Oisín Mcilroy

MSc Political Science student and journalist. Interested in foreign affairs, politics and culture reporting. 

MEMO •

Free speech ‘champion’ LSE accused of ‘slow, quiet repression’ by student activists, UN Special Rapporteurs

Interview | Oisin McilroyFree speech ‘champion’ LSE accused of ‘slow, quiet repression’ by student activists, UN Special Rapporteurs  I assumed Haley* and I would meet on campus, but she was banned from the property. Senior leadership at the London School of Economics imposed ‘precautionary measures’ on the pro-Palestine campaigner and six fellow-organisers, following their demonstration at the university’s summer school registration. Donning keffiyehs and Palestinian flags, a dozen protestors d...
The New Arab •

Pro-Palestine students undeterred by LSE 'violent' eviction

Pro-Palestine student protestors say they are undeterred from pushing the London School of Economics (LSE) to break links to companies allegedly complicit in Israel's war on Gaza, despite the university severing talks on Tuesday a day after LSE became the first British university to evict a pro-Palestinian encampment following successful legal action.

Student activists from the university’s Palestinian Society had occupied the Marshall Building since May 14, immediately after publishing their ‘
The Beaver •

75th Anniversary: The Third Man, 1949

Luridly bound in film tropes, The Third Man should not be so captivating. Set amid the post-war tensions of a Vienna divided between the Allies, failed author Holly Martins (Joseph Cotton) encounters black cats and open ladders whilst searching for his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Alpine Zither music reigns and Dutch angles slope.

Yet the clichés are so neatly composed that they are charming. Maybe because Graham Greene first cultivated its mood and characters in a private novella, cre
Oisin Mcilroy •

London’s decaying Russian art market: Western sanctions paint a troubling picture for Oligarchs

Sales at London auction houses during their annual Russian Art Week in June 2014 rose to their highest levels since the 2008 Financial Crisis, despite sanctions imposed months earlier on the Russian individuals buying most of this art following Putin’s invasion of Crimea.

It was clear that sanctions weren’t working, wealthy Russian’s accounting for approximately three quarters of sales at Christie’s and Sotheby’s that year. 

As a test of recent sanctions and other financial measures imposed by the West since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last year, the SWLondoner examined how London’s art market has faired this time round.

As a whole it has been dominated for over a decade by wealthy Russian’s, who own one of London’s largest auction houses, Phillips. If sanctions were genuinely taking effect, it would show in London’s art market.
The Mirror US •

Brother and mom face 'long recovery' after siblings, 5 and 8, killed in crash

The only surviving sibling of a family left grieving after a suspected 'drink-driver' plunged into a Michigan birthday party is awake from surgery but expected to face a long road to recovery.

Oldest brother Jayden was left in critical condition alongside mom Mariah after Saturday's accident which killed siblings Lana, aged 8, and Zayn, aged 5, and injured 15 others at the Swan Creek Boat Club in Berlin Township, Monroe County, Michigan. Monroe County Sheriff's Office confirmed that of the 15 i
South West Londoner •

With a glance either side of Charles's head, the Archbishop had crowned the King

The King alongside Queen Consort Camilla arrived at Westminster Abbey – the site of every coronation since 1066 – in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach wearing red velvet cloak and naval trousers.

The order of service began with the King declaring “In [God’s] name and after his example I come not to be served but to serve.”

During the “Recognition” stage of the coronation began, the King was presented to the congregation by peers including Lady Elish Angiolini and a Victoria Cross awardee.

The s
South West Londoner •

New 'Troubles' exhibition to open at the Imperial War Museum

A new exhibition highlighting the tragedy of Northern Ireland’s ‘Troubles’ will open next month at the Imperial War Museum.

The exhibition comes amid ceremonies commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, which largely brought to an end 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland.

Ian Jeffers, Commissioner of Northern Ireland’s Commission for Victims and Survivors, said: “Bringing the Troubles into the museum is a positive thing as long as they tell the different narratives o
The Mirror •

Health experts issue fake Botox warning as people left unable to breathe

Health officials have warned of the threat posed by illegitimate Botox injections amid a wave of hospitalisations.

The harmful reactions are reportedly the result of counterfeit material or untrained injection administering. In New York, Health Department officials recorded three people were receiving treatment for various symptoms, including double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulty swallowing, breathing and raising their arms.

The illnesses come amid CDC reports of illness among 22 ind
South West Londoner •

The Chancellors: From 'back-street pub' to world-famous pizza and celeb clientele

Carl McCluskey took over from his grandmother at the The Chancellors pub in Hammersmith in 2020, rapidly shaping it into one of the UK’s best spots for a slice.

Behind the classic London pub facade, he’s perfected a pizza base through combing the recipe he adopted while training in Brooklyn with the kind of Italian flour he used when proving dough in Naples.

The results have been widely appreciated too, with Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy, world famous for his pizza reviews, calling it “
South West Londoner •

Munira Wilson reselected by Lib Dems for Twickenham

Parliamentary incumbent Munira Wilson was unanimously reselected last night as the Liberal Democrat candidate for Twickenham.

Wilson was elected MP for Twickenham in the 2019 General Election, succeeding the Lib Dems outgoing leader Sir Vince Cable in the constituency.

Cable joined Wilson at last night’s reselection event at The Exchange in Twickenham, as well as fellow-Lib Dem candidates Monica Harding (Esher & Walton) and Cllr Paul Kohler (Wimbledon).

Wilson said: “Let’s win Twickenham, rip
North West Londoner •

Exiled Hong Kong activists urge tougher stance against Chinese 'aggression'

Hong Kong pro-democracy activists exiled in London called for toughened British Government responses to match China’s repression in the former British colony.

The appeals came at the Ealing launch of Hong Kong March, a festival to promote the culture of the territory all across the UK.

Activist Nathan Law, 29, told North West Londoner: “The UK government can definitely do a bit more in reacting to China’s aggression, like condemning China’s extra-territorial aggression and at least target thos
South West Londoner •

Sadiq Khan announces £3m package to support victims of crime

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a new £3 million annual investment package to improve the Met police’s support of victims of crime.

At London’s first Victims Summit on Friday, the Mayor emphasised the importance of victims in the justice system, saying he hopes to create a justice system that “places victims at its heart” and encourages them to come forward and report their crime without hesitation.

The added funds come following research findings that one third of victims are unsatisfie
South West Londoner •

Texan royalist can’t take a non-colonial crown

A royal superfan who moseyed all the way from Texas to take in the Coronation scenes says she cannot support a decolonised crown.

Mari Boepple from Houston, Texas camped out on the Mall since Thursday afternoon for a prime spot with her friends, as they did for William and Kate’s Royal Wedding in 2011.

She said: “We came over especially for the Coronation. It’s a huge historical event!

“They’re just such a huge part of history and I love that historical value they provide. I can’t wait to see
South West Londoner •

Charles the painter captures coronation crowds for Charles the King!

A painter braving thunderous downpours and crowds hours before the Coronation said it was worth it to immortalise another memorable royal day.

Charles Minty, 41, from Bath, has kept his spot on the Mall secure since midday Thursday, despite swelling crowds and clouds.

He said he was motivated by his special connection to the King, who married Princess Diana on the same day the artist was born – July 29 1981.

“We’re quite keen royalists and my father decided to name me after him so of course I
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