The Ditch editors

Fine Gael minister of state Damien English hasn’t declared ownership of property for more than 10 years

Fine Gael minister of state Damien English has not declared his ownership of a residential property for more than a decade. The Meath West TD defaulted on mortgage repayments for the house and four years ago the loan was transferred to a vulture fund. English however managed to maintain his

DPP only sought garda custody death file following TD’s intervention

The DPP only requested a file on the death of a man in garda custody following the intervention of a TD. This course of action by the DPP is highly unusual with the common practice involving gardaí sending the file without a request being made.

Discrepancies uncovered in garda custody death

Gardaí in Waterford gave statements concerning the death of a man in their custody that contradicted medical professionals who attended the scene.

Just eight rental homes and half a shopping centre: spare a thought for IPAV CEO Pat Davitt

Since he wouldn’t tell us, nor was he asked, here’s what Pat Davitt and his wife, two of the lesser spoken-of victims of Ireland’s housing crisis, own.

Rental income of €18,000 a month, cash pile of €13 million: well for John Bruton’s old ‘right-hand man’

Ex-Fine Gael taoiseach John Bruton’s “right-hand man” has built an international property empire – which includes two palatial Dublin 6 properties – that brings in €139,800 in rent a year.

Housing minister’s brother among politicians who supported Hutch co-defendant's planning application

Housing minister Darragh O’Brien’s brother was among three county councillors who intervened in a planning application submitted by one of the co-defendants in the Regency Hotel attack case.

Fine Gael councillor, Varadkar ally silent on three conflicting ethics declarations and legal threat

Having failed to declare his ownership of 13 rental properties, Fingal county councillor Ted Leddy has had two new ethics declarations uploaded to the council's website – failing in each case to acknowledge the new versions.

What can you get across Europe for less than the rent landlord Leo Varadkar charges for his apartment?

Earlier this year The Ditch reported that Leo Varadkar is letting out his two-bedroom Castleknock, west Dublin apartment for €1,600 a month. So let’s take a look at cheaper two-bedroom rental apartments in cities with populations similar to Dublin.

Fianna Fáil senator didn’t declare directorship of family company she falsely claimed was dissolved

Fianna Fáil senator Erin McGreehan twice failed to declare her directorship of a family company she falsely claimed had been dissolved.

Fianna Fáil minister won’t say why he paid €61,000 PR allowance to tax defaulter’s construction company

Fianna Fáil junior minister Niall Collins paid a construction company owned by a tax defaulter €61,000 in state funds – from an allowance for PR and training.

Robert Troy’s Fianna Fáil constituency colleague didn’t declare directorship of property company

Ex-junior minister Robert Troy’s constituency and party colleague failed to declare his directorship of a property company.

Fine Gael councillor didn’t declare ownership of company with 13 rental properties

Fine Gael councillor Ted Leddy failed to declare his ownership of 13 rental properties in Cavan and Dublin.