Conor O'Carroll
@conorocarroll.bsky.social
Investigative journalist @investigates.thejournal.ie 🕵️| Often found sending an FOI 📨 | DM for contact info 📞 | They/them 🏳️⚧️
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Investigates Transgender Healthcare · TheJournal.ie
Read, share and shape the news on TheJournal.ie - Breaking Irish and International News
www.thejournal.ie
As our investigative series on transgender healthcare comes to an end, I'd just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who shared their story with me.
You are heard. You are listened to.🏳️⚧️
If you missed any parts, the full series can be found here: www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
You are heard. You are listened to.🏳️⚧️
If you missed any parts, the full series can be found here: www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
I examined nearly 800 pages of inspection reports of Tusla's Special Emergency Arrangements.
Some of the findings include blocked fire escapes, locked first aid boxes and children spending years in these unregulated, unsuitable placements, sometimes moving multiple times throughout
jrnl.ie/6954757
Some of the findings include blocked fire escapes, locked first aid boxes and children spending years in these unregulated, unsuitable placements, sometimes moving multiple times throughout
jrnl.ie/6954757
Vulnerable children spending years in Tusla’s temporary Special Emergency Arrangements
Tusla inspection reports of Special Emergency Arrangements show some children are moved from one place to another.
jrnl.ie
February 13, 2026 at 12:16 PM
I examined nearly 800 pages of inspection reports of Tusla's Special Emergency Arrangements.
Some of the findings include blocked fire escapes, locked first aid boxes and children spending years in these unregulated, unsuitable placements, sometimes moving multiple times throughout
jrnl.ie/6954757
Some of the findings include blocked fire escapes, locked first aid boxes and children spending years in these unregulated, unsuitable placements, sometimes moving multiple times throughout
jrnl.ie/6954757
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
New: Vulnerable children in Tusla care are spending years in unregulated emergency accommodation, even though these placements are supposed to be temporary, a new investigation has found.
jrnl.ie/6954757
jrnl.ie/6954757
Vulnerable children spending years in Tusla’s temporary Special Emergency Arrangements
Tusla inspection reports of Special Emergency Arrangements show some children are moved from one place to another.
jrnl.ie
February 13, 2026 at 12:15 AM
New: Vulnerable children in Tusla care are spending years in unregulated emergency accommodation, even though these placements are supposed to be temporary, a new investigation has found.
jrnl.ie/6954757
jrnl.ie/6954757
Vulnerable children in Tusla care are spending years in unregulated emergency accommodation, even though these placements are supposed to be temporary.
The Ombudsman for Children described our investigation findings as "very concerning".
Read just after midnight on the journal.ie
The Ombudsman for Children described our investigation findings as "very concerning".
Read just after midnight on the journal.ie
February 12, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Vulnerable children in Tusla care are spending years in unregulated emergency accommodation, even though these placements are supposed to be temporary.
The Ombudsman for Children described our investigation findings as "very concerning".
Read just after midnight on the journal.ie
The Ombudsman for Children described our investigation findings as "very concerning".
Read just after midnight on the journal.ie
The eagerness of some people for Ireland to follow the UK in its anti-trans crusade is genuinely worrying.
If the UK jumped off a cliff are we supposed to follow?
If the UK jumped off a cliff are we supposed to follow?
February 1, 2026 at 11:32 AM
The eagerness of some people for Ireland to follow the UK in its anti-trans crusade is genuinely worrying.
If the UK jumped off a cliff are we supposed to follow?
If the UK jumped off a cliff are we supposed to follow?
Ireland's representatives voted as such;
Senator Joe O'Reilly (FG) voted in favour.
Senator Rónán Mullen (Ind) voted against.
Senator Patrick Casey (FF) abstained.
So we really covered all bases there, well done team.
Now pass the Dáil version.
Senator Joe O'Reilly (FG) voted in favour.
Senator Rónán Mullen (Ind) voted against.
Senator Patrick Casey (FF) abstained.
So we really covered all bases there, well done team.
Now pass the Dáil version.
This is a landmark human rights resolution. Read 👉 buff.ly/PltCOGw #GCNnews
January 30, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Ireland's representatives voted as such;
Senator Joe O'Reilly (FG) voted in favour.
Senator Rónán Mullen (Ind) voted against.
Senator Patrick Casey (FF) abstained.
So we really covered all bases there, well done team.
Now pass the Dáil version.
Senator Joe O'Reilly (FG) voted in favour.
Senator Rónán Mullen (Ind) voted against.
Senator Patrick Casey (FF) abstained.
So we really covered all bases there, well done team.
Now pass the Dáil version.
Private developers of housing estates are required to deliver a percentage as social housing.
But new figures I obtained show that councils are increasingly taking enforcement action against developers for breaching these rules.
www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
But new figures I obtained show that councils are increasingly taking enforcement action against developers for breaching these rules.
www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
Councils taking enforcement action against private developers over social housing
Local authorities are increasingly having to take enforcement action against developers who breach planning rules around Part V social housing delivery.
www.thejournal.ie
January 28, 2026 at 12:13 PM
Private developers of housing estates are required to deliver a percentage as social housing.
But new figures I obtained show that councils are increasingly taking enforcement action against developers for breaching these rules.
www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
But new figures I obtained show that councils are increasingly taking enforcement action against developers for breaching these rules.
www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
I'm so tired of this. We can find something else to write about, believe me.
Just ignore him.
Just ignore him.
January 27, 2026 at 8:31 PM
I'm so tired of this. We can find something else to write about, believe me.
Just ignore him.
Just ignore him.
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
Over 100 XL Bully dogs have been euthanised by local authorities in the year since the ban on the breed came into effect.
But animal welfare organisations have raised concerns over the effectiveness of a breed ban.
www.thejournal.ie/xl-bully-ban...
But animal welfare organisations have raised concerns over the effectiveness of a breed ban.
www.thejournal.ie/xl-bully-ban...
More than 100 XL Bully dogs euthanised by local authorities in first year of ban
Animal welfare organisations have argued that breed bans don’t address the core of the problem.
www.thejournal.ie
December 29, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Over 100 XL Bully dogs have been euthanised by local authorities in the year since the ban on the breed came into effect.
But animal welfare organisations have raised concerns over the effectiveness of a breed ban.
www.thejournal.ie/xl-bully-ban...
But animal welfare organisations have raised concerns over the effectiveness of a breed ban.
www.thejournal.ie/xl-bully-ban...
🚨 New records released under FOI show the Department expect pharmacists to question trans people to access the free HRT scheme.
"Pharmacists will be able to query" despite the PCRS acknowledging "it would be practically very difficult to identify the reason people are using specific products".
"Pharmacists will be able to query" despite the PCRS acknowledging "it would be practically very difficult to identify the reason people are using specific products".
December 22, 2025 at 1:27 PM
🚨 New records released under FOI show the Department expect pharmacists to question trans people to access the free HRT scheme.
"Pharmacists will be able to query" despite the PCRS acknowledging "it would be practically very difficult to identify the reason people are using specific products".
"Pharmacists will be able to query" despite the PCRS acknowledging "it would be practically very difficult to identify the reason people are using specific products".
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
Pharmacists have said nobody entering a pharmacy should expect to be questioned on whether they are transgender.
One pharmacist said the Minister for Health has “a gross misinterpretation of the role of a pharmacist" amid confusion over eligibility.
www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-sch...
One pharmacist said the Minister for Health has “a gross misinterpretation of the role of a pharmacist" amid confusion over eligibility.
www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-sch...
'I'm not looking up someone's skirt': Pharmacists reject deciding who's eligible for free HRT
Pharmacists described the free HRT scheme as ‘unfair’, ‘inequitable’ and ‘sloppy’.
www.thejournal.ie
December 20, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Pharmacists have said nobody entering a pharmacy should expect to be questioned on whether they are transgender.
One pharmacist said the Minister for Health has “a gross misinterpretation of the role of a pharmacist" amid confusion over eligibility.
www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-sch...
One pharmacist said the Minister for Health has “a gross misinterpretation of the role of a pharmacist" amid confusion over eligibility.
www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-sch...
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
Pharmacists are rejecting an attempt to pass the responsibility of determining eligibility for the Free HRT Scheme onto them, amid continuing confusion surrounding the eligibility of trans people.
www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-sch...
www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-sch...
'I'm not looking up someone's skirt': Pharmacists reject deciding who's eligible for free HRT
Pharmacists described the free HRT scheme as ‘ridiculous’, ‘inequitable’ and ‘sloppy’.
www.thejournal.ie
December 20, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Pharmacists are rejecting an attempt to pass the responsibility of determining eligibility for the Free HRT Scheme onto them, amid continuing confusion surrounding the eligibility of trans people.
www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-sch...
www.thejournal.ie/free-hrt-sch...
“We don’t sit anyone else down and ask them to prove they’re male or female when they come in for items.”
Pharmacists I spoke to have rejected attempts to have them determine who is can receive free HRT amid confusion around the eligibility of trans people
Read on thejournal.ie just after midnight
Pharmacists I spoke to have rejected attempts to have them determine who is can receive free HRT amid confusion around the eligibility of trans people
Read on thejournal.ie just after midnight
December 19, 2025 at 10:31 PM
“We don’t sit anyone else down and ask them to prove they’re male or female when they come in for items.”
Pharmacists I spoke to have rejected attempts to have them determine who is can receive free HRT amid confusion around the eligibility of trans people
Read on thejournal.ie just after midnight
Pharmacists I spoke to have rejected attempts to have them determine who is can receive free HRT amid confusion around the eligibility of trans people
Read on thejournal.ie just after midnight
HSE says National Gender Service does not have authority to close waiting list to new patients jrnl.ie/6902636
HSE says National Gender Service does not have authority to close waiting list to new patients
The National Gender Service had said it was closing its waiting list to new patients in March.
jrnl.ie
December 12, 2025 at 10:39 PM
HSE says National Gender Service does not have authority to close waiting list to new patients jrnl.ie/6902636
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
We're delighted to announced @conorocarroll.bsky.social as the winner of the Business Analyst of the Year category. An impressive win in a category with an exceptionally high calibre of entries this year. Well done Conor! #SmurfitAwards @thejournal.ie @investigates.thejournal.ie
December 8, 2025 at 1:14 PM
We're delighted to announced @conorocarroll.bsky.social as the winner of the Business Analyst of the Year category. An impressive win in a category with an exceptionally high calibre of entries this year. Well done Conor! #SmurfitAwards @thejournal.ie @investigates.thejournal.ie
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
Just 10% of Ireland’s historic landfills have been certified over 15 years since the regulations were introduced.
It means that hundreds of these old landfills have been left in limbo despite a risk of leaking toxic waste into waterways.
It means that hundreds of these old landfills have been left in limbo despite a risk of leaking toxic waste into waterways.
Hundreds of old landfills left in limbo despite risk of leaking toxic waste into waterways
The Journal Investigates reveals the failures by local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency to keep historic landfills safe.
www.thejournal.ie
December 2, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Just 10% of Ireland’s historic landfills have been certified over 15 years since the regulations were introduced.
It means that hundreds of these old landfills have been left in limbo despite a risk of leaking toxic waste into waterways.
It means that hundreds of these old landfills have been left in limbo despite a risk of leaking toxic waste into waterways.
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
Officials at the Department of Public Expenditure spotted the typo in the new sign displayed on Merrion Street over a month before it was installed in front of the department headquarters.
The sign included an incorrect spelling of ‘infrastructure’.
jrnl.ie/6888851
The sign included an incorrect spelling of ‘infrastructure’.
jrnl.ie/6888851
'Department of Infastructure' sign was installed on Kildare St after civil servants noticed typo
The sign was later replaced by the supplier at no extra cost to the Department.
jrnl.ie
November 28, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Officials at the Department of Public Expenditure spotted the typo in the new sign displayed on Merrion Street over a month before it was installed in front of the department headquarters.
The sign included an incorrect spelling of ‘infrastructure’.
jrnl.ie/6888851
The sign included an incorrect spelling of ‘infrastructure’.
jrnl.ie/6888851
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
ChatGPT, an Apple laptop and a €400 bar tab – these are just some of the more unusual election expenses listed on candidates’ returns after the general election.
Others spent hundreds on branded clothing, car wraps and keyrings in a bid to win voters.
www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
Others spent hundreds on branded clothing, car wraps and keyrings in a bid to win voters.
www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
ChatGPT, a €400 bar tab and an Apple laptop: What did candidates expense at the last election?
The Journal Investigates looked at some of the more unusual expenses from candidates in the general election.
www.thejournal.ie
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 AM
ChatGPT, an Apple laptop and a €400 bar tab – these are just some of the more unusual election expenses listed on candidates’ returns after the general election.
Others spent hundreds on branded clothing, car wraps and keyrings in a bid to win voters.
www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
Others spent hundreds on branded clothing, car wraps and keyrings in a bid to win voters.
www.thejournal.ie/investigates...
Coming just after midnight, a new investigation for @investigates.thejournal.ie looking at soaring childcare fees.
One provider in Dublin increased full-time fees from €190 to €300 a week after leaving the government's Core Funding scheme ahead of the new school year.
Out soon on thejournal.ie
One provider in Dublin increased full-time fees from €190 to €300 a week after leaving the government's Core Funding scheme ahead of the new school year.
Out soon on thejournal.ie
September 30, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Coming just after midnight, a new investigation for @investigates.thejournal.ie looking at soaring childcare fees.
One provider in Dublin increased full-time fees from €190 to €300 a week after leaving the government's Core Funding scheme ahead of the new school year.
Out soon on thejournal.ie
One provider in Dublin increased full-time fees from €190 to €300 a week after leaving the government's Core Funding scheme ahead of the new school year.
Out soon on thejournal.ie
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
An Irish-based aircraft leasing company is to buy 20 new cargo planes from an Israeli aviation and defence company with ties to the war in Gaza.
Israel Aerospace Industries, which is converting the plane, has close ties with the Israeli Defence Forces.
http://jrnl.ie/6814840
Israel Aerospace Industries, which is converting the plane, has close ties with the Israeli Defence Forces.
http://jrnl.ie/6814840
Irish aircraft leasing company to buy 20 planes from Israeli weapons supplier linked to Gaza war
State-owned Israel Aerospace Industries has close ties with the Israeli Defence Forces and is selling converted planes to Irish-based AerCap.
jrnl.ie
September 12, 2025 at 11:10 PM
An Irish-based aircraft leasing company is to buy 20 new cargo planes from an Israeli aviation and defence company with ties to the war in Gaza.
Israel Aerospace Industries, which is converting the plane, has close ties with the Israeli Defence Forces.
http://jrnl.ie/6814840
Israel Aerospace Industries, which is converting the plane, has close ties with the Israeli Defence Forces.
http://jrnl.ie/6814840
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
Coming up just after midnight, @conorocarroll.bsky.social reports on an Irish-based aircraft leasing company buying cargo planes from an Israeli weapons supplier with close ties with the Israeli Defence Forces and the war in Gaza.
September 12, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Coming up just after midnight, @conorocarroll.bsky.social reports on an Irish-based aircraft leasing company buying cargo planes from an Israeli weapons supplier with close ties with the Israeli Defence Forces and the war in Gaza.
Irish people are not made for this heat☀️
August 12, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Irish people are not made for this heat☀️
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
I spoke to several trans women who described the confusion they are facing over their eligibility under the free HRT scheme.
The legislation isn't clear, and the Department haven't provided a clear answer.
One person I spoke to said "we are used to fighting for everything".
jrnl.ie/6783895
The legislation isn't clear, and the Department haven't provided a clear answer.
One person I spoke to said "we are used to fighting for everything".
jrnl.ie/6783895
Trans women facing confusion over their eligibility under the free HRT scheme
The Irish Pharmacy Union has said they are seeking clarity from the Department of Health on the issue
jrnl.ie
August 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I spoke to several trans women who described the confusion they are facing over their eligibility under the free HRT scheme.
The legislation isn't clear, and the Department haven't provided a clear answer.
One person I spoke to said "we are used to fighting for everything".
jrnl.ie/6783895
The legislation isn't clear, and the Department haven't provided a clear answer.
One person I spoke to said "we are used to fighting for everything".
jrnl.ie/6783895
I spoke to several trans women who described the confusion they are facing over their eligibility under the free HRT scheme.
The legislation isn't clear, and the Department haven't provided a clear answer.
One person I spoke to said "we are used to fighting for everything".
jrnl.ie/6783895
The legislation isn't clear, and the Department haven't provided a clear answer.
One person I spoke to said "we are used to fighting for everything".
jrnl.ie/6783895
Trans women facing confusion over their eligibility under the free HRT scheme
The Irish Pharmacy Union has said they are seeking clarity from the Department of Health on the issue
jrnl.ie
August 10, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I spoke to several trans women who described the confusion they are facing over their eligibility under the free HRT scheme.
The legislation isn't clear, and the Department haven't provided a clear answer.
One person I spoke to said "we are used to fighting for everything".
jrnl.ie/6783895
The legislation isn't clear, and the Department haven't provided a clear answer.
One person I spoke to said "we are used to fighting for everything".
jrnl.ie/6783895
Reposted by Conor O'Carroll
Three types of vapes labelled as ‘nicotine free’ for sale in shops across the country did in fact contain nicotine following HSE inspections and testing.
Health experts say that using these products could lead to an unintended nicotine addiction.
http://jrnl.ie/6772521
Health experts say that using these products could lead to an unintended nicotine addiction.
http://jrnl.ie/6772521
Vapes posing as ‘nicotine free’ found to contain nicotine
Illegal vapes are commonly found in shops across the country – what does that mean for our health?
jrnl.ie
July 31, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Three types of vapes labelled as ‘nicotine free’ for sale in shops across the country did in fact contain nicotine following HSE inspections and testing.
Health experts say that using these products could lead to an unintended nicotine addiction.
http://jrnl.ie/6772521
Health experts say that using these products could lead to an unintended nicotine addiction.
http://jrnl.ie/6772521