Aidan O’Brien
@aidanobrien.bsky.social
Policy Researcher @edmoireland.bsky.social (all views yadda yadda yadda)
Internet Governance, Tech Regulation and Disinformation.
Would honestly rather be talking about movies.
(He/Him)
Internet Governance, Tech Regulation and Disinformation.
Would honestly rather be talking about movies.
(He/Him)
Despite what Maria Steen continues to claim; she was not “blocked” from the presidential race, she didn’t qualify as a candidate.
She could have, the votes were there, however, many people, including former allies, did not support her nomination because of her political ideology….
She could have, the votes were there, however, many people, including former allies, did not support her nomination because of her political ideology….
February 15, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Despite what Maria Steen continues to claim; she was not “blocked” from the presidential race, she didn’t qualify as a candidate.
She could have, the votes were there, however, many people, including former allies, did not support her nomination because of her political ideology….
She could have, the votes were there, however, many people, including former allies, did not support her nomination because of her political ideology….
Whatever happened to the investigation into revoking Stephen Yaxley Lennon’s Irish passport?
February 14, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Whatever happened to the investigation into revoking Stephen Yaxley Lennon’s Irish passport?
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
The final item of this article feels like another early rumbling of something bigger – public services are getting swamped with AI-generated complaints and appeals, often citing fictitious legal precedents etc.
It’s already a serious headache and it’s only going to get worse.
It’s already a serious headache and it’s only going to get worse.
London’s got a global viral video malaise www.londoncentric.media/p/london-cri...
Londoners are sick of viral videos telling lies about their city
Plus: Victoria Park battle over All Points East, the Hackney school war that wasn't, the AI-generated parking appeal mess, and wild swimming in the River Thames.
www.londoncentric.media
February 14, 2026 at 11:28 AM
The final item of this article feels like another early rumbling of something bigger – public services are getting swamped with AI-generated complaints and appeals, often citing fictitious legal precedents etc.
It’s already a serious headache and it’s only going to get worse.
It’s already a serious headache and it’s only going to get worse.
“If you’re slugging back 4 creamy pints a day you need to hear this”
Someone get the national dairy council on the line, we’ve found your new spokesperson.
#ireland
#speirgorm
Someone get the national dairy council on the line, we’ve found your new spokesperson.
#ireland
#speirgorm
important message i want to pass along about the creamy pint addiction - please watch if you, like many, are still slugging back 4-6 creamy pints a day 👇
February 14, 2026 at 3:37 PM
“If you’re slugging back 4 creamy pints a day you need to hear this”
Someone get the national dairy council on the line, we’ve found your new spokesperson.
#ireland
#speirgorm
Someone get the national dairy council on the line, we’ve found your new spokesperson.
#ireland
#speirgorm
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
They're already preparing BTW. The important visit from the State Dept this week is not Rubio in Munich.
It is Rogers in Dublin, the US tech outpost, with her Maga money.
archive.ph/fbWml
www.ft.com/content/f869...
It is Rogers in Dublin, the US tech outpost, with her Maga money.
archive.ph/fbWml
www.ft.com/content/f869...
February 14, 2026 at 1:39 PM
They're already preparing BTW. The important visit from the State Dept this week is not Rubio in Munich.
It is Rogers in Dublin, the US tech outpost, with her Maga money.
archive.ph/fbWml
www.ft.com/content/f869...
It is Rogers in Dublin, the US tech outpost, with her Maga money.
archive.ph/fbWml
www.ft.com/content/f869...
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
I said this quietly to senior officials in Ireland over the last 12 months. Now it requires public statement.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
February 12, 2026 at 6:33 AM
I said this quietly to senior officials in Ireland over the last 12 months. Now it requires public statement.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Ireland became rich because -among other reasons- it is the venue where US tech firms can operate in Europe with relative impunity. But this strategy may not last much longer.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
when the Dáil was drafting abortion legislation following the 2018 referendum, Éamon Ó Cuív called on the government to make sure the language was gender-neutral so trans people wouldn't be excluded
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 PM
when the Dáil was drafting abortion legislation following the 2018 referendum, Éamon Ó Cuív called on the government to make sure the language was gender-neutral so trans people wouldn't be excluded
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Yeas! That! what the fuck does Glinner think the Digital Services Act (enacted in 2024) had to do with the “debate” over the Gender Recognition Act (2015)?
Like, does he think the EU is so efficient that its legislation is capable of defying the space time continuum?
Like, does he think the EU is so efficient that its legislation is capable of defying the space time continuum?
February 13, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Yeas! That! what the fuck does Glinner think the Digital Services Act (enacted in 2024) had to do with the “debate” over the Gender Recognition Act (2015)?
Like, does he think the EU is so efficient that its legislation is capable of defying the space time continuum?
Like, does he think the EU is so efficient that its legislation is capable of defying the space time continuum?
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Facts.
There was a great sense of positivity and pride, national pride as well as queer pride, in 2015 as the GRA was passed following MarRef.
The toxicity we have now has been largely imported from the U.K. and the U.S.
It wasn’t an issue before because, eh, it isn’t an issue.
There was a great sense of positivity and pride, national pride as well as queer pride, in 2015 as the GRA was passed following MarRef.
The toxicity we have now has been largely imported from the U.K. and the U.S.
It wasn’t an issue before because, eh, it isn’t an issue.
Fun fact: I wrote a paper in college examining the media coverage of the GRA in the six months leading up to its publication.
A) Plenty of media coverage of nuanced debate.
B) The Government delayed the passing of the bill to avoid public confusion with the referendum on SSM...
A) Plenty of media coverage of nuanced debate.
B) The Government delayed the passing of the bill to avoid public confusion with the referendum on SSM...
February 13, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Facts.
There was a great sense of positivity and pride, national pride as well as queer pride, in 2015 as the GRA was passed following MarRef.
The toxicity we have now has been largely imported from the U.K. and the U.S.
It wasn’t an issue before because, eh, it isn’t an issue.
There was a great sense of positivity and pride, national pride as well as queer pride, in 2015 as the GRA was passed following MarRef.
The toxicity we have now has been largely imported from the U.K. and the U.S.
It wasn’t an issue before because, eh, it isn’t an issue.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
“Huh? What are you doing? No! Stop! Don’t you dare! I have bed hair!”
February 13, 2026 at 12:21 PM
“Huh? What are you doing? No! Stop! Don’t you dare! I have bed hair!”
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
A forensic look on X suggests the wrongful claim about Alan Shatter and Jeffrey Epstein - subsequently shared by Gary Gannon TD, who has now paid damages - was first posted by a little-known ‘news outlet’ solely sharing ethnonationalist content
A vivid example of how disinformation gets to the top
A vivid example of how disinformation gets to the top
February 13, 2026 at 8:03 PM
A forensic look on X suggests the wrongful claim about Alan Shatter and Jeffrey Epstein - subsequently shared by Gary Gannon TD, who has now paid damages - was first posted by a little-known ‘news outlet’ solely sharing ethnonationalist content
A vivid example of how disinformation gets to the top
A vivid example of how disinformation gets to the top
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
civil society and right groups orgs that often keep a tab on and organise campaigns against these evil corporations are overstretched and underfunded. this internal memo from Meta is insidious and sickening
Facebook plans to put facial recognition in its glasses and they think we’re too stupid to fight back.
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Their internal memo: “We will launch during a dynamic political environment where many civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM
civil society and right groups orgs that often keep a tab on and organise campaigns against these evil corporations are overstretched and underfunded. this internal memo from Meta is insidious and sickening
When your name is all over the Epstein files, but you don’t want your reputation tarnished by being associated with Glinner
February 13, 2026 at 1:56 PM
When your name is all over the Epstein files, but you don’t want your reputation tarnished by being associated with Glinner
“Huh? What are you doing? No! Stop! Don’t you dare! I have bed hair!”
February 13, 2026 at 12:21 PM
“Huh? What are you doing? No! Stop! Don’t you dare! I have bed hair!”
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
By lifting the Dublin Airport passenger cap, delaying funding for public transport that has planning permission and opening the door to commercial LNG, Minister @darraghobrientd.bsky.social's message to his constituents seems to be: prepare for much more climate chaos.
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
Commuters disrupted as north Dublin hit by heavy rain
Follow developments as flooding is being reported in parts of the capital, with north Dublin particularly impacted.
www.rte.ie
February 13, 2026 at 10:33 AM
By lifting the Dublin Airport passenger cap, delaying funding for public transport that has planning permission and opening the door to commercial LNG, Minister @darraghobrientd.bsky.social's message to his constituents seems to be: prepare for much more climate chaos.
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
www.rte.ie/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Mise ag an am seo.
February 13, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Mise ag an am seo.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
I love this in Tallaght University Hospital. One day all hospitals will have libraries for bored patients and their families.
All credit to South Dublin Libraries. That’s the kind of innovation we like to see.
All credit to South Dublin Libraries. That’s the kind of innovation we like to see.
February 13, 2026 at 9:41 AM
I love this in Tallaght University Hospital. One day all hospitals will have libraries for bored patients and their families.
All credit to South Dublin Libraries. That’s the kind of innovation we like to see.
All credit to South Dublin Libraries. That’s the kind of innovation we like to see.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
On the one hand I think there are several structural factors that have brought Orbán to a reckoning; on the other, I choose to believe the prospect of a re-democratisation of Hungary is down to Troy Parrott.
Irish striker’s late goal ended Hungary’s campaign and punctured the prime minister’s expensive sporting vision
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
www.irishtimes.com/world/europe...
February 13, 2026 at 8:14 AM
On the one hand I think there are several structural factors that have brought Orbán to a reckoning; on the other, I choose to believe the prospect of a re-democratisation of Hungary is down to Troy Parrott.
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Anyone spot a cyclist (me) knocked off her bike along the canal at drimnagh today by someone who drove away? If you got a reg I’d love the help to report them! @ibike.ie
February 12, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Anyone spot a cyclist (me) knocked off her bike along the canal at drimnagh today by someone who drove away? If you got a reg I’d love the help to report them! @ibike.ie
I guess Michéal's solicitor has gotten in touch.
February 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM
I guess Michéal's solicitor has gotten in touch.
I heard you guys were sick of the rain, so we decided to mix it up
Temperatures are set to sharply drop tomorrow night as Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow warning, with icy conditions leading to hazardous road conditions and possible travel disruption.
Temperatures to plummet as Status Yellow warning issued
Temperatures are set to sharply drop tomorrow night as Met Éireann issued a Status Yellow warning, with icy conditions leading to hazardous road conditions and possible travel disruption.
www.rte.ie
February 12, 2026 at 11:22 AM
I heard you guys were sick of the rain, so we decided to mix it up
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
Yesterday: we exposed the terrifying extent of corporate capture in British politics
Three Labour select committee chairs came out calling for urgent action in response
Today: Labour government's Elections Bill lands. Does almost *nothing* to tackle any of the issues we exposed. 🤦
Three Labour select committee chairs came out calling for urgent action in response
Today: Labour government's Elections Bill lands. Does almost *nothing* to tackle any of the issues we exposed. 🤦
🔴 Exclusive: Corporate donations British parties tripled over last three elections
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
But here's key thing: almost none is from FTSE500/listed companies
It's almost all companies controlled by super-wealthy individuals, or small, opaque firms
New on D4S: democracyforsale.substack.com/p/revealed-c...
Revealed: Corporate donations to British politics have tripled
Influential Labour committee chairs call on government to clean up politics as our new analysis finds record £42 million in company donations ahead of last election
democracyforsale.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:16 AM
Yesterday: we exposed the terrifying extent of corporate capture in British politics
Three Labour select committee chairs came out calling for urgent action in response
Today: Labour government's Elections Bill lands. Does almost *nothing* to tackle any of the issues we exposed. 🤦
Three Labour select committee chairs came out calling for urgent action in response
Today: Labour government's Elections Bill lands. Does almost *nothing* to tackle any of the issues we exposed. 🤦
Reposted by Aidan O’Brien
The addictive design of social media is a major problem with serious impacts on public health and endangering democracy
Our new report reveals intense #lobbying by Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap to block or water down EU measures against social media addiction 🚨
corporateeurope.org/en/2026/02/a...
Our new report reveals intense #lobbying by Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap to block or water down EU measures against social media addiction 🚨
corporateeurope.org/en/2026/02/a...
Addicted to the algorithm: how Big Tech lobbies to keep us hooked on social media | Corporate Europe Observatory
As the EU prepares the Digital Fairness Act to tackle the addictive nature of social media design, big tech aggressively protects its business models. With Trumpists and far-right allies likely to joi...
corporateeurope.org
February 5, 2026 at 1:06 PM
The addictive design of social media is a major problem with serious impacts on public health and endangering democracy
Our new report reveals intense #lobbying by Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap to block or water down EU measures against social media addiction 🚨
corporateeurope.org/en/2026/02/a...
Our new report reveals intense #lobbying by Meta, Google, TikTok and Snap to block or water down EU measures against social media addiction 🚨
corporateeurope.org/en/2026/02/a...