Jennifer Bray
jenniferbray.bsky.social
Jennifer Bray
@jenniferbray.bsky.social
Political Editor, Sunday Times Ireland. Debut novel The Lies Between Us out early 2026 with Penguin Sandycove 📚
https://linktr.ee/TheLiesBetweenUs
And lastly, something different. The secret heritage scheme that allows wealthy to avoid inheritance tax, which is causing concern amongst the PAC

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Secret heritage scheme that allows wealthy to avoid inheritance tax
Revenue granted exemptions on condition that cultural assets would be available for public viewing, yet there is no database of the objects for people to find
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:37 PM
English-language schools will be subject to mandatory immigration spot checks under a new student visa monitoring scheme

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Language schools face spot checks on student visas
Monitoring scheme introduces tighter regulation of firms teaching English to learners from overseas
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Interview: Claire Byrne on this week’s JNLRs, the jobs she didn’t take, and her ambitions for her new flagship Newstalk show

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It wasn’t just the pay, says Claire Byrne on her move to Newstalk
The former RTE presenter says she’s a career risk-taker. Having passed up two chances to go to a UK radio station, she didn’t want another ‘what if?’ moment
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:28 PM
In-depth: “Life as she knew it is over” - Inside Catherine Connolly’s first 100 days as President, from illnesses to renovations to viral moments
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Inside the Aras: President Catherine Connolly’s first 100 days
Her start has been busy but deliberately low-key, while government ministers watch for signs of how combative she intends to be
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:21 PM
New: Gardai have raised concerns about policing the upcoming football match between Ireland and Israel in the middle of the presidency of the EU, which will bring significant security demands

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Gardai raise concerns with FAI over Israel match
Policing of the Ireland-Israel football match in Dublin this autumn presents ‘problematic’ security challenges
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:16 PM
New: second Irish man in ICE detention in US has immigration case challenged by Californian judge over apparent bogus case references and AI use, as attorneys raise concerns about St Patrick’s Day

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Fears of ICE agents swooping on St Patrick’s Day festivities
Lawyers say undocumented Irish in the US may stay away from celebrations due to aggressive enforcement and detentions
www.thetimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Fact to Fiction: diving in with two weeks to go 📚
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Deep breaths, dive in
Two weeks from publication day, here's the behind-the-scenes news and gossip
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February 10, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Latest Fact to Fiction post: The Lies Between Us is going to America! And what on earth is a Bookstagram tour?

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We are going Stateside!
And what on earth is a Bookstagram tour?
brayjennifercatherine.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM
The number of people from outside the EU who are presenting themselves to homeless services has more than trebled since the pandemic, ministers have been warned in a confidential briefing. Full details on cabinet committee meeting here
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Homelessness among Ireland’s non-EU citizens trebles since pandemic
A confidential briefing reveals a 221 per cent rise in people from outside the EU seeking emergency accommodation, presenting a challenge to housing services
www.thetimes.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
New: Dara Calleary on the “complete disaster” of the presidential election, what needs to change, Micheál Martin’s leadership and his own quiet ambition

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Fianna Failers rage at Aras fiasco but Micheál Martin is safe — for now
Dara Calleary, the social protection minister, says members accept leader’s mea culpa over Jim Gavin but party must overhaul vetting and selection procedures
www.thetimes.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Fact to Fiction: if you want to write a book in 2026, this one is for you. Plus, the early reviews are in for The Lies Between Us

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December 18, 2025 at 7:53 PM
In-depth: coalition leaders left looking over their shoulders amid potential revolts, presidential reviews, bad polls, housing videos and blister pack rows. Plus details of Fine Gael’s imminent review.

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Coalition on the skids as leaders face blizzard of issues
A possible revolt, a housing social media fiasco and internal unrest are among the many problems besetting Fianna Fail and Fine Gael
www.thetimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 10:02 PM
New: A review of Fianna Fail’s disastrous presidential election bid has found the final cost of the campaign will be up to €400,000, as a timeline of events triggers a fresh blame game

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Fianna Fail bosses blew €400,000 on presidential election bid
Fresh recriminations erupt within the party regarding accountability for the campaign’s cost and implosion
www.thetimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 9:57 PM
National Children’s Hospital will now not be finished until next April, health officials told, which would push the opening to early 2027

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New Children’s Hospital delay pushes opening months beyond deadline
Bam construction comes under pressure from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board after a 16th deadline is missed in the long saga
www.thetimes.com
December 7, 2025 at 11:06 AM
New: major overhaul of immigration laws to see citizenship denied to those who got welfare, or are in debt. Family reunification only for close family, tighter rules around self sufficiency. Changes to revoke residency for those who commit serious crimes

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No Irish citizenship for refugees on welfare benefits
Ministers to crack down on migration after UK review of asylum-seeking rules
www.thetimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The latest Fact to Fiction post is live. It’s on the 100 day countdown to publication, foreign rights deals, and the financial side of fiction writing
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November 16, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Older people can split homes instead of “right sizing”, minister for housing tells ST, as govt TDs turn on their own housing plan. Browne warns owners of vacant properties and defends removal of housing targets
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Split homes into flats, minister to tell older voters
Housing minister James Browne makes a policy push for dividing houses instead of downsizing as penalties are planned for properties allowed to lie vacant
www.thetimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:07 AM
New: sweeping new immigration reforms to be introduced by government on family reunification, housing requirements and student visas. Sources confirm plans will be “very significant” and far reaching. Full details here exclusively

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Asylum families rules set to be tightened
New regulations will require asylum seekers to prove financial stability, among a range of changes aimed at curbing immigration
www.thetimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
In depth: “It’s our last chance to get this right” - Inside the government’s plan to tackle the housing crisis, as nerves fray and James Browne feels the heat ahead of politically difficult week

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‘Our last chance’ — inside the drive to fix Ireland’s housing crisis
Pressure is mounting on minister James Browne, from the public and his own party, as he prepares to unveil measures this week
www.thetimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Housing plan revealed: State will compete with first-time buyers for homes under €100m homeless proposal - new rules on social housing and financial incentives for local authorities

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Ireland’s housing fund will rival first-time home buyers for stock
€100m scheme in housing plan to be unveiled this week as government is under acute pressure to solve homes crisis
www.thetimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 AM
All week, the question has been asked: do the rebels have the numbers for a heave? We asked the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party and found the threat to Micheál Martin is real

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Micheál Martin’s support in Fianna Fail is crumbling away
After the disastrous presidential campaign, the party’s TDs are signalling that they’re ready for a fresh face at the top
www.thetimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:13 AM
“The damage this has done to Fianna Fáil morale and grassroots support is v worrying…” says TD confirming anxiety about Fianna Fáil leadership as rumblings grow this eve… read details free now here in full report

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Irish presidential election results: Catherine Connolly wins
Socialist TD wins in a landslide as Heather Humphreys concedes but 13% of ballot papers are spoilt and nomination route is criticised
www.thetimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Sunday Times presidential edition - proud of the team effort across the site yesterday, and also today across news, features, analysis and of course the columnists 🗞️📰
October 26, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Catherine Connolly’s emphatic victory, the spoilt votes - and the fallout in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil begins at speed ... our lead story

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Irish presidential election results: Catherine Connolly wins
Socialist TD wins in a landslide as Heather Humphreys concedes but 13% of ballot papers are spoilt and nomination route is criticised
www.thetimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Analysis: what Catherine Connolly’s victory means for the left, what it means for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil - and what do those spoiled ballots indicate?
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What Catherine Connolly’s election win means for Ireland
A loose coalition of the left came together to secure victory for their presidential candidate. To repeat that success, they need a common platform of policies
www.thetimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:31 PM