Comment: The trouble with Experts

Years before my job with The Ditch, I worked freelance for Irish and British magazines. The subjects I was assigned were often interesting, but putting together articles could be  mechanical.

Jim O'Callaghan embarrasses himself with long-revoked laws in 'anti-democratic and authoritarian' legislation

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan’s department has embarrassingly included three long-rescinded laws in its  “anti-democratic and authoritarian” new Civil Reform Bill.

Making antisemitism claims, Martin and Harris cite organisation accused of serious academic failures

Claiming antisemitism is a serious problem in Ireland, Micheál Martin and Simon Harris cited the work of an organisation accused of serious factual distortions.

Irish company insures Israeli combat jet shipments

An Irish insurance company that insured a ship so it could deliver munitions to Israel last month also covers Maersk vessels carrying vital parts for F-35 combat jets used by Israeli forces to drop bombs on Gaza.

Bord Bia paid €135,000 to company directed by chairman Larry Murrin and owned by his wife

State agency Bord Bia last year paid more than €135,000 for “food costs” to a catering company directed by under-fire chairman Larry Murrin and owned by his wife.

Two weapons manufacturers sponsoring Michael McGrath speaking event

Two multi-billion-euro weapons manufacturers are sponsoring a speaking event with EU commissioner for democracy, justice and rule of law Michael McGrath.

Girl had difficulty walking after crash caused by dangerous driving TD Michael Cahill

Make a one-time donation to The Ditch Fianna Fáil TD Michael Cahill – convicted last week of dangerous driving – was previously found liable by a court for causing a crash that left a young girl with “difficulty learning to walk”.    He was ordered to pay £6,000 compensation to the

Comment: The true nature of the Irish-US relationship can't be denied

There’s a revisionist Irish history that goes like this. 

Internal Defence Forces document linked defence spending to attracting foreign direct investment

An internal Defence Forces document said one of the main reasons for Irish defence spending is maintaining foreign direct investment – and an Irish Examiner article used the document’s language, almost word for word, to argue for expanding the Irish military.

Judge criticised by cyclists had decision quashed for unfairness – interrupted barrister 2,000+ times

The judge who this week claimed cyclists had “become a nightmare” previously had a judgment quashed by the High Court because he interrupted a barrister more than 2,000 times in the trial.

Irish company insuring Israeli weapons ship

An Irish company insured a ship so it could deliver 440 tonnes of munitions to Israel last month. 

British Army colonel who took part in northern occupation appointed to Irish state body

The Department of Defence recruited a British Army colonel – who served in the occupation of the north of Ireland and invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan – to advise a state body tasked with reforming the Irish Defence Forces.