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.

Attorney general’s advice to government on planning amendment in full

On 2 February, 2024 attorney general Rossa Fanning wrote to minister Darragh O'Brien and the coalition leaders with his advice to government on a controversial amendment to the Planning and Development Bill 2023. Here is the advice in full. Download it at the links above and below.

Garda suspended for bike loan assisted whistleblower colleague, was identified in tribunal

The garda suspended for lending a bicycle to an elderly man assisted a whistleblower colleague who’d raised evidence of another guard’s collusion in the drug trade. The suspended garda – as well as the assistance he gave the whistleblower – was identified to colleagues during a tribunal.   

Housing minister ‘prompted’ to radically change planning law by major property developer’s refusal

Darragh O’Brien was prompted to radically change state planning law because a major property developer was refused planning permission for just one development, according to advice the housing minister received from the attorney general.

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.