Comment: The world keeps telling us Ireland isn't western

When I lived in Beijing for a year I came across some taxi drivers who tried to scam westerners. They had a simple trick.

State pays company at least €200 million. Workers demand share

Workers at a company that’s received a minimum of €200 million in state contracts over the last 12 years have brought a pay claim against the employer – accusing it of underpaying staff and poor working conditions. 

Limerick mayor getting up to €15,000 a month rent from co-living development

Newly elected Limerick mayor John Moran is getting up to €15,000+ a month in rent from a co-living development he owns in the city.

Aontú candidate agreed €10,000 for association to end blockade of social housing development

An Aontú local election candidate received €10,000 to his personal bank account – he says on behalf of a residents’ association – in exchange for ending a blockade of a social housing development in north county Dublin.

Offaly independent election candidate running coffee and sauna outlet on public land with no planning permission

An independent candidate for Offaly County Council endorsed by local TD Carol Nolan has been running a business on public land without planning permission.

Meath Fine Gael candidate – and assistant to Damien English – in battle with council over unlawful development

A Fine Gael local election candidate and parliamentary assistant to ex-junior minister Damien English is in a battle with Meath County Council – which has served an enforcement notice on her and her husband for unlawfully building a “lodge” on their property without planning permission. 

A third agreement: Agrios had developer increase planning appeal package by €26,000

Fine Gael’s Marian Agrios entered into another agreement – separate from the two already reported by The Ditch – that compelled a property developer to increase a more than €100,000 package she got to withdraw a planning appeal.

Irish Freedom Party candidate runs converted office Airbnb under fake name for almost €1,000 a week

An Irish Freedom Party European candidate uses a fake name to run a rent pressure zone Airbnb in a converted office space for almost €1,000 a week.

Military cargo plane carrying US general landed in Shannon on way to Israel, wasn’t searched

A US general onboard a military cargo plane that’s frequently used to transport munitions stopped in Shannon Airport last month on his way to Israel – but Irish authorities didn’t search the aircraft for weaponry.  

Fine Gael candidate withdrew planning appeal after signing agreement for work worth €100,000

Fine Gael local election candidate Marian Agrios withdrew a planning appeal after signing an agreement for more than €100,000 worth of work to her house.

Fine Gael candidate got €15,000 to withdraw planning objection

A Fine Gael local election candidate had a developer pay her €15,000 and carry out €15,000 worth of work to her house so she would withdraw her objection to a housing development in county Louth.

Fianna Fáil election candidate allegedly ‘coerced’ elderly man to make will

A Fianna Fáil local election candidate allegedly befriended an elderly man with mental issues and later encouraged him to execute a new will.