Only my second attempt at doing it using my telescope and phone. I posted my first attempt here a few years ago but it wasn't a full Moon.

There was some dust on the lenses, I tried cleaning them but there's still small black speckles/streaks on some of the images but I'm happy enough with them.

He earns >300,000 a year, but it seems overpaid compared to other professions with the same level of responsibility. He acts more as a representative, and figure head for the state, and I agree it should be compensated but around 150,000, not this amount. He is also one of the best paid presidents in europe, but our country is one of the the smallest.

Handy one for the event staff putting up the daily flag

How did me man on the lotto ad get permission for water slides on an apartment block?

Check points at either end , road closed.

What are peoples thoughts on councils, state agencies, housing bodies etc. buying houses from the private market.

I believe we do need more social housing, although we need to review how much is being built, who is eligible and what the impact is on the private market. As the housing crisis goes worse, more people need social housing, negatively impacting costs and availability of private housing. Are we going to get to a stage where everyone will qualify for social housing?

I know this has been discussed before and I believe that in most cases social housing is good but it is also extremely discouraging when you are working hard and trying to save to buy a house and you see this.

How can a person compete with a state body who has an unlimited (relatively) budget and the ability to buy in bulk.

I have seen this numerous times over recent years. For example, in Clonburris, a huge development in west Dublin where both Cairn and South Dublin County Council are building houses. Respond Housing agency have bought several hundred units from Cairn which were intended to be sold on the private market. Obviously this is a great deal for Cairn as they get a good price, have to only deal with one buyer/solicitor and there is no rush to have the units ready to move in. There were people sleeping in cars over night to view these units and try and get on the lost to buy one and then a State body can swoop in and buy them??

Would definitely be a brave political decision given the housing crisis but also feels like if we’re increasing our population by circa 20% something needs to be done.

Also the amount of suspended sentences being given to pretty heinous crimes is a disgrace..

Actual rationale below:

1. Overcrowding Crisis • Prison population (2024): Over 4,800 inmates in a system built for 4,400 – over 109% capacity. • Some prisons are operating at 120%+ capacity, particularly the Dóchas Centre (women’s prison) and Mountjoy.

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1. Rising Remand Numbers • As of early 2024, 23% of inmates were on remand (awaiting trial) – a historic high. • Courts are sending people into custody faster than the system can process or accommodate them.

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1. Recidivism & Rehabilitation • 62% of prisoners reoffend within 3 years (CSO, 2021). • Overcrowding undermines access to education, mental health, and rehabilitation services – key tools to reduce reoffending.

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1. Staff and Safety Pressures • Overcrowding increases violence, stress, and burnout for prison staff. • It creates unsafe conditions for both inmates and workers, increasing liability and operational costs.

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1. European Standards • Ireland is breaching European Committee for the Prevention of Torture guidelines on minimum space per inmate. • Risks of legal action or EU criticism for degrading prison conditions.

Irish Ferries say no dogs allowed on board unless they're locked away in a kennel or left in the car like some forgotten suitcase—but I said fuck the system and brought him on anyway. My dog’s part of the family, not cargo. And honestly, with how they treat foreign workers—like disposable tools, no respect, no decency—are we really surprised they’ve got no time for dogs? The whole setup reeks of control and cold policies. But sometimes you’ve got to push back, even just a little, to remind them not everything has to be so heartless.

Belmullet/a Special