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Darran Marshall

@dmarshall.bsky.social

9K followers 530 following 400 posts

BBC News NI Politics Producer | Senior Journalist. On Twitter @DarranMarshall Based in Belfast / Tyrone

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Nov 19

I’ve updated this #StarterPack as more people join #BlueSky.

This one has Northern Ireland politicians, journalists & political commentators.

Send through any recommendations or anyone you spot that I should include.

go.bsky.app/SGhfVQV

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · 3d

Indeed

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · 3d

🚨

𝐉𝐢𝐦 𝐆𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate effect and return to the arms of my family

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · 21d

The speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly has said he is worried that the current political climate in Great Britain could turn ugly and lead to civil unrest and someone getting hurt.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Edwin Poots: I fear 'things could turn ugly' in Great Britain

The DUP assembly member was speaking after chairing a meeting aimed at addressing abuse directed towards politicians.

www.bbc.com

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Aug 8

Almost 10% of adults in Ireland have had a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot within the last 12 months, new research shows.

A further 12% of adults wouldn't rule out such a relationship in the future.

www.rte.ie/news/busines...

Romantic relationships with AI chatbots on the rise

Almost 10% of adults in Ireland have had a romantic relationship with an AI chatbot within the last 12 months, new research shows.

www.rte.ie

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jul 16

#𝗕𝗕𝗖𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Mark Carruthers sits down with former Government Chief Whip & former Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith

Read more :
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Listen now :
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jul 16

Former NI Secretary Julian Smith -on a #BorderPoll

"I cannot in any world see a border poll with interest from Ireland, acceptance from the UK... I just don't see that happening at the current time so we're better focusing on making people's lives better”

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

Julian Smith says David Cameron was 'cavalier' in handling of Brexit

A former NI secretary has accused David Cameron of treating the Brexit referendum as

www.bbc.co.uk

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jul 16

“Unforgivable.”

Former Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith has accused ex-Prime Minister David Cameron of treating the 2016 Brexit referendum as "some sort of Eton game".

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

Julian Smith says David Cameron was 'cavalier' in handling of Brexit

A former NI secretary has accused David Cameron of treating the Brexit referendum as

www.bbc.co.uk

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jul 14

A restaurant in #Portrush has said it is reviewing recent price increases following a social media backlash

A chicken & bacon burger increased from £7.95 to £17.95 while a bowl of chilli chicken pasta that cost £14.95 earlier this month, rose to £27.95

#TheOpen #Golf

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

The Open 2025: Portrush restaurant, Ramore, to review golf tournament price hike

Ramore Restaurants said it had listened to feedback and was looking again at its pricing strategy.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jul 2

#𝗕𝗕𝗖𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝘂𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Former UUP leader Doug Beattie talks to Mark Carruthers about his life in the army & politics.

Listen now on BBC Sounds

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Red Lines - The Doug Beattie Interview - BBC Sounds

Mark Carruthers speaks to former UUP Leader Doug Beattie about his political life.

www.bbc.co.uk

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jul 2

The former Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie has said he was "beaten badly" by instructors for being Irish when he joined the Army at the age of 16.

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

Doug Beattie: Ex-UUP leader was 'beaten badly' in the Army for being Irish

Doug Beattie told BBC News NI's Red Lines that the bullying he received had a huge effect on his life.

www.bbc.co.uk

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jun 13

What's next for NI after this week's Spending Review? www.bbc.com/news/article...

Spending Review 2025: What's next for Northern Ireland?

In 2026, Stormont ministers will have about £16.3bn for day-to-day spending.

www.bbc.com

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jun 13

The sentence given to Winston Irvine was unduly lenient and should be extended, according to the Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

The PPS said it will now appeal the sentence.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Winston Irvine 'unduly lenient' sentence to be appealed

Irvine received a two-and-a-half year jail sentence.

www.bbc.com

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jun 13

Masonry thrown at police in Portadown in fourth night of NI disorder
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Portadown: Masonry thrown at police in fourth night of NI disorder

There was disorder in Northern Ireland for the fourth night in a row but at a lower level than seen earlier this week.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jun 13

“Our ethnic minority community plays an integral role in the life of our club, enriching us with their passion, culture, and commitment. We are stronger and better because of them.”

A Portadown GAA club sends a message of solidarity to its ethnic minority members.

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jun 11

Ballymena violence 'pure racism' and must stop - O'Neill www.bbc.com/news/article...

NI First Minister Michelle O'Neill calls Ballymena violence 'pure racism'

The Sinn Féin deputy leader says no-one should have to put a sticker on their door to identify their ethnicity.

www.bbc.com

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jun 11

The government is to make a financial contribution of £50m towards the redevelopment of Casement Park.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Casement Park to get £50m from government Spending Review

The government is making financial contribution of £50m towards the redevelopment of Casement Park.

www.bbc.com

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Jun 11

Casement spark?

Mark Carruthers discusses the government's Spending Review and #CasementPark with John Campbell, Andrew Webb, Jodie Carson and Stephen McGeehan from Ulster GAA.

Listen to the #BBCRedLines podcast here:

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Red Lines - Casement spark? - BBC Sounds

Has the Spending Review paved the way for the redevelopment of Casement Park?

www.bbc.co.uk

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · May 30

Unster, Londongrl, Aarmagh

This is what ChatGPT created what I asked it to create a map of Ireland - with the Ulster counties identified.

Can you spot any mistakes?

Watch full report about AI potentials & challenges - on BBC The View
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Apr 19

Languages, including Irish, are "a gift of God to communicate and to make connections with people".

That is according to the Reverend Kyle Paisley, the son of the late First Minister Ian Paisley.

t.co/YavZuKNNgB

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2lzpd1z59ro

t.co

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Apr 19

Michelle O'Neill has attended her first republican Easter commemoration in Northern Ireland since taking up office as first minister.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

Michelle O'Neill attends republican Easter commemoration

Michelle O'Neill attended her first republican Easter commemoration in Northern Ireland since taking up office as first minister.

www.bbc.com

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Apr 19

Eurovision singer Clodagh Rodgers dies aged 78 www.bbc.com/news/article...

Clodagh Rodgers: UK Eurovision singer dies aged 78

Clodagh Rodgers, who is from Warrenpoint, County Down, is known for songs such as Jack In The Box and Come Back and Shake Me.

www.bbc.com

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Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Apr 19

Priest appears in court charged with attempted child sex offence www.bbc.com/news/article...

Catholic priest appears in court charged with attempted child sex offence

Fr Edward Gallagher, of Orchard Park, Lifford, County Donegal, appeared at a special hearing of Londonderry Magistrates' Court in Dungannon.

www.bbc.com

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Apr 19

L
Priest appears in court charged with attempted child sex offence www.bbc.com/news/article...

Catholic priest appears in court charged with attempted child sex offence

Fr Edward Gallagher, of Orchard Park, Lifford, County Donegal, appeared at a special hearing of Londonderry Magistrates' Court in Dungannon.

www.bbc.com

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Mar 28

More than 20 Stormont politicians have spoken to the BBC about the abuse, threats, and intimidation they receive.

🔘Death threats
🔘Rape threats
🔘Physical assaults
🔘Offices attacked
🔘Spat at on street
🔘Vile social media abuse

Watch their personal testimony👇

www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

The View - 27/03/2025

Mark Carruthers and guests provide comment and expert analysis on political news.

www.bbc.co.uk

Darran Marshall @dmarshall.bsky.social · Mar 28

Death and rape threats among abuse suffered by politicians www.bbc.com/news/article...

Harassment: NI politicians speak out about abuse

Some MLAs are considering leaving elected politics over the abuse they and their families face, BBC News NI understands.