It is very unusual for the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil to make any interventions whatever in political matters, given that the chair is generally sworn to neutrality. Which makes this one, then, all the more notable: Ceann Comhairle Sean Ó Fearghaíl said he was refusing to allow debates on an “inordinate number of complaints […]
Proposals to extend coronavirus restrictions in the north of Ireland for two more weeks have been blocked by the DUP. Health Minister, Robin Swann, had recommended keeping the measures in place until 27 November, but after a day of fraught meetings the DUP used its veto to block the proposal. This constitutes a rare use of the […]
The figures in relation to elder abuse, released yesterday by the HSE, are simply astonishing. Here’s Newstalk with a summary: The health service’s National Safeguarding Office received almost 12,000 ‘concerns’ of abuse of vulnerable people last year. Some 3,337 related to adults over 65-years-of-age – a 9% increase on the year before. One third (33%) […]
As the Covid lockdowns continue in all parts of the island, there continues to be criticism of the heavy-handed approach adopted by both jurisdictions. The northern lockdown is due to end on Friday, but there is a strong possibility that it will be extended. First Minister Arlene Foster said earlier that she hoped that there […]
A Romanian man who was collecting €3000 a month in benefits scammed two elderly pensioners of more than €300,000, cleaning out their life-savings, the Cork Criminal Circuit Cork heard. Brudut Iosca (38) of Relic Road, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath conned two separate pensioners after he told them various sob stories and repeatedly preyed on their good nature and […]
The publication, last evening, of letters between the Chief Justice, Frank Clarke, and Mr. Justice Seamus Woulfe, in which Clarke tells Woulfe that, in his opinion, Woulfe should resign, have caused a major political headache for the Government. On the one hand, the politics of this situation are fairly straightforward: Woulfe is a villain, who […]
Nothing congeals in Ireland quite so quickly as conventional wisdom, and in the days since Joe Biden was declared President Elect by the US media, the conventional wisdom in Ireland has hardened like concrete: He’s going to shaft the British on Brexit and plant his flag firmly in the old sod of Ballina – take […]
An Aontú representative for Cork North West says she welcomes the High Court challenge to open up churches, as the closure of religious services is a ‘restriction of human rights’. Becky Kealy was part of an initiative led by young people which sought to keep churches open for Mass during the restrictions. She presented a […]
Let’s face it: they’re not wrong. If ever there was going to be a time to legalise drugs, it’s now, right? We can all forget about this blasted pandemic and get high: Drugs could be decriminalised under the current government if all parties work together to help those with addiction issues, Labour said. Aodhán Ó […]
A social media account operated by the man behind the “Leo the Leak” scandal repeatedly shared extreme pro-Russian propaganda, praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, and called for Russia to invade Ukraine.
An interesting, but ultimately certain to be futile, move: NEW: Sinn Féin have put down a motion of no confidence in Leo Varadkar over the leak controversy. Will be debated next week — Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) November 6, 2020 With all the noise around the US election, the Varadkar/Maitiu O’Tuathail scandal has sort of faded […]
Galway businessman Declan Ganley is taking a constitutional challenge against the government’s Covid-19 restrictions on public worship.