Gavan Reilly
@gavreilly.com
Politics guy @virginmedianews.bsky.social; columns here and there; author of 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞: linktr.ee/gavreilly
Keir Starmer's chief of staff and right-hand man Morgan McSweeney resigns in the wake of the Peter Mandelson controversy. The Macroom man was said to have pushed for Mandelson's appointment as Washington ambassador despite internal and institutional unease about his associations with Jeffrey Epstein
February 8, 2026 at 2:28 PM
Keir Starmer's chief of staff and right-hand man Morgan McSweeney resigns in the wake of the Peter Mandelson controversy. The Macroom man was said to have pushed for Mandelson's appointment as Washington ambassador despite internal and institutional unease about his associations with Jeffrey Epstein
Sanae Takaichi's gamble of a winter election pays off - the LDP (…again) wins Japan's election, with enough seats to govern without its former coalition partners in Komeito. The PM tells Japan's NHK there will be no cabinet reshuffle – i.e. that her party intends to govern alone.
February 8, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Sanae Takaichi's gamble of a winter election pays off - the LDP (…again) wins Japan's election, with enough seats to govern without its former coalition partners in Komeito. The PM tells Japan's NHK there will be no cabinet reshuffle – i.e. that her party intends to govern alone.
A very eye-opening follow-up: the account owner openly admits they were posting hateful content simply to develop, and monetise, a big TikTok account bsky.app/profile/jim....
This is an *exceptional* piece of work, and ought to be borne in mind when looking at literally any online ragebait in future.
A TikTok account that professed to be highlighting how 'illegal immigrants get free housing in London' was… well, not that at all.
www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
A TikTok account that professed to be highlighting how 'illegal immigrants get free housing in London' was… well, not that at all.
www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
Who's secretly filming fake TikToks inside Londoners' homes?
We tracked down the viral video account invading people's houses to spread false claims about immigrants.
www.londoncentric.media
February 8, 2026 at 8:02 AM
A very eye-opening follow-up: the account owner openly admits they were posting hateful content simply to develop, and monetise, a big TikTok account bsky.app/profile/jim....
Interesting contribution on AI from the Social Democrats (who support Mícheál Martin accepting the invite to the White House): they say they will draft legislation so that everyone enjoys “copyright-like ownership” of their own image and voice, so as to effectively ban deepfakes by stealth
February 7, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Interesting contribution on AI from the Social Democrats (who support Mícheál Martin accepting the invite to the White House): they say they will draft legislation so that everyone enjoys “copyright-like ownership” of their own image and voice, so as to effectively ban deepfakes by stealth
🚨 Micheál Martin confirms he has received, and accepted, an invitation to the White House for St Patrick’s Day. The Taoiseach said Donald Trump’s invite was “an opportunity to celebrate the special relationship between our two countries”. @virginmedianews.bsky.social
February 6, 2026 at 8:17 PM
🚨 Micheál Martin confirms he has received, and accepted, an invitation to the White House for St Patrick’s Day. The Taoiseach said Donald Trump’s invite was “an opportunity to celebrate the special relationship between our two countries”. @virginmedianews.bsky.social
A reminder for #Speirgorm users with visual impairments that this season’s League of Ireland coverage (just like our Six Nations coverage) on @virginmediatv.bsky.social will be available with audio description commentary - here’s how to switch it on if you’re a Virgin Media cable TV customer. ⚽️🎧
February 6, 2026 at 8:05 PM
A reminder for #Speirgorm users with visual impairments that this season’s League of Ireland coverage (just like our Six Nations coverage) on @virginmediatv.bsky.social will be available with audio description commentary - here’s how to switch it on if you’re a Virgin Media cable TV customer. ⚽️🎧
Reposted by Gavan Reilly
Received this text message from my father yesterday. Panicked that he had had a stroke, or similar.
Turns out it was my iPhone trying to transcribe the Irish language.
Turns out it was my iPhone trying to transcribe the Irish language.
February 5, 2026 at 3:51 PM
Received this text message from my father yesterday. Panicked that he had had a stroke, or similar.
Turns out it was my iPhone trying to transcribe the Irish language.
Turns out it was my iPhone trying to transcribe the Irish language.
Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin tells Oireachtas Ag Cmte his company Dawn Farm Foods only imports about 1% of its beef, solely to ensure it can fulfil orders if Irish supplies were interrupted.
Farmers' groups and opposition say his importing of Brazilian beef is incompatible with being Bord Bia chair.
Farmers' groups and opposition say his importing of Brazilian beef is incompatible with being Bord Bia chair.
February 5, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin tells Oireachtas Ag Cmte his company Dawn Farm Foods only imports about 1% of its beef, solely to ensure it can fulfil orders if Irish supplies were interrupted.
Farmers' groups and opposition say his importing of Brazilian beef is incompatible with being Bord Bia chair.
Farmers' groups and opposition say his importing of Brazilian beef is incompatible with being Bord Bia chair.
POLL: Irish Times/Ipsos B&A
(Jan 30-Feb 3, MoE 2.8%)
Sinn Féin 24 (-3 since October)
Fianna Fáil 19 (+2)
Fine Gael 18
Social Democrats 7 (+2)
Labour 4 (-2)
Ind Ireland 4 (+2)
Aontú 3
Greens 3
PBP-Solidarity 2
Inds/others 16 (-1)
(Jan 30-Feb 3, MoE 2.8%)
Sinn Féin 24 (-3 since October)
Fianna Fáil 19 (+2)
Fine Gael 18
Social Democrats 7 (+2)
Labour 4 (-2)
Ind Ireland 4 (+2)
Aontú 3
Greens 3
PBP-Solidarity 2
Inds/others 16 (-1)
Taoiseach recovers but Government satisfaction slumps, Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll finds
Sinn Féin remains the most popular political party, but its support has fallen
www.irishtimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:58 AM
POLL: Irish Times/Ipsos B&A
(Jan 30-Feb 3, MoE 2.8%)
Sinn Féin 24 (-3 since October)
Fianna Fáil 19 (+2)
Fine Gael 18
Social Democrats 7 (+2)
Labour 4 (-2)
Ind Ireland 4 (+2)
Aontú 3
Greens 3
PBP-Solidarity 2
Inds/others 16 (-1)
(Jan 30-Feb 3, MoE 2.8%)
Sinn Féin 24 (-3 since October)
Fianna Fáil 19 (+2)
Fine Gael 18
Social Democrats 7 (+2)
Labour 4 (-2)
Ind Ireland 4 (+2)
Aontú 3
Greens 3
PBP-Solidarity 2
Inds/others 16 (-1)
The Greens have selected Cllr Janet Horner to contest the Dublin Central by-election
February 4, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The Greens have selected Cllr Janet Horner to contest the Dublin Central by-election
Ahead of the Dáil today debating reforms to the rental sector… a Maynooth University survey of tenants of three major institutional landlords finds evidence of poor standards and rents appearing to rise beyond RPZ limits. Challenges idea that professionalising landlords means higher quality housing
February 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM
Ahead of the Dáil today debating reforms to the rental sector… a Maynooth University survey of tenants of three major institutional landlords finds evidence of poor standards and rents appearing to rise beyond RPZ limits. Challenges idea that professionalising landlords means higher quality housing
Cabinet will be told today that Ireland’s EU presidency (and special ministerial meetings on AI) will include plans to ban all AI models within the EU from having undressing/nudification features
All of Ireland’s ‘official’ concern thus far has been about Grok-as-an-X-account and not Grok-as-app
All of Ireland’s ‘official’ concern thus far has been about Grok-as-an-X-account and not Grok-as-app
February 4, 2026 at 6:42 AM
Cabinet will be told today that Ireland’s EU presidency (and special ministerial meetings on AI) will include plans to ban all AI models within the EU from having undressing/nudification features
All of Ireland’s ‘official’ concern thus far has been about Grok-as-an-X-account and not Grok-as-app
All of Ireland’s ‘official’ concern thus far has been about Grok-as-an-X-account and not Grok-as-app
POLL: Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks
(Jan 30, MoE 2.8%)
Sinn Féin 20 (-2 in six weeks)
Fianna Fáil 18
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Social Democrats 10
Aontú 6 (+1)
Ind Ireland 6 (+1)
Labour 4
PBP-Solidarity 4 (+1)
Greens 3 (-1)
Inds/others 11
(Jan 30, MoE 2.8%)
Sinn Féin 20 (-2 in six weeks)
Fianna Fáil 18
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Social Democrats 10
Aontú 6 (+1)
Ind Ireland 6 (+1)
Labour 4
PBP-Solidarity 4 (+1)
Greens 3 (-1)
Inds/others 11
Revealed: Poll shows voters divided on when Micheál Martin should step down as leader of Fianna Fáil
Voters are divided on when Micheál Martin should step down as leader of Fianna Fáil, with 45 per cent saying now is the time for him to go.
www.independent.ie
February 1, 2026 at 10:53 PM
POLL: Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks
(Jan 30, MoE 2.8%)
Sinn Féin 20 (-2 in six weeks)
Fianna Fáil 18
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Social Democrats 10
Aontú 6 (+1)
Ind Ireland 6 (+1)
Labour 4
PBP-Solidarity 4 (+1)
Greens 3 (-1)
Inds/others 11
(Jan 30, MoE 2.8%)
Sinn Féin 20 (-2 in six weeks)
Fianna Fáil 18
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Social Democrats 10
Aontú 6 (+1)
Ind Ireland 6 (+1)
Labour 4
PBP-Solidarity 4 (+1)
Greens 3 (-1)
Inds/others 11
Spent the day away from papers/polls but posting the following for future reference anyway…
February 1, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Spent the day away from papers/polls but posting the following for future reference anyway…
Seats currently marked as filled for today's Irish screenings of the new 'Melania' documovie:
Vue, Liffey Valley: 0/344, 0/47, 5/47
Cineworld, Parnell St: 11/137, 4/137, 7/137
Vue, Liffey Valley: 0/344, 0/47, 5/47
Cineworld, Parnell St: 11/137, 4/137, 7/137
January 30, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Seats currently marked as filled for today's Irish screenings of the new 'Melania' documovie:
Vue, Liffey Valley: 0/344, 0/47, 5/47
Cineworld, Parnell St: 11/137, 4/137, 7/137
Vue, Liffey Valley: 0/344, 0/47, 5/47
Cineworld, Parnell St: 11/137, 4/137, 7/137
36,284 homes completed in 2025, per CSO figures this morning.
That is the highest figure for new housing delivery since the property collapse in the late 2000s.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
That is the highest figure for new housing delivery since the property collapse in the late 2000s.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 11:41 AM
36,284 homes completed in 2025, per CSO figures this morning.
That is the highest figure for new housing delivery since the property collapse in the late 2000s.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
That is the highest figure for new housing delivery since the property collapse in the late 2000s.
@virginmedianews.bsky.social
Shenanigans already at Oireachtas Sport committee, which was due to hear from Rowing Ireland about treatment of athletes in high performance prog. The CEO is a no-show, having rang vice-chair Evanne Ní Chuilinn (who she’d have known from her time in media) last night looking to speak in confidence…
January 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Shenanigans already at Oireachtas Sport committee, which was due to hear from Rowing Ireland about treatment of athletes in high performance prog. The CEO is a no-show, having rang vice-chair Evanne Ní Chuilinn (who she’d have known from her time in media) last night looking to speak in confidence…
Some Gardaí due to graduate from Templemore next week can’t enter service straight away… because they don’t have Garda vetting.
The process has been changed so that trainees are now vetted during college, not beforehand - but the new process seems to have hit some teething issues…
The process has been changed so that trainees are now vetted during college, not beforehand - but the new process seems to have hit some teething issues…
January 27, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Some Gardaí due to graduate from Templemore next week can’t enter service straight away… because they don’t have Garda vetting.
The process has been changed so that trainees are now vetted during college, not beforehand - but the new process seems to have hit some teething issues…
The process has been changed so that trainees are now vetted during college, not beforehand - but the new process seems to have hit some teething issues…
Nine ministerial visits to the United States for St Patrick’s Day - the Taoiseach slated to visit Philadelphia as well as the traditional trip to Washington. @virginmedianews.bsky.social
January 27, 2026 at 12:30 PM
Nine ministerial visits to the United States for St Patrick’s Day - the Taoiseach slated to visit Philadelphia as well as the traditional trip to Washington. @virginmedianews.bsky.social
Manchester United are the lineal world champions of football
(# you’ll never sing that #)
(# you’ll never sing that #)
January 25, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Manchester United are the lineal world champions of football
(# you’ll never sing that #)
(# you’ll never sing that #)
Fianna Fáil at 15 is some drop from the 22% in the GE only fourteen months ago
Social Democrats on 10, that party’s highest ever poll rating
Social Democrats on 10, that party’s highest ever poll rating
POLL: Business Post/Red C
(circa Jan 15-20, MoE 3%)
Sinn Féin 24 (+2 in two months)
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Fianna Fáil 15 (-3)
Social Democrats 10 (+2)
Labour 5 (+1)
Aontú 5 (-1)
Ind Ireland 4
PBP-Solidarity 3
Greens 2 (-1)
Other parties 1
Independents 13 (-1)
www.businesspost.ie/politics/fia...
(circa Jan 15-20, MoE 3%)
Sinn Féin 24 (+2 in two months)
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Fianna Fáil 15 (-3)
Social Democrats 10 (+2)
Labour 5 (+1)
Aontú 5 (-1)
Ind Ireland 4
PBP-Solidarity 3
Greens 2 (-1)
Other parties 1
Independents 13 (-1)
www.businesspost.ie/politics/fia...
Fianna Fáil in freefall: Party plummets in latest Red C Poll
www.businesspost.ie
January 24, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Fianna Fáil at 15 is some drop from the 22% in the GE only fourteen months ago
Social Democrats on 10, that party’s highest ever poll rating
Social Democrats on 10, that party’s highest ever poll rating
POLL: Business Post/Red C
(circa Jan 15-20, MoE 3%)
Sinn Féin 24 (+2 in two months)
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Fianna Fáil 15 (-3)
Social Democrats 10 (+2)
Labour 5 (+1)
Aontú 5 (-1)
Ind Ireland 4
PBP-Solidarity 3
Greens 2 (-1)
Other parties 1
Independents 13 (-1)
www.businesspost.ie/politics/fia...
(circa Jan 15-20, MoE 3%)
Sinn Féin 24 (+2 in two months)
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Fianna Fáil 15 (-3)
Social Democrats 10 (+2)
Labour 5 (+1)
Aontú 5 (-1)
Ind Ireland 4
PBP-Solidarity 3
Greens 2 (-1)
Other parties 1
Independents 13 (-1)
www.businesspost.ie/politics/fia...
Fianna Fáil in freefall: Party plummets in latest Red C Poll
www.businesspost.ie
January 24, 2026 at 10:23 PM
POLL: Business Post/Red C
(circa Jan 15-20, MoE 3%)
Sinn Féin 24 (+2 in two months)
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Fianna Fáil 15 (-3)
Social Democrats 10 (+2)
Labour 5 (+1)
Aontú 5 (-1)
Ind Ireland 4
PBP-Solidarity 3
Greens 2 (-1)
Other parties 1
Independents 13 (-1)
www.businesspost.ie/politics/fia...
(circa Jan 15-20, MoE 3%)
Sinn Féin 24 (+2 in two months)
Fine Gael 18 (+1)
Fianna Fáil 15 (-3)
Social Democrats 10 (+2)
Labour 5 (+1)
Aontú 5 (-1)
Ind Ireland 4
PBP-Solidarity 3
Greens 2 (-1)
Other parties 1
Independents 13 (-1)
www.businesspost.ie/politics/fia...
This is an *exceptional* piece of work, and ought to be borne in mind when looking at literally any online ragebait in future.
A TikTok account that professed to be highlighting how 'illegal immigrants get free housing in London' was… well, not that at all.
www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
A TikTok account that professed to be highlighting how 'illegal immigrants get free housing in London' was… well, not that at all.
www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
Who's secretly filming fake TikToks inside Londoners' homes?
We tracked down the viral video account invading people's houses to spread false claims about immigrants.
www.londoncentric.media
January 24, 2026 at 9:56 AM
This is an *exceptional* piece of work, and ought to be borne in mind when looking at literally any online ragebait in future.
A TikTok account that professed to be highlighting how 'illegal immigrants get free housing in London' was… well, not that at all.
www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
A TikTok account that professed to be highlighting how 'illegal immigrants get free housing in London' was… well, not that at all.
www.londoncentric.media/p/tiktok-lon...
Cannot fathom the acres of thinkpieces about the supposed Musk/O'Leary rivalry. Folks, it's two lads having a slagging match on a website. Both are delighted with the notoriety and, when this stops getting limelight in another day or two, neither will enter the consciousness of the other ever again
January 24, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Cannot fathom the acres of thinkpieces about the supposed Musk/O'Leary rivalry. Folks, it's two lads having a slagging match on a website. Both are delighted with the notoriety and, when this stops getting limelight in another day or two, neither will enter the consciousness of the other ever again