Eibhlin O'Neill's blog

The Pope has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon. Pope Francis told people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Angelus prayer: “Let us pray for the Lebanese, especially for the people in the south who are forced to leave their villages,” Francis told people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly Angelus prayer. He added “The Middle East has plunged into increasing suffering, with destructive military actions continuing to affect the Palestinian population.” 

Image: Beirut under attack by Israel image courtesy RTE.

The President of Ireland President Michael D Higgins has said it is “outrageous” of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to threaten the lives of Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon. This comes after Israeli forces invading Lebanon called for United Nations peacekeeping troops to move from areas of military activity for their own protection and safety.

Michael Collins (Irish: Mícheál Ó Coileáin; 16 October 1890 – 22 August 1922) was a leading figure in the struggle for Irish independence. He led the Irish Republican Army (IRA) during the War of Independence with Britain, which lasted from January 1919 until July 1921. His leadership came to be known for the successful guerrilla tactics used by his vastly outnumbered forces.  Following the War of Independence a Civil War took place in Ireland and Michael Collins was killed in an ambush in August 1922.

Armagh (Irish: Ard Mhacha), winners of the All Ireland Senior Football Championship Final received a heroes welcome when they returned home yesterday. They won the Sam Maguire cup by a point, winning 1-11 to 0-13 over Galway. Thousands of fans packed into the Athletic Grounds in Armagh to witness the homecoming and street parties were held in Armagh as the City celebrated the All-Ireland success. It is only the second time Armagh have won the All-Ireland title. The last was in 2002, and fans have had 22-year wait for the victory.

The 2024 Olympic Games opened in Paris yesterday. In a break from tradition the ceremony did not take place in a stadium as hundreds of thousands of people gathered along the River Seine as a flotilla of 85 boats and barges carried the team delegations through the centre of Paris. The flag-bearers for the 133-strong Irish team were golfer Shane Lowry from Offaly and hurdler Sarah Lavin from Limerick.

US president Joe Biden’s great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt left Ballina in Ireland for Scranton, Pennsylvania, in the 1850s. Three years ago a mural of the president was painted on Ballina’s Market Square. Since that time and in protest against his support for the Israeli campaign of genocide and mass murder of Palestians in Gaza the picture has been vandalised three times with red paint and the words "Genocide Joe" daubed across it. Now there is a local petition garnering increasing local support for the mural to be removed.

Ireland, Norway and Spain have announced they recognise a Palestinian state in what is seen by many as a long overdue move to ensure that Palestine joins the other nations of the world as an internationally recognised state. Malta and Slovenia were also expected to make similar announcements. This come days after the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor, announced that he would seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu the Prime Minister of Israel and the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant as well as three senior Hamas officials.

On Monday 20th May 2024, the International Criminal Court's (ICC) chief prosecutor, announced that he would seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu the Prime Minister of Israel and the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant as well as three senior Hamas officials. Since the Israeli attacks on Gaza began at least 34,735 people in Gaza and wounded another 78,108. Meanwhile Israeli settlers, backed by the Israeli army have also continued their attacks on civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory in the West Bank. 

The Israel Defense Forces continue their campaign of killing and genocide against Palestinians as they bombard the city of Rafah. This is where over a million Palestinians  have fled since Israel attacked Gaza. The Israeli operation in Gaza’s Rafah city has been described as yet another war crime committed by Israel. Their attack comes just a day after Hamas approved Qatar and Egypt’s proposal for a ceasefire deal. Since the attacks on Gaza began at least 34,735 people in Gaza and wounded another 78,108.

In  what Dublin describes as a “blatant violation” of humanitarian law in Gaza, Ireland has announced it will intervene on South Africa's behalf in the ICJ genocide case against Israel. In late December 2023 South Africa filed a suit against Israel at the ICJ, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza. The court issued provisional measures Jan. 26 requiring Israel to report back within a month. That report was submitted Feb. 26, and is yet to be been published.