
Letters: Selecting Mary Lou McDonald to run for the Áras would be a wise move for Sinn Féín
I believe this would be the kind of move for Sinn Féin that would put it back on the pitch in terms of advancing its agenda on day-to-day issues like housing and health, but also on its raison d'etre of having a united Ireland.
Win or lose, it would be a big, bold move for Sinn Féin to run its most high-profile person for the presidency, if that was the route it was willing to go down.
John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
Mushroom murder trial is over, now let's move on to something more cheerful
When checking through quite a number of newspapers, there seems to be a limited range of news. In the UK it's the heat and Wimbledon, in the US it's Trump and flooding. But everywhere in the world, it's also Australia's mushroom killer.
Three people are dead, another has been injured and the jury has determined that Erin Patterson was guilty. Unless she wins an appeal, she will be in jail for a very long time.
Thirty-two words to deliver the verdict and it was done, but it seems millions more have been written about it.
It's time to forget Australia's deadly mushrooms, spiders, snakes and other animals and get back to reporting on our sports, celebrities – if we have any – and politics.
There must be something positive happening somewhere in the world. Please find it.
Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia
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Encouraging to see the revival of Irish language across popular culture
There has been a revival of sorts in recent years in the Irish language, which is welcome. We have seen the success of films like An Cailín Ciúin that can stand on their own irrespective of what language is spoken. This year, the Galway Film Fleadh is showing 11 films as Gaeilge, twice last year's number. This points to a very healthy state of Irish-language productions.
Kneecap are popularising An Ghaeilge, especially with young people. This is a far cry from the attitude of my fellow classmates when we studied Peig nearly 50 years ago in secondary school.
This year, for the first time, the Galway International Arts Festival has Gaeilge ambassadors volunteering at events to encourage people to use their cúpla focal. There will be a pop-up Gaeltacht each day in Eyre Square between 1pm and 2pm.
The use of An Ghaeilge is becoming more mainstream. They may be small steps, but people's attitudes to the language are changing.
We have a long way to go before we experience the kind of revival the Welsh language has undergone in Wales, but as the seanfhocal says: 'De réir a chéile a thógtar na caisleáin.'
Tommy Roddy, Ballybane, Galway
It's about time somebody talked some sense into Trump over tariffs fiasco
It seems like lies and more lies with Trump's tariffs these days after the US president kicked the can down the road again on his punitive tariffs.
It might be a good idea if someone in his administration could now be bold enough to liberate him from his nonsensical tariff agenda.
Perhaps they should suggest he needs to focus all his attention on his much sought-after Nobel Peace Prize. He should be well on his way with the support of his warmongering pal Benjamin Netanyahu.
Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18
Semi-final scoreboard mishap at Croke Park must be explained by GAA
During the closing minutes of the hurling semi-final last Sunday, my internal scoreboard did jolt with the one in the stadium. However, this was little more than momentary, as I quickly endorsed the integrity of what the Croke Park screens were displaying.
And while this 'mix-up' may, arguably, have disadvantaged Kilkenny, the core concern is that of the integrity of the stadium's information processes.
Therefore, it's good to see the GAA quickly indicate that the matter would be investigated, and I hope, thereafter, that the reason for the mishap will be clearly explained.
Human error, in my view, would be more understandable and more forgiveable than a technology system failure.
How a lucky intervention from my wife saved me from Battle of the Oriel
As a Dundalk FC supporter I read with interest last Saturday's 'Battle of Oriel' piece ('This was not football, it was a riot. I might have had a reputation as a hard man, but I was frightened to death that night', July 5).
This, of course, referred to the European Champions League game between Dundalk and Linfield in 1979. In one of her many wise decisions down the years, my wife talked me out of attending the game. Luckily, I agreed.
Forty-six years later, I'm still going to and enjoying games in Oriel Park.
Mind you, for some people, the words 'head' and 'examined' may spring to mind.
Tom Gilsenan, Dublin 9
If this weather keeps up, we could be coolest tourist destination in Europe
As high temperatures make most of Europe to the south and east of this island unbearable, perhaps Fáilte Ireland could roll out this simple marketing slogan: 'Ireland is cool.'
David Loughlin, Dublin 6
Our Government must put pressure on Central Bank to stop sale of war bonds
Wicklow County Council has joined the dozen or so other councils around the country calling on the Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) to stop facilitating the sale in the EU of Israeli war bonds.
Will our political leaders now recognise the will of the people throughout the country and instruct the CBI to cease this facility?
For all its rhetoric, the Irish Government is still effectively supporting Israel in its genocidal campaign. Is that how we want to be remembered?
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Irish Daily Mirror
14 minutes ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Trump posts OJ Simpson meme of him and 'fat face' JD Vance as cops chasing Obama
Donald Trump has been accused of trying to deflect from his ties to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein by posting a bizarre meme of him and "fat face JD Vance" chasing Barack Obama in police cars. Trump shared a photoshopped version of an image from the infamous O.J Simpson high-speed pursuit, which brought Los Angeles to a standstill in 1994 as the former NFL star and his pal led cops on a two-hour chase across Southern California in a white Ford Bronco. The US president posted the odd photo - which also included Vice President JD Vance with a bloated face, a meme dubbed "fat face JD Vance" which went viral earlier this year - with no context or caption. It comes after Trump - rocked by claims that he sent a handwritten birthday message to disgraced financier Epstein - bizarrely accused former president Obama of "treason", claiming he plotted to sabotage his first presidency by linking him to alleged Russian election meddling. Trump claimed Obama had sought to undermine his 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton as he faced questions from reporters about the late well-connected sex offender Epstein, who killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial. The image shared by President Donald Trump (Image: @realDonaldTrump/X) The president's administration has been under pressure to release more information about his contact list, but Trump snapped: "The witch hunt that you should be talking about is they caught President Obama absolutely cold. It's time to go after people, Obama's been caught directly. He's guilty. This was treason. This was every word you can think of." However, social media users said Trump - currently in the UK as he visits his golf clubs in Scotland - was desperately trying to distract from his links to the dead paedophile. Republicans against Trump tweeted: "Trump just posted a meme photo of him and JD Vance chasing down Obama in police cars. Anything to distract from Jeffrey Epstein. Bold choice by Trump to go with that JD Vance face." The image of JD Vance used in the photograph (Image: @realDonaldTrump/X) One social media user replied: "A President who makes a mockery of the office and this country." Another said: "Trump's meme game is as weak as his loyalty to allies, but at least he's consistent in dodging accountability." A third said: "Trump would sell his own grandma if it meant he could distract from the Epstein thing." Another person added: "Meanwhile the rest of us realize how deep the Epstein scandal goes." An image of the infamous police chase involving OJ Simpson (Image: Getty Images) It was previously reported how social media wags had edited photos of Vance with a face full of baby fat, calling him 'childish' and an 'annoying' man-child after a car-crash press conference in which he rudely cut off Ukraine's wartime leader Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump's bizarre choice of photo to edit also raised eyebrows as it depicted police cruisers following a white Ford Bronco driven by A.C. Cowlings on a Los Angeles freeway in 1994. O.J. Simpson was in the back of the vehicle, reportedly holding a gun to his own head and threatening suicide following an investigation into the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ronald Goldman. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.


Irish Examiner
44 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
Harris backs idea to hold national day of solidarity in support of Palestinians
Tánaiste Simon Harris has supported an idea for Ireland to hold a national day of solidarity in support of the people of Gaza. The Fine Gael leader said a proposal for a national day of solidarity was a 'sensible and a good idea', adding he will talk to colleagues on how to make it happen. He was responding to a letter written by Michael Cush, which appeared in the letters page of The Irish Times on Thursday. The suggestion for a national day or moment of solidarity made by Michael Cush in the letter is sensible and a good idea The letter said that the Irish Government has been 'brave and consistent' in its condemnation of atrocities and Israel's actions against Gaza, but that the people of Ireland are 'frustrated'. He said that people feel helpless to prevent it. 'If the Government were to call a national day of protest, making clear that it was a condemnation of atrocities in Gaza, not of Israel's right to self-determination or self-defence, the turnout would likely be enormous,' the letter added. 'Other nations might follow suit. Some good might be achieved. At the very least, Ireland and the Irish people would have done the right thing and could not be accused of standing idly by.' Posting a picture of the letter, Mr Harris said on his Instagram account that the people of Ireland stand with the people of Palestine. 'We stand for human rights, for international law, for a two state solution, for aid to flow, for hostages to be released. We stand for peace. We stand for an end to genocide,' he added. 'The suggestion for a national day or moment of solidarity made by Michael Cush in the letter is sensible and a good idea. 'It could be powerful if many countries did it together. I will now talk to colleagues on how to make this happen.' The United Nations and experts have said that Palestinians in Gaza are at risk of famine, with the World Food Programme (WFP) saying that almost a third of people in Gaza are not eating for days. The WFP said the crisis has reached new and 'astonishing levels of desperation'. Read More The latest child to starve to death in Gaza weighed less than when she was born


Extra.ie
2 hours ago
- Extra.ie
SImon Harris to push for national day of solidarity for Gaza
Táiniste Simon Harris has stated he will work to make a national day of protest for Gaza a reality. The claim was made in response to a letter written by a Mr. Michael Cush which was published in Thursdays Irish Times. The letter stated that the Irish government has been strong in its condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, but that the government and the people of Ireland are growing frustrated as they feel 'helpless' to prevent the ongoing conflict. Táiniste Simon Harris says he will talk to his colleagues about how to make a national day of protest for Gaza a reality. Pic: Olivier Hoslet/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock Taking to Instagram on Saturday, Simon Harris said: 'The people of Ireland stand with the people of Palestine. We stand for human rights, for international law, for a two state solution, for aid to flow, for hostages to be released. We stand for peace. We stand for an end to genocide'. Michael Cush had also said in his open letter to the newspaper that 'If the Government were to call a national day of protest, the turnout would likely be enormous' Today, Simon Harris posted the letter on his social media, alongside a statement endorsing the suggestion made by Michael Cush. The letter stated that the Irish government has been strong in its condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza, but that the government and the people of Ireland are growing frustrated as they feel 'helpless' to prevent the ongoing conflict. Pic: by Moiz Salhi/Anadolu via Getty Images He went on to add: 'The suggestion for a national day or moment of solidarity made by Michael Cush in the letter above is sensible and a good idea. 'It could be powerful if many countries did it together. I will now talk to colleagues on how to make this happen.' The Irish government has been one of the few within Europe that have labelled Israel's actions in Gaza as 'genocide', while internationally the world looks on as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens, and the population face the very real threat of starvation as the war continues. The claim was made in response to a letter written by a Mr. Michael Cush which was published in Thursdays Irish Leah Farrell/ Earlier this month, Tánaiste Simon Harris said 'careful consideration' was given to a number of visa applications from a group of Palestinians, adding that the granting of a visa was a 'very important legal document.' The GAA Palestine group were set to arrive in Ireland later in July for a GAA tour. The group of 47 people included 33 children between the ages of nine and 16 years old. Ahead of the visit, The Journal revealed that the visa applications for the group had been refused by the Irish Immigration Service due to 'insufficient documentation.' 152 families in Ireland had signed up to host the group when the were due to arrive on July 18. Tour organisers admitted they were 'devastated' following the ruling, adding that they had included the required information such as detailed itineraries and financial arrangements. In an official statement released on Instagram the following week, GAA Palestine announced that their planned summer trip to Ireland cannot proceed as it is no longer possible to acquire visas and depart on time.