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.

Irish pro-militarisation group counts international arms manufacturers as members

An Irish pro-militarisation group lobbying government to increase state participation in the arms trade has finally admitted to having two international arms manufacturers among its members. 

Comment: Common sense politics are responsible for the crises we face

The economic and social right have a convenient explanation why our institutions are rapidly deteriorating – a lack of common sense.

Quanta Capital boss 'deeply sorry' for role in abduction

The CEO of a company that owns an illegally built estate being used to house asylum seekers says he is “deeply sorry” for his role in abducting and beating a young man.

Fianna Fáil candidate lied about conviction and planning breaches

A Fianna Fáil election candidate with a criminal conviction and enforcement action for breaching planning law tried to claim to The Ditch these issues concern a different person with the same name. Shane McGuinness denied he’s being pursued by Louth County Council for illegally converting a garage into a