Columns - Irish Examiner

Mick Clifford

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

International man of mystery Bob Dylan could be coaxed in guise of a gig

The Nobel Prize for Literature requires the delivery of a lecture within six months of receiving it. Perhaps the organisers could book Bob Dylan for ‘the gig’ and kill two birds with one stone, writes Michael Clifford

Fri, 18 Nov, 2016

Martin Conmey walks the long, hard road to justice

The State has finally apologised to Martin Conmey, who, in 1973, was convicted of killing a woman. Michael Clifford reports on the wrongs of the case against him.

Wed, 16 Nov, 2016

Ireland is no country for populist strongmen

COULD it happen here? One day soon, could this country succumb to a strongman populist leader flogging snake oil as an antidote to anger and disillusion, asks Michael Clifford.

Sat, 12 Nov, 2016

Better late than never for vindicated Alan Shatter

The Guerin report essentially led to the downfall of Alan Shatter. He has never accepted the report and was yesterday backed by the Court of Appeal, writes Michael Clifford

Fri, 11 Nov, 2016