Social Democrats did not speak to Catherine Connolly about Gemma O'Doherty before Áras endorsement
The Social Democrats did not discuss Independent Catherine Connolly's endorsement of the former journalist and conspiracy theorist Gemma O'Doherty before agreeing to back her as a presidential candidate.
Ms Connolly backed Ms O'Doherty to stand in the presidential race in 2018, despite the fact she had publicly voiced her opinions against the HPV vaccine and had made unfounded claims about state collusion in the killing of journalist Veronica Guerin.
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The Journal
7 hours ago
- The Journal
Gary Gannon launches legal action against Central Bank over approval of Israeli bonds
SOCIAL DEMOCRATS TD Gary Gannon has launched legal proceedings against the Central Bank of Ireland over claims that investors in Israeli bonds could be legally complicit in genocide in Gaza. Lawyers for Gannon lodged legal papers against the Central Bank in Dublin this afternoon. The Dublin Central TD alleges that the Central Bank's failure to ban the marketing, distribution and sale of Israeli bonds exposes investors to risks that have not been disclosed to them. Israeli State Bonds have been advertised as a method to support the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the investments have emphasised their importance to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Some TDs, as a result, have dubbed the securities as 'Israeli war bonds'. Speaking today, Gannon said the case asks whether Ireland's financial regulatory system 'can remain silent'. 'The Taoiseach has said clearly in the Dáil that what's happening in Gaza is genocide. Arrest warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court. These are not distant issues – they raise urgent legal and moral questions for Ireland.' he said. 'These bonds are not neutral financial instruments. They are a funding pipeline for a military campaign that includes the bombardment and starvation of thousands of civilians. Letters, seen by the PA news agency, sent to Central Bank governor Gabriel Makhlouf in recent weeks by McGarr Solicitors, acting on behalf of Gannon, claim that these risks were not made known to investors in prospectuses for bonds, which had been approved by the Central Bank. The letter warns Makhlouf that the 'continued issuing and trading of those bonds gives rise to significant investor protection concerns, in light of the complicity of Israel in genocide in Gaza, and the use of the proceeds of the Israeli bonds to facilitate the same'. Today, @GaryGannonTD submitted his case against the Central Bank, which aims to end the facilitation of the sale of Israeli war bonds. The sale of these bonds goes against EU and international law. We need to ensure that "never again" means never again. — Social Democrats (@SocDems) July 24, 2025 It goes on to say that the Central Bank is empowered under EU law to prohibit the marketing, distribution or sale of the Israeli Bonds. 'We call upon it to do so,' the letter adds. There have been ongoing calls for the Central Bank to end its role in approving Israel Bonds for sale in the EU. Advertisement The bank is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel bonds in the EU, and has determined the securities meet the standards of the bloc's prospectus regulations. Israel bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operations in Gaza. Protesters and opposition parties have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. They say the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, while Ireland has an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide. Last month, the government rejected a joint-proposal from the opposition which called on the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds within the EU. The motion, put forward by the Social Democrats and supported by Sinn Féin, People Before Profit and the Labour Party, sought the reversal of a previous government decision to block a bill calling for the same measure in May . Gannon issued the letters to the bank about investor protection concerns relating to the bonds, as well as the use of the bonds to finance the war in Gaza at the end of last month. In response, the Central Bank, through its solicitors, said that there is 'no valid legal basis' to support Gannon's purported judicial review proceedings. They claimed that Gannon lacked the right or ability to bring the proceedings and that the bank is satisfied it does not meet the relevant criteria to exercise its powers under EU law. The letter also claims that judicial review proceedings would lead to court time being 'expended unnecessarily and substantial costs being incurred'. However, Gannon said the Central Bank has the power to stop the sale of the bonds. The judicial review was formally issued this afternoon. Gannon said the Central Bank has the power under Article 42 of EU Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation to prohibit the sale of bonds that pose serious investor protection risks. He asked: 'If financing a regime accused of genocide doesn't meet that threshold, what does?' With reporting from Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
12 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Legal action launched against Central Bank over Israel bonds investments
A Social Democrats TD has launched legal proceedings against the Central Bank of Ireland over claims that investors in Israeli bonds could be legally complicit in genocide in Gaza. Lawyers for Gary Gannon lodged legal papers against the Central Bank in Dublin on Thursday. It is alleged that the Central Bank's failure to ban the marketing, distribution and sale of Israeli bonds exposes investors to risks that have not been disclosed to them. (The) continued issuing and trading of those bonds gives rise to significant investor protection concerns, in light of the complicity of Israel in genocide in Gaza, and the use of the proceeds of the Israeli bonds to facilitate same Letters, seen by the PA news agency, sent to Gabriel Makhlouf, the governor of the Central Bank, in recent weeks by McGarr Solicitors, acting on behalf of Mr Gannon, claim that these risks were not made known to investors in prospectuses for bonds, which had been approved by the Central Bank. The letter warns Mr Makhlouf that the 'continued issuing and trading of those bonds gives rise to significant investor protection concerns, in light of the complicity of Israel in genocide in Gaza, and the use of the proceeds of the Israeli bonds to facilitate the same'. It goes on to say that the Central Bank is empowered under EU law to prohibit the marketing, distribution or sale of the Israeli Bonds. 'We call upon it to do so,' the letter adds. There have been ongoing calls for the Central Bank to end its role in approving Israel Bonds for sale in the EU. The bank is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel bonds in the EU, and has determined the securities meet the standards of the bloc's prospectus regulations. Israel bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operations in Gaza. Protesters and opposition parties have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. They say the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, while Ireland has an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide. 'Politicians have spoken too long, all the while a genocide is being inflicted upon the population of Gaza. The demands today are clear – act Mr Gannon issued the letters to the bank about investor protection concerns relating to the bonds, as well as the use of the bonds to finance the war in Gaza at the end of last month. In response, the Central Bank, through its solicitors, said that there is 'no valid legal basis' to support Mr Gannon's purported judicial review proceedings. They claimed that Mr Gannon lacked locus standi to bring the proceedings and that the bank is satisfied it does not meet the relevant criteria to exercise its powers under EU law. The letter also claims that judicial review proceedings would lead to court time being 'expended unnecessarily and substantial costs being incurred'. However, Mr Gannon said the Central Bank has the power to stop the sale of the bonds. The judicial review was formally issued on Thursday afternoon. Speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday, Mr Gannon said: 'Politicians have spoken too long, all the while a genocide is being inflicted upon the population of Gaza. The demands today are clear – act. He added: 'On Tuesday, I'll be lodging papers against the Central Bank. Genocide can never be considered a technical matter – our only duty is to prevent it and punish those responsible.' Read More EU agrees €93bn worth of counter tariffs against the US if trade talks fail
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Crackdown announced on mass fishing of sprat in bid to protect whales and birds
A BAN ON the mass fishing of sprat by large trawlers in inshore areas starting in October next year has been announced by the government. The move has been taken following long campaigning by environmental and fisheries groups in a bid to protect whales, who rely on the small but protein-rich fish. Previous attempts to restrict overfishing by large trawlers were overturned in the High Court in 2020 due to a lack of consultation with the industry. Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O'Sullivan said the new measures are a 'clear signal that Ireland is serious' about protecting marine life. However, the move has criticised by the Social Democrats as coming 'years too late' and called for a full ban on sprat fishing. How the restrictions will work From 1 October next year, trawling activity by fishing vessels over 18 metres in length in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines will be prohibited. A limited total allowable catch of 2,000 tonnes of sprat will be permitted for vessels over 18 metres length overall inside the six nautical mile zone and inside baselines from 1st October 2025 to 30th September 2026 only. Trawlers that are over 8 metres in length which are seeking to fish for sprat during that period will require an authorisation to do so. Advertisement The move was announced by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which said it carried out a wide consultation and received scientific and economic analysis from the Marine Institute and seafood industry group Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon and Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries Timmy Dooley announced the plan to place the restrictions on trawling activity by large vessels. Heydon brought a memo to Cabinet this morning to inform them of the decision. He said: 'This is a matter of significant public interest, and the decision has been preceded by an extensive public consultation which has been considered carefully. I am satisfied that this is the right thing to do for the preservation of sustainable fisheries in our inshore waters.' O'Sullivan, the junior minister for nature, heritage and biodiversity, said the 'de facto ban' was a step forward for Ireland's marine environment and for the future of wildlife. Industrial trawling of sprat in Ireland's inshore waters to be banned. This decision reflects the valuable input and advocacy of coastal communities throughout the consultation process. — Christopher O'Sullivan TD (@COSullivanTD) July 22, 2025 'For too long, industrial overfishing of sprat has threatened the very foundation of our marine food web, putting whales, dolphins, and our much-loved seabirds like puffins and kittiwakes at risk,' the Cork South-West TD said. 'The measures agreed today, which amount to a de facto ban on industrial trawling of sprat in our inshore waters, are the result of an extensive public consultation process and careful consideration of the best available scientific advice.' Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore said that the move was a 'half measure' which had come too late to help preserve the sprat and limit the consequences of their overfishing on whales and other creatures. 'It's good to see the government finally acknowledge the damage being done to sprat stocks,' Whitmore said, 'But after seven years of dithering, we need more than incremental steps – we need ambition, urgency, and a full moratorium until we have the science and safeguards to manage this fishery responsibly.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
