As new figures show 5,000 people were granted entry with no documents last year, JOHN MCGUIRK notes that "the law against destroying your travel documents is the only law which the Irish state actually rewards people for breaking":
#gript
https://gript.ie/the-passport-shredding-disgrace-of-irelands-asylum-system/

The crackdown on Catholics in Nicaragua is worsening under the dictatorship of President Daniel Ortega, pushing the central American country into the top 50 of the World Watch List for the first time — with multiple priests facing arrest and exile.

#gript

https://gript.ie/persecution-of-catholics-in-nicaragua-escalates/

According to a new study released by British international medical research organisation Cochrane, wearing a face mask may make “little to no difference” in preventing the spread of respiratory viruses, including COVID.

#gript

https://gript.ie/new-study-face-masks-may-make-little-to-no-difference-in-stopping-covid-spread/

Popular children’s video game series The Sims has provoked backlash from some parents after a new update allowed children to add trans ‘top surgery scars’ which result from breast removal, along with chest binders, to their characters.

#gript

https://gript.ie/utter-madness-sims-video-game-adds-trans-top-surgery-scars-and-chest-binders-to-characters/

Newly released emails show the state's preparations for Ukrainian refugees in 2022 warned of "grim predictions", and that "numbers of incoming refugees is almost overwhelming” with a "serious risk of not being able to find somewhere for everyone". MATT TREACY WRITES

#gript

https://gript.ie/departmental-emails-reveal-state-crisis-over-exponentially-increasing-numbers-of-refugees/

A woman is set to receive a payout of €10,000 from her former employer after it imposed an “absolutist” face mask policy during the Covid-19 pandemic, and did not accept she was medically exempt from wearing a mask.

#gript

https://gript.ie/irish-employer-must-pay-e10000-to-woman-in-face-mask-discrimination-case/

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he believes that Ireland’s excess deaths are due to “a number of factors,” including weakened immunity due to social distancing.

#gript

https://gript.ie/varadkar-excess-deaths-probably-due-to-a-number-of-factors/

Anger as migrant centre proposed around site of Stardust tragedy

Relatives of some families who died so tragically in the Stardust fire, and other locals, tell Gript why they oppose a migrant centre being built around the site.

#gript

https://youtu.be/E3DfMaydQT4

Senior civil servants predict that 180,000 asylum seekers may be present in Ireland by the year’s end, according to a new report.

#gript

https://gript.ie/senior-civil-servants-predict-180k-asylum-seekers-by-years-end-report/

US champion swimmer, Riley Gaines, says she and fellow athletes were offered ‘counselling’ and ‘education on trans oppression’ after voicing concerns over seeing naked males in female locker rooms


#gript

https://gript.ie/female-swimmers-concerned-over-males-in-locker-room-offered-education-on-oppression/

A former British soldier who was found guilty of the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie has avoided jail after receiving a fully suspended sentence.

Mr McAnespie was shot in the back by Derek Holden while on his way to a Gaelic Football match.

https://gript.ie/no-jail-time-for-british-soldier-who-killed-aidan-mcenespie/

ON THIS DAY: 2 FEBRUARY 1972: Protests in Dublin and other cities after Bloody Sunday killings

#gript

https://gript.ie/on-this-day-2-february-1972-protests-in-dublin-and-other-cities-after-bloody-sunday-killings-2/

Senior civil servants predict that 180,000 asylum seekers may be present in Ireland by the year’s end, according to a new report.

#gript

https://gript.ie/senior-civil-servants-predict-180k-asylum-seekers-by-years-end-report/

WATCH: Protests against the government’s handling of the migrant and refugee crisis continue to grow in number and size, with significantly larger numbers turning out in Mullingar and Ballymun last night.

#gript

https://gript.ie/ballymun-to-mullingar-immigration-protests-growing-in-number-and-size/

JOHN MCGUIRK finds the arguments in favour of decriminalising drugs deeply unconvincing, and argues that of all people, Mr. Martin is ill-suited to make them:
#gript
https://gript.ie/micheal-martin-and-drugs-bad-nanny/

Michael Fitzmaurice TD on legalising pepper spray, tasers

"It's the elderly I'm worried about": Michael Fitzmaurice TD on legalising self-defence tools like pepper spray. #gript

https://youtu.be/I_Q3uIkkfE4

Mr. Varadkar standing in a suit telling working class communities to "know better" is about as convincing an advert for populism as you are likely to see, writes JOHN MCGUIRK:
#gript
https://gript.ie/varadkar-to-immigration-protestors-you-should-know-better/

Shed in Stepaside Dublin 18 advertised as “Sky House” available to rent for €1,500 a month

#gript

https://gript.ie/fantastic-rental-opportunity-in-dublin-18-shed-available-for-just-e1500-a-month/

A Chinese Spy Balloon which was first spotted in Billings, Montana is being monitored by the Pentagon who believe it is flying over sensitive areas to collect information.

#gript

https://gript.ie/will-the-u-s-shoot-down-chinese-spy-balloon-over-montana/

ON THIS DAY: 3 FEBRUARY 1537: Execution of ‘Silken’ Thomas Fitzgerald by Henry VIII and Grey’s legacy in Ireland

#gript

https://gript.ie/on-this-day-3-february-1537-execution-of-silken-thomas-fitzgerald-by-henry-viii-and-greys-legacy-in-ireland-3/

"This is the story of baby Hope Atherton, and of two parents whose belief in giving their baby girl every chance at even a short life was rewarded with a lifetime of love with a precious daughter."

#gript

https://gript.ie/i-was-told-my-unborn-baby-girl-had-a-fatal-condition-but-the-doctors-were-totally-wrong/