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Niall O’Connor

@nialljournal.bsky.social

670 followers 32 following 170 posts

News correspondent @thejournal.ie - long time hack, ex-garda (Irish cop) also ex pro-cycling PR. I cover mostly national security, defence and crime.

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Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 2h

My first piece from Lebanon - I spoke to the local community about their thoughts regarding the end of UNIFIL.
For the mayor of the South Lebanese hillside village of Kounine the withdrawal of Irish troops will mean "the beginning of another war" with Israel.
jrnl.ie/6845250t

Fears in south Lebanon that the Irish leaving will be 'the beginning of another war'

This week Niall O’Connor reports from South Lebanon about what is next for the troubled region as UNIFIL prepares to exit.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 1d

Trainee officers still being paid far less than troops they lead, military group warns jrnl.ie/6842763

Trainee officers still being paid far less than troops they lead, military group warns

Lieutenant Colonel Conor King, General Secretary of RACO, made the comments ahead of the conference which begins this morning in Trim, Co Meath.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 2d

UN peacekeeping force faces budget cuts and staff lay-offs as states fail to pay contributions jrnl.ie/6843035

UN peacekeeping force faces budget cuts and staff lay-offs as states fail to pay contributions

António Guterres issued the warning in a letter to UN workers on Friday.

Reposted by Niall O’Connor

David @puca.bsky.social · 3d

It appears MV Gary Chouest hovered for a while outside of the Irish EEZ before the visit to Cork.

It was not the only interesting US visitor to these parts in recent weeks.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 4d

Reads an awful lot like this article published a few months ago.

€300m plan to buy massive naval ship may be changed as officers seek more combat-oriented craft jrnl.ie/6785975

€300m plan to buy massive naval ship may be changed as officers seek more combat-oriented craft

It is understood that Naval Service and Defence Forces officers are now advocating for a much more combat orientated ship known as a Multi Role Combat Vessel.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 4d

US ship, believed to be involved in secret subsea military work, returns to sea after Cork visit jrnl.ie/6840748

US ship, believed to be involved in secret subsea military work, returns to sea after Cork visit

The MV Gary Chouest spent last week in Cork Harbour and at a quayside in the town of Cobh.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 5d

Jim Gavin has repaid his former tenant the €3,300 that ended his presidential campaign jrnl.ie/6841325

Jim Gavin has repaid his former tenant the €3,300 that ended his presidential campaign

The money was received this afternoon, The Journal has confirmed.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 7d

Justice Minister says Connolly broke rules by signing Ní Shionnáin in daily at Leinster House jrnl.ie/6838830

Justice Minister says Connolly broke rules by signing Ní Shionnáin in daily at Leinster House

Jim O’Callaghan was speaking at a press conference today in which he criticised Connolly for, what he said, was a failure to follow Oireachtas rules.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 8d

Disappointing and underwhelming - The verdict of defence and garda groups on today's budget jrnl.ie/6837539

Disappointing and underwhelming - The verdict of defence and garda groups on today's budget

Extra gardaí, military personnel and projects announced in Budget for national security agencies.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 8d

A new Irish military cargo aircraft is expected to arrive at its Dublin base later today jrnl.ie/6837216

A new Irish military cargo aircraft is expected to arrive at its Dublin base later today

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris announced the delivery of the new Airbus C-295 aircraft this morning.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 9d

Tenant yet to hear from Jim Gavin or Fianna Fáil about money owed jrnl.ie/6836666

Tenant yet to hear from Jim Gavin or Fianna Fáil about money owed

The tenant is none the wiser about whether work is underway for his €3,300 to be returned.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 12d

Israeli military drone dropped grenades metres from Irish peacekeepers working in Lebanon jrnl.ie/6834534

Israeli military drone dropped grenades metres from Irish peacekeepers working in Lebanon

No one was injured in the incident which happened yesterday near the Irish outpost at UNP 6-52 as the troops helped locals clear bomb damage rubble from homes.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 14d

Gardaí blocked Catherine Connolly from hiring woman convicted of gun crime jrnl.ie/6830299

Gardaí blocked Catherine Connolly from hiring woman convicted of gun crime

The presidential candidate sought to hire Ursula Ní Shionnáin, a former Éirigí member who was sentenced to six years in jail by the Special Criminal Court.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 16d

Man in his 30s arrested after three adults found dead at a home in Louth this morning jrnl.ie/6830109

Man in his 30s arrested after three adults found dead at a home in Louth this morning

Gardaí are at the scene of the incident at Tallanstown, in an area north of Ardee.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 17d

Criminals could exploit Ireland's antiquated paper system of registering ships, experts warn jrnl.ie/6818142

Criminals could exploit Ireland's antiquated paper system of registering ships, experts warn

Ireland still uses a paper-based nineteenth century system, with data collected on a ‘good faith’ basis.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 26d

Large number of Irish officials went to major London arms fair to meet British defence experts jrnl.ie/6819119

Large number of Irish officials went to major London arms fair to meet British defence experts

The trip is part of a major modernisation programme now under way in the Defence Forces.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · 27d

Flooding and drone threats: The long-distance Irish mission to supply Ukraine with vehicles jrnl.ie/6820121

Flooding and drone threats: The long-distance Irish mission to supply Ukraine with vehicles

The shipments were handed over to Ukrainian troops at a site just inside Poland.

Reposted by Niall O’Connor

The Journal @thejournal.ie · 27d

Conor McGregor has applied to the Supreme Court to appeal a civil High Court jury’s finding that he assaulted Nikita Hand
jrnl.ie/6820158

Conor McGregor seeks permission from the Supreme Court to make another appeal over Nikita Hand ruling

McGregor hasa sought the appeal through Mulholland Law.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · Sep 13

Political violence: When does a threat meet the bar for Garda intervention? jrnl.ie/6814907

Political violence: When does a threat meet the bar for Garda intervention?

A team has been set up inside the secretive Special Detective Unit to monitor the activities of politically motivated extremists.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · Sep 12

Inside Jim Gavin's military career jrnl.ie/6813042

Inside Jim Gavin's military career

As a military pilot, Jim Gavin flew Micheál Martin to Africa for secret talks to release an Irish aid worker.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · Sep 11

Garda trainee suspended as investigation launched into assault allegation jrnl.ie/6814447

Garda trainee suspended as investigation launched into assault allegation

It is understood that the incident happened inside the training college located in Templemore in Co Tipperary.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · Sep 11

Irish Defence Forces sends personnel to US to train as part of plan to beef up intelligence service jrnl.ie/6814342

Irish Defence Forces sends soldiers to US to train as part of plan to beef up intelligence service

Once known as J2, the service has changed its name to the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) and begun training new operatives.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · Sep 11

Two people arrested as part of garda probe into perjury allegations during McGregor civil case jrnl.ie/6813790

Two people arrested as part of garda probe into perjury allegations during McGregor civil case

Gardaí attached to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation made the arrests this morning.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · Sep 10

Drone warfare: How NATO allies engaged Russian threats over Poland for the first time jrnl.ie/6812571

Drone warfare: How NATO allies engaged Russian threats over Poland for the first time

Events unfolded between 11.30pm and 12.30am Irish time – as multiple drones crossed into Polish airspace which is also NATO airspace.

Niall O’Connor @nialljournal.bsky.social · Sep 8

Custard creams and votes: Inside Kerry Council as 12 candidates for the Áras make their pitch jrnl.ie/6811021

Custard creams and votes: Inside Kerry Council as 12 candidates for the Áras make their pitch

Twelve prospective candidates made their way to Tralee today for the process of seeking a presidential nomination from the local county council.