2011: The Year in Mischief

used under cc, by justinsomnia

Ireland is a staggeringly conservative and conformist society. Conventional wisdom riddles every conversation be it private or broadcast, in print or in the home. Consequently, the impulse to cause mischief should be welcomed as a healthy corrective to stagnation and the denial of reality. Not every mischievous act is admirable, but mischief is, on balance, a force for good. Here then are the top pieces of mischief from 2011, as suggested by my Twitter followers.

  1. Tweet during Presidential Debate which was put to Sean JOBS! Gallagher and caused him to mention envelopes. Was always going to top the poll, unlike the candidate. (per @faduda and everyone)
  2. Gavin Sheridan’s victory in having NAMA declared a public authority and therefore amenable to requests for Information under EU law. The most secretive of creatures meets the most remorseless. (per @ElaineEdwards)
  3. Throwing FF out of their traditional big meeting room because they didn’t have the numbers after the election to justify it. Somebody just got a burst of mischief and ran with it. It was sweet. (per @Oireachtas_RX)
  4. Occupying Dame Street. Setting up and manning a shanty town at the foot of the Central Bank is a very useful reminder to the weekly visitors from abroad that there are limits to what can be imposed on a society. And it looks pleasingly homespun. (per me)
  5. Hacking the FG database after FG denied they had any potential security problems with their data system. (per @Daraghobrien who was the person who first warned they were at risk)

1 Comment

  • I can’t condone the hacking of the FG database as it was a criminal act, amusing and all as it was. What frustrated me was the dismissive attitude of FG to their fundamental failings to comply with Data Protection rules until such time as it became a crisis (i.e. DPC was investigating and the hack had happened).

    2012 will bring ample opportunity for FG to demonstrate they have learned the lessons of that adventure. Let’s hope they have.

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