Oisín Johnston

Strategic Public Affairs Consultant. Views are mine and all that.

[Oisín Johnston @OMaceoin]

Who knew that Far right Twitter bots with no profile pictures couldn’t vote in elections? #LE24 #Slán

[Historic Vids @historyinmemes]

Record-low Danube levels reveal a “ghost bridge” beneath Budapest.

These are the remains of Budapest’s original Franz Joseph Bridge, which have rested beneath the Danube for more than 80 years.

Opened in 1896 to mark the 1,000th anniversary of the Hungarian state, the ornate green bridge connected Buda and Pest. Emperor Franz Joseph I attended its inauguration and reportedly drove in the final ceremonial rivet himself.

The bridge’s central span was destroyed in January 1945 during the Siege of Budapest. As Soviet forces advanced, retreating German troops demolished the city’s Danube bridges, sending the Franz Joseph Bridge’s middle section crashing into the river.

After the war, the surviving sections were repaired, and the bridge reopened in August 1946 as Liberty Bridge. Some of the original wreckage, however, remained underwater.

In July 2026, prolonged drought and extreme heat caused the Danube to fall to a record low of about 9 inches in Budapest, exposing the “ghost bridge” once again. The remains had also briefly emerged during exceptionally low water in 2018.

Liberty Bridge was the first of Budapest’s destroyed Danube bridges to reopen after World War II, returning to service less than 18 months after its destruction.

[RTÉ One @RTEOne]

"I opened my eyes and looked across at Luke Kelly and there were tears in his eyes"

The powerful story behind The Town I Loved So Well, as Phil Coulter recalls the moment he knew he’d created something unforgettable. 🎶

#CreedonsMusicalAtlas of Ireland | Sunday at 6.30pm on @rteone and @rteplayer

[Irish Independent @Independent_ie]

‘Damning indictment’ – HSE spent almost €1bn on agency staff last year, figures reveal

https://t.co/r7jdZb4uVH

[Garry Doran @garryd11]

Just heartbreaking news. The Late Late Show has had some powerful duets through the years… Finbar Furey & Christy Dignam, Christy Moore & Shane McGowan… but I still think this is my favourite. Such pure passion and raw emotion from Glen and Imelda
#glenhansard

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

We value Ireland's unwavering respect for our people. Today, Taoiseach of Ireland Micheál Martin @MichealMartinTD began his visit to Ukraine by honoring the memory of our fallen warriors. Ireland also began its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the same way — by paying tribute to those who are defending all of Europe today, the people of Ukraine. We thank Ireland for this solidarity with Ukraine and our people.

Eternal honor to all our defenders who gave their lives fighting for our country, for the Ukrainian people, and for Europe's security. May the memory of every one of them live on forever.

[Liverpool FC @LFC]

We are deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Kevin Keegan and mourn his loss. His indomitable spirit and remarkable contribution will be forever etched in our history and his legacy will live on.

Rest in peace, Kevin. 1951-2026

[Sky News @SkyNews]

Watch the sweet moment Kemi Badenoch praises Sir Keir Starmer and his wife and children during his last ever PMQs.

The prime minister replies the Tory leader has 'extended kindness' to him privately in 'difficult times'.

Follow PMQs live: https://t.co/rT6wFPbdxS

[Politics UK @PolitlcsUK]

🚨 BREAKING: Keir Starmer receives a standing ovation from Labour and Lib Dem MPs as he concludes his ever final answer at PMQs

"To all across the country who struggle to be seen or heard, you're the reason I came into politics. To my wife and children, I love you. Goodbye"

[The Sunday Game @TheSundayGame]

The #WorldCup 🤝 GAA - the crossover no one saw coming 😅☘️

World, welcome to our game 🇮🇪👋

#TheSundayGame

[Emmanuel Macron @EmmanuelMacron]

Un but de plus pour Kylian Mbappé. Contre le racisme cette fois. Tout mon soutien. Quand les mots salissent, nos valeurs répondent : dignité, respect, fraternité. @KMbappe 👏

[Roy Curtis @RoyCurtis68]

Joe Canning could have one, ten, or 20 All-Irelands.
(He has five).
But he was an authentic genius, among the all time greats.

[Niall Tierney @nialltierney25]

I have huge respect for passionate pundits, for me Donal Óg is superb but there was a huge level of disrespect shown to Joe Canning there.

Saying 'How many All Ireland Medals have you got' to one of greatest hurlers to ever play the game on live television is an embarrassment

[Richard Finnegan @thesaturdayman]

Hi @IrishRail I’m trying to book a train from Cork to Dublin on Sunday morning 19th of July

Website has been showing as sold out for months.

Do you mind checking if there is any availability?

Thanks

[ESPN Africa @ESPNAfrica]

Every phone out for Mo Salah 😮‍💨📱

[Liverpool FC @LFC]

His name is Diogo.

He took us to victory.

Forever loved by us all.

Forever our number 20 ❤️

[Tom Cotterill @TomCotterillX]

🚨NEW🚨 Russia is planning an armed “provocation” on Polish soil to test Nato’s resolve, the United States has warned.

Polish critical infrastructure could be targeted by missiles and drones or Russian soldiers could cross the border into Nato territory.

Washington has issued several warnings to Warsaw about the plot, sources close to Karol Nawrocki, the Polish president, told Onet, the Polish news outlet, which, along with The Telegraph, is owned by Axel Springer and is part of its Global Reporters Network.

The goal of the Russian provocation would be to escalate tensions and force Western allies to suspend aid to Ukraine. It could be launched in a matter of months.

Polish security sources have also not ruled out a more conventional attack, such as a small ground incursion of Russian soldiers across Nato’s eastern flank.

According to Onet’s security sources, provocation scenarios could include a drone attack on critical infrastructure, such as power stations, or simulated air strikes that would force Poland to activate its air defence systems.

One Polish intelligence source said that in the most extreme scenario, a “hybrid attack in the border region” could occur.
The same source said an armed incursion involving Russian or Belarusian soldiers was conceivable.

This could be presented by Russia as an accidental straying into Polish territory because of a GPS failure, or as a dubious rescue mission to retrieve a helicopter suffering from a malfunction.

Russia would count on the fact that, instead of opening fire on Russian or Belarusian soldiers in such a situation, Poland would be forced by the US to negotiate with Russia or Belarus rather than respond forcefully, Polish sources told Onet.

A scenario in which the Russians would withdraw from Poland as a result of those negotiations, rather than because they were forced to do so by military means, would be seen as a win from Moscow’s perspective.

An end to Western support for Ukraine could even be a central Russian demand of such talks in return for withdrawal from Poland.

Significant story with @JamesERothwell, @Barnes_Joe and Witold Jurasz.

Full story: https://t.co/S6dGYCho87

[Brigid Laffan @BrigidLaffan]

This headline underlines the tendency in Ireland to ignore the international & European source of our prosperity. We are among the most globalised in the world. A Presidency every 13-15 years is not a problem. Putting Ireland at the heart of decision making

[Conor Gallagher @ConorGallaghe_r]

As we report today, the Air Corps shadowed an Aughinish/Russian linked ship as it took an unusual course off Dublin during the Zelensky visit.
https://t.co/fOyXyvJFwU
Check out this timelapse showing just how closely it was being watched
@jackpowerIT

https://t.co/Mbv4Q4Bila