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Charles

@oscharles.bsky.social
728 followers 155 following 132 posts

Assistant Professor in Law at Maynooth University focused on the welfare state, migration and social inclusion | All-Island Social Security Network | BTLM I He/They Sé/Siad | www.maynoothuniversity.ie/people/ch…

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Reposted by Charles
Wendy Lyon @wendylyon.eurosky.social · 43m
Given that Irish government TDs have cited Sweden's decision to introduce a language test for citizenship as justification for Ireland introducing one, it seems relevant that Sweden is finding it difficult to actually do it
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polifeed @feed.gavreilly.com · 54m
TheJournal.ie: Taoiseach criticised for misrepresenting how citizenship rules work
thejournal.ie
Taoiseach criticised for misrepresenting how citizenship rules work
There have also been calls for the government to introduce a permanent residency visa if it insists on changing current rules.
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Reposted by Charles
Wendy Lyon @wendylyon.eurosky.social · 22h
Once again it needs to be stressed that this is something happening across the board in Irish immigration- changes in practice leading to refusals that would not have occurred in previous years. We are in a very dark time for the rights of people migrating to Ireland and their families.
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Alberto Alemanno @alemanno.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Today we filed a formal complaint against the European Commission for failing to protect our right to free movement. What’s a stake isn’t only Schengen but the rule of law in EU, what has led former Commissioner Josep Borrell, Nicolas Schmit, Laszlo Andor to join thegoodlobby.eu/the-commissi...
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David Flood @maoltuile.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
www.irishnews.com/news/norther...
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Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera @pantibliss.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Well this is going to go just great and ease tensions and solve everything!
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Ruth Fletcher @ruthfletcher.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Here’s the first of a series of 10 blogs we’re doing this week for #SafeAbortionDay #Sept28 To call for more legal witnessing of soft law barriers to abortion care and challenge harmful exclusions and unworkable time limits dflw.ie/witnessing-l... Time to address failed EMA up against 12 weeks!
dflw.ie
Witnessing legal implementation after #repealedthe8th: Soft law and the curious case of discontinuous care after a failed early medical abortion - Doing Feminist Legal Work
“It was like an epiphany. We just felt a weight lifted off us to know that there was even an option. They told me someone local to me where I could go and
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kevin @beirne.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
20,000 secondary school teachers are starting industrial action next week because the government refuse to pay them properly but sure let’s spend €300m on training people to use the fraud machine that turns your brain to porridge
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Colin Murray @colinmurray.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
These campuses have been tried for decades by UK institutions and they are almost always either a distraction or a full on curse. The current Irish Government is now so immigration-obsessed that effective higher education policy doesn't get a look in...
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Anna Landre @annalandre.com · 22/09/2026
“When will a Prime Minister’s “tough decisions” mean, for example, rerouting money into making train stations accessible, of which 39% are not? The Institution of Mechanical Engineers says this would add £176bn a year to the economy …” Read the rest: www.lbc.co.uk/article/pip-...
lbc.co.uk
PIP would cost less if politicians invested in making life easier for people like me | LBC
If Government wants to spend less on disability benefits over time, it has to remove the daily barriers that create these costs, writes disability campaigner Anna Landre
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Anna Landre @annalandre.com · 22/09/2026
My latest for @lbc.co.uk: If politicians want to reduce the PIP and wider benefits bill, they should make basic investments in accessible infrastructure and services ⬇️
Screenshot of an LBC opinion article with headline “PIP would cost less if politicians invested in making life easier for people like me,” subtitle “If Government wants to spend less on disability benefits over time, it has to remove the daily barriers that create these costs, writes disability campaigner Anna Landre,” and photo of Anna, a young white woman using a wheelchair.
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Stephen Collins @stephencollins.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

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Wide shot of the BRITISH MUSEUM. There are suggestions of fascism around the streets - tanks, barricades, an Orwellian 'Big Brother'-style poster on a wall. A voice of a TOUR GUIDE emanates from the museum:

TOUR GUIDE:
So the Tapestry tells acrucial chapter of our nation's history...

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[Cut to interior of museum. A long Bayeaux-style TAPESTRY is on display, and the Tour Guide is speaking to a tour group]

TOUR GUIDE [smiling]:
How modern fascist Britain was created. 

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TOUR GUIDE:
The Tapestry begins here with the 2008 Crash, then austerity, then the AI Crash...

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TOUR GUIDE:
...and by the end of the room it's just full-on fash. 

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CHILD IN TOUR GROUP [gesturing to the tapestry]:
What's this middle bit?

TOUR GUIDE:
This is the 2026 Battle of Legitimate Concerns 

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TOUR GUIDE:
[show a reporter standing next to the Dover protests]
Here's the media saying the government have got to do something about the legitimate concerns...

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CHILD:
...About the failure of capitalism?

TOUR GUIDE:
No about brown people on boats

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CHILD:
[pointing at boats crossing the sea on the tapestry]
Are these boats the mega-dinghies?

TOUR GUIDE:
Not all of them

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[we see one of the boats  is a giant yacht]
TOUR GUIDE:
That one's a superyacht,
carrying money from the American fascists to the British ones.

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TOUR GUIDE:
You see really it's as much a story of convergence as it is of conflict.

[An alarm sounds in the museum]
DING DING DING DING 

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TOUR GUIDE:
Ok, tour over everyone 

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TOUR GUIDE:
It's time for the Two Minute Hate!

[They all leave the museum]

[ends]
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M a r c u s 🏳️‍🌈🇧🇧 @marcusjdl.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Sounds FAMILIAR!
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Éidín Ní Shé @eidin.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
“At a sectoral level, in real terms, the Government now gives less money per student to universities than it did in 2008.” www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...
irishtimes.com
University of Galway deficit threatens teaching jobs
Recent year-end funding gap measures for third level institutions have fallen out of favour
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Reposted by Charles
Dan Sohege @danielsohege.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
There has been a noticeable lack of serious reaction over Turkish persecution of LGBTQIA+ community from the global community. As in many other countries, Türkiye tries to mask persecution by claiming being LGBTQIA+ isn't illegal and then using "obscenity laws". www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
Turkey detains dozens in crackdown on LGBTQ+ activists and journalists
Protesters teargassed as minister claims widespread raids and arrests under obscenity laws were to ‘protect families’
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Alan Dunne @aldunne.eurosky.social · 18/09/2026
you have to hand it to this government, not only is it one of the least productive (legislation-wise) we've ever had, it's also making a hames of the basic functions involved in running a country
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Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
As Terry Pratchett regularly highlighted, "privilege" means "private law". One rule for me and another for you. O' Callaghan is working hard to exacerbate that inequality and hurt those who effectively live and contribute as second class citizens in Ireland. It's just plain racism #spéirgorm
rte.ie
Citizenship a privilege, says minister ahead of overhaul
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said "citizenship is a privilege, not a right" ahead of new rules for people seeking Irish citizenship.
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Lydia Mulvey @lydiamulvey.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
🎶 so tired of these mennnnn 🎶
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Wendy Lyon @wendylyon.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026
To say Irish citizenship is “given out like smarties” betrays an ignorance that is unworthy of an elected member of the Oireachtas. Also deeply insulting to the many people who have had to wait years for it due to sheer governmental incompetence.
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Wendy Lyon @wendylyon.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026
"In Dublin alone, the Bar of Ireland said hundreds of people who stand convicted of serious criminal offences remain in the community awaiting sentence, due to their scheduled sentence hearings being adjourned throughout the month of July."
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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Wrote about how making it harder for people to become Irish citizens is a move that cannot be isolated from a broader context in which immigrants are being scapegoated. The reasoning around bringing Ireland in line with other EU states is also very thin.
irishtimes.com
Una Mullally: It’s easy to look tough on immigration. It’s much harder to build empathy
In practical terms, new citizenship rules will be another bureaucratic obstacle for people. But its other meaning is arbitrary cruelty-by-admin
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Charles @oscharles.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A ghoul of a human, no redeeming characteristics, no moral compass
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Reposted by Charles
Wendy Lyon @wendylyon.eurosky.social · 09/09/2026
The IT journo hasn’t picked up on it, but the Law Society letter throws a delicious bit of shade at Jim over his obvious failure to understand what a “case” actually is in criminal law bsky.app/profile/iris...
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Irish Council for Civil Liberties 🏳️‍🌈 @iccl.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
No rationale, research or evidence has been presented by the Justice Minister for his proposed changes restricting citizenship access. These plans that are simply aimed at making Ireland a hostile place for migrants who contribute so much to our economy and society. www.iccl.ie/news/citizen...
iccl.ie
Citizenship proposals will destroy a crucial route to integration
Human rights organisations express serious concerns about proposals that will significantly restrict access to Irish citizenship.
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TaraNicRóibín @tararoonies.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Is this irish values
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Charles @oscharles.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Many of the same politicians who did not think to make Irish a working language of the EU until 2007 are now telling you it’s a dealbreaker for citizenship - we joined in 1973. It’s jingoistic racism to cover for their lack of actual solutions, just like their copying the HRC to social housing.
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Reposted by Charles
Donal Coffey @donalcoffey.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We are launching the Research Centre for Legal Historyon 16.09.26. I am delighted to say that we have a great line up of incredible speakers. We have a very limited number of spaces in the room, but wanted to open it up to the wider legal history community www.eventbrite.com/e/2000181837...
eventbrite.com
Research Centre for Legal History Launch
This event is the launch the Mayooth University School of Law and Criminology's newly established Research Centre for Legal History.
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
‘Nothing short of laughable’ – Justice Minister criticised over legal aid dispute as courts at a ‘standstill’. Solicitor says Jim O’Callaghan’s claims that proceedings are running ‘effectively’ is ‘simply nonsense’. www.independent.ie/irish-news/c...
independent.ie
‘Nothing short of laughable’ – Justice Minister criticised over legal aid dispute as courts at a ‘standstill’
Solicitor says Jim O’Callaghan’s claims that proceedings are running ‘effectively’ is ‘simply nonsense’
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Reposted by Charles
Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera @pantibliss.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Absolutely fuck this. This is a dog whistle masquerading as policy. New citizens not having an "understanding" of Ireland is not and has not ever been a problem. Fuck this from a height
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
If the police & security services didn't see this coming, it was a massive intelligence failure. If they did, but still gave the impression of being caught on the hop, it's something worse.
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Criodán Ó Murchú (he/him) @criodanomurchu.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
This phrasing is purely directed at their voter base, but it should be illustrative for people who don't fit into the traditional workers model. What about carers? What about parents? It's nauseating listening to this tripe when you do get up for work early and your money goes less far each week!
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Louise Troy @louisetroy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
“Operating effectively” Spits out coffee…. No, Jim, they are not operating at all. #Speirgorm
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Lisa Carey @msleedy.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This government's attitude that spending money on public services is some kind of terrible loss to the state coffers rather than THEIR ACTUAL JOB is going to tip me over the edge, I stg.
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Aidan O’Brien @aidanobrien.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Increasing bus fares while passing € 1 billion in fuel subsidies is a conscious decision. Cancelling public transport infrastructure projects while approving new roads is a conscious decision. Underpaying solicitors & public servants while the country has a massive budget surplus is a....
thejournal.ie
Bus and train fares for adults to increase by average of 15% from January, NTA confirms
The move has been criticised by opposition parties.
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M a r c u s 🏳️‍🌈🇧🇧 @marcusjdl.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Due to the unique way the BBC is funded by you we can have a man stand in the sea wearing a shirt harassing desperate people fleeing Afghanistan
screenshot from BBC News of people seeking asylum on a dinghy in Orange high there’s a BBC reporter in a white shirt holding a Mic stands in the sea talking to them
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John Oxley @joxley.jmoxley.co.uk · 30/08/2026
Men will suggest "vassalage for young people" before making the case for "broad based tax rises".
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Charles @oscharles.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Does anyone actually find this faux-folksy David Brooks-esque nonsense of value?
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The Empty City @davidallengreen.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Another UK Prime Minister, this time a Labour one, who has not read the Good Friday Agreement. The Northern Ireland Act also expressly provides there must be a referendum if certain conditions are met.
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Eoin Daly @eoinmauricedaly.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The whole gist of the 1998 peace agreement is that sovereignty over Northern Ireland is decided by its population. And then the British just say stuff like this - like they have the final say. To the British, NI is simultaneously ‘other’, but ‘ours’.
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Darach Ó Séaghdha @darach.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
“…recognise that it is for the people of the island of Ireland alone, by agreement between the two parts respectively and without external impediment, to exercise their right of self-determination on the basis of consent, freely and concurrently given… to bring about a united Ireland”.
Extract from the Good Friday Agreement, 1998: “1. The participants endorse the commitment made by the British and Irish Governments that, in a new British-Irish Agreement replacing the Anglo-Irish Agreement, they will:
(i)
recognise the legitimacy of whatever choice is freely exercised by a majority of the people of Northern Ireland with regard to its status, whether they prefer to continue to support the Union with Great Britain or a newsovereign united Ireland;
(ii)
recognise that it is for the people of the island of Ireland alone, by agreement between the two parts respectively and without external impediment, to exercise their right of self-determination on the basis of consent, freely and concurrently given, North and South, to bring about a united Ireland, if that is their wish, accepting that this right must be achieved and exercised with and subject to the agreement and consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland”
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Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Law Society hits back at Jim O’Callaghan over 'fundamentally unhelpful commentary' on criminal legal aid row www.thejournal.ie/legal-aid-di...
thejournal.ie
Law Society hits back at minister over 'fundamentally unhelpful commentary' on legal aid row
The group said this evening that two core issues with the scheme remain unresolved.
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Yashar Ali 🐘 @yasharali.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
1. AFM, the labor union representing professional musicians in North America, is paying tribute to Dolly Parton, who was a member of its Nashville Local 257 for 58 years. AFM says that for decades, Dolly consistently filed union contracts for her recording sessions, live gigs and tours.
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Charles @oscharles.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I have been rewatching Designing Women as a comfort watch and a few weeks ago I got to this with Dolly
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Joel @itsjoels.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
This is the letter kids got at the end of Dolly’s Imagination Library. I defy you to read this and not cry.
Sorry, I can’t type that.
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Dun Jun @clustertuck.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
-why is it the ONLY unforgivable sin?" And then she told me, "I finally figured it out. The Holy Ghost is that part of God that lives in everybody, and the way you sin against it is by not loving everybody with all your heart, for exactly who they are."
youtube.com
Dolly Parton - Travelin' Thru [Official Music Video]
YouTube video by NettwerkMusic
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Dun Jun @clustertuck.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
RIP Dolly Parton ❤️ Here's a lovely Dolly story: We worked together on "Transamerica." She told me that the bible passage that used to puzzle her the most was, "the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." She said, "How the heck do you sin against the Holy Ghost, and-
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Fergal @fergalc.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Strange to say but the fact that Dolly Parton was such a great person actually sort of distracted from her towering artistic genius.
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Kyle Griffin @kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library gifted more than 332,000,000 books since it was first created 31 years ago.
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Amadi Lovelace @amaditalks.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Remember that if you got the Moderna Covid vaccine, you have Dolly Parton to thank, she gave the largest individual contribution toward their research to make it possible.
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Social Policy Blog @socialpolicyblog.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
New on the Social Policy Blog: “When Coordination Fails, Citizens Pay the Price: Lessons from Spain’s Long-Term Care System" by Jorge Hernández-Moreno socialpolicyblog.co.uk/2026/08/25/w...
socialpolicyblog.co.uk
When Coordination Fails: Lessons from Spain's Long-Term Care System
Why Spain's long-term care system struggles to coordinate across regions and sectors, leaving citizens facing long waits and unequal care.
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