Man pleaded guilty to possessing shotgun that went missing from garda custody

The Ditch can reveal that a county Westmeath man pleaded guilty this month to possession of a shotgun last year that should’ve been in garda custody. 

Comment: Enough posturing – it’s time for Ireland to take material action against Israel

“Prime minister Netanyahu, let me say this to you this evening, the Irish people couldn’t be clearer: we are repulsed by your actions – ceasefire now and let the aid flow safely,” said taoiseach Simon Harris at Fine Gael’s Ard Fheis.

'Not for publication': Garda press office changed contradictory statement, expressed frustration

The garda press office changed a contradictory statement about alleged garda involvement in the midlands drug trade.

Analysis – State Failures: Still Just Across the Border

An old joke: asking what’s the difference between apples and oranges, the answer being there’s no such thing as apple bastards. An acquaintance once told it to my family and was embarrassed when he found out my father’s a Protestant. 

Senior garda gave contradictory statements over corruption probe

A senior garda made contradictory statements during an internal probe into claims he failed to adequately investigate corruption allegations against an Athlone garda. 

Dublin Airport’s security procedures changed after whistleblower raised concerns

Dublin Airport’s security procedures were changed the day after an investigation commenced at the airport in response to a whistleblower raising concerns with the Department of Transport. 

Drug trade-linked garda investigated over car tax scam

Ex-detective garda Tom Higgins, named in an intelligence file linking him to the drug trade, was previously investigated over his alleged involvement in a tax scam.

Analysis – State Failures: An Garda Síochána: A History of Violence

In 2002 footage emerged of gardaí viciously assaulting people engaged in a peaceful Reclaim the Streets protest on May Day in Dublin city centre. One of these guardians of the peace was captured on video using his baton to beat a protester over the head. His display earned him the nickname Robocop.

Gardaí kept jobs despite garda intelligence linking them to organised crime

An internal garda intelligence file named three Athlone gardaí suspected of involvement in the midlands drug trade.

Analysis – State Failures: The Special Relationship

'If it wasn’t for American leadership, and if it wasn’t for America and Europe working together, I don’t know what kind of world we’d live in.'

Donohoe ignored allegations of financial wrongdoing in his constituency, signed off on state deal for lender

Donohoe ignored allegations a partly state-owned financial institution knowingly loaned almost €10 million to a company acting as a front for a property developer in debt to Nama.

Analysis – State Failures: Letterheads and Waiting Lists and Silence

In September 2023, I wrote the first story about the use of non-medical grade springs in surgical implants at Temple Street Children’s Hospital in Dublin, as well as broader concerns about care received by spinal patients there. Some reflections.