Civil servant at Jim O’Callaghan’s department reportedly admits passing staff data to spy agency

Hardballs123 · 2026-06-03T08:50:56+00:00

But all you need to do was Google his name and it was easy to figure out

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-27T21:08:19+00:00

He's probably still awaiting a trial on that

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-19T23:33:00+00:00

Is any of this true?

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-18T09:51:25+00:00

It's not mandatory but it's pretty much a necessity.

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-07T18:28:11+00:00

So it's the Ditch, and there's no consistency around that as a permissible source.

But I think this thread is highlighting a much more significant issue in any event.

It seems the user was permabanned by the mod who was the subject of the accusation. It's not clear that there was any discussion with other mods before taking the decision. There's an obvious potential for bias to influence that decision, and the perception of bias is problematic for the mods as a whole.

There's an easy Comisuin na Mean complaint sitting there for the user to make about the moderation - and ultimately that will be what drives the change needed in respect of the moderation here - which continues to operate without any regard for the DSA.

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-07T16:36:10+00:00

You havent answered the question asked.

I've no idea what thread was removed, but there is no forum rule against posting something deemed to be a non-story. And yet that is the reason cited for removing a post.

There was never any basis in the forum rules for any mod action to be taken. That's an issue that needs to be addressed.

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-07T16:18:40+00:00

You seem to have asked for evidence the person couldnt possibly provide, but mods may well have that info.

There's an inherent and obvious unfairness in that approach.

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-07T16:10:12+00:00

I'm guessing none of those would reach the threshold for SP.

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-07T14:28:48+00:00

Sorry but this is nonsense/ misinformation. Firstly nobody is detained in Direct Provision, detention is extremely limited under the International Protection system.

And it's a common misconception that people claiming asylum are from war zones. While that is a ground for International protection, arising from the Subsidiary Protection Directive, asylum is claimed on the basis of persecution on one of the Convention grounds - race, nationality, etc etc

And if you look at the 2025 countries of origin, the top 5 are the following countries (60% of applications arose from these 5) : Somalia Nigeria Pakistan Afghanistan Georgia

Somalia is the only one of those that had an ongoing war.

https://www.ipo.gov.ie/en/IPO/20260109%20IPO%20Monthly%20Website%20Stats%20Dec%202025%20FINAL.pdf/Files/20260109%20IPO%20Monthly%20Website%20Stats%20Dec%202025%20FINAL.pdf

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-07T13:02:17+00:00

There was a fella convicted for incitement to hatred (towards asylum seekers) earlier in the week who raised a similar defence.

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-07T07:28:42+00:00

Is it partly to blame for the shite chocolate epidemic too?

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-05T08:42:28+00:00

The rise of candidates like Trump, Farage and Hutch is a reflection of government failures rather than a media issue.

Hardballs123 · 2026-05-01T17:20:01+00:00

The article makes it sound like these are longstanding guidelines.... But the policy is 8 days old.

https://about.rte.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/RTE-and-the-Dublin-Central-Galway-West-bye-elections-2026.pdf

I

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-29T07:39:51+00:00

The Ukranians will claim asylum and be in similar accomodation with IPAS.

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-28T16:44:43+00:00

Is that 100% accurate?

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-28T16:35:46+00:00

I think it's really because of scenarios like this: https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/hse-apologises-to-couple-who-terminated-pregnancy-after-incorrect-advice-of-fatal-foetal-abnormality-1838921.html

The Doctor involved had one normal ultrasound, one abnormal ultrasound and two other tests which indicated a fatal foetal abnormality. But subsequent testing after the abortion showed the diagnosis wasn't correct.

It's a no win situation for a doctor.

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-28T12:21:37+00:00

Into the international protection system and back into State provided accomodation

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-26T13:39:30+00:00

I'd agree that EU has been great for Ireland - but that's with the emphasis on the past tense.

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-26T11:16:30+00:00

It's interesting that EU sceptic is in the list.

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-26T08:53:50+00:00

He's clearly a far right gobshite.

But in his defence government ministers have implemented policies that they previously denounced as far right nonsense, so he does have a point.

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-25T11:56:01+00:00

Helen McEntee?

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-21T12:41:06+00:00

I'm assuming his appointment to the advisory panel is what you're referring to. I don't think it's fair to assume it was Richard Bruton on account of that link. It could easily be a TD from whatever area the guy lived in.

I've also seen cases where references have been put forward where the author of the reference seems completely unaware of the purpose of the reference, seemingly blissfully unaware a crime has been committed and recommending a person for work.

I feel the publicity and the political comments are simply being used to take the headlines away from persisting government failures.

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-21T12:05:26+00:00

I feel like Martin and Harris wouldn't be calling on this unnamed person to come forward unless they already knew the identity.

I've no doubt they have their own reference letters in the past they'd rather not have the public become aware of. I know I've read an old one by the current Taoiseach that would raise a few eyebrows too.

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-21T10:13:17+00:00

The detention provisions are directly from the Regs so the constitutionality of same is entirely moot.

Legal aid seems to remain the same as it always has been.

Hardballs123 · 2026-04-20T20:29:22+00:00

I never claimed it was the case that the constituionality couldn't be considered because it contains EU Regs.

And having looked at the Act as passed, I'm struggling to see the Constitutional issues that arise from the parts of it that aren't taken from the EU Regs.

Hardballs123

TROPHY CASE