Brian O'Neill 
It’s fair to say our general expectations of Stormont are on the low side. The best we can hope for at this stage is they do no harm, but every now and again they manage to surpass themselves with their sheer ineptitude. You like to think there are certain red lines in society we don’t cross, and one of those is when it comes to children. And even in the area of children, there is a further red line that …
There’s nothing especially new about making money from other people’s suffering. What’s new is the mechanism. The betting scandal suggests a shift from blunt profiteering to something closer to financial engineering, where those with sight of decisions before they land can quietly place their bets and collect billions once the consequences unfold. $1.5 BILLION. Let me say it again – a $1.5 BILLION BET. Bigger than any futures purchases made at the time. 5 minutes before Trump's post. Who was …
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
The Imagine Festival starts this week, and you really should check out the massive selection of events they have this year. Sluggers is part of the festival, but I’m pleased to say our event is sold out! Fear not, there are lots of other events you can attend. Here are some of the highlights. Most events are free or low cost. Imagine! Belfast – 10 events not to be missed -A snapshot of events from this year’s Imagine! Belfast Festival …
I can’t think of a more stressful situation for Taoiseach Micheál Martin than having to meet with Trump. It’s like juggling with live grenades. The sheer unpredictability of his mood, along with not knowing what questions will be lobbed at you, is a test of the mettle of any skilled politician. Do you go all sycophantic and give him some kind of babble or prize, or do you stand up to the bully and risk his wrath? To be fair …
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
The United States has spent EIGHT TRILLION DOLLARS fighting and policing in the Middle East. Thousands of our Great Soldiers have died or been badly wounded. Millions of people have died on the other side. GOING INTO THE MIDDLE EAST IS THE WORST DECISION EVER MADE….. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 9, 2019 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 …
I’ll just stick this here… 🚨 NOW: Faith leaders are in the Oval Office praying over President Trump for him, our country, and our troops God Bless the United States of America 🙏🏻🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/yHffB7YGy0 — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 5, 2026 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 …
Last week my parents were talking about ordering oil, so when the news hit about the American attacks on Iran, my first thought was to jump on the internet on Saturday morning and order them some oil. I’m glad I did. I managed to get them 500L for £297. Looking at the same website today, I noticed that 500L would now cost me £447, a 50% increase in only three days. Some of the increase is due to the price …
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
In addition to our normal open Sunday, we have a politics-free post to give you all a break. So discuss what you like here, but no politics. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
Many people think that Keir Starmer blocked Andy Burnham from running in the by-election because he did not want to face a leadership challenge from him. Now his decision will come back to haunt him, as Labour have lost the seat to the Green Party. Some Labour MPs have been quick to put the boot into Starmer: Blame for Labour’s defeat lies squarely with Keir Starmer and his clique. They put factional interests over having the candidate best placed to …
In the recent Winter Olympics, Norway topped the medal table, an impressive feat for a country of only 5 million people. Now, obviously, they have two things going for them: They’re absolutely loaded and can invest in sport. They have a lot of snow, which I imagine is useful for winter sports. But there does seem to be something else more important going on, Norway’s attitude to youth sport. A recent post from writer Brad Stulberg gives a good insight: …
An interesting article in today’s Irish News: Communities Minister Gordon Lyons failed to consider testimony that the majority of pubs in Northern Ireland are “Catholic-owned” ahead of largely rejecting reforms of the licensing system, it is argued in legal filings. Historical figures drawn up by the main trade industry group stated 80% of pubs are owned by people from a Catholic background, which should have formed part of an equality assessment by the minister and his department, according to the …
From the BBC: at around 16:30 GMT this afternoon Mandelson was seen being led away by plain clothes police officersand put into the back of an unmarked car In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said a 72-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and has been taken to a London police station for interview It says the arrest followed searches at homes in Wiltshire and Camden Mandelson hasn’t publicly commented in recent weeks on the Epstein …
The idea for Open Sunday is to let you discuss what you like. Just two rules. Keep it civil and no man/woman playing. Comments will close at 12 pm on Monday. 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 …
