Simon McGarr
@tupped.bsky.social
Solicitor, consultant, artist, writes TheGist.ie newsletter.
Visiting Lecturer. External Examiner in Data Protection law.
Visiting Lecturer. External Examiner in Data Protection law.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
January 1, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
Literally not one word of reflection on what caused the party to lose all those seats in this interview.
Roderic O'Gorman on by-elections, rebuilding the Greens and Jim O'Callaghan 'believing his own spin' jrnl.ie/6915792
Roderic O'Gorman on by-elections, rebuilding the Greens and Jim O'Callaghan 'believing his own spin'
Roderic O’Gorman discusses life in opposition, immigration and rebuilding the Green Party.
jrnl.ie
January 1, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Literally not one word of reflection on what caused the party to lose all those seats in this interview.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
"As signs of ageing emerge, Trump responds with defiance"
YES. This is exactly the flavour of mad king shit I want to see
YES. This is exactly the flavour of mad king shit I want to see
President Trump tells the Wall Street Journal that the large dose of aspirin he chooses to take daily has caused him to bruise easily. www.wsj.com/us-news/as-signs-...
Exclusive | As Signs of Aging Emerge, Trump Responds With Defiance
In an interview, President Trump—the oldest man to assume the office—said he has eschewed some advice from his doctors and regrets getting advanced imaging.
www.wsj.com
January 1, 2026 at 1:29 PM
"As signs of ageing emerge, Trump responds with defiance"
YES. This is exactly the flavour of mad king shit I want to see
YES. This is exactly the flavour of mad king shit I want to see
Reposted by Simon McGarr
The traffic light cameras are a bad idea and we are lucky they were scrapped for reasons unrelated to the reasons they are a bad idea.
January 1, 2026 at 1:07 PM
The traffic light cameras are a bad idea and we are lucky they were scrapped for reasons unrelated to the reasons they are a bad idea.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Appointing the guy who made his career from never building anything while Minister for Housing as Minister for Transport and then doing the shocked Pikachu face when he decides not to build a bunch of public transport infrastructure
January 1, 2026 at 1:05 PM
Appointing the guy who made his career from never building anything while Minister for Housing as Minister for Transport and then doing the shocked Pikachu face when he decides not to build a bunch of public transport infrastructure
Reposted by Simon McGarr
New Guest Gist on what made a movie monster in the 1990s compared to now.
"our concerns about masculinity must include making it easy for men to make both lots of friends and happier choices. Del Toro’s Frankenstein shows the way"
www.thegist.ie/monsters-inc...
"our concerns about masculinity must include making it easy for men to make both lots of friends and happier choices. Del Toro’s Frankenstein shows the way"
www.thegist.ie/monsters-inc...
Guest Gist: Monsters, Inc: Frankenstein, Dracula and masculinity
Sarah Manvel considers Monsters, Men and their 1990s selves by comparing Draculas and Frankensteins from then and now. This is The (Guest) Gist.
www.thegist.ie
December 31, 2025 at 11:29 PM
New Guest Gist on what made a movie monster in the 1990s compared to now.
"our concerns about masculinity must include making it easy for men to make both lots of friends and happier choices. Del Toro’s Frankenstein shows the way"
www.thegist.ie/monsters-inc...
"our concerns about masculinity must include making it easy for men to make both lots of friends and happier choices. Del Toro’s Frankenstein shows the way"
www.thegist.ie/monsters-inc...
Reposted by Simon McGarr
It is the start of 2026 and, since nothing much has happened so far this year, I thought I'd give a look back on the most popular Gists of 2025.
But I don't really know that, becuase I don't keep those kinds of stats.
So these are the ones that got the most views on the web instead. Here we go!
But I don't really know that, becuase I don't keep those kinds of stats.
So these are the ones that got the most views on the web instead. Here we go!
January 1, 2026 at 11:14 AM
It is the start of 2026 and, since nothing much has happened so far this year, I thought I'd give a look back on the most popular Gists of 2025.
But I don't really know that, becuase I don't keep those kinds of stats.
So these are the ones that got the most views on the web instead. Here we go!
But I don't really know that, becuase I don't keep those kinds of stats.
So these are the ones that got the most views on the web instead. Here we go!
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Start 2026 off right by reading my personal movie roundup of 2025! sarahsnewideas.com/2026/01/01/2...
2025 in movies
As ever, my review archive is here. Also I caved and finally joined Letterboxd. Everyone was right about it! Feel free to follow me on there while I devote my free time to trying to remem…
sarahsnewideas.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Start 2026 off right by reading my personal movie roundup of 2025! sarahsnewideas.com/2026/01/01/2...
I predict the U.K. Govt and the European Commission will end up minimising the significance of this decision when it threatens the UK’s adequacy finding that allows them access to the EU market for data.
The next post, on the UK's shameful For Women Scotland Supreme Court decision on defining the word 'female' to exclude trans women.
I'm actually proudest of this, because I think it sets out clearly the EU law counter-position to the UK SC's bad reasoning.
www.thegist.ie/the-gist-tra...
I'm actually proudest of this, because I think it sets out clearly the EU law counter-position to the UK SC's bad reasoning.
www.thegist.ie/the-gist-tra...
The Gist: Trans rights are Data rights
A UK court has made a decision defining genders which has put it at odds with a less noticed, more important, decision from the CJEU. This is the Gist.
www.thegist.ie
January 1, 2026 at 12:37 PM
I predict the U.K. Govt and the European Commission will end up minimising the significance of this decision when it threatens the UK’s adequacy finding that allows them access to the EU market for data.
My best loved Teddy was called Ogie when I was small (as he was orange and green) and so I always feel a little thrill of positivity to anyone described as the OG now.
January 1, 2026 at 12:31 PM
My best loved Teddy was called Ogie when I was small (as he was orange and green) and so I always feel a little thrill of positivity to anyone described as the OG now.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Keeping my death certificate stored conveniently on my phone for when I need it
January 1, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Keeping my death certificate stored conveniently on my phone for when I need it
This message is aimed at me and I intend to pay attention to Floella as much now as ever.
Happy New Year everyone especially my #Playschool Babies. Remember to spread as much unconditional love, joy, peace, kindness and positivity wherever you go. Keep hope in your heart and make your world shine with happiness ❤️
January 1, 2026 at 11:55 AM
This message is aimed at me and I intend to pay attention to Floella as much now as ever.
Also, it had good jokes.
So, by a wide margin, this was the Gist that was passed around the most on the web.
And I think that makes sense, because it aimed to just give people a little sense of all these candidate-hopefuls without making them do a ton of research.
www.thegist.ie/the-gist-the...
And I think that makes sense, because it aimed to just give people a little sense of all these candidate-hopefuls without making them do a ton of research.
www.thegist.ie/the-gist-the...
The Gist: The Presidential Selection
The time is ticking down to pick the candidates to replace Michael D. This is the Gist.
www.thegist.ie
January 1, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Also, it had good jokes.
It is the start of 2026 and, since nothing much has happened so far this year, I thought I'd give a look back on the most popular Gists of 2025.
But I don't really know that, becuase I don't keep those kinds of stats.
So these are the ones that got the most views on the web instead. Here we go!
But I don't really know that, becuase I don't keep those kinds of stats.
So these are the ones that got the most views on the web instead. Here we go!
January 1, 2026 at 11:14 AM
It is the start of 2026 and, since nothing much has happened so far this year, I thought I'd give a look back on the most popular Gists of 2025.
But I don't really know that, becuase I don't keep those kinds of stats.
So these are the ones that got the most views on the web instead. Here we go!
But I don't really know that, becuase I don't keep those kinds of stats.
So these are the ones that got the most views on the web instead. Here we go!
Reposted by Simon McGarr
"What was your biggest impact on the Internet?"
I drew the original of this. (I storyboarded and assistant directed on this episode.) (Fry, "Shut up and take my money")
I drew the original of this. (I storyboarded and assistant directed on this episode.) (Fry, "Shut up and take my money")
December 31, 2025 at 4:00 AM
"What was your biggest impact on the Internet?"
I drew the original of this. (I storyboarded and assistant directed on this episode.) (Fry, "Shut up and take my money")
I drew the original of this. (I storyboarded and assistant directed on this episode.) (Fry, "Shut up and take my money")
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Democracy is just too damn expensive
If you’d like a flavour of the AG’s tone, here’s an extract from paragraph 191 of his paper.
assets.gov.ie/246651/5ec1c...
assets.gov.ie/246651/5ec1c...
December 31, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Democracy is just too damn expensive
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Thursday's MAIL: Digital IDs for babies #TomorrowsPapersToday
December 31, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Thursday's MAIL: Digital IDs for babies #TomorrowsPapersToday
New Guest Gist on what made a movie monster in the 1990s compared to now.
"our concerns about masculinity must include making it easy for men to make both lots of friends and happier choices. Del Toro’s Frankenstein shows the way"
www.thegist.ie/monsters-inc...
"our concerns about masculinity must include making it easy for men to make both lots of friends and happier choices. Del Toro’s Frankenstein shows the way"
www.thegist.ie/monsters-inc...
Guest Gist: Monsters, Inc: Frankenstein, Dracula and masculinity
Sarah Manvel considers Monsters, Men and their 1990s selves by comparing Draculas and Frankensteins from then and now. This is The (Guest) Gist.
www.thegist.ie
December 31, 2025 at 11:29 PM
New Guest Gist on what made a movie monster in the 1990s compared to now.
"our concerns about masculinity must include making it easy for men to make both lots of friends and happier choices. Del Toro’s Frankenstein shows the way"
www.thegist.ie/monsters-inc...
"our concerns about masculinity must include making it easy for men to make both lots of friends and happier choices. Del Toro’s Frankenstein shows the way"
www.thegist.ie/monsters-inc...
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Happy New Years from Berlin where everyone per usual has lost their minds
December 31, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Happy New Years from Berlin where everyone per usual has lost their minds
Reposted by Simon McGarr
The proposal at the moment is to pay around 20% of the actual costs - you can see where this is going.
December 31, 2025 at 7:58 PM
The proposal at the moment is to pay around 20% of the actual costs - you can see where this is going.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Not forgetting that the state is trying to push through laws in the planning and environment sphere which would let them set the costs they would have to pay when they lose a case, seems to be the thin edge of the wedge.
December 31, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Not forgetting that the state is trying to push through laws in the planning and environment sphere which would let them set the costs they would have to pay when they lose a case, seems to be the thin edge of the wedge.
Reposted by Simon McGarr
Sorry but we literally debunked this like last month when he did this dog whistle. Fintan O'Toole literally did the maths, in the Times no less, that showed that this isn't true.
Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?
Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?
Simon Harris claims ‘significant number’ in emergency accommodation ‘don’t have housing right’
Simon Harris claims ‘significant number’ in emergency accommodation ‘don’t have housing right’
Homeless executive chief rejects Tánaiste’s view, saying people who ‘can’t establish a right to housing ... are sent on their way’
www.irishtimes.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Sorry but we literally debunked this like last month when he did this dog whistle. Fintan O'Toole literally did the maths, in the Times no less, that showed that this isn't true.
Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?
Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?
Reposted by Simon McGarr
The departed once asked a group of his friends the following question: "If you HAD to have sex with a character from the classic sit-com Dad's Army, who would you pick and why?"
Truly great men are never afraid to ask important questions.
Truly great men are never afraid to ask important questions.
December 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The departed once asked a group of his friends the following question: "If you HAD to have sex with a character from the classic sit-com Dad's Army, who would you pick and why?"
Truly great men are never afraid to ask important questions.
Truly great men are never afraid to ask important questions.