Seán Rainford
@seanrainford.bsky.social
PhD candidate at Dublin City University currently researching constitutional amendment powers
Pinned
Seán Rainford
@seanrainford.bsky.social
· Feb 21
Opinion: Michael D Higgins has not overstepped the constitutional boundaries of the Presidency
Seán Rainford and Dr Jamie McLoughlin examine what the Constitution says about a president’s authority to speak out.
www.thejournal.ie
Short piece by Jamie McLoughlin and myself in @thejournal.ie drawing on our article 'Does the Irish Constitution Forbid a Vocal Presidency?' in Dublin University Law Journal last year. In short, a political vocal presidency is constitutional. www.thejournal.ie/readme/micha...
Reposted by Seán Rainford
We are just out of the election where a resounding majority of the voting public endorsed Catherine Connolly and we are already seeing think pieces about how the Irish public can be brought to see the error of their ways. This strategy of chiding the electorate is as offensive as it is ineffective.
October 28, 2025 at 7:23 PM
We are just out of the election where a resounding majority of the voting public endorsed Catherine Connolly and we are already seeing think pieces about how the Irish public can be brought to see the error of their ways. This strategy of chiding the electorate is as offensive as it is ineffective.
Reposted by Seán Rainford
Ireland: has left wing people and right wing people, people who want a united Ireland and people who don't, people who speak Irish and people who don't, people who like neutrality and people who don't.
Opinion writers: So full of contradictions! Such a schizophrenic silly little country!
Opinion writers: So full of contradictions! Such a schizophrenic silly little country!
October 29, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Ireland: has left wing people and right wing people, people who want a united Ireland and people who don't, people who speak Irish and people who don't, people who like neutrality and people who don't.
Opinion writers: So full of contradictions! Such a schizophrenic silly little country!
Opinion writers: So full of contradictions! Such a schizophrenic silly little country!
Reposted by Seán Rainford
J.M. Kelly, original author of the keading Irish constitutional law textbook and later Fine Gael Minister and Attorney General, advocating an active presidency in 1966.
October 22, 2025 at 11:57 AM
J.M. Kelly, original author of the keading Irish constitutional law textbook and later Fine Gael Minister and Attorney General, advocating an active presidency in 1966.
Upon today's results, Matt Cooper calls for the end of presidential elections and for the Chief Justice to automatically fill the role of President.
open.spotify.com/episode/7qKc...
open.spotify.com/episode/7qKc...
Presidential Fallout
open.spotify.com
October 25, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Upon today's results, Matt Cooper calls for the end of presidential elections and for the Chief Justice to automatically fill the role of President.
open.spotify.com/episode/7qKc...
open.spotify.com/episode/7qKc...
Reposted by Seán Rainford
Absolutely delighted for our @uniofgalwaylaw.bsky.social alumna, Catherine Connolly, on her likely election as President of Ireland! Gach rath ort, Catherine! #Áras25
(Photo by Aengus McMahon, taken at our conference on Replacing the Offences Against the State Acts in 2024)
(Photo by Aengus McMahon, taken at our conference on Replacing the Offences Against the State Acts in 2024)
October 25, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Absolutely delighted for our @uniofgalwaylaw.bsky.social alumna, Catherine Connolly, on her likely election as President of Ireland! Gach rath ort, Catherine! #Áras25
(Photo by Aengus McMahon, taken at our conference on Replacing the Offences Against the State Acts in 2024)
(Photo by Aengus McMahon, taken at our conference on Replacing the Offences Against the State Acts in 2024)
Reposted by Seán Rainford
I wrote a piece for @thejournal.ie about the govt's approach to the Occupied Territories Bill. I argue that diluting the OTB would be a political choice, not a legal requirement. The govt has so far tried to avoid defending this policy choice by making vague appeals to confidential legal advice.
Law professor: Diluting the Occupied Territories Bill would be a political choice more than a legal one
Conor Crummey examines the Taoiseach’s comments that the Attorney General has advised that the bill in its current form would not be implementable.
www.thejournal.ie
October 24, 2025 at 10:11 AM
I wrote a piece for @thejournal.ie about the govt's approach to the Occupied Territories Bill. I argue that diluting the OTB would be a political choice, not a legal requirement. The govt has so far tried to avoid defending this policy choice by making vague appeals to confidential legal advice.
She'll be an active president, she's a voice of conscience and integrity, she understands the Constitution, she always challenges consensus, she's united the left like never before, what more reason do you need?
October 23, 2025 at 5:15 PM
She'll be an active president, she's a voice of conscience and integrity, she understands the Constitution, she always challenges consensus, she's united the left like never before, what more reason do you need?
Reposted by Seán Rainford
Just spit out my breakfast in the middle of Morning Ireland as RTE says something vague about the "cab file" rule and then says that the truth lies somewhere between Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's position. Reader, barristers are not their clients. Full stop:
www.lawlibrary.ie/statement-fr...
www.lawlibrary.ie/statement-fr...
Statement from the Council of The Bar of Ireland: The fundamental importance of an independent referral Bar - Law Library
It is the duty of barristers to be independent and free from any influence, especially such as may arise from their personal interests or external pressure, in the discharge of their professional duti...
www.lawlibrary.ie
October 20, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Just spit out my breakfast in the middle of Morning Ireland as RTE says something vague about the "cab file" rule and then says that the truth lies somewhere between Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's position. Reader, barristers are not their clients. Full stop:
www.lawlibrary.ie/statement-fr...
www.lawlibrary.ie/statement-fr...
Telling a sovereign state how to treat *its own citizens* regarding voting rights is 'overstepping the mark'.
It seems like unionists think Irish citizens in Northern Ireland are only pretend citizens, which is deeply concerning.
It seems like unionists think Irish citizens in Northern Ireland are only pretend citizens, which is deeply concerning.
Extending voting rights in Irish Presidential Elections to citizens living in Northern Ireland would be overstepping the mark, Stormont's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has warned
Pengelly warns against extending presidential vote to NI
Extending voting rights in Irish Presidential Elections to citizens living in Northern Ireland would be overstepping the mark, Stormont's deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly has warned.
www.rte.ie
October 20, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Telling a sovereign state how to treat *its own citizens* regarding voting rights is 'overstepping the mark'.
It seems like unionists think Irish citizens in Northern Ireland are only pretend citizens, which is deeply concerning.
It seems like unionists think Irish citizens in Northern Ireland are only pretend citizens, which is deeply concerning.
The Taoiseach has a really unhealthy attitude to political debate. People can reasonably disagree about the merits of 🇪🇺 membership or whatever issue. He seems to imply here that we cannot dare disagree with him.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
October 20, 2025 at 7:59 AM
The Taoiseach has a really unhealthy attitude to political debate. People can reasonably disagree about the merits of 🇪🇺 membership or whatever issue. He seems to imply here that we cannot dare disagree with him.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Seán Rainford
I am glad we are in the EU. I am also highly critical of the EU for their neoliberalism, support of genocide, making us bail out the German banks etc. I don't think there's any contradiction in that, it's OK to be critical / seek improvement.
October 15, 2025 at 10:30 AM
I am glad we are in the EU. I am also highly critical of the EU for their neoliberalism, support of genocide, making us bail out the German banks etc. I don't think there's any contradiction in that, it's OK to be critical / seek improvement.
Reposted by Seán Rainford
Gentle reminder…the Special Criminal Court was opposed trenchantly and for compelling reasons by Mary Robinson before she became President; its continued existence has been criticised by the UN Human Rights Committee, UN Special Rapporteurs, the Irish Human Rights & …
The two candidates in the Presidential Election have clashed over the Special Criminal Court with Heather Humphreys saying she supported it and Catherine Connolly calling for its abolition
Presidential candidates clash over Special Criminal Court
The two candidates in the Presidential Election have clashed over the Special Criminal Court with Heather Humphreys saying she supported it and Catherine Connolly calling for its abolition.
www.rte.ie
October 14, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Gentle reminder…the Special Criminal Court was opposed trenchantly and for compelling reasons by Mary Robinson before she became President; its continued existence has been criticised by the UN Human Rights Committee, UN Special Rapporteurs, the Irish Human Rights & …
Reposted by Seán Rainford
If the State is serious about the Irish language, it's reasonable to expect the President to speak it, write Professor Laura Cahillane and Dr Seán Ó Conaill. jrnl.ie/6841013
Opinion: If the State is serious about the Irish language, it's reasonable to expect the President to speak it
A sincere commitment to the Irish language is essential for the President, write Professor Laura Cahillane and Dr Seán Ó Conaill.
jrnl.ie
October 15, 2025 at 7:42 AM
If the State is serious about the Irish language, it's reasonable to expect the President to speak it, write Professor Laura Cahillane and Dr Seán Ó Conaill. jrnl.ie/6841013
Nice to see an article written to Jamie McLoughlin and I quoted in this long read by @naomiohreally.bsky.social
Our article (published in Dublin University Law Journal) is available to read on SSRN (link in post below).
I've a few thoughts ⬇️
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Our article (published in Dublin University Law Journal) is available to read on SSRN (link in post below).
I've a few thoughts ⬇️
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
The activist in the Áras: How Michael D Higgins shaped the presidency
What some criticise as an outspokenness overstepping the bounds of his office, others see as the outgoing President’s knack of speaking to ‘the beating heart’ of Irish public opinion
www.irishtimes.com
October 12, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Nice to see an article written to Jamie McLoughlin and I quoted in this long read by @naomiohreally.bsky.social
Our article (published in Dublin University Law Journal) is available to read on SSRN (link in post below).
I've a few thoughts ⬇️
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Our article (published in Dublin University Law Journal) is available to read on SSRN (link in post below).
I've a few thoughts ⬇️
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Seán Rainford
I think if we have reached the stage where people are pretending not to understand what a "lawyer" is in order to attack Catherine Connolly, that they really do have very little on her
October 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I think if we have reached the stage where people are pretending not to understand what a "lawyer" is in order to attack Catherine Connolly, that they really do have very little on her
Reposted by Seán Rainford
Is there a barrel bottom that hasn’t been scraped yet in the determined drive to attack the character and professionalism of the Left candidate who’s doing well in polls? Of course Catherine Connolly BL acted for clients on a normal disinterested basis!
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Catherine Connolly did ‘all types of work’ as barrister and represented banks during crash
Presidential election candidate says she was ‘obliged as a lawyer to act on behalf of variety of clients’
www.irishtimes.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Is there a barrel bottom that hasn’t been scraped yet in the determined drive to attack the character and professionalism of the Left candidate who’s doing well in polls? Of course Catherine Connolly BL acted for clients on a normal disinterested basis!
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Refusal to consider rejoining the UK shows we're not serious about a shared island
September 28, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Refusal to consider rejoining the UK shows we're not serious about a shared island
How dare you criticise the media
September 28, 2025 at 10:56 AM
How dare you criticise the media
Reposted by Seán Rainford
Aside from all else, this makes zero sense when you're talking about losing a popularity contest! Her not being liked enough IS the point.
A diehard communist would also never get the nom, so would Pat say this the far left being "excluded from public life" or does it simply reflect the electorate?
A diehard communist would also never get the nom, so would Pat say this the far left being "excluded from public life" or does it simply reflect the electorate?
This piece opens with "It’s hard to escape the conclusion that Maria Steen should really be on the ballot paper for the presidential election"
It goes on to say "There is a danger that we are moving towards a situation where anyone who holds socially conservative views is excluded from public life"
It goes on to say "There is a danger that we are moving towards a situation where anyone who holds socially conservative views is excluded from public life"
September 28, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Aside from all else, this makes zero sense when you're talking about losing a popularity contest! Her not being liked enough IS the point.
A diehard communist would also never get the nom, so would Pat say this the far left being "excluded from public life" or does it simply reflect the electorate?
A diehard communist would also never get the nom, so would Pat say this the far left being "excluded from public life" or does it simply reflect the electorate?
Reposted by Seán Rainford
The level of coping and seething that Sinn Féin endorsing Connolly has triggered among conservative and centrist media commentators is honestly pretty funny
United left* is a hell of an achievement for Catherine Connolly, regardless of what comes next.
*minus Alan Kelly
*minus Alan Kelly
September 21, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The level of coping and seething that Sinn Féin endorsing Connolly has triggered among conservative and centrist media commentators is honestly pretty funny
Reposted by Seán Rainford
United left* is a hell of an achievement for Catherine Connolly, regardless of what comes next.
*minus Alan Kelly
*minus Alan Kelly
September 20, 2025 at 10:48 PM
United left* is a hell of an achievement for Catherine Connolly, regardless of what comes next.
*minus Alan Kelly
*minus Alan Kelly
Presidential campaign battlelines being drawn. Govt party candidates favour an 'above politics' president (contra MDH); CC campaigns to be a politically outspoken president (like MDH).
Both options are perfectly constitutional...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/…
Both options are perfectly constitutional...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/…
September 19, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Presidential campaign battlelines being drawn. Govt party candidates favour an 'above politics' president (contra MDH); CC campaigns to be a politically outspoken president (like MDH).
Both options are perfectly constitutional...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/…
Both options are perfectly constitutional...
irishexaminer.com/news/politics/…