The View from The Ditch: This is how spin works

The tactic is simple: find whatever grey area, whatever piece of doubt you can, and embrace it. Here’s how it works.

The View from The Ditch: Katherine Zappone’s €400-a-day retreats and Noel Rock – from lobbied to lobbyist

We take a look at Katherine Zappone's €400-a-day retreats, as well as Noel Rock's journey from lobbied to lobbyist.

The View from The Ditch: 'If Taoiseach, I would assassinate scientists working on Belfast's nuclear programme' – Fine Gael councillor

In a 2012 blog post titled If Johnny Adair had a nuclear weapon, Fine Gael councillor Ted Leddy fantasised about a loyalist coup leading to former UDA paramilitary Johnny Adair being installed as “the new dictator of Northern Ireland”.

The Ditch investigates 'JobBridge 2.0': Tax defaulters, unpaid intern employers, dishwashing duties and firm that unfairly dismissed disabled employee

Tax defaulters, a company that advertises for unlawful unpaid internships, as well as a company that unfairly dismissed a disabled employee are among the beneficiaries of a government employment subsidy being described as "JobBridge 2.0".

The View from The Ditch: Zappone’s home on market for €750k and a win for indoor dining and 'mental health'

Ahead of her new and specially created two-year UN role, Katherine Zappone in early June put her Dublin home up for sale.

The View from The Ditch: Matt Barrett’s new pad; Des O’Malley’s legacy; Dublin funerals; Paschal's new adviser

This is the view. From the Ditch.

Golfgate organiser’s firm gets government gig grant

A Golfgate organiser’s company has received government funding to run a live event.

Fine Gael byelection candidate James Geoghegan organised conference for anti-abortion TDs, senators

Fine Gael Dublin Bay South byelection candidate James Geoghegan organised an event for politicians expelled from Fine Gael for their opposition to abortion legislation.

Fine Gael candidate James Geoghegan's trust fund sold property to Ansbacher-linked firm

Fine Gael’s Dublin Bay South byelection candidate James Geoghegan’s trust fund in 2018 sold a Dublin 4 property to an Ansbacher-linked property firm for €1.6 million.

One medical card. €22 million in charges. A ‘very profitable’ homeless clinic

The HSE is reviewing a medical card next week. A €22 million medical card.

Mother and baby homes commissioner was guest speaker at Church of Ireland event

One of the Mother and Baby Homes Investigation commissioners spoke at a Church of Ireland event while she was investigating institutions run by its members.

Conor Skehan’s company awarded more than €1 million in public contracts while he chaired Housing Agency

The contracts included one from the Department of Housing, awarded while Skehan chaired the Housing Agency.