Ten-year waits in the public system, or a private sector with more jurisdictions than a Cayman Islands shell company.

Fascinating stuff. Never knew any of this.

I know it’s not national news, but in the pre-internet years TNG was huge in Ireland. It was shown by both of our national broadcasters.

I’m discovering so many people I never realised were fans of this show. It really got me more interested in education, philosophy and morality. Not to mentoin technology which at the time seemed promising.

Shitpost. I was mildly curious which was more common.

“We cannot in good faith continue to participate as we do not feel the draft Model of Care thus developed aligns with the values of PATHI or what we envision as the future of gender healthcare in Ireland,” the letter reads.

PATHI highlighted how the draft Model of Care that was circulated to members of the working group failed to incorporate the experiences of directly-impacted trans people, thus leaving out “important voices” that should have informed the development of new gender healthcare services.

Moreover, PATHI stressed that the current draft model “makes few references to international evidence-based standards” while making more extensive reference to the Cass Review, a document that has been “widely criticised by international medical bodies, academic voices, and LGBTQ advocacy groups.”

I thought this was excellent. Deirdre Ó Shaughnessy is such a good interviewer and her guest articulates well the perspective of supporting Palestine as someone who is Irish and Jewish.

Delighted to see this turnout and support.

Cross posted from https://feddit.uk/post/56335596

Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson retains composure as he also explains Dara O’Shea may not be available after returning for birth of child.

12.34pm, 3 Oct 2026 9.8k The 42 reports from TSC Arena, Backa Topola

An editorial note re: The 42’s reporting on the Uefa Nations League matches between Ireland and Israel is available to read here.

THE UEFA DELEGATE was absent from the press conference room at the TSC Arena in Backa Topola as Heimir Hallgrímsson’s pre-match session had to be cut short due to chaotic scenes involving Israeli journalists.

The Republic of Ireland manager had been speaking ahead of Sunday’s game behind closed doors with Israel in Serbia when accusations of racist abuse towards Israel players during last Sunday’s game led to strong denials from the FAI media officer.

The FAI earlier confirmed during the same press conference that their own internal investigation into alleged racist abuse aimed at Adam Idah from Israel fans was ongoing.

As the live section of the Uefa-mandated press conference for television, radio and online was coming to an end, one Israeli reporter began to read her question about the Fly Dubai incident off a script while being recorded on a phone by a colleague sitting beside her.

“What do you say about the people you support, the ideology is based on murder, just this week one of them tried to kill 100 Israeli passengers, 27 children. Innocent children and thousands of others,” she said.

The FAI press officer asked to keep questions to football matters before she asked if Finn Azaz would play. “When you play tomorrow, you will see the starting lineup tomorrow. I’m not going to give the starting lineup to the media the day before the game.”

It was then that another Israeli reporter took the microphone and said: “Your players called our players monkeys during the match [last Sunday].”

“That’s that’s completely untrue, that is completely untrue, that is completely untrue,” the FAI media officer responded.

The Israeli reporter then began shouting further accusations as the press conference was brought to a premature end. Unlike last Saturday in Hungary, as is standard, the Uefa delegate for the game was not in attendance for the press conference.

Earlier, Hallgrímsson had been asked about what measures he and the FAI could take to ensure to protect his players.

“I think it goes both ways, not only us. It is a game with a lot of emotions attached to it. I haven’t read anything, it’s not something I want to get involved with, it just goes to a process, both in our department and Uefa to look at, I think it was something that was reported from both teams.

“I just hope that we can focus on football and that football will be the winner after this. So I’ve not gone into details and looking at this, I have enough to think about.”

The Ireland boss revealed that Dara O’Shea was not with the squad for training today as the captain returned to London to be with his partner who had gone into labour.

“He said that I’m going to have the baby and come back, but obviously we have priorities in life and this is the one that has the highest priority,” Hallgrímsson said.

“It’s your family, it’s a new life coming and hopefully that will be a good centre-back for Ireland in 16 years, whether for the women’s or the men’s team. No, we’ve just taken that situation hour by hour, but his intention is to come and be with us in the game. But like I said, we know priorities in life, and this is the biggest one.”

Written by David Sneyd and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.

Donald Trump has left Ireland but his people are still here.

Belfast High Court has dismissed a challenge against an Orange Order parade on Portadown's Garvaghy Road later this morning.

It means 35 Orangemen will be permitted to walk the contested route.

Apparently 'something' is being organised for the Ireland vs Austria game to allow the fans to express their opinions on this decision. But I haven't heard any more.

Ireland players vote to go ahead with Israel matches despite ‘different views’

• Scheduled press conference and training session delayed

• Irish FA admits ‘players shared different views

The Republic of Ireland’s Nations League fixtures with Israel will go ahead after players voted on Saturday for the matches to be played.

The scheduled press conference before Sunday’s first game – which is being played in Debrecen in Hungary – was delayed until Saturday afternoon, raising doubts as to whether the match would be cancelled.

However, the Football Association of Ireland confirmed it will be played. “The Association made this decision following consultation with the Republic of Ireland players who shared different views and a majority expressed that the fixtures should be played. The Association respects the views of all players involved and appreciates the level of sensitivity concerning these fixtures.”

A group of players were believed to have held a meeting in the team hotel after missing the initial press conference, which was scheduled for 10.15am local time, and scheduled training at the Nagyerdei Stadium 45 minutes later.

Uefa officials were unsure of the reason behind the delay, although players had announced they would meet on Friday to discuss the situation. There were reports a player statement would be released before the originally scheduled press conference and speculation on Saturday morning that a player had refused to play in the match. Teams who do not meet obligations can be subject to warnings or fines from Uefa.

After Thursday’s 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Pristina that began the Republic’s Nations League campaign, the midfielder Jason Knight said: “It’s difficult. I don’t think the game should be going ahead, but it is going ahead. We’ll have a deeper talk about it and what that means, we’ll get our thoughts as a group and go from there.

“None of us have gone through this scenario before, but I’d like to think I’m experienced, thick-skinned and I can get through most things and that is what I will try to do.

“I’ll try to focus on the football as much as I can. I’ll give my view and my thoughts on it [the Israel games] when I see fit, but I’ll be trying to focus on the football as much as possible.” Continue reading here - https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/26/ireland-players-vote-to-go-ahead-with-nations-league-match-against-israel

Cross posted from https://feddit.uk/post/55942671

[Video] Israel forward Saied Abu Farchi was sent off for celebrating his goal against Austria in their 3-1 ⁠Nations League defeat by using the corner flag to simulate a gun.

Abu Farchi headed home in the 55th minute to bring Israel level after Austria had taken the lead through a Romano Schmid penalty before half-time at the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz.

The 20-year-old ran to the ‌corner flag, grabbed it ‌and made a gun-firing gesture during his celebration. Continue reading HERE - https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/other/israel-striker-sent-off-for-gun-celebration-in-defeat-to-austria/ar-AA2cUXFw

UEFA are refusing to kick Israel out of the competition and forcing the decision to play, on to the Irish players. I think that they all need a little help to get the courage up. Which is ridiculous after their heavy Virtue signaling during the Infantino debacle.

I honestly believe that it will only take one Irish player to refuse to play, and the others should follow suit, putting the decision firmly on the shoulders of UEFA. But it needs a push

The belligerent, arrogant and presumptuous attitude from Israel is even more disgusting while the world knows what they are doing.

THE ARTICLE:

Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson

The Israel FA has hit out at Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson, insisting his recent comments embody "stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy".

Ireland open their Nations League campaign on Thursday against Kosovo in Pristina, while they will also host Austria at Aviva Stadium on 1 October in the third match of the extended four-game international window.

But since the Nations League draw was made in February, controversy has surrounded the two fixtures against Israel which will take place either side of the Austria match.

Ireland's 'away' game against the Israelis will take place on neutral ground in Debrecen, Hungary next Sunday, 27 September. A week later, the designated Irish 'home' match will be staged in Backa Topola, Serbia on 4 October.

However, calls for a boycott of the games have abounded amid the backdrop of ongoing events in Gaza.

Last September, an independent UN commission concluded that Israel has committed and continues to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli authorities rejected the findings of the report.

During May's friendly win over Qatar, tennis balls were thrown onto the Aviva Stadium pitch at various intervals as part of ongoing protests by the 'Stop The Game' campaign.

A tennis ball protest took place during the friendly against Qatar in May

However, a motion in favour of proceeding with the fixtures was passed at an FAI EGM in July.

At last week's squad announcement, Hallgrimsson said the fact the players have accepted call-ups for the impending window is a sign of "team spirit" as he acknowledged that some individual players' are "uncomfortable" about the prospect of playing against Israel.

When asked about the difficulty of keeping his players focused on football ahead of the two highly contentious games against Israel, he said:

"I’ve said before, we’re not playing with genocide, we’re playing against genocide. We’re playing against Israel, we’re not playing with Israel."

While it has been reported the Israel FA are considering filing a complaint to Uefa over Hallgrimsson's comments, in a post on their official X account, they have publicly hit out at the Irish manager's comments.

We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach. We're not playing with… — ISRAEL FA (@ISRAELFA) September 21, 2026

"We have contributed to the world and humanity in countless fields, earning an impressive number of Nobel Prizes along the way. Unfortunately, we have not yet found a cure for stupidity, ignorance and hypocrisy displayed by @IrelandFootball team coach. We’re not playing with ignorance, hypocrisy and stupidity, We’re playing against the coach who embodies them."

The FAI declined to comment this evening to Israel's social media post, with Hallgrimsson likely to field questions on the topic at his Wednesday press conference ahead of the Kosovo game.

A group campaigners gathered outside the team's hotel in Dublin on Monday evening, urging the FAI to reverse its decision to proceed with the fixture.

'Stop the Game' protests have been taking place outside the Republic of Ireland team hotel this evening, calling for them not to fulfil Sunday's clash with Israel.

Anna Caplice, one of over 160 sporting signatories on a letter calling for the same, spoke to RTÉ Sport. pic.twitter.com/oVZe4F6cWK — RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 21, 2026 Over 160 Irish sportspeople have signed an open letter to the Irish senior men's national football team, urging them to "act collectively with conscience" and refuse to participate in their upcoming games against Israel.

The letter penned by the Irish Sport for Palestine Group calls on players to 'seize the moment' and boycott the Israel fixtures.

The letter also states the FAI, UEFA, and the government have failed the players and should never have put them in this position.

Continue Reading HERE

Here’s a rare piece of heartening tech news to buoy you toward the weekend:

A West of Ireland data center objected to by novelist Sally Rooney has just had its planning permission overturned on the grounds that it breaches Irish national climate policy.

The facility, which was granted planning permission last year despite pushback from local residents, was set to be built in Killala, Co Mayo by Mayo Data Hub Ltd, part of US firm Avaio Digital.

(Continues at linked article)

Not here long from Reddit, looking for suggestions of fun and entertaining places.

Anything but sport ir politics and I'm likely to check it out.

Thank you!