Everybody knew that the famous sports figure had abused the child. Everybody knew he was the man at the centre of the X case, in which a 14-year-old girl was initially stopped from travelling to the UK for an abortion in 1992.

Danny Healy Rae is merely articulating what many rural politicians say in private. They hide behind his colour and give thanks that he’s willing to go out and hurl for the cause, writes Michael Clifford

My hopes and dreams were wrapped up in the prospect of bringing my son to the big game in the bright, new shining Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The County Board put paid to that, writes Michael Clifford.

Paul Murphy has been the poster boy for the water charge protest, which has seen main parties twist in the wind for two years, writes Michael Clifford.

Leo Varadkar’s first visit to London as Taoiseach was an occasion on which to show authority, writes Michael Clifford

We just knew that the best interests of the operation of the gardaí would conflate with those of Lord Ross, writes Michael Clifford.

A regulator could ensure that development plans complied with best planning practice, writes Michael Clifford.

The prosecution of Sean Fitzpatrick bore many elements of a stitch-up, writes Michael Clifford. 

He was still a coach, still getting into a player’s head, determining who needed cajoling, who would be incentivised by reward, all to elicit a better account of themselves, writes Michael Clifford

Changes in the force have been at a snail’s pace, and met with a degree of resistance from members that is more associated with children, writes Michael Clifford