Simon
@sociuscriminis.bsky.social
Non-practising barrister, criminologist and general political cynic.
I think the government cabinet trying to chase the racist vote does not speak for the country as a whole.
The Irish Times view on migration: Ireland joins the objectors
The Irish Times view on migration: Ireland joins the objectors
The Government’s decision to sign a letter seeking changes to the rules is an important signal
www.irishtimes.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I think the government cabinet trying to chase the racist vote does not speak for the country as a whole.
Yeah, that's me done. As I guessed @wendylyon.bsky.social #Whamageddon . Not too shabby though, 12 December.
December 12, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Yeah, that's me done. As I guessed @wendylyon.bsky.social #Whamageddon . Not too shabby though, 12 December.
Can't believe I've made it this far. Best year so far. #Whamageddon
December 12, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Can't believe I've made it this far. Best year so far. #Whamageddon
Reposted by Simon
A serious indictment of our politics and media that CETA, which has been adjudged to be unconstitutional by the Irish Supreme Court (Costello vs the Irish Govt), was passed overnight by the Government and there’s barely a ripple of curiosity, let alone rigorous questioning.
December 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM
A serious indictment of our politics and media that CETA, which has been adjudged to be unconstitutional by the Irish Supreme Court (Costello vs the Irish Govt), was passed overnight by the Government and there’s barely a ripple of curiosity, let alone rigorous questioning.
Why not state "illegal West Bank Settlements"; because that's what they are.
Israel has given final approval for 764 houses to be built in three settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move condemned by the Palestinian Authority as undermining regional peace efforts
Israel approves nearly 800 homes in West Bank settlements
Israel has given final approval for 764 houses to be built in three settlements in the occupied West Bank, a move condemned by the Palestinian Authority as undermining regional peace efforts.
www.rte.ie
December 10, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Why not state "illegal West Bank Settlements"; because that's what they are.
Reposted by Simon
Because of external factors, this weekend’s Gist came out on Tuesday.
So if you got a chance to hit repost that would be very helpful.
It’s on Patrick O’Donovan’s plans to implement Meta’s preferred form of ‘regulation’, but also to make it worse.
www.thegist.ie/the-gist-wav...
So if you got a chance to hit repost that would be very helpful.
It’s on Patrick O’Donovan’s plans to implement Meta’s preferred form of ‘regulation’, but also to make it worse.
www.thegist.ie/the-gist-wav...
December 10, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Because of external factors, this weekend’s Gist came out on Tuesday.
So if you got a chance to hit repost that would be very helpful.
It’s on Patrick O’Donovan’s plans to implement Meta’s preferred form of ‘regulation’, but also to make it worse.
www.thegist.ie/the-gist-wav...
So if you got a chance to hit repost that would be very helpful.
It’s on Patrick O’Donovan’s plans to implement Meta’s preferred form of ‘regulation’, but also to make it worse.
www.thegist.ie/the-gist-wav...
Reposted by Simon
After 10+ years of people fighting against it, this government is pushing through this dystopian CETA legislation.
Corporations can and will sue the state for interfering with their profits - for example increasing the minimum wage, against fracking bans, etc.
This is incredibly undemocratic.
Corporations can and will sue the state for interfering with their profits - for example increasing the minimum wage, against fracking bans, etc.
This is incredibly undemocratic.
December 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
After 10+ years of people fighting against it, this government is pushing through this dystopian CETA legislation.
Corporations can and will sue the state for interfering with their profits - for example increasing the minimum wage, against fracking bans, etc.
This is incredibly undemocratic.
Corporations can and will sue the state for interfering with their profits - for example increasing the minimum wage, against fracking bans, etc.
This is incredibly undemocratic.
Drones during Zelenskyy visit were an attack by Russia - EU Council President jrnl.ie/6898238
Are they not going to permit the Russians to investigate themselves.... just like they permit the Israelis?
Are they not going to permit the Russians to investigate themselves.... just like they permit the Israelis?
Drones during Zelenskyy visit were an attack by Russia - EU Council President
Last week, four unidentified military-style drones breached a no-fly zone and flew towards the flight path of Zelenskyy’s plane as he arrived in Ireland.
jrnl.ie
December 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Drones during Zelenskyy visit were an attack by Russia - EU Council President jrnl.ie/6898238
Are they not going to permit the Russians to investigate themselves.... just like they permit the Israelis?
Are they not going to permit the Russians to investigate themselves.... just like they permit the Israelis?
These alleged offences took place 22 years after the events of the #Moriarty report, which means that Ireland can (in certain circumstances) prosecute corruption but often chooses not to do so.
A 46-year-old serving garda has appeared in court charged with corruption offences following an investigation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation into serious organised crime activity.
Garda charged in court with corruption offences
A 46-year-old serving garda has appeared in court charged with corruption offences following an investigation by the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation into serious organised crime activity.
www.rte.ie
December 9, 2025 at 1:31 PM
These alleged offences took place 22 years after the events of the #Moriarty report, which means that Ireland can (in certain circumstances) prosecute corruption but often chooses not to do so.
Reposted by Simon
Mr O’Donovan said the Public Services Card “floundered because some interest groups outside of the House, interested more in privacy than other issues, got their way”. Funny way to characterise something which the independent regulator found illegal, imposing a €550,000 fine on the state.
Plan to verify people’s ages on line with Government ID a ‘disproportionate response’
Civil liberty and digital privacy campaigners question legal basis for proposed digital wallets
www.irishtimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Mr O’Donovan said the Public Services Card “floundered because some interest groups outside of the House, interested more in privacy than other issues, got their way”. Funny way to characterise something which the independent regulator found illegal, imposing a €550,000 fine on the state.
Still going strong today and I was out in Dublin city centre; even went for a bite to eat earlier. #Whamageddon
December 7, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Still going strong today and I was out in Dublin city centre; even went for a bite to eat earlier. #Whamageddon
Then they state that they're trying to solve the housing crisis. If it's a crisis for more than 5 years, it's not a crisis, it's policy.
December 6, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Then they state that they're trying to solve the housing crisis. If it's a crisis for more than 5 years, it's not a crisis, it's policy.
I can't believe I'm still in and it's not like I've just stayed in the house; I went up to Belfast and back to Dublin today. I was even in a pub for 2 drinks as well. #Whamageddon
December 6, 2025 at 11:12 PM
I can't believe I'm still in and it's not like I've just stayed in the house; I went up to Belfast and back to Dublin today. I was even in a pub for 2 drinks as well. #Whamageddon
Greed, that's the answer, neoliberal capitalism and greed is usually always the answer to these things.
Companies say health insurance premiums are going up due to an increase in claims, but new figures from the health insurance watchdog show that this rise is now slowing sharply.
So why are we seeing so many health insurance price hikes?
jrnl.ie/6890322
So why are we seeing so many health insurance price hikes?
jrnl.ie/6890322
jrnl.ie
December 6, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Greed, that's the answer, neoliberal capitalism and greed is usually always the answer to these things.
Reposted by Simon
Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands are pulling out of the Eurovision Song Contest next year, after they refused to hold a vote on barring Israel on Thursday.
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Netherlands Boycott Eurovision Over Israel’s Inclusion
Advocates denounced contest organizers for “helping to enable and whitewash Israel’s ongoing genocide.”…
truthout.org
December 5, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands are pulling out of the Eurovision Song Contest next year, after they refused to hold a vote on barring Israel on Thursday.
My future self, of today, is thanking my past self, of January, for putting away the Christmas lights in such an orderly fashion. 5 stars, would definitely recommend.
December 5, 2025 at 11:02 AM
My future self, of today, is thanking my past self, of January, for putting away the Christmas lights in such an orderly fashion. 5 stars, would definitely recommend.
Ireland will not compete in Eurovision 2026 after Israel allowed to remain in competition jrnl.ie/6893728
I'm stunned and admit I was wrong in my assessment but fair play to RTE for sticking to is guns on this one.
I'm stunned and admit I was wrong in my assessment but fair play to RTE for sticking to is guns on this one.
Ireland will not compete in Eurovision 2026 after Israel allowed to remain in competition
Spain and the Netherlands have also confirmed that they will not take part in the contest.
jrnl.ie
December 4, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Ireland will not compete in Eurovision 2026 after Israel allowed to remain in competition jrnl.ie/6893728
I'm stunned and admit I was wrong in my assessment but fair play to RTE for sticking to is guns on this one.
I'm stunned and admit I was wrong in my assessment but fair play to RTE for sticking to is guns on this one.
Unions urge RTÉ to hold firm on Eurovision boycott over Israel inclusion ahead of EBU meeting jrnl.ie/6892474
It would be an appalling vista for RTE to row back on this which I fully expect they will using the term "ceasefire" which is singularly the most violent ceasefire in the history of man.
It would be an appalling vista for RTE to row back on this which I fully expect they will using the term "ceasefire" which is singularly the most violent ceasefire in the history of man.
Unions urge RTÉ to hold firm on Eurovision boycott over Israel inclusion ahead of EBU meeting
A vote on Israel’s participation in the song contest is expected to be held tomorrow.
jrnl.ie
December 3, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Unions urge RTÉ to hold firm on Eurovision boycott over Israel inclusion ahead of EBU meeting jrnl.ie/6892474
It would be an appalling vista for RTE to row back on this which I fully expect they will using the term "ceasefire" which is singularly the most violent ceasefire in the history of man.
It would be an appalling vista for RTE to row back on this which I fully expect they will using the term "ceasefire" which is singularly the most violent ceasefire in the history of man.
Reposted by Simon
Brave judges betrayed by cowardly politicians. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Yanis Varoufakis: Europe should be convulsing at US sanctions against French ICC judge
The US government has sanctioned a European judge for carrying out his official duties in Europe while working in an institution established by Europe’s elected representatives at great cost and effor...
www.irishexaminer.com
December 3, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Brave judges betrayed by cowardly politicians. www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
They're not as advanced as Ireland at corruption because we have never prosecuted it in the first place.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog is expected to approve Netanyahu’s pardon request, according to early indications, N12 News reports.
December 1, 2025 at 8:57 PM
They're not as advanced as Ireland at corruption because we have never prosecuted it in the first place.
This is what the Irish government want to sign up to in the CETA agreement; it doesn't bode well for the future.
Sovereignty? Democracy? Sorry, but we can't afford those anymore. We'll be sued if we try to defend them.
This week's column is about a massive but scarcely-covered scandal.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column is about a massive but scarcely-covered scandal.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Hello, foreign oligarchs and corporations! Please come and sue the UK for billions | George Monbiot
The case of a planned Cumbrian coalmine shows how governments around the world are being threatened by litigation in shadowy offshore courts, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
December 1, 2025 at 6:22 PM
This is what the Irish government want to sign up to in the CETA agreement; it doesn't bode well for the future.
Reposted by Simon
Statement re Herzog Park from the Run For Palestine group
November 30, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Statement re Herzog Park from the Run For Palestine group
Controversial Dublin City Council vote on renaming of Herzog Park to be withdrawn jrnl.ie/6889586
This is utter bollox, the authority to do this rests with the local Council not US or Israeli politicians who should fuck off.
This is utter bollox, the authority to do this rests with the local Council not US or Israeli politicians who should fuck off.
Controversial Dublin City Council vote on renaming of Herzog Park to be withdrawn
Micheál Martin said that scrapping the name would erase the Jewish community’s ‘distinctive and rich contribution to Irish life’.
jrnl.ie
November 30, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Controversial Dublin City Council vote on renaming of Herzog Park to be withdrawn jrnl.ie/6889586
This is utter bollox, the authority to do this rests with the local Council not US or Israeli politicians who should fuck off.
This is utter bollox, the authority to do this rests with the local Council not US or Israeli politicians who should fuck off.
This will be a hard one for the faux "Christians" in the US. Do they listen to the Pope or their AIPAC wallets??
BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV has said the only solution to Israel-Palestine must include a Palestinian state, reaffirming the Vatican’s position.
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/kaiji6
🔴 LIVE updates: aje.io/kaiji6
November 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
This will be a hard one for the faux "Christians" in the US. Do they listen to the Pope or their AIPAC wallets??
They've managed to obfuscate this for around another year so far; I wonder will they make it another 4 years.
‘No plans’ to drop Occupied Territories Bill but legislation ‘not straightforward’, says McEntee
‘No plans’ to drop Occupied Territories Bill but legislation ‘not straightforward’, says McEntee
Government criticised for ‘delays and delays and delays’ on legislation banning trade with illegal settlements
www.irishtimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 5:03 PM
They've managed to obfuscate this for around another year so far; I wonder will they make it another 4 years.