Controversy and the race for the Áras, have long gone hand in hand. 
 
We’ve had sackings and ‘smear campaigns’, live TV moments and very costly tweets,  
and even one controversy that played out in the Indo Daily’s own studio, as Peter Casey joined our own Kevin Doyle for a dramatic podcast interview.  
 
In short, very few Irish presidential races have escaped a scandal or two,  

Stay in the know, on the go. The Indo Daily brings you in-depth, 20 minute stories that fit into your day.

Heard the news? The Indo Daily takes you beyond t…

The Indo Daily

6 other controversies that rocked Áras bids: Costly tweets, clemency letters and ‘smear campaigns’ 

Tommy Fleming has for decades been a star of international acclaim. The Sligo singer has played to sold out crowds, toured with Phil Coulter, and enjoyed much of his success with his wife Tina by his side. 

Tommy called Tina the “most decent and loving” person he knew, while Tina said her relationship with him was “special and fulfilling”. But last year, the cracks in their life together started to show. 
Details of their separation, of Tommy’s affairs and drug use, of his “living a lie”, have been aired in a leaked phone call recording and explosive interviews from both Tommy and Tina. 
Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Darragh Nolan, multimedia reporter with the Irish Independent, to look at the full story of Tommy Fleming. 
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism. 

The very public break up of Tommy Flemming and Tina Mitchell 

Carrie Jade Williams. Sadie Harris. Lucy Fitzwilliams. Jade Cookes. Samantha Black. Rebecca Fitzgerald.

­

These are just some of the fabricated identities used by serial con artist Samantha Cookes.

­

In 2024, her Walter Mitty-style life finally collapsed as online communities, journalists and a WhatsApp group of victims cross-referenced the inconsistencies in her story, joining the dots that authorities had missed.

­

In March 2025, Samantha Cookes was jailed for three years for deception and theft.

­

Yet her story keeps getting fresh chapters.

­

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Alan Bradley, documentary filmmaker and author of new book Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster, to discuss the breadth and the impact of an incredible deception.

­

We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism

Carrie Jade Williams. Sadie Harris. Lucy Fitzwilliams. Jade Cookes. Samantha Black. Rebecca Fitzgerald.
­
These are just some of the fabricated identities used by serial con artist Samantha Cookes.
­
In 2024, her Walter Mitty-style life finally collapsed as online communities, journalists and a WhatsApp group of victims cross-referenced the inconsistencies in her story, joining the dots that authorities had missed.
­
In March 2025, Samantha Cookes was jailed for three years for deception and theft.
­
Yet her story keeps getting fresh chapters.
­
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Katie Byrne is joined by Alan Bradley, documentary filmmaker and author of new book Unmasking Samantha Cookes: The Many Lives of a Serial Fraudster, to discuss the breadth and the impact of an incredible deception.
­
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://independent.ie/ourjournalism">independent.ie/ourjournalism</a>

The many masks of serial con artist Samantha Cookes

A woman in her 50s, who has been arrested by gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin, was known to the young boy and has had multiple previous interactions with gardaí about his disappearance.




Gardaí said in a statement that the woman was arrested on Monday morning and a new search was underway at a house in Drogheda.




She is the third suspect to be arrested in the case of the young boy who would have celebrated his 10th birthday earlier this month.




Today on this Indo Daily Extra, Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent News and Security Correspondent Robin Schiller for the latest.




We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism.

A woman in her 50s, who has been arrested by gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Kyran Durnin, was known to the young boy and has had multiple previous interactions with gardaí about his disappearance.
 
Gardaí said in a statement that the woman was arrested on Monday morning and a new search was underway at a house in Drogheda.
 
She is the third suspect to be arrested in the case of the young boy who would have celebrated his 10th birthday earlier this month.
 
Today on this Indo Daily Extra, Kevin Doyle is joined by Irish Independent News and Security Correspondent Robin Schiller for the latest.
 
We want to earn your trust and are members of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at <a href="https://www.independent.ie/service/our-journalism/a/98708550.html">independent.ie/ourjournalism.</a>

6 other controversies that rocked Áras bids: Costly tweets, clemency letters and ‘smear campaigns’

In 1 playlist(s)

The Indo Daily

Social links

Recent clips