Sean O'Neil
banner
soneil88.bsky.social
Sean O'Neil
@soneil88.bsky.social
Campaigns Editor at The Courier
Formerly BBC Scotland.
Perth via Donegal. A man of two accents.
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/tag/courier-campaign/
Today The Courier revealed the 16 bus service axed by Stagecoach last year will return to Perthshire after a welcome u-turn by the bus company following our and residents campaign

Proof that change can happen and companies can be forced to listen.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/pert...
EXCLUSIVE: Stagecoach to bring back axed 16 service for Perthshire in campaign win
The bus company will reinstate the the route in the Carse of Gowrie after removing it last year in favour of the 39.
www.thecourier.co.uk
January 16, 2025 at 4:26 PM
63 violent criminals released on parole in Scotland in 2024 - that we know of. The lack of transparency in the system means that number is actually far greater - and we rarely know who they are.

Legislative changes are needed to allow more public understanding.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/angu...
Tayside killers among 63 criminals released on parole in Scotland this year
Angus killer Tasmin Glass and a murderer imprisoned at Castle Huntly among dozens freed.
www.thecourier.co.uk
December 30, 2024 at 9:21 AM
This case is being taken to the Scottish Information Commissioner.

Perth and Kinross Council claim a £128k-a-year director resigned after six months and the newly created position then scrapped without a single recorded communication or meeting.
www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/pert...
£128k director role at Perth and Kinross Council axed in series of undocumented 'verbal discussions'
The local authority claims to hold no communication or meeting records as top director leaves role after six months.
www.thecourier.co.uk
December 27, 2024 at 9:03 AM
Justice Secretary says demands for parole reform will be taking seriously as rape survivors speak out about how current system treats those affected by violent crime.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/fife...
Parole concerns of Fife rape survivor will 'be taken seriously', says Justice Secretary
Angela Constance MSP says she is open to improving the experience of survivors like Hannah McLaughlan and Ellie Wilson who have called for reforms to the system.
www.thecourier.co.uk
December 18, 2024 at 9:33 AM
Two extremely brave young women who have been through the trauma of the court system now calling for parole reform.

The Courier has been campaigning for a system change through our A Voice for Victims campaign. The time is now to act.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/fife...
Fife survivor of Angus rapist Logan Doig fights for parole reform as friend's attacker goes before panel
Hannah McLaughlan and Ellie Wilson want changes to the parole system, which they say adds to the trauma of survivors.
www.thecourier.co.uk
December 17, 2024 at 12:48 PM
Been in Rio for the last few days. There's a lot to be said for sitting on a big rock, with a few beers, watching the sunset.
December 3, 2024 at 1:25 PM
More council tax would be fine if it meant more services and facilities, and people's wages rose in line with such increases - but it's always less services for worse off people while councils plan more houses to collect even more council tax, creating more demand on the lessened services.
November 28, 2024 at 7:36 AM
Three disturbing takeaways from this poll.

1 - 12% of people don't consider Home Alone 2 a Christmas film

2 - 10% of people have never heard of Die Hard.

3 - The Long Kiss Goodnight isn't even on the list.
And for the inevitable complaints about 8% of Britons saying that Die Hard is their favourite Christmas movie, here is what films Britons do and don't consider to be festive flicks - Die Hard is seen as NOT a Christmas movie at a rate of 46% to 37%

yougov.co.uk/entertainmen...
November 25, 2024 at 1:29 PM
I dunno what I've done but this algorithm is convinced my top three interest are:

The NFL
The Uruguay election
A debate on audiobooks being books.

The NFL one has really hurt.
November 25, 2024 at 7:31 AM
Reposted by Sean O'Neil
Difficult to describe what a dangerous moment we are in.

The owner of Twitter/richest man in the world/closest adviser to the next US president is promoting a far-right Tommy Robinson (!) documentary to his 200 million followers.

This is the mainstreaming of violent, Islamophobic fascism.
November 24, 2024 at 7:58 PM
Violent rapist denied parole - eventually. His victim was first notified he would be considered last December, his case was then deferred in May and now finally a verdict.

So nearly a year of worry for his victim and he's only served half his sentence.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/dund...
Relief as Dundee rapist Sean McGowan denied parole
The predator left his victim with life-changing injuries following the "prolonged and horrific" attack.
www.thecourier.co.uk
November 22, 2024 at 10:01 AM
Robbie Smullen. Denied parole by the Scottish Parole Board last month but granted temporary release by the Scottish Prison Service this month.

It makes no sense to his victim's family.

www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/pert...
Perth killer Robbie Smullen granted temporary release from prison
The family of victim Barry Dixon has been sent a letter outlining the killer's licensing conditions by the Scottish Prison Service.
www.thecourier.co.uk
November 21, 2024 at 5:04 PM
This is absolutely the sort of stuff you'll be getting from me on this platform alongside intermittent and confused takes on popular culture and football.
November 21, 2024 at 11:43 AM