Race for the ARAS 2025

[Armagh18]

Now we have Cathy Connolly who might well condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but disavows the right of Ukrainians to defend themselves against such aggression. Who knew that Catherine was a make love not war aficionado, that the aggressor should be brought to their knees by the power of the offered flower of peace.

It is to Ireland's shame that that we have leading so called socialist minded people, sheep-like rallying around Kremlin (well flogged) narratives.
No, I don't give a free pass to an Irish version of a socialist who says and freely offers well founded  support for an array of  humanitarian causes but one who miserably fails when it comes to not only recognizing  the aggressive threat of Russia to Europe but one who blithely ignores such a threat.

An unfortunate feature of the Irish far-left is how dismissive they are of the lived experience of the small nations living under the shadow (and threat) of Russia. Especially given Ireland's own experience of being suppressed by a big power.
Russia has been a constant menace to several neighbours and oscillates to being low-level nuisance to outright brutaliser.

The chimes about 'Nato warmongering' look even dafter since February 2022. Moreso again in recent weeks as Putin ramps up the provocation of other countries. He knows well that, far from being warmongers, the Nato security assurances for members are paper promises and were never really intended to be acted on. 

The Estonians have a dim view of the Irish tankie mindset espoused by Higgins, Connelly et al and rightly so:

"On Friday, former president of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves criticised President Higgins's remarks, accusing the Irish of a privileged geographical location and being able to benefit from "implicit" Nato protection.

In a social media post, Mr Ilves said: "Do these people have any sense of self-awareness, their privileged geography or the appropriateness of even commenting as the beneficiary of implicit Nato security?"

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/01/11/michael-d-higginss-remarks-about-nato-criticised-by-former-estonian-president/

They don't live in the real world.

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the Estonian President!

Oh there it is, the exact arrogant dismissive mindset referred to in the article.

Lots of people do think of the Estonians thankfully.

Expect Connolly to continue to embarrass Ireland on the topic if she gets in.

From what I've heard of Connolly she'll call out Russian and US imperialism where she see's it.

She always calls out Russian imperialism for about 30 seconds before moving onto safer tankie territory of criticising those who give the victims of Russian imperialism the means to defend themselves.

Not living in the real world and the former Estonian president nailed it with his comments about Higgins, who has a similar outlook to Connolly.

Dose. Ignored.

[Banks of the Bann]

Now we have Cathy Connolly who might well condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but disavows the right of Ukrainians to defend themselves against such aggression. Who knew that Catherine was a make love not war aficionado, that the aggressor should be brought to their knees by the power of the offered flower of peace.

It is to Ireland's shame that that we have leading so called socialist minded people, sheep-like rallying around Kremlin (well flogged) narratives.
No, I don't give a free pass to an Irish version of a socialist who says and freely offers well founded  support for an array of  humanitarian causes but one who miserably fails when it comes to not only recognizing  the aggressive threat of Russia to Europe but one who blithely ignores such a threat.

An unfortunate feature of the Irish far-left is how dismissive they are of the lived experience of the small nations living under the shadow (and threat) of Russia. Especially given Ireland's own experience of being suppressed by a big power.
Russia has been a constant menace to several neighbours and oscillates to being low-level nuisance to outright brutaliser.

The chimes about 'Nato warmongering' look even dafter since February 2022. Moreso again in recent weeks as Putin ramps up the provocation of other countries. He knows well that, far from being warmongers, the Nato security assurances for members are paper promises and were never really intended to be acted on. 

The Estonians have a dim view of the Irish tankie mindset espoused by Higgins, Connelly et al and rightly so:

"On Friday, former president of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves criticised President Higgins's remarks, accusing the Irish of a privileged geographical location and being able to benefit from "implicit" Nato protection.

In a social media post, Mr Ilves said: "Do these people have any sense of self-awareness, their privileged geography or the appropriateness of even commenting as the beneficiary of implicit Nato security?"

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/01/11/michael-d-higginss-remarks-about-nato-criticised-by-former-estonian-president/

They don't live in the real world.

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the Estonian President!

Oh there it is, the exact arrogant dismissive mindset referred to in the article.

Lots of people do think of the Estonians thankfully.

Expect Connolly to continue to embarrass Ireland on the topic if she gets in.

From what I've heard of Connolly she'll call out Russian and US imperialism where she see's it.

She always calls out Russian imperialism for about 30 seconds before moving onto safer tankie territory of criticising those who give the victims of Russian imperialism the means to defend themselves.

Not living in the real world and the former Estonian president nailed it with his comments about Higgins, who has a similar outlook to Connolly.

Dose. Ignored.

Great, that'll save me having to listen to your crying.

[Snapchap]

Now we have Cathy Connolly who might well condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but disavows the right of Ukrainians to defend themselves against such aggression. Who knew that Catherine was a make love not war aficionado, that the aggressor should be brought to their knees by the power of the offered flower of peace.

It is to Ireland's shame that that we have leading so called socialist minded people, sheep-like rallying around Kremlin (well flogged) narratives.
No, I don't give a free pass to an Irish version of a socialist who says and freely offers well founded  support for an array of  humanitarian causes but one who miserably fails when it comes to not only recognizing  the aggressive threat of Russia to Europe but one who blithely ignores such a threat.

An unfortunate feature of the Irish far-left is how dismissive they are of the lived experience of the small nations living under the shadow (and threat) of Russia. Especially given Ireland's own experience of being suppressed by a big power.
Russia has been a constant menace to several neighbours and oscillates to being low-level nuisance to outright brutaliser.

The chimes about 'Nato warmongering' look even dafter since February 2022. Moreso again in recent weeks as Putin ramps up the provocation of other countries. He knows well that, far from being warmongers, the Nato security assurances for members are paper promises and were never really intended to be acted on. 

The Estonians have a dim view of the Irish tankie mindset espoused by Higgins, Connelly et al and rightly so:

"On Friday, former president of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves criticised President Higgins's remarks, accusing the Irish of a privileged geographical location and being able to benefit from "implicit" Nato protection.

In a social media post, Mr Ilves said: "Do these people have any sense of self-awareness, their privileged geography or the appropriateness of even commenting as the beneficiary of implicit Nato security?"

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/01/11/michael-d-higginss-remarks-about-nato-criticised-by-former-estonian-president/

They don't live in the real world.

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the Estonian President!

Oh there it is, the exact arrogant dismissive mindset referred to in the article.

Lots of people do think of the Estonians thankfully.

Expect Connolly to continue to embarrass Ireland on the topic if she gets in.

From what I've heard of Connolly she'll call out Russian and US imperialism where she see's it.

She always calls out Russian imperialism for about 30 seconds before moving onto safer tankie territory of criticising those who give the victims of Russian imperialism the means to defend themselves.

Not living in the real world and the former Estonian president nailed it with his comments about Higgins, who has a similar outlook to Connolly.

Dose. Ignored.

Great, that'll save me having to listen to your crying.

You do more crying than the rest of the board put together ffs!😂

[Banks of the Bann]

Now we have Cathy Connolly who might well condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but disavows the right of Ukrainians to defend themselves against such aggression. Who knew that Catherine was a make love not war aficionado, that the aggressor should be brought to their knees by the power of the offered flower of peace.

It is to Ireland's shame that that we have leading so called socialist minded people, sheep-like rallying around Kremlin (well flogged) narratives.
No, I don't give a free pass to an Irish version of a socialist who says and freely offers well founded  support for an array of  humanitarian causes but one who miserably fails when it comes to not only recognizing  the aggressive threat of Russia to Europe but one who blithely ignores such a threat.

An unfortunate feature of the Irish far-left is how dismissive they are of the lived experience of the small nations living under the shadow (and threat) of Russia. Especially given Ireland's own experience of being suppressed by a big power.
Russia has been a constant menace to several neighbours and oscillates to being low-level nuisance to outright brutaliser.

The chimes about 'Nato warmongering' look even dafter since February 2022. Moreso again in recent weeks as Putin ramps up the provocation of other countries. He knows well that, far from being warmongers, the Nato security assurances for members are paper promises and were never really intended to be acted on. 

The Estonians have a dim view of the Irish tankie mindset espoused by Higgins, Connelly et al and rightly so:

"On Friday, former president of Estonia Toomas Hendrik Ilves criticised President Higgins's remarks, accusing the Irish of a privileged geographical location and being able to benefit from "implicit" Nato protection.

In a social media post, Mr Ilves said: "Do these people have any sense of self-awareness, their privileged geography or the appropriateness of even commenting as the beneficiary of implicit Nato security?"

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/01/11/michael-d-higginss-remarks-about-nato-criticised-by-former-estonian-president/

They don't live in the real world.

Won't somebody PLEASE think of the Estonian President!

Oh there it is, the exact arrogant dismissive mindset referred to in the article.

Lots of people do think of the Estonians thankfully.

Expect Connolly to continue to embarrass Ireland on the topic if she gets in.

From what I've heard of Connolly she'll call out Russian and US imperialism where she see's it.

She always calls out Russian imperialism for about 30 seconds before moving onto safer tankie territory of criticising those who give the victims of Russian imperialism the means to defend themselves.

Not living in the real world and the former Estonian president nailed it with his comments about Higgins, who has a similar outlook to Connolly.

Dose. Ignored.

Great, that'll save me having to listen to your crying.

You do more crying than the rest of the board put together ffs!😂

Nah, that'll be the board tankies, they cry until they can't take it any more, then they block. Very thin skins.

Imagine getting so upset over criticism of an Irish presidential election candidate.

[Rossfan]

Not into betting myself but current odds
Boylesports
HH 11/8. JG 13/8. CC 5/2.

Paddypower
HH 5/4. JG 15/8. CC 5/2.

As an aside - Irish Unification to pass by 1/1/2030 is 3 to 1.

[seafoid]

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/09/26/businessman-behind-smears-against-jim-gavin-previously-spread-false-claims-about-rival/

The businessman behind online "malicious smears" about presidential candidate Jim Gavin was successfully sued for almost €500,000 last year for spreading defamatory claims on social media.

A US court ruled Kieran Kelly, a former Waterford fisherman who lives in Indonesia, used his large social media following to make false and damaging claims against a business rival.

In recent weeks, Mr Kelly has posted derogatory claims concerning Mr Gavin, who is Fianna Fáil's candidate for president, that went viral across several social media platforms.

The posts, which were offered without any evidence and concern Mr Gavin's private life, were viewed hundreds of thousands of times. They have since been removed from most platforms following complaints from the Gavin campaign.

[Truthsayer]

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/09/26/businessman-behind-smears-against-jim-gavin-previously-spread-false-claims-about-rival/

The businessman behind online "malicious smears" about presidential candidate Jim Gavin was successfully sued for almost €500,000 last year for spreading defamatory claims on social media.

A US court ruled Kieran Kelly, a former Waterford fisherman who lives in Indonesia, used his large social media following to make false and damaging claims against a business rival.

In recent weeks, Mr Kelly has posted derogatory claims concerning Mr Gavin, who is Fianna Fáil's candidate for president, that went viral across several social media platforms.

The posts, which were offered without any evidence and concern Mr Gavin's private life, were viewed hundreds of thousands of times. They have since been removed from most platforms following complaints from the Gavin campaign.

Incredible the amount of people believed his smears without question. Had a few sent to me like this is true. The joys and bullshit of social media

[Armagh18]

https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2025/09/26/businessman-behind-smears-against-jim-gavin-previously-spread-false-claims-about-rival/

The businessman behind online "malicious smears" about presidential candidate Jim Gavin was successfully sued for almost €500,000 last year for spreading defamatory claims on social media.

A US court ruled Kieran Kelly, a former Waterford fisherman who lives in Indonesia, used his large social media following to make false and damaging claims against a business rival.

In recent weeks, Mr Kelly has posted derogatory claims concerning Mr Gavin, who is Fianna Fáil's candidate for president, that went viral across several social media platforms.

The posts, which were offered without any evidence and concern Mr Gavin's private life, were viewed hundreds of thousands of times. They have since been removed from most platforms following complaints from the Gavin campaign.

Incredible the amount of people believed his smears without question. Had a few sent to me like this is true. The joys and bullshit of social media

Madness.

You'd think your man would have learned his lesson..

[DaleCooper]

Theres a famous meme about the internet and niche weird online communities

Before internet

> I want to fk toaster
> dont be an idiot
> grow the Fk up

After internet

>I want to fk toaster
> google
>find 1000ppl in online community into that
>wreck your life

[armaghniac]

Not into betting myself but current odds
Boylesports
HH 11/8. JG 13/8. CC 5/2.

Paddypower
HH 5/4. JG 15/8. CC 5/2.

As an aside - Irish Unification to pass by 1/1/2030 is 3 to 1.

You could do an accumulator on HH being the first president of a UI.

[Wildweasel74]

Seen bits of Connolly this evening. Seriously, is that the best you got, pathetic. Gavin got zero personality but I take him over her any time.

[Tubberman]

Seen bits of Connolly this evening. Seriously, is that the best you got, pathetic. Gavin got zero personality but I take him over her any time.

Could you elaborate?

[trileacman]

Seen bits of Connolly this evening. Seriously, is that the best you got, pathetic. Gavin got zero personality but I take him over her any time.

Could you elaborate?

She has the charisma of a wet blanket.

[Capt Pat]

Humphries will probably get into the aras.