Given how the Burkes are milking a short video from outside the four courts, the decision by the Garda not to enter the Burkes' home to arrest him was probably correct.

Claims that Enoch Burke has been "effectively* given a life sentence" are now in heavy circulation online. The framing was first put forward by the Burke family, and has now been amplified by many prominent bad actors on X/Twitter in the UK and US

*"Effectively" is a load-bearing stipulation.

2/2 been leaked without the privacy breach at any point in the last 6 years.

But the sources waited until the presidential election to leak the info.

The timing is a potential indication of political motivation being behind it.

Point being, 1 new member can mean the difference between a branch presenting as left instead of centre-left. You can be a fresh set of eyes that recognises what the branch or even the party itself is doing right/wrong. You'd be amazed at the impact you can have if you're patient.

At my first ever branch meeting many, many, years ago, I was the deciding vote on two separate issues. I barely knew the names of everyone in the room but I helped shape what that branches stances on several issues. 2 of the people in that room went on to be councilors and still are. #Spéirgorm

There's a silver-lining to the assholes in the room thing. They're usually so insufferable they drive away good people. You end up in a branch with about 4 active members led by one domineering bollocks. 1 new and active member among 4 can wield a disproportionate amount of influence.

The point is, those being failed by politics can't readily use it as a tool to help them. It's become particularly apparent as I try to help some disabled friends in my community. How the fuck can they run for office when they can't even canvas inaccessible streets? #spéirgorm

I can't convey enough how little I want to do this job. I just want to own a stupid little food truck and be the guy that volunteers to run science workshops at community events, and helps to set up dog parks. But I can't do any of that unless shit changes. So I would run if I could. #spéirgorm

And let's just pretend I'm lucky enough to move home in the next few years. I'd have less than a year to re-establish myself in a place I've been absent from for 5 years, while some prick who owns 3 rental properties in the same constituency will probably walk in. #spéirgorm

Let's just use me as an example. I've been forced out of my home county, much less my home constituency. I want to find a path home. If I wanted to represent people suffering through this crisis should I give up on my desire to move home by locking myself into a 5 yr term away from home? #spéirgorm

There are some very good elected representatives who try their hardest to listen to the people most impacted by this crisis but we're missing that first-hand experience. Homeless people or those who need to move constantly, can't possibly get the stability needed to run for office #spéirgorm