The Ditch editors

Another one: Varadkar ally, Fine Gael councillor asked council to ‘hold off’ on fourth unpublished declaration

Fine Gael councillor Ted Leddy, close friend and constituency ally of Leo Varadkar, asked Fingal County Council not to to publish one of his attempts at a declaration of interests. The council complied with his request.

SIPO ignored own procedures to shut down complaint against Micheál Martin

The Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) ignored its own procedures to decide against pursuing a complaint against Micheál Martin. SIPO shut down the complaint against Martin before it investigated the claims.

Donohoe donor Michael Stone pursued by vulture fund over mortgage default on vacant investment property

The businessman at the centre of the Paschal Donohoe donation controversy was pursued in the High Court by a vulture fund over a mortgage default on a now-vacant investment property.

The Bord Pleanála internal report the state doesn’t want you to see – suggests at planning corruption

First off: you can download the report here An Bord Pleanála's Examination of Certain Matters This is the internal An Bord Pleanála report the state doesn't want you see ABPExamination_of_Certain_Matters.pdf 94 MB download-circle An Bord Pleanála (ABP) and housing minister Darragh

Fine Gael TD was found guilty by legal tribunal of misleading client suing over nursing home charges

A Fine Gael TD and health spokesperson was found “guilty of misconduct in his practice as a solicitor” for misleading a client suing the state over the ongoing nursing home fees scandal.

Paschal Donohoe’s taxpayer-funded driver moonlighted for Fine Gael HQ – minister won't comment

Paschal Donohoe’s taxpayer-funded former ministerial driver was moonlighting as an IT project manager at Fine Gael party headquarters.

Donohoe 'has no recollection' of company directorship he failed to declare, claims he paid firm for services

Paschal Donohoe twice failed to declare his directorship of a company and has claimed he doesn't remember "any involvement" in the firm.

Donohoe donor, chair of inner-city regeneration board hoarded city centre sites for more than a decade

Government appointed Designer Group CEO and personal friend of Paschal Donohoe, Michael Stone, to chair an inner-city regeneration body – despite Stone hoarding development sites in the Fine Gael minister’s home constituency.

Donohoe refuses to explain two-hour meeting with Designer Group CEO Michael Stone

Paschal Donohoe has refused to explain what he discussed during a two-hour meeting with Designer Group CEO Michael Stone in August 2020.

A second loan sold to a vulture fund. A second property ex-minister Damien English managed to keep

A second non-performing mortgage of ex-junior minister Damien English was sold to a vulture fund. As was the case with English’s first distressed mortgage, the ex-junior minister has managed to maintain ownership of the property.

Fine Gael minister of state Damien English lied about home ownership on planning application

Fine Gael minister of state Damien English lied about his home ownership to secure planning permission for a new home.

Property lobbyists to dominate government housing conference – at expense of housing groups

Leo Varadkar and Darragh O’Brien’s housing conference is to be dominated by property lobbyists – including the group that has claimed credit for selling the idea of strategic housing developments to government.