Brian O'Neill

Managing Editor of Slugger O'Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.

Slugger Event – Wed 25th March 2020: What is the future of the United Kingdom in these historic times?

| Readers 3404

These islands are steaming headlong into uncharted territory: politically, economically and socially. The Assembly and Executive are restored but can they weather the storm of RHI, welfare pressure, and the crisis facing the health service? Local businesses fear the prospect of extra paperwork post-Brexit for goods entering and leaving Northern Ireland, squeezing margins in a region already remote from potential growth markets. A bullish Tory government has the power to push through radical reforms of immigration, the civil service, broadcasting, …

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What is your goodbye song for Europe?

| Readers 851

I am sure tonight as Big Ben strikes 11pm you will all be waving your Union Jacks and joining in a rousing chorus of Rule Britannia. But what song symbolises the UK’s leaving of the EU? For me it has to be this classic from the Queen of Country herself – Miss Dolly Parton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDqqm_gTPjc If I should stay I would only be in your way So I’ll go but I know I’ll think of you each step of the …

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The latest Brexit crisis – Should there be an Oxford comma on the new 50p?

| Readers 4160

Author Sir Philip Pullman has suggested boycotting the new 50p over the lack of an Oxford comma. The 'Brexit' 50p coin is missing an Oxford comma, and should be boycotted by all literate people. — Philip Pullman (@PhilipPullman) January 26, 2020 Here is the new coin: The coin says: “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations.” With an Oxford comma after the word prosperity it would be: “Peace, prosperity, and friendship with all nations.” What is your view? Personally I …

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75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz…

| Readers 1492

The scale of the horror of Auschwitz is almost unimaginable. Between 1940 and 1945 the Nazi’s killed over 1 million people at this camp alone – the numbers are staggering. When remembered the worst of human nature is it always good to remember the best. You may be familiar with the story of  Sir Nicholas Winton. He was a British humanitarian who established an organization to rescue children at risk from Nazi Germany. Winton supervised the rescue of 669 children, …

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Belfast City Council gives the go ahead for the controversial Tribeca development…

| Readers 4093
tribeca development

Belfast City Council’s planning committee has given the go-ahead for the 500million pound Tribeca development in the Cathedral Quarter. The development is your usual mix of shops, offices, apartments and restaurants. The developer has a fancy website where you can see all the details. I have a lot of sympathy for the Save the Cathedral Quarter Campaign but that area has been very run down for years and something does need to be done. And… those luxury apartments that no …

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No Peter Weir, there is nothing to be said for saying another Mass…

| Readers 4985

You might remember the Fr Ted episode Speed 3. Here is a handy episode summary from IMDB: Ted is shocked to find that Pat Mustard, the island milkman, has been having affairs with his lady customers – possibly including Mrs. Doyle – and reports him to the dairy manager. As a result Pat gets sacked and Dougal takes on the delivery route, as the manager trusts a man of God. A vengeful Mustard has attached a bomb to the milk …

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Get your tickets for the Slugger Big House Party! 2pm Saturday the 25th January 2020…

| Readers 601

The big house on the hill is open for business again! Join Slugger and an expert team of ex Special Advisors to discuss what the parties need to do to get Stormont working. The Panel: Tim Cairns – former DUP Special Advisor Alison Grundle – Former Special Advisor to Justice Minister Claire Sugden Brendan Mulgrew – former SDLP Special Advisor Chair: Alan Meban This is a fundraising event to keep Slugger lit. Our events are great fun so if you have not attended one …

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You Are Now Entering Free Derry…

| Readers 1435

"It just shows you the change that's happened over the last few years, from it being a dream to a reality". Derry women Danielle & Emma got married in Donegal last year. Today their marriage is legally recognised in the city they call home. Interview coming up on @BBCRadioFoyle pic.twitter.com/sfR44DGxD2 — Gráinne Morrison (@grengrain) January 13, 2020 Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live …

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Harry and Meghan resign to spend less time with their family…

| Readers 2155

Quite the shock as Prince Harry has decided to quit the family firm. From their statement: After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution. We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen. It is with your encouragement, particularly over the …

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And the winners of our election prediction competition are…

| Readers 814

We had 181 entries for our predict the election results competition. Of those 15 people predicted all the winners. Here are the clever clogs: Ken Cathcart Jack McCartie Jonathan Crawford Jay Burbank Neil Costello Matthew McKernan EDWARD GALLAGHER Philip Gordon Garrett Byrne Len Rafferty Colm Peter Greene Claire Mitchell Dónall A Mac Dónaill Brian Moriarty As a time breaker question, we asked them to predict the turnout. The turnout figure was 62.09%. The closest to it was Jonathan Crawford and …

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The Slugger Big Bumper UK General Election Results Live Blog!

| Readers 10957

Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.

The Big Slugger Election Prediction Competition!

| Readers 2916

It is time to polish your crystal balls and give us your predictions for the 2019 election results. The winners will get a selection of dazzling prizes! To enter just click the link below: Give your predictions… Thanks to Alan Meban & Peter Donaghy for helping with the competition. Brian O'NeillManaging Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and …

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“I can not understand why this population is so docile. If you trample on their cultural identity they will riot in the streets. But if their grannies’ legs are literally falling off they just accept it as that’s life…”

| Readers 3149

Wise words from the good doctor who was interviewed on BBC Spotlight about the health waiting lists. Here we go… number 1 pic.twitter.com/UOUMdhH26W — Adam Turkington (@AdamTurks) December 4, 2019 As you may know, I have written some posts about the health service. It can dismay you how few readers they get. A post on health will get 500 readers; a post on bonfires will get 5000. I have often thought about why this is. The only thing I can …

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Alex Salmond accused of sexual assaults on 10 women…

| Readers 1282

From the BBC report: Alex Salmond has appeared in court charged with carrying out a series of sexual offences against 10 women while serving as Scotland’s first minister. Mr Salmond faced a total of 14 charges at the High Court in Edinburgh. He denies all the allegations, which include one attempted rape, one intent to rape, 10 sexual assaults and two indecent assaults. The offences are alleged to have happened between June 2008 and November 2014. Yikes, that will be …

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Prince Andrew to step down from royal duties…

| Readers 1873

Prince Andrew has stepped away from royal duties to spend more time with his conscience. The Prince has a lot of local connections. He is Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Irish Regiment as well as Baron of Killyleagh. He also has several streets named after him across Northern Ireland. I wonder what the residents’ views on him are? He will cease to receive £249,000 of taxpayers’ money from the Sovereign Grant used to pay for his office, but aul Andy does …

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Get your tickets for the Slugger Big Election Hangover event on Saturday the 14th of December 2019!

| Readers 837

Join us as we dissect the #GE2019 results with an expert panel and a room full of political brains – the opportunity to understand the implications of how the public has voted on local, national and European politics. Panel: David McCann – Deputy Editor Slugger O’Toole Chris Donnelly – Teacher & Commentator Sarah Creighton – Solicitor & Commentator Grainne Walsh – Director of Stratagem Plus we will have some special political guests joining us. This is a fundraising event to keep Slugger lit into …

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Meet Paula White – Donald Trump’s Faith Adviser…

| Readers 2281

‘To say no to President Trump would be saying no to God.’ — Trump’s faith adviser and ‘Righteous Gemstones’ character come to life Paula White is now an official White House employee pic.twitter.com/hjCOfnpjHD — NowThis (@nowthisnews) November 4, 2019 As you can see from the video she is quite the character. She has very similar values to Donald so you can see why they get on so well. As Voltaire once said: When it is a question of money, everybody …

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Get your tickets for the Slugger End of Year Review 2019 – Wed 4th Dec 2019…

| Readers 843

Now firmly established as a Christmas Tradition, join us as we look back on the year in politics with the Cinderella and widow Twankey of local commentators Allison Morris and Alex Kane. We also have as a special guest Sam McBride, author of the recent book on the RHI scandal ‘Burned’. The event is a little early this year but we thought it would be good to look at the upcoming general election as well, so the night will be …

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Important change to comments – please read…

| Readers 1991

The comments are an extremely important part of the success of Slugger. Many sites are turning off comments as they are a pain in the neck to moderate but we believe it is important to give you all a chance to give your views. We are currently getting over 10,000 comments a month on slugger which I think you will agree is quite a lot. Trying to moderate so many is like trying to take a drink from a firehose. …

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Join us for our 1st Derry/Londonderry event on 23rd October – A fair deal for Derry?

| Readers 1888

For decades we have heard about the need to invest and connect the North-West. But how do we deliver on this promise and ensure that we help build a more prosperous city that can create good jobs and improves the lives of all of its people? This Slugger O’Toole event will examine the challenges and the opportunities that face this part of the island. Panel: Steve Bradley – Derry native & Commentator Karen Bonner – Derry native & Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, Queen’s University …

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