Josepha Madigan submitted bogus ministerial mileage claims over four years

Josepha Madigan made bogus ministerial mileage claims over four years. Madigan resigned as junior education minister just hours after The Ditch had given her until Monday to answer questions relating to her mileage expenses. The Ditch first contacted the Dublin-based TD on Tuesday and asked why she claimed to

Simon Harris linked homelessness to crime in shelter objection – helped delay by seven months

Simon Harris linked homeless people to crime in an attempt to overturn permission for a child and adult shelter in his constituency. Though his attempt was unsuccessful he did contribute to a delay in delivering the facility.

Analysis – State Failures: Five Years Since the Eighth Was Repealed

The result of the 2018 referendum that repealed the Irish constitution’s Eighth Amendment should have been monumental. It should’ve, truly, changed things. That’s what we were told and what we wanted to believe.

Fine Gael senator paid party colleague accused of theft €18,250 from state scheme during investigation

Fine Gael senator Joe O’Reilly has paid ex-councillor and party colleague Seán McKiernan more than €18,000 from a taxpayer-funded allowance – since gardaí started investigating McKiernan over alleged theft from a charity.

DFA: Details of Micheál Martin diplomatic engagement could damage international relations

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) won’t release details of one of Micheál Martin’s engagements during a recent trip to Egypt, Israel and the occupied territories for fear it may damage Ireland’s international relations.

Fianna Fáil Limerick mayor candidate said Martin unfit to lead, unclear when she changed her mind

Fianna Fáil’s recently nominated candidate for Limerick mayor said that tánaiste Micheál Martin is unfit to lead, The Ditch can reveal.

Micheál Martin: ‘no question’ single parents would be covered by amendment – AG: ‘difficult to predict’

Micheál Martin in early March said there was “no question” single-parent families would be covered by the proposed family constitutional amendment – despite having received advice from the attorney general months before that this wasn’t the case. 

Attorney general’s advice to government on two referenda in full

On 8 December, 2023 attorney general Rossa Fanning wrote to minister Roderic O’Gorman with his advice to government ahead of tomorrow‘s two constitutional referenda. Government wouldn’t publish it. Here it is. Download it at the links above and below.

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.