Liam Thornton

@liamthornton.bsky.social

210 followers 190 following 16 posts

I cosplay as a legal academic of legal systems, welfare, asylum & rights https://people.ucd.ie/liam.thornton

Videos

Political science 52%

Psychology 13%

Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Kim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · Jul 28

My latest for the Contrarian on how Trump has weaponized the national budget to destroy university autonomy. open.substack.com/pub/contrari...

Bullying universities

The Trump administration's pressures go beyond bespoke deals and attack all the ways universities are funded.

open.substack.com

Reposted by Steve Peers, Liam Thornton, David Murakami Wood , and 1 more Steve Peers, Liam Thornton, David Murakami Wood, Oliver Nachtwey

euobserver — EU news that matters @euobserver.com · Jul 25

Israeli arms firm Rafael could lose EU grant money after posting a PR clip on X in which its drone, the Spike Firefly, killed a man in Gaza.

Israeli arms firm could lose EU funds over Gaza drone-kill video

Israeli arms firm Rafael could lose EU grant money after posting a PR clip on X in which its drone, the Spike Firefly, killed a man in Gaza.

euobserver.com

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Sally Hayden @sallyhayd.bsky.social · Jul 25

In Jericho, the occupied West Bank, I met Palestinian fathers who were working in Israel before October 7, 2023, and have spent almost two years since unable to be reunited with their families.
Report here: www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...

‘They are very weak, they’re thin, their minds have stopped’: Stranded fathers’ anguish over children in Gaza

Separated from their families by war and closed borders, Gazan workers describe life in limbo — haunted by hunger, loss and the voices of children they can no longer protect

www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Liam Thornton, Cathryn Costello

Andrew Forde @drandrewforde.bsky.social · May 27

🚨IDF firing 'warning shots' near diplomats is a violation of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and sets an unacceptable precedent in international relations.

My new piece in @theconversation.com

theconversation.com/idf-firing-w...

IDF firing ‘warning shots’ near diplomats sets an unacceptable precedent in international relations

Intimidation of diplomats is unacceptable and threatens the basis of international relations.

theconversation.com

Reposted by Liam Thornton, Cathryn Costello

Catherine Briddick @catbriddick.bsky.social · May 27

'All States, including the UK, are legally obliged to take all reasonable steps within their power to prevent and punish genocide; to ensure respect for international humanitarian law... The UK’s actions to date have failed to meet those standards.'
lawyersletter.uk

UK Judges’ and Lawyers’ Open Letter Concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory - May 2025 - UK lawyers’ open letter concerning Gaza

Download the full letter and Legal Memorandum | View signatories London26 May 2025 We are lawyers, legal academics and former judges who are UK-based or qualified. We write owing to our deep concern ...

lawyersletter.uk

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Irish Legal News @irishlegal.com · May 26

UCD Sutherland School of Law has launched a new Master’s scholarship in law memorialising the late Declan McCourt.

UCD launches new Master’s scholarship in law

UCD Sutherland School of Law has launched a new Master’s scholarship in law memorialising the late Declan McCourt.

www.irishlegal.com

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Emma O Kelly @emma-okelly.bsky.social · May 26

I joined colleagues in RTÉ to once again express our outrage at Israel’s continued killing of journalists in Gaza. Apart from the huge personal tragedy, targeting & killing journalists is also killing media freedom and the truth. #SupportPalestinianJournalists

Reposted by Liam Thornton, Rory O’Connell

Ulster University School of Law @ulsterunischlaw.bsky.social · May 26

Join our team! We are advertising a Senior Lecturer post in Medical Law and Ethics in our Derry Londonderry Campus. Deadline 2 June. Full details and to apply at www.ulster.ac.uk/peopleandcul...

Reposted by Cathryn Costello

Liam Thornton @liamthornton.bsky.social · May 26

Open letter from lawyers and academics on Ireland’s international law obligations concerning Palestine ichrgalway.org/2025/05/23/o...

Open letter from lawyers and academics on Ireland’s international law obligations concerning Palestine

Dear Taoiseach Micheál Martin, We, the undersigned, members of the legal profession and academy, are writing to express our deep concern at the Irish Government’s continued failure to take the nece…

ichrgalway.org

Reposted by Fergus McNeill, Liam Thornton

Nicola Carr @nicolacarr.bsky.social · May 26

There's still time to apply for this p/t post on project comparing penal supervision across 5 nations. Working with great team @bethweaver.bsky.social @fergusmcneill.bsky.social @drhannahgraham.bsky.social @jakephillips.bsky.social Fern Gillon & Sarah Doxat-Pratt. www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DMY924/r...

Research Fellow: Penal Supervision in Comparative Context (Part Time, Fixed-term) at University of Nottingham

Looking for a new job opportunity in academia? Check out this job opening for a Research Fellow: Penal Supervision in Comparative Context (Part Time, Fixed-term) on jobs.ac.uk!

www.jobs.ac.uk

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Daniel Hegedus @danielhegedus.bsky.social · May 22

Civil society is under concentrated attack in the EU.

Join us on
📅May 28, 3:00 pm CET / 9:00 am EDT &
discuss with Katarína Batková, Márta Pardavi, Daniel Kelemen & yours truly the recent anti-NGO legislation from #Slovakia & #Hungary.

RSVP 👇
www.gmfus.org/event/mushro...

@gmfus.bsky.social

Mushrooming Anti-NGO Legislation in EU Member States and Its Implications: The Cases of Hungary and Slovakia

Europe has witnessed over the past year concerted attacks on independent civil society at the EU and member-state levels by the populist radical right and segments of the center right. A particularly ...

www.gmfus.org

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Deirdre O'Shaughnessy @deshocks.bsky.social · May 22

On the tenth anniversary of Marriage Equality, an eloquent piece from Maria Ni Fhlatharta on the personal cost of the campaign.

“A survey conducted after the referendum found that fewer than one in four LGBT+ people would be willing to go through it again.”

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Marriage equality 10 years on: 'I lost count of how many times I was called a pervert in my home town'

Forcing a community to plead on doorsteps for their rights has had long-term impacts on many LGBT+ people, argues Maria Ní Fhlatharta

www.irishexaminer.com

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · May 22

Eilis Barry of FLAC:

What the rows over skorts and public toilets reveal about Irish attitudes to equality

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

Eilis Barry: What rows over public toilets and skorts reveal about Irish attitudes to equality and human rights

The two controversies bely the reality that Ireland has had 25 years of anti-discrimination legislation in relation to services, including public toilets, sports and sporting facilities

www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · May 16

Food and yet they starved.
Southern Star editorial.
West Cork newspaper, based in Skibbereen.

Food and yet they starved. Editorial in Irish local paper sees atrocity in Gaza and parallels with Irish experience of man-made hunger in a time of plenty.

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Shamim Malekmian @shamimmalekmian.bsky.social · May 16

"Sinn Féin officially banned from Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin after period of engagement," says this press release from Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin.

Sinn Féin banned from Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin march after period of engagement with party leaders

Last month, Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin released a statement calling on Sinn Féin to clarify their position on the UK Supreme Court and the ban on puberty blockers in Northern Ireland. This statement was released in light of public statements from David Cullinane and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn supporting the ruling.

Since then, Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin has undergone a period of engagement with the party, with numerous opportunities to explain their position, including:

Being questioned by national media about the party facing a ban, including a Late Late Show interview with Mary Lou McDonald

An email being sent to Mary Lou McDonald's office regarding their position

A community engagement meeting with Mary Lou McDonald, David Cullinane, and other LGBTQ+ organisations across the island

A 1:1 discussion meeting with Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin Organiser Jenny Maguire

We engaged in order to seek clarity on their positions on the Supreme Court ruling; whether they would oppose attempts to implement the ruling in Northern Ireland (currently the Supreme Court ruling has no basis in Northern Ireland due to different equality laws; however, there have been attempts to implement the ruling in councils); whether they continue to support the Northern Irish Executive (of which Michelle O'Neill is First Minister) decision to ban puberty blockers; and whether they would support a ban on puberty blockers in the South of Ireland.

After this period of engagement, Trans and Intersex Pride Dublin is not satisfied with the clarity received around their position on the Supreme Court ruling, with the continued defence of the banning of puberty blockers (including not supporting an amendment to reverse the puberty blocker ban in Stormont last Monday), and with the recent Journal article that claimed a conference to discuss its position on trans rights has been pushed …

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Evangelia (Lilian) Tsourdi @liliantsourdi.bsky.social · May 15

Want to join me & my @erc.europa.eu team @lawinmaastricht.bsky.social as an #MSCA postdoctoral fellow? Check out the new call: europa.eu/!fBTMgF (d/l 10 Sep.), our webinar w/tips for applicants www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jPZ... & feel free to reach out w/ideas!

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Evangelia (Lilian) Tsourdi @liliantsourdi.bsky.social · May 15

Our Intertwining #criminal justice & #migration control book v/N. Vavoula & V. Mitsilegas out in Aug! www.routledge.com/Intertwining.... Check out @ssrn.bsky.social papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.... @profjacob.bsky.social @stevepeers.bsky.social @lawinmaastricht.bsky.social @majagrundler.bsky.social

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Valesca Lima @valescal.bsky.social · May 15

My latest for the PublicPolicy.ie at @ucdgearyinst.bsky.social on housing policy actions to address discrimination against migrants in Ireland.

I propose an human rights-based policy recommendations to enhance the housing experiences for everyone living in Ireland.

Liam Thornton @liamthornton.bsky.social · May 14

The second position @ucdschooloflaw.bsky.social is hiring for:

Matheson LLP Assistant Professor in Corporate Governance and Law. 🗓️Deadline 02 June 2025

🔗 www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNB177/m...

Matheson Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Corporate Governance and Law at University College Dublin

An opportunity for an academic position as a Matheson Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Corporate Governance and Law is available, as advertised on jobs.ac.uk. Apply now and explore other academic job o...

www.jobs.ac.uk

Liam Thornton @liamthornton.bsky.social · May 14

Come 💼work with us in @ucdschooloflaw.bsky.social
Assistant Professorship in Criminology, 5 yr temp.🗓️ Deadline 03 June 2025: 🔗https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNB652/lecturer-assistant-professor-in-criminology-temp-5-year

Please share!

Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Criminology - Temp 5-year at University College Dublin

Apply now for the Lecturer/Assistant Professor in Criminology - Temp 5-year role on jobs.ac.uk - the leading job board for higher education jobs. View details.

www.jobs.ac.uk

Reposted by R. Daniel Kelemen, Liam Thornton

Katalin Halmai @eublogo.bsky.social · May 14

‼️A Fidesz bill has been tabled at midnight that would make it extremely difficult for organisations receiving foreign funding to operate and exist in Hungary @telexhu.bsky.social reports.
🧵

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Dr Jennifer Redmond @jenniferredmond.bsky.social · May 13

You might also be interested in a sneak peek reading by the brilliant Evgenii Shtorn, 'Refugee Chronicles: Extracts on Friendship, Instrumentalisation and Loss', which comes from his memoir, 5.45pm, Thurs 15th May, School of Education, North Campus, Ground floor. All welcome! @maynoothuniversity.ie

Reposted by Liam Thornton, Nicola Carr

Deirdre O'Shaughnessy @deshocks.bsky.social · May 7

Thanks to Dr Rosaleen McDonagh for writing this piece for us about the Grace scandal, our framing of disability and vulnerability, and remembering at the heart of this story is a citizen whose essential human rights have been disregarded.

www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Grace is not a victim of unfortunate oversight, but a citizen whose rights were repeatedly violated

Grace is not a singular failure but a symbol of systemic neglect

www.irishexaminer.com

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Donncha O’Connell @donnchalaw.bsky.social · May 7

Madeleine Allen: Jim O’Callaghan’s public theatrics mask the truth about asylum seeker deportations - The Irish Times

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

Madeleine Allen: Jim O’Callaghan’s unsettling public theatrics mask the truth about asylum seeker deportations

Most men arriving to seek protection aren’t provided accommodation, and end up in sanitations conditions that, according to one volunteer, were worse than those in refugee camps in South Sudan

www.irishtimes.com

Reposted by Albert Weale, Liam Thornton

michael veale @michae.lv · May 6

How should legal education respond to AI? Together with 11 UCL Laws colleagues, this paper is our vision for the sector. It's rooted in academic integrity, fundamental competences, and concerns around impacts on learning to learn and intellectual risk taking. (🧵)

discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10...

Reposted by Liam Thornton, Cathryn Costello

Summer School on the International Criminal Court @iccsummerschool.bsky.social · Apr 28

🚨🚨 Programme for the 25th Summer School on the International Criminal Court now available! 🚨🚨

👉 15 speakers over 5 days, including international judges, legal practitioners and academic experts
👉 Lectures on a range of topics, including the crimes, ICC jurisdiction, reparations and sentences

Reposted by Liam Thornton

Gavan Reilly @gavreilly.com · May 5

Benjamin Netanyahu’s office tells Israel’s public broadcaster Kan that its latest plan includes outright occupation of the Gaza Strip www.kan.org.il/content/kan-...