Category: Irish Politics
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The John O'Donoghue files (Part 5 – Hat at Ascot)
It’s late June 2006. Mr O’Donoghue, his wife and his private secretary make their way to London for Royal Ascot. Highlights include: Stay in the 5-star Hayfield Manor Hotel in Cork, before departing for Cork Airport. Fly to RAF Farnborough from Cork airport, on a private Beechcraft jet. Stay at the Pennyhill Park Hotel Go…
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The Anglo 10 named
Via the Sunday Times business section: 1. Gerry Gannon, owner of the k-club. (Profile) 2. Joe O’Reilly, developer. 3. Seamus Ross, developer. (Profile) 4. Jerry Conlan, healthcare. (Profile) 5. John McCabe, builder. (Website) 6. Patrick Kearney, developer. (Not sure which P Kearney this is) 7. Paddy McKillen, investor. (SBP profile) 8. Brian O’Farrell, developer and…
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Mr Gallagher responds
In all its glory, from Mark Tighe: O’Donoghue’s use of Gallagher’s company was highlighted last week by Gavin Sheridan, a blogger. “He has this dressed up like we’re something out of The Sopranos,” said Gallagher. “My father was a Fianna Fail TD, so what? I have to earn a living. Are you not allowed to…
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The John O'Donoghue files (Part 4 – London in Nov)
It’s November 2006, and a two day jaunt for the Minister and his private secretary to London. Highlights include: Cabinet meeting in Dublin (breakfast included) Flight to London (VIP at Dublin airport) Travel Channel interview Overnight in London Hilton Back to Dublin – FAI event Meet Ossie Kilkenny in Leinster House. Lon01 Lon02 Lon03 Lon04…
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The John O'Donoghue files (Part 3 – Berlin)
It’s July 2006 and John O’Donoghue goes to Berlin. Kate Ann O’Donoghue goes too. Over €2000 is spent on hotels, and another €377 on VIP services at the airport, and nearly €2,500 on limousines. They were in Berlin from July 7 to July 11. Berlin 01 Berlin 02 Berlin 03 Berlin 04 Berlin 05 Berlin…
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The JOD car hire firm
So two days into the publication of details online, and the crowd are already asking some very interesting questions. First on the list is Cartel. Cartel are listed on the expenses documents as having provided car hire services to the Minister and his entourage. The figures involved are rather startling. We are talking about five…
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The John O'Donoghue files (Part 2 – Birmingham/London)
Next up is the O’Donoghue trip to Birmingham via Manchester and London. More costs included: Almost €10,000 on car hire from Cartel (yes that’s what the company is called, owned by Mayo man Terence (Terry) Gallagher, see this thread). Another highlight was a late dinner with JP McManus. I should note that I am scanning…
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The John O'Donoghue files (Part 1 – India)
The lowdown: The minister goes to India with his wife, and his private secretary in 2006. Journalist for the Turbine, Ken Foxe, FOId the details of expenses, and the story broke a few weeks ago. I requested all the documents released to Mr Foxe, and have begun the process of scanning all of them. Part…
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Follow up
I’d like to thank everyone for their feedback on the previous post, notably Justinf for his thoughtful remarks and suggestions. I will write a more detailed follow up shortly.
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What is wrong with Ireland?
This will be a long post, so stay with me if you can: Countries are in a desperate economic situation for one simple reason—the powerful elites within them overreached in good times and took too many risks. Emerging-market governments and their private-sector allies commonly form a tight-knit—and, most of the time, genteel—oligarchy, running the country…