Niall O’Connor

@NiallJournal_ie • 5,778 subscribers

News correspondent @thejournal_ie - long time hack, ex-garda (Irish cop) also ex pro-cycling PR. I cover mostly national and international security issues.

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The meeting today is all about EU Defence. I asked Kaja Kallas about use by Ireland &amp; the EU of post Brexit British naval assets to secure the meeting. Here is her response. An international colleague asks first about the low defence spend by Ireland. TheJournal.ie 🧵

The blockade is broken here in Whitegate. Seven trucks have arrived. TheJournal.ie

Another convoy of trucks has gone in to Whitegate Refinery. Safe to say blockade is no more. And there is the famed army “beast” tow truck. Despite disinfo online about it - no group of troops deployed. It wasn’t used. The protestors gave their keys to Gardaí. TheJournal.ie

The moment Gardaí from Limerick who were suspended for five years along as part of a flawed NBCI investigation with Det Gda Eamon Cunnane, the Garda at the centre of Bikegate in which he was investigated for giving a bicycle to a farmer. TheJournal.ie

A Garda Inspector gives the protestors the direction to leave and desist from blocking the road at Whitegate. TheJournal.ie

Pepper spray deployed here at Whitegate. TheJournal.ie

Large number of soft cap uniformed Gardaí have arrived here in Whitegate. They arrived here in four buses. Public order has arrived also. Some scuffles broke out as the Gardaí moved into position. TheJournal.ie

Meeting between the Gardaí and the protestors has broken up and there’s been an escalation after that with the protestors moving their trucks into position tightening the blockade. Cars are still being left into the refinery. TheJournal.ie

Full recount called in Cork North Central. 29 discrepancies in a sample of 25% of papers. Mick Barry said one vote extra but believes it is indicative possibly of broader errors. It could take three days. TheJournal.ie #GE24

Public Order Unit has arrived at Whitegate Refinery. TheJournal.ie

A 🧵 of comments by Defence &amp; Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee at the meeting in Druids Glen. There are discussions here re an EU mission to replace UNIFIL. Ireland is unlikely to be able to participate without a UN mandate as per the Triple Lock.

Here in The Curragh with the Defence Forces where Minister for Defence has announced again that the NDP money will go to radar and counter drone tech. Spotted these legends training in “good infantry weather”. Will have a report shortly. TheJournal.ie

Working today at the Presidency of the Council of the EU events in Cork. The College of Commissioners are here today. Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen is here also. Here is a protest at the gates of UCC. Protestor Christine Chasaide explains: TheJournal.ie

Mick Barry of People Before Profit Solidarity has requested the recount in Cork North Central. 35 votes separate him and his opponent Eoghan Kenny of Labour. He gives his view on what happens today and why he has requested it. TheJournal.ie #EP24

Greetings from South Lebanon. I am here for the next few days reporting on the situation from the perspective of Irish troops and local people as they come to terms with the impending UNIFIL withdrawal. Follow along on TheJournal.ie for more.

New TD Eoghan Kenny speaking in Cork North Central after his election. TheJournal.ie #GE24

The meeting today is all about EU Defence. I asked Kaja Kallas about use by Ireland & the EU of post Brexit British naval assets to secure the meeting. Here is her response. An international colleague asks first about the low defence spend by Ireland. TheJournal.ie 🧵

A 🧵 of comments by Defence & Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee at the meeting in Druids Glen. There are discussions here re an EU mission to replace UNIFIL. Ireland is unlikely to be able to participate without a UN mandate as per the Triple Lock.