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. 

Comment: Denying Gerry Adams compensation protects British national myths

In March 1972 state forces in the north of Ireland arrested and interned a young man in Long Kesh. There,  alongside dozens of other prisoners – mostly Catholics and Irish republicans – he endured imprisonment without trial.

Department of Defence admits agreement to keep arms industry lobbyist interactions 'confidential'

The Department of Defence has admitted it’s agreed to keep its interactions with lobbyists for international arms manufacturers “confidential”. 

Law Society of Ireland companies haven’t filed accounts since 2022

A property development company with €11 million in assets – and intentions to develop a Dublin 7 site – owned by the Law Society of Ireland has failed to file accounts with the Companies Registration Office (CRO) since 2022.

Airline under Department of Transport probe resumes carriage of munitions through Irish territory

The airline the Department of Transport is probing over illegal weapons flights has resumed transporting munitions to Israel through Irish sovereign airspace.

Irish airline still delivering munitions of war to Israel

Irish airline ASL has started transporting munitions of war to Israel again despite repeated promises to its Dublin-based staff it had stopped.

Housing Agency claims releasing defective block homeowners’ information could endanger lives

The Housing Agency won’t release records to at least 13 homeowners affected by the defective block crisis because the publication of these records, the agency claims, could “endanger the life or safety” of Housing Agency staff. 

Fine Gael MEP claimed Israeli settlements 'conducted under international law'

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty said in private messages seen by The Ditch that “Israeli settlements were conducted under international law” and expressed frustration that Hamas had asked the UN to look after Palestinian refugees instead of “their own bloody government”.

Comment: Regulating soup runs is about hiding homeless people – not helping them

A spectre is haunting businesses across Dublin city – the spectre of visible poverty.