The Ditch editors

Planning cash objector, ex-Fine Gael candidate has delayed Tara Mines project for more than a year

A former Fine Gael local election has delayed a major Tara Mines project for more than a year after he submitted a bogus planning appeal to An Bord Pleanála. Tara Mines was forced to close earlier this year, resulting in the loss of more than 650 jobs. 

IDA Ireland admits to repeatedly breaking US law in failing to disclose its finances and activities

IDA Ireland has admitted to repeatedly breaking US law in failing to appropriately declare its finances or activities to the US government for seven years in a row.

Planning cash objector was Fine Gael election candidate

A man who lodged planning objections to secure cash payments from property developers is a former Fine Gael election candidate and party official. 

Council illegally reduced levy after Fine Gael minister’s intervention

After Fine Gael junior minister Patrick O’Donovan intervened in a planning case – eight months after permission had been granted – Limerick City and County Council illegally reduced a development contribution levy by more than €140,000.

McEntee admits ‘mistakenly’ using title in planning intervention for family friend

Fine Gael TD Helen McEntee intervened in a planning application on behalf of a family friend and wrongly used the title of minister for justice even though she was on leave at the time. 

Norma Foley forced to intervene after Dublin City Council and Department of Justice ignore Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire parents’ concerns

Government departments and Dublin City Council (DCC) ignored Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire parents after last week’s stabbing attack and failed to activate an emergency plan at the school. 

Chief executive and housing head among Mayo County Council’s landlords – one in five senior staff let properties

Mayo County Council’s chief executive and its head of housing are among 40 senior staff who together own 68 rental properties.

Landlords with up to 13 rental properties: the interests of Limerick City and County Council senior staff

Among Limerick City and County Council’s senior employees are one staff member who owns 13 investment properties and another with a property portfolio worth €3.5 million. 

Landlords, property developers and big business owners: the interests of Dublin City Council staff

Dublin City Council employees are leasing their properties to the local authority under the Rental Accommodation Scheme. Many of these properties were originally built as social housing by the council.

Fianna Fáil councillor said Micheál Martin advised councillors to vote against flying Palestine flag in Dublin

A Fianna Fáil councillor said he voted against a recent proposal by Dublin City Council to fly Palestine’s flag in response to a UN “diktat” invoked by Micheál Martin and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Fine Gael councillor who proposed flying Ukraine flag votes against Palestine motion

Last night Fine Gael city councillor James Geoghegan – who in 2022 proposed a successful motion to fly the Ukrainian flag over Dublin City Hall – voted against an almost identical proposal for the Palestinian flag. 

Niall Collins SIPO probe 'suspended' as gardaí examine criminal complaint

SIPO has “suspended” a probe into Niall Collins while gardaí examine allegations of criminality against the Fianna Fáil junior minister.