Dr Máire McCafferty

Title: "Ní Shionnáin served her sentence - surely she is allowed to rebuild her life?" I want to clarify something – is it the view of the Taoiseach, and of commentators, that former prisoners should be denied opportunities to rebuild their lives away from violence or criminality, even after they have served their sentence? Given her qualifications, Ursula Ní Shionnáin was perfectly suited for the role of administrative support for a TD working on the Oireachtas Committee for the Irish language, and Catherine Connolly was in the right to give her a chance. I think it is much more concerning if our Government thinks that prisoners such as Ní Shionnáin should not be given the opportunity to rehabilitate when they demonstrate a willingness to do so. As a former employee of the Irish Prison Service, that seems to go against everything that I was told during my training. Tomás M Creamer, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim Published 4th October, 2025, on the letter section of the Irish Indepedent.

My earlier tweet about Catherine Connolly hiring a former prisoner, in the form of a letter to the Indo.

m.independent.ie/opinion/lett...

Landlord Jim Gavin never refunded 6 months' rent to a former tenant who accidentally kept paying rent after he moved out. The tenancy was not registered with the RTB. Gavin really is the perfect Fianna Fáil candidate.
Archive link: archive.is/4ts0L #spéirgorm #presidentialelection

Unlawful election ballot gives FG, FF undue advantage Why weren't small, legally required efforts made with the presidential election ballot?

www.ontheditch.com/presidential...

How the mantle cloak set fashion trends in Medieval Ireland A highly valued item of durable clothing at home, the cloak was what made the notion of 'Irishness' visible and distinct in Europe

How the mantle cloak set fashion trends in Medieval Ireland. A highly valued item of durable clothing at home, the cloak was what made the notion of 'Irishness' visible and distinct in Europe, writes @maireadfinnegan.bsky.social @maynoothuniversity.ie www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...

On October 8, we will host a panel on Irish Women Writers!

Chaired by Marjorie Howes (BC), this event has a book launch for Paige Reynolds' (Holy Cross) new book & a panel discussion, including Claire Bracken (Union College), and Kate Costello-Sullivan (Le Moyne College)

The Irish title should be 'Gníomhach'

😂😂😂😂😂😂 Éirigh as 😂😂😂😂

Humphries was shockingly poor and not at the races. FG will be very worried. Gavin showed his inexperience. #TonightVMTV #Aras25

Big time!

This is the face! Catherine Connolly speaking for us all when Heather Humphries is speaking about 3D printing of houses.

The little smiles were so jarring and hilarious! It was like she didn't even want to be there...

Some good news

Photo of Catherine Connolly on the debate

On the housing crisis:

"We need to realise it is a fundamental human right to have a home...We cannot call ourselves a republic with that many people [16,000] homeless."

#TonightVMTV

Absolutely no idea whatsoever, charismafree as you say, has he no media training whatsoever? Genuinely a baffling, needlessly aggressive, experience, very hard to understand...
Oh absolutely!! I'd say Billy Kelleher is laughing away now after that shit show, & him a fluent Gaeilgeoir to boot...

Dar ndóigh a chara! Of course I agree and Heather's past promise to learn Irish to serve the people she represented in Gaeltacht areas speaks for itself.....

Last point on Gavin but it's utterly reprehensible that he is exDefence Forces and couldn't even bring himself to ADMIT the reality of the complete LACK of investment and support for #Defence by gov. Disgusting betrayal for serving members. Agus dar ndóigh níl Gaeilge aige #aras25 #oglaighnaheireann

Totally agree! She is the only informed candidate who is truly engaging in this debate and has a real grasp of issues. Heather doesn't even seem like she wants to be there and Jim is just on another planet....

Also the aggressive pointing and mystifiable quick anger on points he can't even explain is utterly embarrassing!!!! Who let him on?????? Cannot believe he is a government party nominated candidate. Náireach amach is amach!!!!!!!! #irishpresidency #aras25

Jim Gavin the epitome of poor on the presidential debate. Genuinely shocked at the total lack of composure and ability to speak to clear points or opinions whatsoever!!! Farcical 😱😱😱😱😱 #aras25 #presidentialdebate

The knuckle-pointing thing is a classic Cameron-Obama era politicial comms tactic for guys who point too much. It's supposed to be forceful but not threatening #aras25

Catherine Connolly is so far out front right now. Informed, genuine, and empathetic. The other two are cautious and scripted...
#TonightVMTV
#aras25
#speirgorm

Una Mullally: If Dublin can pull out all the stops for the NFL, why not for the GAA? Now that we’ve seen what can be done to welcome an American football event to town, let’s do it for homegrown sports

If Dublin City can generate a spectacle for an American football game for tourists, then why not for All-Ireland Final weekends?

I wrote about how Irish sport (and its fans) deserves the same celebratory treatment in and by the capital.

Childhood and the Irish In eighty short essays, historians, folklorists, archaeologists, theologians, anthropologists, poets, novelists, artists, literature scholars, and educationalists cast light on the lived experience of...

Coming soon!

shop.nationalgallery.ie/products/chi...

Terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Mo Chara thrown out by London court O hAnnaidh was not required to enter a plea to the charges against him and the prosecution now falls.

The terrorism case against Kneecap rapper Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) has been thrown out by the chief magistrate sitting at Woolwich Crown Court following a technical error in the way the charge against him was brought.
jrnl.ie/6827726

Outsider voice of the people Maria Steen speaks to the press standing behind a collection of mics on a pavement. She looks pissed off and is wearing a fawn wool coat and holding a blue Hermes “Kelly” bag

Looking very displeased that the grubby heathen hoi polloi stymied her immaculate ascension, but if she needs a tissue to dab away a perfect tear, I’m sure she’s got some in that €20K Hermes bag she’s got there

Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN inquiry Commission’s 72-page legal analysis cites examples including scale of killings, aid blockages and forced displacement

What will it take?

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...

This woman calling @lbc.co.uk yesterday about Charlie Kirk and “free speech” was brilliant. Vanessa Feltz flummoxed.

This is a jaw-dropping statement from anyone in a uni leadership role — but also — what exactly is ‘low-quality’ and ‘hobbyist’ research? Nearly every academic I know is burning the candle at both ends and STILL producing important work in their fields. This feels like an anti-humanities dog whistle

Tomorrow in Higgins Hall, Irish Studies is co-sponsoring a lecture by Alex de Waal, Director of the World Peace Foundation and Professor at Tufts University.

Join us for his lecture, titled "Gaza, Sudan, Ethiopia: Weaponized Starvation & the Future of Humanitarianism."

Ireland to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates RTE's announcement follows similar threats of withdrawal from Spain and Slovenia

We've been calling for this for a long time and really welcome it. The cultural boycott of apartheid Israel is crucial. Every win brings us closer to freedom for the Palestinian people . #BDS
Ireland to withdraw from Eurovision if Israel participates www.middleeasteye.net/news/ireland...