Michael Cronogue

Aims to be neutral, is not always successful. Contact via Website or on Substack @michaelcronogue

[BritMatters 🇬🇧 @britmatters]

Family Man Beat To Death By Migrant Teenagers In Dublin.

On Sunday 17 May 2026, at around 4:15pm on Mill Road in Blanchardstown, 37-year-old Alex Coughlan was attacked by two 16-year-old boys without warning.

The defenceless Irishman was forced to his knees, pleading for mercy as one teenager repeatedly punched and kicked him in the head. The second boy filmed the assault on his mobile phone. Alex screamed for help and begged them to stop. He had already handed over his wallet and bank cards, but hesitated when they demanded his gold ring, a gift from his father.

That moment of hesitation cost him his life.

The beating continued. Alex was left unconscious on the ground. He died three days later on 20 May in Connolly Hospital from catastrophic head injuries. His family made the selfless decision to donate his organs.

Two 16-year-old boys were arrested and charged with assault causing serious harm and robbery. The main attacker is a second-generation migrant born and raised in Ireland. The other, who filmed the attack, is a migrant with dual nationality. Both were described by locals as having non-native features.

Gardai later recovered the stolen ring from one of the boys homes, and Alex’s father identified it in court.

The teenagers appeared in Dublin Children’s Court on 27 May. A judge imposed strict reporting restrictions, warning against naming them or sharing the video of the attack circulating online due to their age. Bail was refused, and both teenagers remain remanded in custody.

On Saturday 30 May, what would have been Alex’s 38th birthday, hundreds gathered in Ballyfermot to farewell him. He was remembered as the glue of his family, a kind, gentle, and selfless man who brought laughter and joy to everyone around him.

A dedicated Bupa worker and passionate rugby fan, Alex is survived by his mother Brigid, father John, sister Zara, and brothers Philip and Jack. Mourners sang Happy Birthday and Ireland’s Call. Tributes described him as a truly beautiful soul and caring human being. A private cremation followed at Glasnevin Cemetery.

While Alex’s funeral took place, the Irish mainstream media gave far more coverage and focused far more outrage on the death of Congolese national Yves Sakila, 35. Sakila, who had dozens of previous convictions and multiple prison terms for repeated shoplifting, died on 15 May after being restrained by security staff during another shoplifting attempt. His death was quickly framed by activists as Ireland’s George Floyd moment, sparking protests, political speeches, and claims of racism.

Alex’s killing, a local Irish family man robbed and beaten to death in broad daylight while pleading for mercy received far less attention. Coverage focused on the attackers age and anonymity, with zero discussion of backgrounds or nationalities.

There were no mass candlelit vigils when Alex died, no major protests demanding justice, no political statements, and no national campaigns declaring that his life mattered.

No Netflix documentaries will ever examine Alex's final moments.

Certain tragedies fit a preferred political narrative and ignite weeks of outrage. Others, like the brutal murder of a gentle Irish family man, are treated as less newsworthy. This selective response from the Irish media and political class is an insult to Alex and every family who has lost someone in similar circumstances.

Alex Coughlan’s life mattered. He deserved better, and the people of Ireland deserve the truth.

RIP Alex Coughlan.

Both teenagers are next due in court on 24 June.

#Ireland #CrimeNews #Dublin

[Stuey Beef 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 @stuey_beef]

Ed Davey has written to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson demanding she WITHDRAW official EHRC guidance protecting female-only spaces in toilets and changing rooms.

Let that land.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission — a statutory body — has produced legally grounded guidance telling employers and public bodies that biological men should not access women’s single-sex spaces.

This is not opinion.
This is not politics.
This is the settled legal position following the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling on the meaning of “woman” under the Equality Act.

And Ed Davey wants it gone.

His stated reason?

The guidance is not “compatible with long-standing British values.”

British values.

He used those words to argue AGAINST protecting women’s single-sex spaces.

The same Liberal Democrats who lecture the country about tolerance, inclusion and human rights are now lobbying a Labour minister to tear up statutory guidance that protects every woman in Britain who walks into a changing room, a refuge or a hospital ward.

This is not a fringe position within the Lib Dems.

Their leader wrote the letter.

The party has chosen its side.

It is not the side of women.

Repost if you think women’s single-sex spaces should be protected.

[John Cleese @JohnCleese]

I dislike and mistrust all closed systems of thought

I particularly dislike Islam because it demands child marriage, female genital mutilation, the beating of
wives, the killing of infidels, the unending promotion of the worst aspects of the male ego, and a complete refusal to contemplate multiculturism

All of which are contrary to the values I hold

Are you telling me, Maliq, that this all is caused by a fear of the truth ?

[Kirstie Allsopp @KirstieMAllsopp]

I love the U.K., a man can run around the streets stabbing people for being Jewish, and the issue people debate is whether the police officers trying to remove the knife from him used excessive force. Proof that we will do absolutely anything to avoid addressing antisemitism.

[Paul Embery @PaulEmbery]

If either of those police officers are threatened with disciplinary action, there should be mass public protests. The man was still holding the knife. They couldn't be sure he wasn't wearing a suicide vest. They had every damn right to put the boot in. They are heroes.

[David Collier @mishtal]

Most terror attacks in the last twenty-one years came from someone with roots in Africa, the Middle East or the Indian subcontinent.

And each of those examples identified as a Muslim.

Point this out - you will be called Islamophobic.
How can we address what we cannot mention?

[PC Reed @PC_Reed]

If I was a Policeman trying to stop a marauding terrorist stabbing innocents in the throat, I’d use WHATEVER force needed to neutralise him.
Better to be judged after the event by 12 of my peers, than carried to church by 6 of my friends.

[Matt Andrews @MAMentoring]

I can understand the need for services to be accountable, yet I cant understand the debate over whether these officers dealt with this situation to harshly.
Its a life and death situation, where id much prefer to see the good guys go home at the end of their shift.

[Maliq @MasterMaliq]

We Muslims find it so hard to admit this, but over the years, Christianity has quietly shown through its actions that their religion is truly one of peace.

They build hospitals, schools, charities, and help people without making too much noise about it.

Meanwhile, we Muslims keep shouting "Islam is the religion of peace" from every corner... but the results on the ground don't always match the slogan.

Be honest with ourselves for once:

Should we conclude that Christianity is actually the religion of peace?

What do you think?

[Rose Smith @itsrosesm]

UNLESS YOU ARE WILLING TO PICK UP A BADGE, PROTECT AND SERVE, TAKE THE CHANCE OF NEVER COMING HOME TO YOUR FAMILY, I SUGGEST YOU STOP CRITICIZING THOSE WHO DO AND BE THANKFUL FOR THEIR SERVICE.

[Amanda Craig @AmandaPCraig]

I hope all Britons who loathe racism will RT this in the light of the vile attacks on British Jews.

[Richard Donaldson @RDonaldson91]

Okay, X trolls, I'm just going to say it…

The police officers seen kicking the knifeman in the head were absolutely correct in their actions.

I was trained by the police and the British Army as part of my deployment for Operation Temperer a few years ago.

Using their hands to keep control of their weapons while using their feet to deal blows to the head and body is completely standard.

I also wonder if you’d be so “outraged” and quick to “condemn” those heroes if it were your child that had just been stabbed by that terrorist.

[Faezeh Alavi @SFaeze_Alavi]

Keir Starmer has failed the Jews.

As a Muslim Iranian, I can safely wear a scarf in London but my Jewish friends can't safely wear a Kippah

Today, a terrorist stabbed two Jewish men the moment they put on their Kippahs

That's not how you protect religious freedom @Keir_Starmer

[Norman Brennan @NormanBrennan]

To Everyone attacking these👇 two MET officers? Here’s the Rub it’s best you Fuck Right off; someone tried to MURDER two Jewish men & suspect was STILL ARMED & Two UNARMED MET Officers risked their own lives to tackle an armed & dangerous suspect; Armed officers could have legally SHOT HIM DEAD; to these👇two officers? 👏

[(((Dan Hodges))) @DPJHodges]

We'll get the usual statements of condemnation after Golders Green. But the simple truth is that for years we've had weekly marches through central London in which anti-Semitism has openly flourished. And the Government had stood back and done nothing.

[Chris Rose @ArchRose90]

This is Sean Egan. He joined Morrisons at the age of 17.

After 29 years of dedication at supermarket chain, he was dismissed for confronting a shoplifter, which led to a scuffle with thief who spat at him.

A shameful decision by @Morrisons.
He should be thanked, not sacked.

[Michael Cronogue @MichaelCronogue]

@AegonUK can you tell me why I am waiting on hold for almost 30 minutes to speak to an advisor as the log in information you have given me is not recognised by your system? #appallingcustomerservice

[Michael Cronogue @MichaelCronogue]

So listening to catch up on @BoomRadioUK with the always brilliant @clareteal is a great way to ensure I get my ironing done! Keep it up guys!!