John Lee

Dec 15, 2024 | extra.ie | John Lee

A coalition between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Regional Independents is all but a done deal – and will be sealed by a seat at the Cabinet table for an Independent, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal. Sources in the outgoing Cabinet and among the group of Independents last night confirmed a senior ministry will be granted to one of the nine non-party TDs in return for the bloc’s support with the most likely department being the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Dec 8, 2024 | extra.ie | John Lee

Helen McEntee’s controversy-plagued tenure as Minister for Justice appears to be coming to an end as Fine Gael do not regard ceding the portfolio to Fianna Fáil as a ‘red line issue’ in coalition formation talks, Extra.ie has learned. But in what could also be a surprise U-turn for Fianna Fáil, both coalition partners would be prepared to give the crucial portfolio to Ivana Bacik if the Labour leader agrees to join the next government.

Dec 8, 2024 | extra.ie | John Lee

Disgraced rugby hero Brendan Mullin has been sent to the open prison Shelton Abbey despite being sentenced to three years in prison for stealing €570,000 from a bank, Extra.ie can reveal. The decision to send the convict to the ‘low security’ prison to serve his term has caused ‘great resentment’ among his fellow inmates, according to sources at the facility. Sources also said the former rugby international’s attitude with inmates has heightened tensions.

Dec 1, 2024 | extra.ie | John Lee

Fianna  Fáil and Fine Gael are on track to form a new coalition in Election 2024 without the support of a third party, it emerged last night. Despite an exit poll putting Micheál Martin’s party in third place behind Sinn Féin and Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil will be the largest party in the next Dáil and is expected to secure between 45 and 49 seats when all the votes are counted. Fine Gael, meanwhile, is on track to capture between 37 and 41 seats.

Nov 25, 2024 | extra.ie | John Lee

LISTEN: From Bomb to Ballot: The History of Sinn Féin – available wherever you get your podcastsSinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has said she will not stand down as leader of her party if she fails to lead them into government after next Friday’s polling day. Despite a rough political year that has already seen her party crash in local elections, plunge in opinion polls and be mired in scandals, Ms McDonald, 55, has vowed to plough on.