I'm old enough to remember a garda investigation of these paintings...

The other big story this week is Greenland — both are about the exercise of power in knowledge that "you're not going to do anything about it". In the case of Greenland, an EU overseas territory, citizens of the European Union. That's the "psychological success" that Trump is talking about.

The story this week is so important, in my view. It's about the morals of Big Tech and billionaires with riches and power beyond limit - but just far broader than that how far are government and authorities here and around the world willing to let them go. (1/2)

Again. Vance and Noem are stupid. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. That “fucking bitch” has been heard by every American woman in return for existing in public. We all know what it means, even the most conservative, the most white, the most anti-feminist of us. Even Katie Miller.

Thanks to Martin Mongan and the Irish Independent for reporting the reasons for my decision to stop posting to Twitter. Dense with misinformation and conspiracy theory. Content so repugnant I was cautious about opening the app in public. Now, the non-consensual "undressing" of women and girls.

Thanks to Mick Mulcahy and RedFM for having me on to discuss my decision to stop using Twitter/X (from 12m 27s) — and the dangers of descending ethics in digital spaces. The phenomenon of non-consensual "undressing" of women and girls is obvious — but the ways we are all exploited are immense.

Thanks to Amy Campbell and the Echo for reporting my comments on stopping posting to Twitter — and the deliberate efforts I've taken over the last year to be able to do so. Unfortunately, the direction of travel of the platform has been clear — as well as the social and political dangers of it.

Thanks to Amy Campbell and the Echo for discussion with officials to work towards a "school street" on Wellington Road. School streets put in place clear management of school-pick up/drop-off locations, including limiting streets to residential motor traffic only during pick-up and drop-off times.

Thanks to Jane Matthews and the Journal for reporting public discussion on the continued use of Twitter/X — despite the ethical and political dangers of the platform. Over the last year, I've consciously worked to disentangle myself from the platform seeing the direction of travel its going in.

Thanks Joe O'Shea and Cork Beo for reporting my decision to stop posting to Twitter. It's not an easy thing for a public representative to disentangle from a social media platform, because of obligations to be available to the public — but conscious steps over the last year mean that now I can.

One thing about all of this is: if the line is not here, at the mainstream, industrial-level creation of CSAM, where is it? Musk by his own mission statement is out to smash societal norms, cut “empathy” from the West, demolish the EU… What is next down the tracks for him, for X, if this isn’t it?

Wait. You're telling me the leader of this party isn't rushing to address the abuse of women and children? I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you. #spéirgorm

The only logical conclusion from this now is that the Government here, and governments around Europe, are absolutely terrified of being dragged into another battle with the richest man in the world who is hellbent on their removal; or with his ally in the White House over regulation.

Ireland is on track to cut emissions by half of what we legally promised & the government has no plan to fix it. This is climate surrender, not climate leadership. We demand urgent action & real investment in public transport & renewables now.

Fine Gael & Fianna Fáil have thrown in the towel on climate action and don't even get me started on Independents. They're even rolling back/standing still on the most popular measures the Greens brought in: public transport investment and housing retrofits. www.thejournal.ie/green-party-...

Genuinely I think they thought they could ignore this and are so scared shitless of US tech firms that they can't function

The change in music from this in 78 to PSB's West End Girls in 86 is as seismic as that of the 60s. Such a mad, amazing, inventive time for music when retro shows would have you believe we were all running around in neon green tutus and legwarmers.

Things stepping up. ICCL and Digital Rights Ireland have written to the Garda Commissioner calling for an urgent investigation of X.

The bird app is dead to me, folks. 🐦 Thanks for making this (and other channels) my new home. 👏👏 #speirgorm

Geez I'm starting to get worried about our pals the library protestors. No word from them about X running a child porn suicide machine. Have they been silenced in Irish children's hour of need?

What a load of bollox by Landlord Minister Michael Healy-Rae on short-term lets & with record homeless figures too He must really hate rural Ireland & all it represents if he wants it to be full of empty homes He's a harsh reminder of our colonial landlords #DerelictIreland #SpeirGorm

Literally a publication for eight-year olds 40 years ago

2025 goes down as the ~3rd-warmest year on record (based on ERA5). Like in 2024, every single day this past year was warmer than the average of even the most recent reference period (1991-2020).

Somebody on here quipped earlier that we live in precedented times. It hit home with me. In 2003 I watched US troops roll in to the oil rich Iraqi city of Kirkuk and roll straight out the other side to take up defensive positions around the oil refinery. 1/

"No stone will be left unturned" says Minister that has left all stones unturned

Expect to see a lot of this classic Onion headline, from 23 years ago, over the coming weeks.

These freaks want territorial expansion and they know Trump will do everything he can to deliver. This isn’t just a tweet from some random asshole either. This is Stephen Miller’s wife. Miller was in the room with Trump during the kidnapping of Maduro.

Invading and capturing the leader of another country today? Why not just occupy Greenland tomorrow? The logic of the bubble political economy is that the bill will never come due, so you can do as you please.

100% seriously, European leaders and Commission officials should plan on the basis that the US might do this to them too, about Greenland, about tech regulation, about “Christian values”, about “free speech”, whatever.

The whole "Grok admits" "Grok apologizes" thing reminds me of the famous IBM presentation quote that evidently everyone has forgotten. And I do think representing your brand on social media counts as a "management decision".

A note that just because the President of the United States used the word 'captured' doesn't mean news organisations should just use it without attribution... or maybe at all really?

Trump's actions in Venezuela shows why it was wrong to dismiss his threats to Greenland. If he's willing to do this, he will be willing to do anything

It’s easier to invade another country, depose a president and steal their oil for Donald Trump to admit that there is a climate crisis and take the necessary steps to stop the planet from dying.

The Trump Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine in play in Venezuela this morning. The EU must condemn this White House initiated coup against a regime it disagrees with.

Genuinely wonder how European and Irish leaders do respond to this. How are Denmark, Greenland or indeed the people of Ukraine and Taiwan feeling too?

The government has paused expansion of public transport. BusConnects in Dublin, Cork etc. along with new LocalLink routes for rural areas are all now at risk. Happy New Year from FF, FG & Lowry!

Well, that answers my question 🤦‍♂️ They've undone pretty much all the road safety measures started by the last government now.

There's a responsibility on all political leaders (and leaders of all kinds) — be that Simon Harris or Mary Lou McDonald — to articulate the current rules. You're not being "shut up" by "luvvies", if you cannot first acknowledge: There are rules. Now, what do you want to change?

Sinn Féin is not left wing. No matter how much we'd like them to be, or need them to be.

Today, Bulgaria adopts the euro as its currency. This strengthens the bond with Europe. Travel, work, and business will become easier and more connected. Bulgaria, you’ve opened a new chapter in your story.

"A lot of people who are in emergency homeless accommodation, or certainly some people..." So, which is it? 🤔 Aside from there being no legal right to housing in Ireland: "...you qualify for housing services if you are legally resident in Ireland..." ℹ️ www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/l...

Greetings from Kyiv, where generators are singing, St Nicholas drives by, and snow is falling. I love our spirit. May the world see it.

This government abandoned lower speed limits and abandoned reforms to the RSA. Is this what "deeply concerned" and "doing everything" looks like? Red light cameras were supposed to be installed early this year. Where are they?

Long-time conservative voice George Will knows the difference between Conservatism & Dictatorship. Stressing the contrast can be effective protection against Trump in peeling off genuinely conservative voters. GOP should work toward more conservative candidates in mid-terms & 2028. #ProudBlue

Another datapoint for how the leadership of the American Right is now too very online in politically self-destructive ways that European observers struggle to grasp. MAGA elites are too weak to build something lasting but strong enough to cause lasting chaos.

Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in first Christmas sermon www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...

This from a country that has sanctions against a UN Special Rapporteur, against the International Criminal Court, that deports students for "thoughtcrime" opinion pieces, and plans on demanding to see your five-year social media history just for a holiday visa. "Censorship industrial complex" 🙄

"We hold in our thoughts the millions of people worldwide who are enduring the devastating impacts of interconnected crises of climate change, war, conflict, and displacement, the many families this Christmas who will sadly experience fear, uncertainty, or profound loss." 🕯️

Join the regular Christmas gathering at the Triangle on Gardiner's Hill — including a special visit by Santa! 🎅 This evening between 6:30—7:30pm. 🍷🎶

Dooley's Lane reopened this month in Riverstown. It's part of a transformation of routes happening across the area. The final section of pedestrian/cycle way to Gaelscoil Uí Drisceoil will soon begin — as well as a new greenway connecting Glanmire village to Brooklodge via Dooley's Lane.