It was a magic moment: the entire Oscars audience singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to actor James Martin, who has Down Syndrome, and who is star of ‘An Irish Goodbye’ which won the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.

#gript

https://gript.ie/watch-james-martins-oscars-happy-birthday-whole-audience-sings-to-actor-with-down-syndrome/

"Senators have no business commenting on the employability of private citizens."
Was FG Senator Barry Ward wrong to suggest that Enoch Burke's younger brother is an "inappropriate" person to become a Barrister? JOHN MCGUIRK discusses:
#gript
https://gript.ie/senator-wards-inappropriate-attack-on-simeon-burke/

Gary Lineker is wrong on the facts of illegal channel crossings, and his defenders are complete hypocrites about free speech

#gript
https://gript.ie/why-the-lineker-row-is-about-cultural-power-not-free-speech/

ON THIS DAY: 300 tenants evicted at Ballinglass in 13th March 1846

#gript

https://gript.ie/on-this-day-300-tenants-evicted-at-ballinglass-in-13th-march-1846-2/

Met Éireann has issued a status yellow weather warning with ice and snow expected from tonight. A marine warning is also in place for small crafts.


#gript

https://gript.ie/status-yellow-weather-warning-issued-as-snow-and-ice-predicted-for-parts-of-ireland-from-tonight/

The footage of people playing traditional music on a transatlantic flight from Dublin to New York has divided social media users.
How would you react?
#gript https://gript.ie/controversy-erupts-over-footage-of-people-playing-music-on-transatlantic-flight/

"This housing crisis, no, let’s be realistic and use that new term ‘emergency’, has not suddenly appeared. Hence the reason Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, in his trite Christmas 2017 speech, devoid of meaning, promised: “In 2018 we will house 100 families every working day.” Not 100 people, note, but families!"

STEPHEN BLENDELL writes...

#gript

https://gript.ie/irelands-housing-emergency/

“It is now 2-years on and farmers concerns around bog rewetting and flooding remain unanswered.” Carol Nolan

#gript

https://gript.ie/it-is-now-2-years-on-and-farmers-concerns-around-bog-rewetting-and-flooding-remain-unanswered-carol-nolan/

Dutch farmers protested at The Hauge on Saturday amid threats of fines and imprisonment as the government pushes ahead with planned nitrogen emission cuts that farmers say would force a 30% cull of the national herd

#gript

https://gript.ie/dutch-farmers-bring-protest-to-hague-amid-threats-of-fines-and-imprisonment-in-ongoing-nitrogen-row/

Employers who seek work permits for migrant workers undoubtedly benefit from downward pressure on wages. And why are we bringing in workers while our own are leaving in droves, asks MATT TREACY.

#gript

https://gript.ie/what-are-the-implications-of-the-huge-increase-in-work-permits-for-migrants/

The Department of Health has launched disciplinary proceedings against a senior civil servant who went public with details of secret dossiers. Whistleblower Shane Corr says the action exemplifies “what happens when you tell the truth in Ireland”.
#gript https://gript.ie/misconduct-action-launched-against-care-home-whistleblowing-civil-servant/

SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE:

Sa bhliain 1844, tháinig aicíd nua ar na prátaí i Meiriceá Thuaidh. An aicíd dhubh a bhí ann. Níorbh fhada gur shroich sí an tír seo.

PÓL Ó MEADHRA

https://gript.ie/an-drochshaol-2/

"Are Ireland’s woke left today’s Red Guards? Paragons of idealism and reason they may like to see themselves but that’s no excuse for an increasingly intolerant attitude to anyone who disagrees with them."

DONAL HORGAN writes

#gript

https://gript.ie/maos-woke-red-guards/

US President Joe Biden is set to visit Ireland next month to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

#gript

https://gript.ie/us-president-joe-biden-set-to-visit-ireland-next-month/

JOHN MCGUIRK on why the Mater Hospital's employment of a Romanian man with child sex abuse convictions demonstrates the need for stricter garda vetting requirements for non-nationals, including EU citizens:
#gript
https://gript.ie/the-maters-garda-vetting-disgrace/

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) is calling on Ireland to recognise and celebrate Mothers living with dementia this Mother’s Day, Sunday 19th March. It encourages those affected by the condition to reach out for support.

#gript

https://gript.ie/this-mothers-day-the-alzheimer-society-of-ireland-recognises-mothers-living-with-dementia-urges-those-affected-to-reach-out-for-support/

From today some of Gript's content is going member-only. Read why, and avail of a free trial membership, right here:
#gript
https://gript.ie/introducing-gript-premium/

"Despite the rain and snow, the Belfast Rally for Life was lit up by a series of passionate speakers on Saturday - and Down Syndrome rights activist Conor O'Dowd was indisputably the star of the show."

MÁIRÍN DE BARRA reports from Belfast

#gript

https://gript.ie/photos-down-syndrome-activist-steals-the-show-at-belfast-rally-for-life/

A Moldovan-Romanian man who subjected a woman to a violent sexual assault in a Cork park had travelled to Ireland just 18 days after being released from a prison sentence for the rape of a 14-year old girl.

#gript

https://gript.ie/moldovan-rapist-who-violently-attacked-woman-in-cork-came-to-ireland-18-days-after-release-from-prison-for-rape/

“Our dad was never alone”, Mike Daly speaks to Gript about finally obtaining a new inquest into his father Michael’s death and how the ordeal impacted on him and his family.
#gript
https://gript.ie/he-was-a-kind-and-considerate-man-limerick-man-mike-daly-speaks-about-his-late-father/

The Rural Independent Group of TDs is calling on the government to provide emergency financial aid to farm families as input costs for feed, fertiliser, and fuel continue to skyrocket, threatening the viability of Irish farms and their ability to compete with farmers in other jurisdictions

#gript


https://gript.ie/save-our-farms-urgent-action-needed-for-irish-farmers-devastated-by-high-input-costs-say-rural-tds/