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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney
@dsmooney.bsky.social
650 followers 97 following 260 posts
Public Affairs & Communications. Speechwriter. Irish govt adviser (2004-10) Ex Fianna Fáil. #Podcast: Mooney On Politics
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 5h
Derek responds to @LeoVaradkar criticism of Taoiseach @MicheálMartinTD

A clip of my appearance on the BBC Radio Ulster Talkback show where I joined Aoife Moore, Gregory Campbell MP and DUP founder Wallace Thompson to discuss Varadkar's assertion that Martin is putting up an "artificial barrier" to…
Derek responds to @LeoVaradkar criticism of Taoiseach @MicheálMartinTD
A clip of my appearance on the BBC Radio Ulster Talkback show where I joined Aoife Moore, Gregory Campbell MP and DUP founder Wallace Thompson to discuss Varadkar's assertion that Martin is putting up an "artificial barrier" to Unity.
derekmooney.ie
dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 3d
Just off BBC radio ulster discussing comments by @leovaradkartd.bsky.social on the #borderland #podcast

I rarely defend #michealmartin, but even I feel accusing him of putting up an "artificial barrier" to a referendum on #unity is unfair and excessive

www.bbc.com/news/article...
Irish government accused of putting up 'barrier' to unity poll
The first two episodes of the Borderland podcast explore issues surrounding a referendum on Irish unity.
www.bbc.com
dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 5d
If, by appearing on the @news.rte.ie, @MichealMartinTD had intended to quell any hint of unrest or disquiet within the @fiannafailparty.bsky.social, the actual impact was to do the opposite. This was not the appearance of a leader at the peak of his authority
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 5d
I was on @rteradio1.bsky.social earlier speaking about the dire #aras2025 #aras25 debacle facing #AnTaoiseach and @fiannafailparty.bsky.social

t.co/X7OXQV1vBM
https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22549639/
t.co
dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 5d
I was on @newstalkfm.bsky.social #PatKenny show along with @garymurphy.bsky.social to discuss what’s happening in @fiannafailparty.bsky.social and #Aras2025

TL;DR while folks focus on process issues such as vetting… the real problem is with political judgement and leadership shown

t.co/zoQCAYn4Gs
https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-the-pat-kenny-show/more-reaction-as-jim-gavin-leaves-presidential-race
t.co
dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 6d
A quick #MooneyOnPolitics #Podcast update on the state of the #aras2025 race…

open.spotify.com/episode/7vEs...
Spotify – Web Player
open.spotify.com
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 6d
… there has been no sign of him being able to do this in the past for @fiannafailparty, and it does seem that even a big Munster swing to Gavin wouldn’t get him into the frame, but what’s the point of huge personal popularity when you cannot convert it to political support?
dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 6d
There are many takeaways from today’s @TheSundayIndo poll… for me it is the Munster effect, as explained by @kevcunningham in his analysis.

The big test now is whether @MichealMartinTD can parlay his personal popularity into Munster votes for @gavinforthearas…
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 6d
The amount of front page acreage it takes is extraordinary
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 6d
Thanks Brian… after Broadsheet.ie closed I thought I’d try keep the Sunday one going
Broadsheet.ie
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 6d
Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages - October 5th [Updated]
derekmooney.ie/2025/10/04/i...
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 6d
Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages – October 5th [Updating]
Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages – October 5th [Updating]
derekmooney.ie
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
9/ Which is worse? Connolly winning, or her coming 2nd and invigorating the opposition and emboldening FG?

Neither option looks good.

I won’t spoil my ballot.

I will vote FOR someone… but is this the best we can do after 7 years knowing there would be an election?
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
8/ Here’s the dilemma: a Connolly presidency will probably be disastrous. But a Humphreys win, and the FG / @simonharrisireland.bsky.social victory lap to follow, may only deepen this centrist anger.
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
7/ I am struck by how many people I know (political and non political) who are voting @catherinegalway.bsky.social #1. These are not radicals. They know her flaws. They think:
(a) The system will limit her power
(b) Their ballot tells party leaders “Enough is enough.”
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
6/ The field feels uninspiring all round. In that context, Connolly appears the least inarticulate, the most authentic, and the most comfortable in her own skin… this is based on the recent debate chaired by @kierancuddihy.bsky.social
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
5/ Meanwhile, @fiannafailparty.bsky.social & @finegael.bsky.social are offering voters decent and honourable people as presidential candidates: but they are largely unknown, unconvincing, and uncharismatic on the campaign trail.
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
4/ Electing Catherine Connolly TD, for them, is a way to send a hard message to the complacent centre, esp govts parties… but not only them, without damaging their own long-term interests.
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
3/ Centrist voters see the limits of the office of @president.ie
They believe institutions will constrain Connolly, making her more of an irritant to Taoiseach & Tánaiste than a threat to stability.
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
2/ That anger could fuel Connolly’s election. It didn’t erupt in #GE2024, where voters judged the alternative Govt to be worse. But this time the presidency offers a way to kick over the table, without the govt falling.
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 9d
🧵 My take on the #Aras2025 Presidential race in week one:

1/ There is an anger out there. But it’s not the anger of the extremes. It’s a centrist anger. The frustration of voters who’d usually back FF, FG, Lab… but now see these parties as rudderless and shallow.
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dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 13d
Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages - for Sept 28 [Updated]
derekmooney.ie/2025/09/27/i...
dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 14d
Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages – for Sept 28 [Updating]
Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages – for Sept 28 [Updating]
derekmooney.ie
dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 15d
I spoke with @BBCnews @BBCradioulster on Thursday about the current state of the #Aras2025 3-horse-race
I spoke with @BBCnews @BBCradioulster on Thursday about the current state of the #Aras2025 3-horse-race
derekmooney.ie
Reposted by Derek Mooney
dsmooney.bsky.social
Derek Mooney @dsmooney.bsky.social · 20d
Irish Sunday newspaper #frontpages for Sept 21 [Updated]

derekmooney.ie/2025/09/21/i...
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