Former Guantanamo Bay chief legal counsel leads US agency hired to help restructure Irish defence forces

The former chief legal counsel for Guantanamo Bay’s detention camps leads the US agency the Irish Department of Defence has hired to advise Ireland on expanding the state’s military. 

Attorney general's counsel: Ireland could legally defend ban on Israeli settlement investments

Legal counsel appointed by the attorney general approved an opposition bill banning the state investing in companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements – but government has blocked the legislation since 2023. 

Attorney general's unpublished advice: replacing Occupied Territories Bill is a ‘political choice’

The attorney general told government that replacing the Occupied Territories Bill rather than amending it would be a "political choice" and not a legally necessary one.

German national airline resumes munitions flights through Irish territory to Israel

Two flights carrying parts for the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) F-35 fighter jet flew through Irish territory on their way to Israel earlier this month.

Arms industry lobbying group adds firms linked to Gaza and Ukraine conflicts to client list

A group that lobbies the Irish government on behalf of international arms manufacturers has acquired several new clients.

Central Bank received almost €40,000 in Israeli bond fees since 2021

The Central Bank of Ireland has collected almost €40,000 from the Israeli state since 2021 for facilitating the sale of its bonds – which are marketed as a way to support Israel’s war on Gaza. 

Fine Gael defence minister met Israeli spy at taoiseach’s office

Fine Gael health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill held a meeting with a former Israeli spy at the taoiseach’s offices last May when she was junior defence minister.

Comment: Special advisers are just higher paid political correspondents

In February 2019 political correspondent Hugh O’Connell wrote a piece about a trend that had “raised concerns” of a “brain drain”: Fine Gael  hiring half a dozen journalists as special advisers in 18 months – a "brain drain", wrote O'Connell.

Department of Defence discussed establishing quarterly meetings with arms industry lobbyists

Senior Department of Defence officials discussed establishing quarterly meetings with arms industry lobbyists – with internal records showing talks about “effective communications” between both parties ahead of the publication of an EU defence policy paper.

Lowry development site listed for sale weeks before Criminal Assets Bureau interview

A deal was made to sell a British development site owned by Michael Lowry the same month the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) questioned the independent TD at a garda station last year. 

Lobbyists for arms manufacturers arranged secret hotel meeting with Department of Defence

Lobbyists for international arms manufacturers organised a secret meeting with Department of Defence officials at a Dún Laoghaire hotel – and instructed attendees to maintain secrecy about it.  

Michael Lowry uses refrigeration company for secret property transfers

A “Michael Lowrey” – with an E – took ownership of a new home before selling to independent TD Michael Lowry’s daughter for €50,000. Lowry’s refrigeration company later bought the house from his daughter for €290,000 and remains the property's current owner.