiations ever undertaken.' www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

We’re at the halfway mark of COP30, here in the Brazilian Amazonian city of Belém, a very hot and humid environment, which brings much-needed discomfort for us attending the conference. This atmosphere adds to the mounting pressure on party delegates and world leaders to show compassion./1

The upcoming Winter issue of Studies will focus on 'Language and the Landscape', with a leading theme of the life and work of Manchán Magan and lead articles by @liammacamhlaigh.bsky.social, Siobhán McNamara, and Tom Casey SJ.

"Ireland’s authorities have failed to take adequate and timely action to address a number of longstanding recommendations by the CPT, particularly on overcrowding, poor mental healthcare, complaints mechanisms, and unsafe conditions across places of detention” www.independent.ie/irish-news/o...

As COP30 proceeds in Belém, we took to the streets of Dublin today alongside many other groups to show our support for an end to fossil power and for faster, fairer climate action.

Despite the rain, Siobhán McNamara, our Environmental Engagement Officer, is marching with thousands of others for today's National Climate March.

While faith-based communities are in a blindspot when policymakers think about integration, our new research found that a "thick web of faith communities represent a network of trust that helps our complex city function," by building social bridges for new arrivals. www.jcfj.ie/2025/11/15/t...

COP30 has officially begun! This year we have Colm on the ground and he'll be sharing his experiences with us the next few weeks If you have any questions about COP let us know! Keep your eyes peeled so we can keep you updated 🌿

Look at this amazing round-up of the faith-based communities active in North-East inner city Dublin! The report is a fascinating look at how these communities help with integration and transition into Irish society for new arrivals. What a lovely insight into the support networks of the city.

As President Michael D. Higgins’ term ends, we wish him & Sabina every happiness. Since 2011, he has been Patron of IPRT championing penal reform, human rights & dignity. Thank you, President Higgins, for your leadership & compassion. 🙏

I had great fun writing a chapter about the connections between Monaghan, a youth minister, and the founding of Manchester City for this (excellent Christmas gift) book edited by @salvadorryan.bsky.social www.hodgesfiggis.ie/book/childho...

"If we truly mean to tackle racism and advance integration, authorities can no longer justify ignoring the contribution these faith-based communities make." www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

Some warm weekend news! Ireland's first major Passivhaus style (highly sustainable) housing project. And it's Cost rental, social housing.

Our research colleagues, Sophie Manaeva and Richard Carson, spoke with Áine Lawlor about our new "Faith in the North-East Inner-City" report. 📻 Listen from 30.55. 📻 www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Yesterday, the UCD Institute of Criminology & Criminal Justice was delighted to host @keithadams.bsky.social for a Criminology Salon. Keith spoke about human dignity and punishment, and how we conceptualise and measure the pains of imprisonment. Thanks to Keith and everyone who joined!

If you want to hear more about our 'Faith in the North-East Inner-City' report and its implications, our colleagues Richard Carson and Sophie Manaeva sat down with Áine Lawlor for Divine Sparks. Listen tonight at 10pm on @rteradio1.bsky.social www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

In late October, the Centre published 'Faith in the North-East Inner-City,' a report exploring the overlooked connection between faith-based communities and the integration of new communities to a city. A 🧵on the local and national coverage received so far /1 www.jcfj.ie/research/fai...

www.jcfj.ie/2025/11/06/d... Dilexi Te 'I have loved you' gave us the first insight into what Pope Leo XIV wants to do in his papacy. And he had some very clear things to say!

JCFJ's Sophie Manaeva writes: 'If public services and community leaders are not connected or engaged with each other, a vacuum is created. Within such a vacuum, misinformation and fear fester.' Actively working with FBCs is essential to building stronger, healthier communities!

Tonight we launched our Faith based Communities in the NEIC report. Sharing insight into the supports these communities provide in the NEIC. As Cllr Janet Horner put it: 'It's not that faith communities have disappeared but the geographical spaces that they are able to occupy are dwindling'

www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci... The risk of crises such as the 2023 Dublin riots “will diminish if officials cultivate relationships with faith-based communities”.

May she be welcomed into heaven by all the poor who she served here on earth. May she rest in peace. #srstan

www.jcfj.ie/2025/10/31/a... How is Jesus connected to caring for the environment? And why should we care?

Faith Based Communities in the North-East inner-City are providing essential supports to the community, and yet they are constantly being pushed out or ignored. To read more of the report this article is written on click the link below! www.jcfj.ie/research/fai...