Brendan O'Connor Newspaper Panel
9 snips
Mar 22, 2026 
Declan Power, a security and defence analyst; Brid Smith, a Ballyfermot community activist and former TD; Louise Burne, an Irish Examiner political correspondent; and Dan O’Brien, chief economist, discuss front-page headlines. They cover a controversial house demolition, Taoiseach’s US visit, Iran and military escalation risks, energy support dilemmas, targeted help versus broad cuts, cyberbullying and rising online misogyny, plus a sport morale boost.
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Demolition Sent A Strong Rule Of Law Signal
- Enforcing planning rules sends a clear signal that illegal development will face consequences.
- The Navan Murray house demolition was used as a high-visibility example to deter others despite local anger and questions about wasted housing stock.
Brid Smith Imagined The House As A Women's Refuge
- Brid Smith recalled community uses for the big illegal house and her initial thought of converting it to a women's refuge.
- She argued demolition was a shame because the structure could have filled severe refuge shortages required by the Istanbul Convention.
Oval Office Visit Exposed Diplomacy Versus Conscience Tension
- Views split sharply over Micheál Martin's Oval Office visit with arguments about diplomacy versus moral criticism.
- Supporters argued engagement protects Irish interests and influence; critics said he missed speaking up on international human rights abuses.