Michael Fingleton was one of the most controversial figures of the Celtic Tiger. As the longtime boss of Irish Nationwide, he oversaw reckless lending that ultimately left taxpayers with a €5.4 billion bill. But was he simply the face of a wider banking culture, or the true "baddie of the bailout"? Deputy Business Editor John Burns joins Dave Hanratty to examine the man behind one of Ireland's most infamous banking collapses.

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

Michael Fingleton was one of the most controversial figures of the Celtic Tiger. As the longtime boss of Irish Nationwide, he oversaw reckless lending that ultimately left taxpayers with a €5.4 billion bill. But was he simply the face of a wider banking culture, or the true "baddie of the bailout"? Deputy Business Editor John Burns joins Dave Hanratty to examine the man behind one of Ireland's most infamous banking collapses.
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>

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

'Baddie of the Bailout': How 'Fingers' Michael Fingleton built 'the world's worst bank'

It's been seven turbulent months since it was confirmed that the Republic of Ireland would face Israel in the Uefa Nations League.

What began as a football fixture has since become one of the most divisive and politically charged moments in Irish sporting history.

Since the draw was announced in February, protests, campaigns and fierce public debate have intensified, with pressure mounting on all sides.

Just days ago, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson sparked anger in Israel after saying his team would not be playing "with genocide, but against genocide" when the sides meet in Hungary on Sunday.

The controversy has also reached the players themselves as protesters gathered outside the squad's training base in Castleknock this week, urging the team not to fulfil the fixture.

Despite the growing scrutiny, the match is set to go ahead, albeit with a significantly scaled-back television broadcast.

So, have the Ireland players been placed in an impossible position?

And what can supporters expect when the teams finally take to the pitch?

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

­

It's been seven turbulent months since it was confirmed that the Republic of Ireland would face Israel in the Uefa Nations League.
What began as a football fixture has since become one of the most divisive and politically charged moments in Irish sporting history.
Since the draw was announced in February, protests, campaigns and fierce public debate have intensified, with pressure mounting on all sides.
Just days ago, Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson sparked anger in Israel after saying his team would not be playing "with genocide, but against genocide" when the sides meet in Hungary on Sunday.
The controversy has also reached the players themselves as protesters gathered outside the squad's training base in Castleknock this week, urging the team not to fulfil the fixture.
Despite the growing scrutiny, the match is set to go ahead, albeit with a significantly scaled-back television broadcast.
So, have the Ireland players been placed in an impossible position?
And what can supporters expect when the teams finally take to the pitch?
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>.
­

"It's not about football": Ireland, Israel and a game that can't be won

Cash, water, food, batteries and a wind-up radio - would you know what to do if a major emergency hit Ireland? 

The Government is sending its Be Emergency Ready booklet to two-million households as Russia intensifies its hybrid war against Europe. Are countries across the continent preparing their citizens for the worst? 

Today on the Indo Daily Kevin Doyle is joined by Donnacha Ó Beacháin, professor of politics at the School of Law and Government at DCU, and Conal Thomas, political correspondent with the Irish Independent, to ask whether Ireland is prepared for what could come next, while Donald Trump brings his own brand of unpredictability to the United Nations. 




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

Cash, water, food, batteries and a wind-up radio - would you know what to do if a major emergency hit Ireland?&nbsp;
The Government is sending its Be Emergency Ready booklet to two-million households as Russia intensifies its hybrid war against Europe. Are countries across the continent preparing their citizens for the worst?&nbsp;
Today on the Indo Daily Kevin Doyle is joined by Donnacha Ó Beacháin, professor of politics at the School of Law and Government at DCU, and Conal Thomas, political correspondent with the Irish Independent, to ask whether Ireland is prepared for what could come next, while Donald Trump brings his own brand of unpredictability to the United Nations.&nbsp;
 
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>.

War! Is Ireland ready? And will your emergency booklet save you? 

If you watched Louis Theroux’s documentary on the manosphere earlier this year, you should be familiar with a man by the name of Harrison Sullivan, or ‘HSTikkyTokky’ as he’s better known to his hundreds of thousands of online followers.  

Sullivan found himself in Dublin recently, hastily rescheduling a boxing event after his original choice of venue – the grounds of Dublin football club Bluebell United FC – abruptly cancelled the booking.  

Bluebell United has a long history, but recent events have placed it under a stark spotlight. In the past two years, the club has found itself linked to figures involved in drug dealing, debt judgements, an ownership switch and indeed – however briefly – the ever-controversial manosphere.  

 

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Crime World journalists Alan Sherry and Neil Fetherstonhaugh to look at the curious case of Bluebell United. 

 

The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism 

If you watched Louis Theroux’s documentary on the manosphere earlier this year, you should be familiar with a man by the name of Harrison Sullivan, or ‘HSTikkyTokky’ as he’s better known to his hundreds of thousands of online followers. &nbsp;
Sullivan found himself in Dublin recently, hastily rescheduling a boxing event after his original choice of venue – the grounds of Dublin football club Bluebell United FC – abruptly cancelled the booking. &nbsp;
Bluebell United has a long history, but recent events have placed it under a stark spotlight. In the past two years, the club has found itself linked to figures involved in drug dealing, debt judgements, an ownership switch and indeed – however briefly – the ever-controversial manosphere. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Crime World journalists Alan Sherry and Neil Fetherstonhaugh to look at the curious case of Bluebell United.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. You can see our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism&nbsp;

'Baddie of the Bailout': How 'Fingers' Michael Fingleton built 'the world's worst bank'

In 1 playlist(s)

The Indo Daily

Social links

Recent clips