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Irish Abroad

Iceland Set to Join Ireland in Eurovision Boycott Over Israel's Participation for Second Year Running

Iceland looks set to join Ireland in boycotting the Eurovision Song Contest for a second consecutive year over Israel's continued participation, as the debate over the role of politics in the competition intensifies across Europe. Ireland's decision to withdraw from Eurovision last year was one of the most significant political statements made by an Irish cultural institution in recent memory.

Conor Brennan1 Oct 2026👁 20

Irish Abroad

Bono Compares Israeli Minister's Gaza Comments to Heinrich Himmler at Concert, Sparking Global Debate

U2 frontman Bono has sparked global debate after comparing comments made by an Israeli minister about Gaza to those of Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler during a concert, in remarks that have been widely reported internationally and that have reignited discussion about the role of Irish artists in global political discourse.

Conor Brennan

5 min read1 Oct 2026

Irish Abroad

Irish Citizen Pleads Not Guilty in Budapest Court to Murder of Ex-Wife as Trial Set for November

An Irish citizen has pleaded not guilty in a Budapest court to the murder of his ex-wife, a Japanese national who died in January 2025, with prosecutors alleging he set her apartment on fire to stage the death as an accident. David Anderson, 45, has rejected a plea deal that would have resulted in a 17-year sentence and has indicated he intends to represent himself at the trial, which is scheduled to begin in November 2026.

Conor Brennan

5 min read30 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Australia Overtakes US as Top Destination for Irish Emigrants as Diaspora Strategy Targets New Generation

Australia has overtaken the United States as the leading destination for Irish emigrants, with approximately 13,500 people moving there in the year to April 2025 compared to 6,100 to the US, according to new data highlighted in the government's Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030. The strategy, backed by a record €17.5 million in funding, aims to adapt Ireland's engagement with its global community to reflect these shifting migration patterns.

Conor Brennan

6 min read30 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Ballyfermot Man Jailed for 13 Years for Fatal High-Speed Crash in Wales That Killed Care Worker

Michael Connors, a 28-year-old Dublin man from Ballyfermot, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison at Mold Crown Court for causing the death of 47-year-old care worker Lydia La Polla in a high-speed crash in Wrexham in March 2025. Connors, who fled to Ireland after the crash, was arrested by An Garda Síochána and extradited to the UK under post-Brexit legal cooperation frameworks.

Conor Brennan

6 min read29 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Jason Knight Becomes First Ireland Player to Publicly Oppose Israel Fixture as Squad Navigates Moral Minefield

Bristol City midfielder Jason Knight has become the first Republic of Ireland player to publicly state that the Nations League fixtures against Israel should not proceed, saying 'I don't think the game should be going ahead but it is going ahead.' Knight's comments came after Ireland's 3-0 victory in Debrecen, where players bowed their heads during the Israeli national anthem and refused pre-match handshakes.

Conor Brennan

6 min read29 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Christy Kinahan's Dubai Expulsion Leaves Irish Cartel Boss Facing Uncertain Future with Few Safe Havens

The expulsion of Christy Kinahan Sr from Dubai marks a significant moment in the international effort to dismantle the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, leaving the alleged cartel founder with few viable options for relocation given the US government's $5 million bounty and international sanctions. European intelligence services are monitoring his movements as the September 29 departure deadline passes.

Conor Brennan

5 min read28 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Irish Activist Faces German Charges Over Weapons Company Protest as Dublin Urged to Apply Diplomatic Pressure

An Irish activist is facing serious criminal charges in Germany after being arrested during a protest at a weapons manufacturing company, with Irish civil society groups urging the Irish government to apply diplomatic pressure on Berlin to ensure the activist receives a fair trial. The case has drawn attention to the growing number of Irish citizens involved in international peace and anti-war activism.

Conor Brennan

5 min read28 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Ireland's Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030 Takes Shape as Australia Overtakes US and 'Affinity Diaspora' Embraced

Ireland's Diaspora Strategy 2026-2030 is being implemented across 23 commitments as Australia has overtaken the United States as the primary destination for Irish emigrants, with the strategy embracing a broader definition of Irishness that includes an 'affinity diaspora' of those who have lived or studied in Ireland. The strategy also reflects a growing trend of reverse diaspora, with over 18,900 applications to the foreign birth register in 2025.

Conor Brennan

6 min read27 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Irish Pilgrims Among 700,000 at Pope Leo's Paris Mass as Pontiff Warns Against AI 'Paradise of Machines'

Irish pilgrims were among the estimated 700,000 people who attended Pope Leo XIV's open-air Mass at the Place de la Concorde in Paris on Saturday, as the pontiff's four-day visit to France drew enormous crowds and generated significant media coverage. The Pope used his visit to warn against an AI-driven 'paradise of machines' and to advocate for migrants and the poor.

Conor Brennan

6 min read27 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Dubliner Jailed After Killing 'Devoted Mother' in Welsh Road Crash That Cut Short Life Near 25th Wedding Anniversary

A Dublin man has been jailed in Wales after a road crash that killed Lydia La Polla, described in court as a devoted mother whose life was needlessly cut short not far from her 25th wedding anniversary. The case has drawn attention to the dangers of dangerous driving and the devastating impact on families left behind.

Conor Brennan

5 min read26 Sept 2026

Irish Abroad

Ireland's UNGA Presence Showcases Diplomatic Soft Power as Taoiseach Engages on Gaza, Ukraine and AI Risks

Ireland's presence at the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week in New York has demonstrated the country's capacity to punch above its weight in international diplomacy, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin engaging on Gaza, Ukraine, and the risks of algorithmically generated disinformation to democratic processes. The Taoiseach co-hosted a side event on Security in Politics with European Commissioner Michael McGrath, met New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and announced $90,000 in funding for the James Joyce Museum at the University at Buffalo.

Conor Brennan

6 min read25 Sept 2026