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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 16h

It is a dark story, involving whether a government can arbitrarily jail its own people. But at least he is very ably represented by my dear friend Kamila, who is an astute and skilled public defender. And she is also, as it happens, his wife.

(part two of my video message of support)

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 16h

I was so grateful, from 6,000 km away, to make a message of support outside a Kazakhstan courtroom. An illegally detained friend from my time reporting there, Timur Sadvakassov, still fights for his freedom after a court said should go free.

I look forward to us celebrating the day he is released.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 16h

As well as leaves of fire, October calls to mind Octoberfest, sauerkraut, German Unity Day, and all the friends from Germany who’ve blest my life - like my son’s beautiful godmother Paula. And here is one tiny encomium, for October, to all those lovely Germans who have so gorgeously touched my life.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 4d

It’s hard being a big yellow bird in the US at the moment you just get ostrich sized

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 5d

October’s start marks the dozen days before the anniversary of mum dying; other years I’ve cycled the length of Britain, or run that of Ireland.

What stays with me was how strangers put me up each night. The memory of that kindness is what lingers. And somehow all insisted on me having a hot shower

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 9d

Skipped runs and weights last night to get my BBC story filed over breakfast. Now I’m off to two inner city schools to talk to kids about sport because I am basically a hypocrite.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 11d

I'm so very glad the first debate for the highest office in our republic, perfectly timed for the schoolchildren who will be our future voters and representatives, is at the prime time hour of *checks notes* 10 pm. #Áras2025

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 12d

Just been coaching all the six year olds of Dublin in fencing because I am fully in support of arming small children with knives

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Reposted by Pádraig Belton

Marc de Faoite @marcdefaoite.bsky.social · 12d

It seems like a former president heading for prison should be attracting more attention, but the general reaction I'm seeing here in France is just a shrug and that accompanying gallic puff of air.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 12d

Funny seeing Sarkozy sentenced to prison this week. One of my first pieces ever to see print was a @thetls.bsky.social scene setter for his rise to power, which I felt far too clever for spotting in the offing. I’m still glad, all these years later, I insisted on the question mark.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 14d

My mistake was agreeing to go for lunch (Friday, presumably boozy?) with someone called ‘Jim’

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 17d

I'm writing The Times's obit this week for Conor Gearty – an Irish barrister who was a founding member of Matrix Chambers, and as a professor at the LSE, one of the world's leading scholars of human rights. If by chance you knew him, and you've a moment, I'd be very grateful for a quick chat.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 18d

Heck of a woman!

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 18d

I take a look this morning for the BBC at one quiet group of people who, between Ukraine and the Middle East, have never been busier: the war insurance underwriters at Lloyd’s of London, which provides 70 per cent of the world’s war insurance.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Global conflicts drive demand for war risk insurance

Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are fuelling take-up of cover against impact and damage.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 19d

I am out out running up a mountain in Ireland to rain and 80s dance mixes.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 19d

Stolen: my fencing kit bag, water bottle, and expression. Please return if seen.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 20d

Disasters are great for talking to strangers in London. Once I had the best dishwasher explosion - neighbours downstairs and next door both affected. Met both. Ended up having both round for Christmas. Still in touch.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 21d

Wednesday, after a charity dinner in London, I led survivors onto a Soho dance floor, to Chinatown, and a casino until 8 am.

Thursday, I took eGates and aircoach, and walked home through Dún Laoghaire.

Weds I had 0 chats with strangers. Thurs I had 5.

This whole Ireland lark is on to something.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · 24d

Am writing in the front row of my DUB-LHR flight. In a turbulent moment over the Isle of Man, salads take flight, mingle in a heap of broken china in the aisle. Without batting an eye, in-flight lead quips ‘lunch is served’.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why I fly @british-airways.bsky.social

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · Sep 4

Finally got to admire the @businesspost’s dishy new newsroom (as opposed to old-oldsroom?) in my first reporting shift today in the new digs. (Move in happened last week: I was by a pool in Italy.)

Friday’s when I learn if you can finish a news shift there at 7 pm and be on a flight to London at 8.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · Sep 1

My best friends have abandoned me so off to the newsroom I sulk

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · Sep 1

New French kid in my daughter’s class. Lands in Ireland last week. Sees a seal. Jumps up and down, pointing, loudly shouting ‘phoque! phoque! phoque!’

Basically she’s fitting in grand in Dublin already.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · Aug 29

Madly, trulli? Have the album cover, just need the album.

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · Aug 25

Each day in journalism’s a brave adventure. Today - I’m wondering round a campsite in Italy, armed with a biro and a receipt-turned-stenographer notepad, shouting through my mobile at Seb Coe, ‘Seb, I found a clearing in the trees, can you hear me now?’ overcoming hurdles, keeping the receipts

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Pádraig Belton @padraigbelton.bsky.social · Aug 21

Ronnie Scott's late sets, tho. Brought the valiant survivors from a book launch last night.

It's so intimate and friendly - chatting about jazz with artists after their sets - and my god it's only a tenner.

Honestly this is the most fun you can have in London at midnight with your clothes on.

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