Niall O’Connor
@nialljournal.bsky.social
News correspondent @thejournal.ie - long time hack, ex-garda (Irish cop) also ex pro-cycling PR. I cover mostly national security, defence and crime.
Helen McEntee has described as 'rhetoric' much of the debate on the removal of the triple lock, in response to comments by former president Michael D Higgins. jrnl.ie/7205464t
Triple lock debate has a 'lot of rhetoric', says McEntee in response to Michael D Higgins comment
Michael D Higgins said the removal of the troop deployment measure was designed to place Ireland in military alliances.
jrnl.ie
McEntee: Israel bombing of South Lebanon like an ‘earthquake’ with every house demolished jrnl.ie/7205059
McEntee: Israel bombing of south Lebanon like an 'earthquake' with every house demolished
Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs is visiting Irish peacekeepers in south Lebanon.
jrnl.ie
Sinn Féin has confirmed that one of its TDs, Aengus O Snodaigh, is chairman of a charity that was raided in Dublin by gardaí investigating alleged money laundering. jrnl.ie/7201402
Dublin-based Sinn Féin TD is chair of charity at centre of garda money laundering probe
Gardaí recovered luxury items valued at around €290,000 during searches in recent days.
jrnl.ie
Head over to the app to read the story. A solution to the overseas gap post UNIFIL.
The Journal@thejournal.ie · last wk.EXCLUSIVE: An examination is underway to prepare for the possible deployment of close to 100 Irish soldiers on a peacekeeping mission to the Balkans, The Journal has learned.
Investigation launched after two bodies found at house in Bray jrnl.ie/7200444 with @eoghandalton.bsky.social
Investigation launched after two bodies found at house in Bray
The scene has been preserved for a technical examination.
jrnl.ie
I’m covering the RACO annual conference in Trim. It’s a great opportunity for officers to let the public know the issues they face at work. @thejournal_ie Government must 'win back trust' of military personnel, says senior Defence Forces group leader jrnl.ie/7197922
Government must 'win back trust' of military personnel, says senior Defence Forces group leader
The annual delegate conference of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) takes place today and Wednesday in Trim, Co Meath.
jrnl.ie
Gardaí examine drugs debt theory as motive for Cork gun murder jrnl.ie/7198233
Gardaí examine drugs debt theory as motive for Cork gun murder
Paul ‘Bosco’ O’Connor (56) from Connolly Road in Ballyphehane, on the southside of Cork city was found shot dead in Mallow.
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Ban on Defence Forces going on strike 'hampers campaigns for better pay and conditions' jrnl.ie/7188313
Ban on Defence Forces going on strike 'hampers campaigns for better pay and conditions'
Euromil, the European wide body that represents military personnel, held its General Assembly in Naas today.
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Garda forced to thumb a lift to emergency as electric patrol car can't be charged at his station jrnl.ie/7186758
Garda forced to thumb a lift to emergency as electric patrol car can't be charged at his station
During the meeting Martin Daly, TD from Galway-Roscommon, spoke of an issue faced by his local garda in Ballygar, Co Galway.
jrnl.ie
Garda security operation for Donald Trump's two-day visit cost an estimated €30m jrnl.ie/7187321
Garda security operation for Donald Trump's two-day visit cost an estimated €30m
Commissioner Justin Kelly gave the figure as he was appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today.
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Germany reels amid major spy scandal, but sources say Ireland has little to worry about jrnl.ie/7185546
Germany reels amid major spy scandal, but sources say Ireland has little to worry about
August Hanning ran Germany’s BND foreign intelligence agency between 1998 and 2005 and is suspected of charges including “attempted treason” and “espionage”.
jrnl.ie
Defence Forces will not reach target of 11,500 personnel by 2028 despite recruitment commitments jrnl.ie/7185833
Defence Forces will not reach target of 11,500 personnel by 2028 despite recruitment commitments
Defence Minister Helen McEntee was speaking at a press conference about the Defence and Foreign Affairs allocations in Budget 2027.
jrnl.ie
Planning officials issue enforcement order against IPAS centre at former Tipperary hotel jrnl.ie/7184824
Planning officials issue enforcement order against IPAS centre at former Tipperary hotel
Dundrum House Hotel in rural west Tipperary had been at the centre of protests when it was transformed into an IPAS centre.
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Where will the money to fund Ireland's ambitious defence investment plans come from? jrnl.ie/7180751
Where will the money to fund Ireland's ambitious defence investment plans come from?
Gears move slowly when the figures are in the billions, but where will the money for Ireland’s mooted defence spending be found?
jrnl.ie
'We stay in Kyiv': Irish diplomats vow to stay in Ukraine despite Russian threat of strikes jrnl.ie/7182666
'We stay in Kyiv': Irish diplomats vow to stay in Ukraine despite Russian threat of strikes
Russia warned diplomats and foreigners to leave Kyiv as it increased targeting the Ukrainian capital.
jrnl.ie
The units in Ireland's new €500m compact radar system can be moved around on trucks jrnl.ie/7180390
The units in Ireland's new €500m compact radar system can be moved around on trucks
French company Thales has released key details about the new system for the first time.
jrnl.ie
More British police forces needed to train 45 garda driving instructors in pursuit tactics jrnl.ie/7177932
More British police forces needed to train 45 garda driving instructors in pursuit tactics
Assistant Commissioner Denis Ferry and Chief Superintendent Brian Sugrue appeared before the Oireachtas transport committee to discuss motorway safety.
jrnl.ie
How the Parades Commission came to allow this year's Drumcree Parade after 28 years jrnl.ie/7176757
How the Parades Commission came to allow this year's Drumcree Parade after 28 years
The decision by the Parades Commission to allow the Drumcree Orange Order march was heavily influenced by the PSNI submission.
jrnl.ie
Ukrainian agency uses Russian tax documents to allege Limerick alumina used in cruise missiles jrnl.ie/7164220
Ukrainian agency uses Russian tax documents to allege Limerick alumina used in cruise missiles
The report lays out an analysis of various strands of evidence from supply chains and leaked Russian tax data.
jrnl.ie
Garda management drops discipline threat against senior GRA official who spoke out publicly jrnl.ie/7174025
Garda management drops discipline threat against senior GRA official who spoke out publicly
The garda had been informed that management were unhappy that he was speaking publicly about concerns he and other gardaí had.
jrnl.ie
Irish Air Corps grounds PC-12 transport aircraft fleet due to missed maintenance deadlines jrnl.ie/7173709
Irish Air Corps grounds PC-12 transport aircraft fleet due to missed maintenance deadlines
The four single-engine planes, built by Pilatus in Switzerland, cost the Irish State close to €50 million to buy in 2020.
jrnl.ie
GRA announces industrial action and said it will 'no longer' tolerate garda management treatment jrnl.ie/7171506
GRA announces industrial action and said it will 'no longer' tolerate garda management treatment
The escalation comes days after a separate discipline threat against a senior representative body member.
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Gardaí have said the potential disciplining of senior representative hasn't been decided yet jrnl.ie/7169263
Gardaí have said the potential disciplining of senior representative hasn't been decided yet
The garda had been informed that garda management were unhappy that he was speaking publicly about concerns he and other gardaí had.
jrnl.ie
Senior garda rep body official faces discipline probe for discussing workplace concerns publicly jrnl.ie/7166696
Senior garda rep body official faces discipline probe for discussing workplace concerns publicly
The serving garda has spoken publicly on a range of topics about problems faced by rank and file gardaí.
jrnl.ie
Gardaí responding to M9 crash car acted 'within the law', Fiosrú finds after investigation jrnl.ie/7166300
Gardaí responding to M9 crash car acted 'within the law', Fiosrú finds after investigation
Fiosrú made the announcement this morning and said that probe exonerated the gardaí.
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Military group declares 'blatant exploitation' of personnel in operation to protect EU presidency jrnl.ie/7165680
Military group declares 'blatant exploitation' of personnel in operation to protect EU presidency
RACO, PDFORRA and RDFRA appeared before the Oireachtas committee on Defence and National Security.
jrnl.ie
Government signs order to buy multi-million euro French military radar systems jrnl.ie/7164364
Government signs order to buy multi-million euro French military radar systems
Sources there will be five deployable Thales long-range radar systems and also be ground based air defence systems provided by MBDA.
jrnl.ie
Catering provider for gardaí 'stood down' during Trump visit after complaints jrnl.ie/7163693
Catering provider for gardaí 'stood down' during Trump visit after complaints
The incident happened during the recent visit of the US President during which 25,000 meals were served to gardaí on duty in County Clare.
jrnl.ie
Garda management confirm just six gardaí will be trained in pursuit driving this year jrnl.ie/7163472
Garda management confirm just six gardaí will be trained in pursuit driving this year
The GRA, AGSI and garda management appeared before the Oireachtas justice committee to discuss the issues associated with pursuit training.
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