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Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor

@booknannyeditor.bsky.social
659 followers 955 following 276 posts

Developmental editing, line & copy-editing for indie authors & publishers of historical and literary fiction. Love cats. Speak German. Wish I spoke better Irish. She/her. Full member AFEPI Ireland. Website: www.booknannyfictioneditor.com

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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Carol Ballantine @cballantine.bsky.social · 16h
This is written to fly under the radar, from today’s Sunday Independent (Ireland). The press council upheld a complaint about an offensive and transphobic opinion column by Brenda Power. Sindo was required to publish the decision. @mams4transrights.bsky.social @jesalady.bsky.social
A half page article from the Sunday independent with the headline OMB2590 A woman and the Sunday independent.
The article outlines the complaint, the appeal and the decision. 
The complaint relates to an opinion column deploring the fact that an unnamed td provided a character reference for a man convicted of sexual violence against children. A sentence in the column argued that this case threw light on the possibility that a man would “identify as a woman” in order to commit sexual violence.
The press council concluded that “a reference to a protected group [trans people] in this context should have been extremely carefully scrutinised”. It found that the Sunday independent was in violation of principle 8 of the press council code of practice.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Helene von Bismarck @helenebismarck.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Rather difficult not to feel a bit gloomy about the state of the country atm, so I wasn’t going to make much of a thing of this anniversary this year. And then I saw this and started to cry. Because a free and united Germany in a free and united Europe was worth it. And is worth fighting for now.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
It's official: Ireland has the most expensive electricity in Europe. Yet govt seem happy to bury their heads in the sand, and ignore calls for windfall taxes and targeted energy credits. In our Alt Budget, we have a wide range of measures that would make energy more affordable for you, right now.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We've heard racist chants. We've heard chants for the IDF. Their football captain has spoken out in support of their soldiers. Yet we are told to keep politics out of football. We are calling for the resignation of FAI senior management for the debacle that has been the past 72 hours.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Again, this proposal- accurately denounced here as incompatible with the EU Chart of Fundemental Rights- is the product of our Government. One of our Ministers has proposed it. Amongst other changes, it proposes that the rights of AI companies to harvest data should stand above humans’ data rights.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Paul Nemitz @paulnemitz.eupolicy.social.ap.brid.gy · 28/09/2026
My take on the #Omnibus and changes to #GDPR as proposed by the Irish #Presidency: lnkd.in/p/eJ_ypdXy
linkedin.com
#presidency #germany #commission #personaldata #ai #gdpr #charter #treaty #artificial #gdpr #eu #omnibus #dsgvo #ki #dataprotection #privacy #datenschutz | Paul Nemitz
The plans of the Irish #Presidency, supported by #Germany and the European #Commission, to in practice exempt the collection and processing of #personaldata for #AI related purposes largely from the discipline of #GDPR are not in line with the #Charter of Fundamental Rights nor the #Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. In a time where #Artificial Intelligence is already as ambient as electricity, the changes on the table in the Council amount to an illegal change of primary law, namely of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European and of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, both of which guarantee the protection of personal data, through an act of secondary law in the form of amendments to GDPR. It is likely that thus the Court of Justice would annul such secondary law #GDPR amendments, as they factually exempt AI from the guarantees provided in Treaties and render them largely meaningless in a world in which AI is already all over the place. At a time when California has strengthened it's law on AI and privacy, and even in Washington the discussion on third party controls and protections against AI risks and overrrach are taking off, the path pushed by the Irish Presidency and some others is anachronistic. Emptying GDPR from it's relevance for AI would add further damage to the cardinal sinn of the AI Act, which does not forsee any new ex ante third party controls on AI and thus provides a lower level of protection of public interests and individuals than is provided through legal requirements such as ex ante building permits in construction or ex ante type appproval for new Car designs. The future of AI in Europe is not secured by continued exceptionalism for AI but on the contrary by starting to apply normal principles of law and protection of public interest to AI as they have been applied to other technologies, from atomic power to pharmaceuticals and chemicals, for ages. Rather than the weakening of the rules, the age of AI and it's hyperpersonalised agents of the future require stronger personal data protection rules, as Tim Cook of Apple said, and the risks of AI as we see them unfolding require ex ante controlls. The Commission and the Council should now see the signs of the times and turn around to pursue a course of strengthening rather than weakening protections.#EU #Omnibus #DSGVO #KI #Dataprotection #Privacy #Datenschutz
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Ciara | Ciaraíoch 🎨 @ciaraioch.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Massively frustrating that despite being pro-Palestine generally as a nation with many working tirelessly to support and help those suffering, we, and by extension the people of Gaza, are consistently let down on a global stage by the people who are supposed to represent us
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Causeway Pride @causewaypride.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Please see our joint statement with @mams4transni.bsky.social

Today, Causeway Pride and Mams4TransNI stand in solidarity with the people of Garvaghy Road.

For decades, this community has lived with the consequences of the Drumcree dispute. Whatever someone's views on parading, tradition or identity, we cannot lose sight of the people who live there and the impact that these disputes have had on their homes, their families and their sense of safety.

We believe communities deserve to be listened to.
Not reduced to a legal argument.
Not expected to simply endure another cycle of confrontation while institutions struggle to find a lasting solution and play political chicken with one another.

Pride exists because marginalised communities have repeatedly had to say: listen to us. Our lives matter. Our voices matter. Our right to feel safe matters.

That principle goes beyond our LGBTQIA+ communities


Northern Ireland was promised a future beyond the conflicts of the past.
We owe EVERY community the chance to experience that future.

Today, our solidarity is with the people of Garvaghy Road.

We hear you.
We see you.
And we stand with your right to be heard, respected and safe.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Aidan O’Brien @aidanobrien.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
83% of Irish young people want stronger regulations on AI and AI companies, but instead, our government wants to give these companies unprecedented access to our data, overriding our fundamental human rights. The minister responsible needs to be asked directly why they have proposed this.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Senator Patricia Stephenson @patriciastephenson.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
A good summary of how these people are just being shitty for the sake of it. #SpeirGorm
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
diaminedave.bsky.social @diaminedave.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
In a political environment that tacitly allows violence to groups of vulnerable people, it is not surprising that at the personal level some feel empowered to engage in their own horrific violent acts.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Susan Lanigan @susanlanigan.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
The problem with John Self’s post is that he reviews fiction for the Irish Times and that can have a real effect on an author’s career. So when he equates the Garvaghy Road protestors against unionist supremacy with anti-immigrant fash, that’s a real problem for authors writing about these topics.
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Aidan O’Brien @aidanobrien.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
On Sunday, July 12th 1998, Jason (aged 8), Mark (aged 9) and Richard Quinn (aged 10) were killed in their home in Ballmoney when it was petrol-bombed by Loyalists, rioting after the Drumcree parade was banned from travelling the Garvahy Road that year. 3 brutal sectarian murders.
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Ciarán Mc Mahon @cjamcmahon.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
it is also extremely revealing that, a generation later, the Orange Order are still intent on marching down a road where they are unwelcome. they have learnt nothing, they have matured not a jot, every day of peace and tranquility has been entirely wasted on them #garvaghy #drumcree #speirgorm
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Annmarie O'C @annmarietg.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
When you think it can't get any worse. #StopTheGame #SpeirGorm
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Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
It’s not easy and it isn’t their fault. They didn’t want this. And now they’re just a bunch of young men left alone with their obligations and their consciences. And what a credit to them that their conscience weighs so heavy in the first place.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Goodness, what a weight on the players. What a sense of clashing responsibilities it must be. How unfair it falls to the group of young men after their institutional supports chose to send them there.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Andreas Froese @andreasfroese.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Wie tief muss man als Demokrat:innen sinken, um zusammen mit Rechtsextremist:innen für ein Verbot von Gedenkzeichen zur Erinnerung an #NSVerbrechen zu stimmen und so den polit. #Rechtsextremismus aufzuwerten? Haltung und Glaubwürdigkeit, so wichtig. t1p.de/1dm8t #CDU #noAfD #Stolpersteine #Heidenau
t1p.de
Gedenken an Nazi-Opfer - Antrag von AfD und CDU führt zu Stolpersteinverbot in Heidenau in Sachsen
Die Stadt Heidenau in Sachsen wird keine weiteren sogenannten Stolpersteine zur Erinnerung an Opfer des Nationalsozialismus verlegen. Der Stadtrat stimmte einem Antrag zu, der aus den Reihen von AfD u...
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Darach Ó Séaghdha @darach.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Peter Norman knew it would be weird for him to participate in a black power salute because he was a white Australian bloke, so he wore a little Olympic Project for Human Rights badge in solidarity. The way he was treated after this extremely careful, mild gesture was an utter disgrace.
The black power salute at the 1968 Olympics
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Susan Lanigan @susanlanigan.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Quoting this to remind myself that if I were never to sell another copy of The Planter’s Daughter, this review suffices to let me know I’ve done something to be proud of. Thanks @annmarietg.bsky.social ♥️
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
New Gist: On (and On) Bullshit "Bullshitters are more dangerous to public discourse than liars. Liars are laser-focused on reality and must know the truth to successfully deceive the listener. Bullshitters don’t care, so don’t even have to acknowledge reality. " www.thegist.ie/the-gist-on-...
thegist.ie
The Gist: On (and On) Bullshit
I have been thinking about Bullshit, in its official categorisation. In his short and easy essay “On Bullshit”, the euphoniously-named American philosopher Harry J. Frankfurt posited that a person co...
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Philip O'Connor @philipoconnor.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
The Irish government supports Israel's genocide.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
I don’t think that this should just be shrugged off. One of our Ministers (Enterprise or Justice, probably) has presented this plan. It isn’t an anonymous creature called the Irish Presidency. That is our Government.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Dr Abeba Birhane @abeba.blacksky.app · 14/07/2026
"Ireland's Enterprise Minister Peter Burke attended a private dinner with tech giant Meta at the US ambassador’s residence in February to discuss the “digital agenda for Ireland’s EU presidency,” amid a US drive to soften Europe’s policing of big tech." www.independent.ie/business/min...
independent.ie
Minister dined with Meta lobbyists at US ambassador’s residence amid US drive to soften Europe’s policing of big tech
Peter Burke’s intimate dinner with the tech giant’s reps was aimed at discussing ‘the digital agenda for Ireland’s EU presidency’
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
RTÉ News @news.rte.ie · 19/09/2026
President Catherine Connolly has said war and genocide are being "normalised" by world powers
rte.ie
War, genocide 'normalised' by world powers - president
President Catherine Connolly has said war and genocide are being "normalised" by world powers.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
"In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might Beware my power--my green orb’s light!" ~ Lanterna Viridis, dc 1943.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Eoghan Daltun 🌍 @irishrainforest.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I spoke to Oliver Callan yesterday on @rteradio1.bsky.social about my new book Setting the Land Free, and how we (including farmers) and nature have so much to gain, and nothing to lose, from getting serious about rewilding in Ireland. To stop losing nature, it's vital. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
rte.ie
Eoghan Daltun on his mission and vision for a rewilded Ireland
Eoghan Daltun let nature take back his farm in West Cork — now he's making the case for setting Ireland's wild places free. He joins Oliver in studio to to talk about his mission and his new book 'Set...
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Really well explained. Worth a watch.
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Tara Flynn @taraflynnirl.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Not picking a side is picking a side.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Helen Shaw - Athena Media @athenamediaie.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
So Ireland's been played by the Trumpy - ensuring Irish-American vote in Mid-Terms by playing the shamrocky, whiskey and unity card! We had an opportunity to bring human rights into the field ( President did what she could) but politics, business and sport played to the stereotype.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
There’s a major overlap between technocrats who want a science fiction world, but have taken all the wrong lessons from sci-fi, and far-right guys who are nostalgic for a past that didn’t exist, but they don’t know because they don’t read enough history. Ignorance is a cultural identity now.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Loki @lokideburca.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
The taoiseach was at a golf tournament/maga rally.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Raven Books @ravenbooks.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Customer, after looking at our window: Is it anti-fascist week? Me: It is, this and every week
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Susan Lanigan @susanlanigan.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
My kind of bookshop!
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Social Democrats @social-democrats.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The SocDems were out in force today in Dublin to say no Céad Míle Fáilte for Trump.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
TaraNicRóibín @tararoonies.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
A big thanks to the people protesting THAT PIG in Doonbeg. As always Sarah Clancy able to get to the heart of the matter. Reminding us of the terrible attrocities prepatrated by the united states of terror on ordinary citizens. Both directly or indirectly.
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Richard Chambers @newschambers.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Statement from President Connolly: We are in a world facing the existential threat posed by war and climate change, both of which are inextricably interlinked. I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Toni @tonitaylor.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
And this one 😂 bsky.app/profile/free...
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Siobhán McElduff @siobhanmcelduff.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
President Connolly is not just a mistress of her own emotions (which must surely be roiling away like a kettle on top of a hot range), an extremely gifted and empathetic president and person, but also a bona fide silver vixen. I will not be entering into discussion on this matter.
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The Journal @thejournal.ie · 12/09/2026
A protest supported by opposition parties Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats, the Greens and People Before Profit is taking place in Dublin city centre against Trump’s visit. Other protests are due to take place in Clare, where Trump has travelled for the Irish Open.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Reminder: The US President says anything that pops into his head and intends none of it.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Susan G @susangriff.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
The poem given by President Connolly to Donald Trump. "Ceasefire", by MichaelLongley. The illustration is by Sarah Longley. (Fine Press Poetry.) #speirgorm
A print with illustration of the poem 'Ceasefire’ by Michael Longley.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Dr Mary McAuliffe @drmarymcauliffe.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I stand in full solidarity with the tiny snail 🐌 #protectthesnail #stopthetrumpballroom
Tiny snail stands in path of Trump's
'spectacular' new ballroom in Ireland
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
WWN @waterfordwhispers.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Wise move.
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Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor @booknannyeditor.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Uplift members from across the country have drawn a line in the sand and made it clear to everybody around the world that Trump is not welcome here in Ireland. action.uplift.ie/campaigns/tr...
action.uplift.ie
Share your message to Trump
Uplift members from across Ireland have drawn a line in the sand and made it clear to everybody around the world that Trump is not welcome here in Ireland.
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
It's a shakedown. We need to tell them to get fucked. Not just for the sake of international law, but also for our own prosperity and sovereignty. #spéirgorm
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera @pantibliss.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I don't say this lightly or flippantly: I honestly think this is the most incompetent government we've had in my lifetime and this is a really bad time for it. None of these guys are *anywhere near* qualified for their important ministerial portfolios. An embarrassing shambles of a cabinet
Darragh O'Brien
Minister for Climate, Energy, and Environment
Minister for TransportJim O'Callaghan
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs, and MigrationPatrick O' Donovan
Minister for Culture, Communications, and Sport
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Dr Kate Farrant Shaw @katefarrantshaw.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Amazing treasures of medieval Irish legal history - the Catslechta - an old Irish legal text on cats (the Senchas Már) which even sets out various categories of cats including one for cats who purr and protect – the Breonei. #medievalsky
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Reposted by Bernadette Kearns │Fiction editor
Xero now with 100% more 🎃 @artificer-ind.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Still patiently waiting to be "left behind" by AI rather than it chasing me across every damn space like a slasher in a low budget flick.
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