The Ditch editors

After carrying out illegal munitions flights to Israel, Lufthansa thanks Department of Transport for its patience – state prosecutes anti-war activists

Lufthansa – which has repeatedly conducted illegal munitions flights through Irish territory to Israel – has reluctantly engaged with Darragh O’Brien’s Department of Transport, taking part in a Microsoft Teams call after a Ditch report on its unlawful flights to Israel.    

Irish lobbyists partnering with Lockheed Martin to connect Irish businesses with weapons manufacturers

A secretive group lobbying government for the arms industry is working with Lockheed Martin to connect Irish businesses with international weapons manufacturers for “partnering opportunities”.  

Heather Humphreys spoke at Orange Order member, ex-UDR man's Ulster Unionist Party event

Heather Humphreys was the guest speaker at a general election campaign rally for an Orange Order member – and former UDR soldier – who caused controversy when he said he wouldn’t attend GAA matches or pride events. 

Comment: This election campaign shows disabled people and carers are excluded – not forgotten

There’s a common misconception that disabled people and carers are forgotten about. I think that language is too passive and undeservedly absolves those who supposedly forget.

'Government does not value nor hear its disabled citizens': activists condemn Humphreys's record

With Heather Humphreys facing renewed criticism of her social protection department’s proposed “Tory” overhaul of disability payments, those affected by her decisions as minister say they “never felt represented” by the Fine Gael presidential candidate.    , 

Heather Humphreys honoured disgraced garda accused of extreme domestic violence

Heather Humphreys honoured a disgraced ex-garda after he was accused of extreme domestic violence and found by a tribunal to have corruptly organised planting weapons and fabricated evidence.

State admits it’s allowed weapons through Ireland to Israel

For the first time since 2006 the state has admitted it allowed munitions of war – onboard a US military plane authorised by Simon Harris to touch down at Shannon Airport – to travel through Irish territory on their way to Israel. 

Department of Defence regularly briefing international arms lobbyists

Simon Harris’s department discussed procurement policy with Lockheed Martin lobbyists just months before government announced a record €1.49 billion defence budget.

Humphreys was star attraction at ‘charity’ event under garda investigation

A company under garda investigation was incorporated just a month before Heather Humphreys was the star attraction at its February “charity” event.  

Humphreys stays silent on property affairs

Media indulges her silence.

Simon Harris authorised Shannon stop for US war plane on way to IDF base

Make a one-time donation to The Ditch Simon Harris authorised a US military plane to refuel at Shannon Airport on Sunday on its way from a Department of War airbase to the Nevatim Israel Defense Forces base. It was transporting soldiers or military cargo and its stopover at Shannon

Humphreys won’t say if she paid vacant homes tax

Make a one-time donation to The Ditch Heather Humphreys won’t say if she paid an anti-vacancy tax on her unused residential property. Humphreys has left the property unoccupied for the last 14 years, during which time the vacant homes tax was introduced – when Humphreys was in government