The Ditch editors

Attorney general: No certainty on courts' interpretation of durable relationships

The attorney general told minister for children Roderic O’Gorman, “It is difficult to predict with certainty how the Irish courts would interpret the concept of ‘other durable relationships.'"

‘There is therefore uncertainty as to the likely meaning and effect of an obligation to "strive"’: attorney general to Roderic O’Gorman in unpublished advice

The attorney general told minister for children Roderic O’Gorman there is legal “uncertainty” about the government’s proposed care amendment to the constitution and the legal obligations it would place on the state.  The proposed amendment, which has been heavily criticised by carers and people with disabilities, says the

Ex-spy among Israeli ex-intelligence agents in Ireland

An ex-spy and a special forces commander who had a “classified” role at the Israeli prime minister’s office are among the more than 20 Israelis living in Ireland with links to their state’s intelligence services. 

Analysis – State Failures: Remember Freda?

Freda Laughton was a poet, children’s author, short story writer and artist. She was the first woman in Northern Ireland to have a poetry collection accepted by an established publisher.

Gardaí lost 1,000+ official ID cards in eight years, won't release lost firearm figures

Gardaí have reported more than 1,000 official garda identification cards as lost in the last eight years. 

Fine Gael politician allegedly paid sex workers using stolen money

A Fine Gael politician allegedly paid for sex workers' services and threw parties with money he’s accused of embezzling from a government-funded organisation.

Analysis – State Failures: Neutral Ireland Adrift with Atlanticists

History’s gift to the Atlanticist Irish establishment was to stick the unloved, unlovable face of Eamon De Valera on our mental picture of the nation’s neutrality.

Ukrainian government says Irish company sponsors Putin’s war – lawyers, auditors won't comment

An Irish-based oil company is an “international sponsor of war” because it is “providing technological capabilities” and “ideological support” to Russia, according to a Ukrainian government report.

Trinity College investing in UN-blacklisted Israeli firms

Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has investments in UN-blacklisted Israeli companies.

Pro militarisation group lobbying government on defence issues won’t disclose its members

A pro militarisation group lobbying government to allow Irish companies greater access to the international arms market has declined to publicly disclose its members.

Criminal complaint against Varadkar referred to senior gardaí

An Garda Síochána says a criminal complaint against Leo Varackar alleging the taoiseach submitted three false statutory donation statements to SIPO has been referred to senior Dublin gardaí. 

Varadkar advised donors on getting around legally permitted donation limits, forced to change advice

Leo Varadkar advised potential donors on how to get around legally permitted donation limits – telling them they could use their “spouse, children and parents”.