Columns - Irish Examiner

Mick Clifford

Looking away is a betrayal of who we are

In today’s world of instant and global communication we can’t pretend that we don’t really know what’s going on when crimes against humanity are being committed just a click away, writes Michael Clifford

Sat, 17 Dec, 2016

Breaches of trust killing social contract

Whither the social contract between citizens and their governors? asks Michael Clifford

Sat, 10 Dec, 2016

If Government sacrifices truth for Garda top brass scandals will be repeated

Fine Gael have seen a minister and commissioner resign on its watch. Is that why it’s so disinclined to get to the bottom of the Garda whistleblower scandal, asks Michael Clifford

Fri, 09 Dec, 2016

Time to address the real problems if we are serious about fighting crime

Electronic tagging for people out on bail is nothing new. It’s this week’s mandatory minimum sentences — remember them, writes Michael Clifford

Thu, 08 Dec, 2016

With record numbers sleeping rough our priorities are skewed again by water charges

WHAT matter that a record number of people are sleeping rough as temperatures dip below zero — once we’re not doomed to pay water charges, writes Michael Clifford

Sat, 03 Dec, 2016

Denis O'Brien case is a big deal in terms of the functioning of our democracy

Big themes were explored yesterday in the High Court action Denis O’Brien is taking against the Oireachtas. 

Fri, 02 Dec, 2016

Bertie Ahern is the comeback kid in perfect time

Journalist of the year Michael Clifford takes a sideways look at the return of Bertie Ahern to the Fianna Fáil fold

Thu, 01 Dec, 2016

Pious condolences to Cuba for death of a dictator are entirely misplaced

President Higgins revealed his own prejudices in speaking on behalf of the Irish people, and succumbed to the prefectly crafted image projected by the dictator, writes Michael Clifford

Tue, 29 Nov, 2016

Whistleblowers: Secret heroes of transparency

Michael Clifford says we were late to the party when it came to protecting workers who reveal information. But now the law is there it is stronger than in many countries

Mon, 21 Nov, 2016

Indifference of State toward children with special needs an affront to ‘Republic’

Even for those who promote the balance sheet of an economy over the values of society, the whole thing is little short of stupid, writes Michael Clifford

Sat, 19 Nov, 2016