Just landed in Beirut at a crucial moment for Lebanon. Can diplomacy prevail? Tomorrow, I’ll sit down for a world exclusive with President Joseph Aoun @LBpresidency. It couldn’t come at a more important time. Look out for my interview on @CNN, @cnni and @PBS tomorrow.
I condemn the recent killing of a Serbian @UNIFIL_ peacekeeper in Lebanon.
Seven peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL have now been killed & several more have been wounded since the escalation in hostilities since March this year.
These attacks must stop.
A UNIFIL peacekeeper died early this morning from critical injuries sustained when mortar shells struck his position near Marjayoun, southeastern Lebanon.
Two other peacekeepers, who also sustained injuries, are being treated at a medical facility in the UNIFIL base.
@FitzellMarcus@PatLeahyIT simple - Ireland has invested significantly in peace in that part of the world through the UN. 10's of 1000's of Irish military have served in the Middle East, almost 50 have lost their lives there in service to better lives for local people. Ireland knows Israel from experience.
The International Sniper Competition Ireland 2026 brought dozens of teams from multiple nations to The Curragh and Glen of Imaal for a week long test of sniper skill, fieldcraft, endurance, observation, communication, pistol work and long-range precision.
The winning team was the Michigan Army National Guard’s 1-125 Sniper Team. SPC Angerman and SPC Zwiers coached by CPT Halas became the first Americans to win the competition. Taking 1st Place Overall, 1st Place International Team, Top Sniper for SPC Angerman, Top Spotter for SPC Zwiers, and the CS John Killen Memorial Top Pistol Award for SPC Zwiers.
The rifles pictured appear to be a U.S. Barrett Mk22/MRAD, a modular bolt action platform capable of being configured in 7.62 NATO, .300 Norma Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum. The optics setup appears to include high magnification Nightforce/Leupold class sniper glass, with a top mounted Wilcox RAPTAR or similar fire control/rangefinding module above the scope. It combines laser rangefinding, aiming/IR functions and ballistic support to help generate firing solutions without the shooter coming off the rifle.
Other teams involved include Irish Defence Forces unit sniper teams, Army Ranger Wing, U.S. Army conventional and special operations teams, Marine Corps teams, and further international teams from countries such as the UK, Canada, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and other European nations.
A serious result for the Michigan Guard, congrats! 🇮🇪 🤝 🇺🇸
An all-out assault on the truth, perpetrated by hateful bigots with no interest in truth.
Quote: "An Irish farmer has been thrown off his farm and refused to be let back on with a cohort of migrant scum forcing him off his own land."
Lies.
I'll go through the facts here. /1
@McConalogue@eircode@Postvox it would be useful if you all explained to the public why this is necessary & the related restrictions/limitations. I'm sure you'll agree it is important.
The Dáil debated irish defence policy yesterday.
Ireland must be free to deploy troops abroad according to our own defence needs at any time. No foreign power should have a veto on this 🇮🇪
As the only person in the 34th Dáil who has served in Óglaigh na hÉireann I welcome a conversation on neutrality and the separate matter of reform of the Triple Lock.
Neutrality and the triple lock are not the same thing.
Ireland has been neutral for more than 80 years - long before the Triple Lock was created. Ireland will be neutral after the triple lock is amended.
#triplelock #neutrality
I intend to raise it with fellow European People Party Leaders also.
There must be a strong, unambiguous EU response and I reiterate the calls for the suspension of trade elements of the EU Israel Association Agreement.
🇪🇸SPAIN'S IRENE MONTERO GOES OFF ON EU VICE-PRESIDENT KALLAS: “Israel has been for 24 hours Kidnapping European Citizens And You’re SMILING?!”
“What would you do if it were Iran? If it were Russia?
But since it is ISRAEL, you smile and look the other way.”
“Shame on you”
Appalled at the shocking behaviour of Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir towards illegally detained members of the Sumud Flotilla.
The Israeli government’s actions are in breach of international law and I intend to raise this issue at EU level.
@derryjournal Not if you're unconscious! Check your code & put it on a sign for all to aceess!
'Check your Eircode or Loc8 code and put it on a sign' - https://t.co/GR2cQWNpd5 https://t.co/YdH1SrrQWu
@odonnell_rory@chris_byrne#loc8code is used for non Eircode locations. It is directly integrated into National Ambulance Serive response systems. https://t.co/imrKxAJb5E
The Financial Times reports that during his talks with Xi Jinping Donald Trump floated the idea that the US, China and Russia should co-operate against the International Criminal Court.