Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · 8d

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

A screenshot of an upcoming story on The Journal. The headline reads 'Parents face huge fee increases as over 50 childcare providers withdraw from government scheme'.

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal @thejournal.ie · 26d

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

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

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal @thejournal.ie · 26d

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.

A screenshot of an upcoming article on The Journal. The headline reads 'Irish aircraft leasing company to buy 20 planes from Israeli weapons supplier linked to Gaza war'

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · 26d

Staggering it was even published at all, especially considering the original source. Maybe not surprising from some outlets but NYT ran it as 'unverified'...so like, don't publish it then???

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Aug 12

Irish people are not made for this heat☀️

A screenshot showing an extreme high temperature warning in Seville, Spain. The current temperature is 44°

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Aug 10

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

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

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Aug 10

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

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

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal Investigates @investigates.thejournal.ie · Jul 31

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

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

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal Investigates @investigates.thejournal.ie · Jul 30

New: Over 3,500 vapes have been seized from shops by the HSE for breaching regulations since the start of 2024, new figures show.

Breaches included 'nicotine-free' vapes that contained the addictive drug.

http://jrnl.ie/6772504

Thousands of illegal vapes seized from shops by HSE over the past year

This included ‘nicotine-free’ vapes which, when tested, contained the addictive drug.

jrnl.ie

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal Investigates @investigates.thejournal.ie · Jul 2

‘I won’t work alone with certain colleagues’: Female paramedics tell @trishdevlin.bsky.social they feel there is an ‘unsafe culture’ within the National Ambulance Service.

Read our latest investigation ⬇️
http://www.thejournal.ie/national-ambulance-service-female-paramedics-6748778-Jul2025/

‘I won’t work alone with certain colleagues’: Female paramedics break silence on 'toxic' culture

Staff told The Journal Investigates they feel that there is an ‘unsafe culture’ within the National Ambulance Service.

www.thejournal.ie

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal Investigates @investigates.thejournal.ie · Jun 25

Discarded canisters of nitrous oxide, used by teens and young people for short highs, have become a common sight littering many public areas in recent years.

But for young children, these bright colourful tubes are “sparking curiosity”.

http://jrnl.ie/6738579

Nitrous oxide canisters littering streets and parks 'sparking curiosity' in children

Experts say the are ‘everywhere’. What should you do if you find one?

jrnl.ie

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal Investigates @investigates.thejournal.ie · Jun 25

Inhaling nitrous oxide delivers a short-lived high but can also result in life-altering health impacts, including paralysis and suffocation.

Health and drug experts told us they were very concerned that canisters of the drug could be bought online.

http://jrnl.ie/6738494

‘Devastating’ nitrous oxide available to buy on popular Irish websites

Our investigative team found the psychedelic drug on Amazon and classified sites.

jrnl.ie

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Jun 25

In our latest investigation we reveal just how easy it is to find large canisters of nitrous oxide for sale online, with listings on online classified ad sites and even the Irish version of Amazon.

The drug is popular with teenagers and party goers despite the life altering impact it can have.

The Journal Investigates @investigates.thejournal.ie · Jun 24

A psychedelic drug, used by teenagers and party goers, could be bought by Irish shoppers on popular online sites.

Our team found large canisters of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, on online classified ad sites and even the Irish version of Amazon.

http://jrnl.ie/6738494

‘Devastating’ nitrous oxide available to buy on popular Irish websites

Our investigative team found the psychedelic drug on Amazon and classified sites.

jrnl.ie

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

Maria Delaney @mariadelaney.ie · Jun 20

Would you like to lead a team of reporters dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works? Apply to become the Acting Editor of @investigates.thejournal.ie (full time for a year).

I'm biased but this is a really meaningful and enjoyable job. Shout if you've any questions!

Deadline: Fri 04 July

Acting Editor

careers.thejournal.ie

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

Gay Community News @gcnmag.bsky.social · Jun 6

Get nominating now! 🗳️✨
#GCNnews

GALAS 2025 nominations open for awards honouring Ireland's LGBTQ+ community

The nominations are now open for the GALAS 2025, Ireland’s most anticipated celebration of LGBTQ+ excellence!

buff.ly

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Jun 12

👀

The picture is a 'they're the same picture' meme from The Office TV show

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Jun 12

This page has the strategy and action plan! www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028

www.gov.ie

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Jun 12

I'll get them started.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT:

It'll make people happy.

Ends.

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Jun 12

This was a pleasant surprise from the government's National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II Action Plan 2025-2026.

Please don't mess it up.

A screenshot from the Irish government's National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II Action Plan 2025-2026. The screenshot reads Strategic Objective #42 Set up an interdepartmental working group to carry out an impact assessment on providing legal recognition for those who identify as non-binary.

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

Pablo Jiménez Arandia @pjarandia.bsky.social · Jun 10

For those interested on how AI infrastructure is already having an impact in our environment I recommend the work done in the last months by @conorocarroll.bsky.social and @mariadelaney.ie at The Journal Investigates.

investigates.thejournal.ie/data-centres

The Journal Investigates: Where are all the data centres and why should you care?

investigates.thejournal.ie

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal Investigates @investigates.thejournal.ie · Jun 4

Our team examined over 25 years of planning records to pinpoint Ireland’s data centres.

Explore the interactive, visual investigation to see where they are located: https://investigates.thejournal.ie/data-centres

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Reposted by Conor O'Carroll

The Journal Investigates @investigates.thejournal.ie · Jun 4

Reporter @conorocarroll.bsky.social explains how we mapped - for the first time - all operating and planned data centres in Ireland.

Examining over 25 years of planning records, we found 89 data centres, with a further 40 in development.

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Jun 4

Yes, I really did go through 25 years of planning records.

Explore our interactive, visual investigation so you don't have to and find out where Ireland's data centres are located.

investigates.thejournal.ie/data-centres

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Jun 3

This builds on our investigation from last year that found data centres using backup and emergency generators in Ireland are releasing huge quantities of carbon dioxide emissions.

jrnl.ie/6554698t

Ireland's data centres turning to fossil fuels after maxing out country's electricity grid

Climate-impacting emissions are being released from data centres using off-grid generators.

jrnl.ie

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Conor O'Carroll @conorocarroll.bsky.social · Jun 3

Coming just after midnight tonight...something a bit different, but very cool!

An interactive, visual investigation that maps - for the first time - all operating and planned data centres in Ireland.

Out soon on thejournal.ie

The image features a preview of an upcoming article on The Journal. The headline reads Where are all the data centres and why should you care?

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