Some are using the feeling of anger in Ireland to drag the standards of decency and legitimate protest down. It must stop, writes Michael Clifford 

Michael Lowry’s ‘fine girl you are’ note to Enda Kenny in reference to Valerie O’Reilly shows that political patronage is as central to governing as it ever was, writes Michael Clifford

The publication of the penalty points report earlier today is major step forward in tackling the ’nod and wink’ culture that persists among some in the Gardai ranks, suggests Michael Clifford.

Anna Bubula came to Ireland to start a new life but claims she was raped and sexually assaulted while being held against her will. A Garda investigation has been launched into a failure to properly investigate the matter, writes Michael Clifford. Here is Anna's story.

I FIRST met a Protestant when I was 12. My family had moved that year to a town where there were a number of them. There were rumoured to be a few in my hometown, as well, down in the “deep south”, but nobody my age.

A gay Taoiseach would be no big deal with many in Fine Gael. But a candid leader who tells it like it is might still be beyond their comprehension, writes Michael Clifford

HOW do you solve a problem like Charlie? Not easily, if the dramatisation of Charlie Haughey’s life that has been showing for the last two Sundays is anything to go by.

There was one light moment at the Oireachtas banking inquiry in an otherwise depressing trawl through Ireland in the dark months of autumn 2008.

I used to work in a bunker. At least, that’s how it felt.

The year ahead is going to be an exciting one in politics. There will be upheaval. There will be blood. The old order is rapidly changing, with apologies to Mr Zimmerman.