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.
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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.
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.