Irish Big Mac

Irish Big Mac

@irishbigmac.bsky.social

40-something Ireland. Twitter refugee I was @MacMiadhachain there, deleted it and left.

256 followers69 following968 posts

Irish Big Mac reposted

Dónal Hassett
@donalh.bsky.social

Hard not to think at least some of the bureaucratic cruelty surrounding these cases, which the courts have exposed and condemned, is part of Jim O'Callaghan's hardman act to solidify his profile as a future leader of Fianna Fáil. This should be disqualifying. www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...

irishtimes.comHigh Court overturns Palestinian student’s visa denial over ‘significant errors’ in processMinister wrongly asserted Shaymaa Abudalu (20) had not provided certain financial documentation

Irish Big Mac reposted

Jen Keane
@zenbuffy.bsky.social

Someone call CMAT, we once again need her assistance.

The Journal@thejournal.ie

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that Ryan Tubridy would be 'very welcome' to enter the world of politics, after the former Late Late Show host joked that every night he goes to bed "dreaming some day" he will reclaim his grandfather's seat in Galway West. www.thejournal.ie/ryan-tubridy...

jrnl.ieTaoiseach says Ryan Tubridy 'welcome' to try politics after broadcaster said he ‘dreams’ of itThe former Late Late Show host joked that every night he goes to bed “dreaming some day” he will reclaim his grandfather’s seat in Galway West.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Dublin Commuters
@dublincommuters.bsky.social

Throughout the entire Fare Hike saga, Government maintained this was a decision by the NTA We now know it was the Dept of Public Expenditure & it was decided 12 months ago Government lied to to the public, the did it repeatedly, & they did it intentionally

Irish Big Mac reposted

George Monbiot
@georgemonbiot.bsky.social

The lessons from Brazil and Serbia? Don't concede one inch of ground to the far right. Don't appease. Don't triangulate. Don't grovel. Don't say they have "legitimate concerns". Mobilise your base, and fight them with all the democratic means at your disposal.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
@ipsc.bsky.social

Apartheid Israel's genocidal crimes against Palestinians are documented, evidenced, relentless. All enabled by the so-called international community, including Ireland. We have legal obligations under international law to act to prevent egregious human rights abuses. #SanctionsNow

Irish Big Mac reposted

Matthew Hodson
@matthewhodson.bsky.social

First they erased a ‘Protect the Dolls’ t-shirt from Strictly Come Dancing. Now they’ve erased Pride badges from University Challenge. The BBC are saying that our visibility as LGBTQ people is a political issue. Meanwhile they’ve commissioned a 2-part series on JK Rowling. Impartial? My arse!

attitude.co.ukUniversity Challenge contestants say BBC edited out their Pride pinsTwo University of Leicester students have alleged the BBC digitally removed their Pride pins from an episode of University Challenge.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Zeteo
@zeteo.com

“I admit that freely. I did pass [intelligence] on to the Embassy of Israel.” Watch this striking clip from our documentary, ‘Night Flower: Inside AIPAC’s Fight for Influence,’ in which former AIPAC analyst Keith Weissman admits to passing intelligence to Israel. Watch: zeteo.com/p/watch-our-...

Irish Big Mac reposted

Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
@ipsc.bsky.social

Apartheid Israel is escalating its ethnic cleansing of the Occupied West Bank, inflicting illegal collective punishment on the Palestinians in Hebron, all with total impunity. #FreePalestine Why Israel’s latest assault on Hebron is so significant for the West Bank aje.news/4zz0l3

aje.newsWhy Israel’s latest assault on Hebron is so significant for the West BankMass expulsions, blockades and expanding settler control in Hebron threaten to devastate the West Bank economy.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Brad Reed
@bwreed.bsky.social

Here's Lula celebrating tonight with Erika Hilton, a transgender politician who led the drive to end the six-day work week in Brazil. Erika showed workers solidarity, they showed her solidarity back. Solidarity is how fascism loses.

Oliver Willis@owillis.bsky.social

“Democrats have to join Republicans in saying awful things about trans people to win in red and purple states” Citation?

Irish Big Mac reposted

Philip O'Connor
@philipoconnor.bsky.social

Sinn Féin morning meeting today: - Did you see the election results in Serbia and Brazil? - Oh I did aye, very unexpected. - I wonder if there's any lessons in that for us? - Let's go ask Matt Carthy, and maybe check Peadar's tweets, sure he's a gas man, Peadar! - Bang on.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Philip O'Connor
@philipoconnor.bsky.social

This alone - the govt telling housing providers NOT TO DELIVER HOMES in the middle of a housing crisis - should have Irish people on the streets in their millions. The govt is there only to line the pockets of themselves and their pals. www.independent.ie/irish-news/l...

independent.ieLeading housing providers told to limit number of new homesSinn Féin hits out at ‘ludicrous’ directive amid fears that middle earners will be hit hardest

Irish Big Mac reposted

Gavan Reilly
@gavreilly.com

First world whine: I am urging – practically begging – somebody in a position of authority to make sure the full Dublin Marathon route is marked off on Google Maps as closed to motor traffic. Every year it’s a partial, slapdash list that only ends up sending more people to the unmarked closures

Irish Big Mac reposted

Darach Ó Séaghdha
@darach.bsky.social

This is from a year ago. They can’t even deliver a leadership challenge on time.

RTÉ News@news.rte.ie

Members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party are actively talking about Taoiseach Micheál Martin's leadership, a senior TD has said.

rte.ieSome FF TDs discussing Martin's leadership, says LahartMembers of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party are actively talking about Taoiseach Micheál Martin's leadership, a senior TD has said.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Philip O'Connor
@philipoconnor.bsky.social

The Brotherhood of the Brown Envelope - failing upwards since the foundation of the state.

The Journal@thejournal.ie

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that Ryan Tubridy would be 'very welcome' to enter the world of politics, after the former Late Late Show host joked that every night he goes to bed "dreaming some day" he will reclaim his grandfather's seat in Galway West. www.thejournal.ie/ryan-tubridy...

jrnl.ieTaoiseach says Ryan Tubridy 'welcome' to try politics after broadcaster said he ‘dreams’ of itThe former Late Late Show host joked that every night he goes to bed “dreaming some day” he will reclaim his grandfather’s seat in Galway West.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Rob
@robosullivan.bsky.social

The Taoiseach is now backing the Justice Minister's actions in intervening to silence a charity. I'm not exaggerating. The Justice minister boasted about his role in pulling the ad himself. The government are intervening to silence messaging they don't like. Fascism is at your doorstep #spéirgorm

Irish Big Mac
@irishbigmac.bsky.social

Shame on the BBC

Leicester Gazette@leicestergazette.leicester.news

Two University of Leicester students speak out over ‘absurd’ and ‘Orwellian’ decision by the BBC and ITV Studios to edit out pride pins worn on University Challenge

leicester.newsBBC edits out pride pins on University Challenge in ‘Orwellian’ move* * * This story was published by **The Leicester Gazette** : a local, independent newspaper about Leicestershire. 1,000 people have already joined our community. Just use those buttons below to download our app and **sign up for free**. * * * Astrophysics student Samuel Carlier and History student Emmeline Hague-Wright were shocked to find that their LGBTQ+ pride pins had been edited out of their University Challenge appearance earlier this year. The episode, initially scheduled for BBC Two on 24 August, was delayed twice before airing on 7 September 2026. The pins showed the progressive LGBTQ+ pride flag, the bisexual pride flag and a rainbow feather. Speaking to the Leicester Gazette, Sam said: “Living in a liberal democracy and having the state broadcaster tell you ‘we’re editing how you look’, seems very Orwellian.” Sam described the choice to remove the pins before broadcast as “weird” and “absurd”. He said: “[Censoring] that seemed weird. If I had worn a rainbow shirt, would they have censored that? If the idea is to keep things impartial, where is that line in the sand?” A side by-side image of Sam wearing the pin and with it having been digitally removed. Photograph: supplied Sam contacted the BBC to try to understand why his pins had been edited out. He told the Gazette: “The BBC people said they’d ring me, and I chased them, they just said go to the complaints website and file a complaint there, that’s what I did.” Since then, Sam hasn’t had a response from the BBC as to why his pins were removed. After the episode had aired, Sam noted that his shirt ‘melted’ into itself occasionally, as a result of the editing. Photograph: supplied ## Students believe the decision was made following online transphobia Emmeline was also shocked when she found out that the feather pin she wore was due to be removed from the episode she was in. It was understood by Emmeline that there was online transphobia in response to previous episode of University Challenge, and she had been contacted by the BBC, anticipating support from the broadcaster. When the BBC contacted her, instead of an offer of support, she was told her pin was going to be removed. “At first it was mostly confusion,” she said. “I heard that they had received a lot of nastiness online from people and I thought they were going to call me to say ‘we have support services if needed,’ and that wasn't what I got at all.” Instead, Emmeline was notified that the episodes were going to be delayed. “It was out of left field, I was confused for a while,” she said. “This entire delay has been because of a feather and two badges on a teammate that were basically impossible [for viewers] to see.” Emmeline had expressed her frustrations with the repeated delays from the BBC, spanning from mid-July to early-September. She said: “We were announced on the website and then delayed again, and then announced on the website a second time, and delayed even further. Speaking about the removal, she said: “It takes a lot of time” she said. “Making it [the edit] look good would be even more expensive and time-consuming. It seems like drastically a lot of effort.” ## Join the conversation Our app is more than just a way to keep up – it's a gateway to award-winning journalism and the local community. __Want to support our work?__ Click here for membership__.__ ## Wider criticism on LGBTQ+ support The pins Sam wore during the episode. Photograph: supplied According to leading LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall UK, two in five LGBTQ+ students will hide their identities at university for fear of discrimination. Stonewall has reported that more than 36 per cent of trans students have received hostile conduct from university staff due to their gender identity. Reflecting on the digital removal of the pins, Sam spoke about how disheartening the choice was. He said: “There was maybe like a span of eight years where someone could be uncontroversially out in the open queer – now that’s gone again.” he said. The BBC has also been widely criticised for ‘an attack on the LGBTQ+ community’ by pulling its involvement with the popular show, RuPaul's Drag Race. The broadcaster pulled its involvement in September following “significant financial pressures” as the reason for axing their involvement. The criticism follows another recent controversial edit by the BBC. On its hit show, Strictly Come Dancing, a decision was made to edit out ‘Protect the Dolls’ from contestant Bethany Antonia’s T-shirt. It’s a slogan which has become widely used to support the rights of trans women. The BBC defended their decision, saying the changes were made to meet editorial guidelines. It comes as the LGBTQ+ community has faced challenges amid an increasingly less tolerant political climate. ## What the BBC had to say When we asked them about editing out the pins worn by Leicester’s University Challenge team, a BBC spokesperson said: “In line with our editorial guidelines, we advise that no badges, flags, and emblems or symbols are worn or visible during filming, along with clothing with obvious branding or slogans. If such items are not removed for any reason then a decision is made between the programme makers and the BBC regarding any edits to the programme.” The BBC said the delays to the episode were unrelated to the decision to edit out the pins. A spokesperson for ITV Studios said: “University Challenge is an entertainment quiz show and is made in accordance with the BBC Editorial Guidelines requirements for impartiality.” The University of Leicester refused to comment on the matter. * * * **Before you go…** We’ve recently surpassed 1,000 subscribers, which is amazing considering we’re a small team on a shoestring budget. Now, we’re ready for the next stage of the Leicester Gazette. **Download our new app and get all of our journalism anytime, anywhere.** The app connects with **Bluesky** , **Mastodon** and **Threads** , giving you access to a network of around 60 million people. It’s a safer, more meaningful alternative to mainstream social media – owned by the community. * * *

Irish Big Mac reposted

Dean Buckley
@deanbuckley.bsky.social

Replying to @deanbuckley.bsky.social

Matt Carthy has taken this post down now, but without an apology to Dublin Rape Crisis Centre at the minimum, it will be exceptionally difficult for me to justify giving SF even my lowest preference in the future too

Sarah Clancy@sarahmaintains.bsky.social

Matt Carthy should just go and join Aontu or independent Ireland

Irish Big Mac reposted

Dean Buckley
@deanbuckley.bsky.social

I don't generally write to my TDs in a personal capacity anymore but I have just written to my Fine Gael TD and made clear that unless Jim O'Callaghan, at a minimum, apologises unreservedly to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, no one in this government gets a preference from me for the rest of my life

Irish Big Mac reposted

Annmarie O'C
@annmarietg.bsky.social

Teaching children they can say no to a hug, even from someone they love, is basic bodily autonomy. It casts no suspicion on grandparents. Dreadful response from Jim O’Callaghan and Peadar Tóibín. Children build confidence by having their boundaries respected, not by being told adults know best.

The Journal@thejournal.ie

Adverts run by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre looking at consensual hugs between children and their grandparents has been suspended after criticism. Aontú's Peader Tóibín called the ad "bonkers", as he urged a "need to build resilience" among children. www.thejournal.ie/grandparents...

thejournal.ieRape Crisis Centre suspends consent advert focused on grandparents' hugs after backlashThe advert depicts the discomfort of the young girl after her grandparents looked to embrace her.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Rose Schmits
@roseschmits.bsky.social

BBC editing out pride flags and protect the dolls while insisting on poppies really really laying bare its a state propaganda mouthpiece innit

Irish Big Mac reposted

Rob
@robosullivan.bsky.social

There's a very sick irony in our Justice Minister using a power imbalance to silence a rape crisis centre on the issue of consent. You couldn't ask for a better example of how rape culture is systemic #spéirgorm

Irish Big Mac reposted

Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign
@ipsc.bsky.social

Great piece with Beoga on their very principled stand in pulling out of the Ed Sheeran tour after he threw Macklemore and Palestinians under the bus. #FreePalestine Beoga on quitting Ed Sheeran’s tour: ‘You have to hold your friends accountable’ www.irishtimes.com/culture/musi...

irishtimes.comBeoga on quitting Ed Sheeran’s tour: ‘You have to hold your friends accountable’The Irish trad band say the star should have cancelled tour dates rather than allow Macklemore to be dropped from the bill over his support for Palestine

Irish Big Mac reposted

Deirdre O'Shaughnessy
@deshocks.bsky.social

Thanks to Ciara Ní Bhroin for writing this piece on the DRCC consent ad row - props to @aidanobrien.bsky.social who gets a mention www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

irishexaminer.comDRCC consent ad had a very important point, and it's been lost in all the noiseIf my son understands that no means no for him and that is always respected, then he will understand consent when he is told no later in life, writes Ciara Ní Bhroin

Irish Big Mac reposted

Simon McGarr
@tupped.bsky.social

Our Minister for justice supporting the interests of foreign Far right weirdos.

James Kelleher@jameskelleher.pilcrow.ie

“Polymarket, a major crypto-betting platform which is not currently regulated to operate in Ireland, also posted about it on Tuesday.” Why on earth is Polymarket posting about a DRCC video on consent? 🫠

Irish Big Mac reposted

Simon McGarr
@tupped.bsky.social

I've now called the constituency office of my FF, FG and SF TDs, and I spoke to the FF and FG offices, and left a message with the SF one. According to one of the constituency workers they had been getting a lot of contact supporting the Minister's policy of removing the video promoting consent.

Simon McGarr@tupped.bsky.social

I’ve slept on it now and when I woke up, I was still still mad about it. This morning, I’m going to ring the constituent office of my local FF TD and tell him just how mad it made me. Then I’m going to call the constituency office of my local SF TD, and ask if Matt Carthy’s support is their view.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Jen Keane
@zenbuffy.bsky.social

Sorry, I've just seen the DRCC consent ad and am I to understand that people are fully losing their minds in our actual Dáil because they suggested you should ask about a hug? We had driving PSAs that traumatised us but we're too sensitive, and all of y'all are losing your mind over a HUG?!

Irish Big Mac reposted

Una Mullally
@unamullally.bsky.social

This, from the hugely experienced Irish courts reporter, Isabel Hayes, on the Minister for Justice’s performative outrage over an ad about children and consent, is worth reading.

Irish Big Mac reposted

Elaine Burke
@elaineburke.bsky.social

Replying to @elaineburke.bsky.social

The criticism the DRCC has faced this week is unwarranted and harmful. If you can, consider donating at DRCC.ie. You can also write to your TDs, as I have, expressing your concern that a government would censor a campaign that raises awareness of the bodily autonomy of children. contactyourtd.ie

Irish Big Mac reposted

Elaine Burke
@elaineburke.bsky.social

Replying to @elaineburke.bsky.social

In fact, Minister Jim O'Callaghan posted his statement criticising the DRCC campaign to X. He has not posted anything there about the sexual abuse imagery scandal that the platform has been embroiled in.