DESCRIPTION: Maria Bailey's fall from grace was harder than any fall from a swing. Five years ago the former Fine Gael TD went from a relatively unknown backbencher to political infamy. We revisit 'Swing-Gate' and go behind the story that the Irish Independent broke in 2019 with Kevin Doyle.  

This podcast was originally published in May 2024. 

Host: Tabitha Monahan Guest: Kevin Doyle 

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

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Downfall: Swing-gate’ scandal – How Maria Bailey fell from political favour 

Jeffrey Donaldson was doing paid work for the ministry of defence in Africa even as acute political turmoil was engulfing his party at home in Northern Ireland.

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Why was the then DUP leader undertaking sensitive work in dictator-led Cameroon just a week after he himself collapsed Stormont in 2022? Why was he helping sell arms in Egypt alongside a British general?

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Why did a special forces officer say he’d worked with Donaldson before?

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Profound political questions remain over who all the now convicted paedophile was working for – alongside concerns about whether he had access to children in developing countries.

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Host: Ciaran Dunbar

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Guest: Sam McBride

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This episode of The Indo Daily is brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel.

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

Jeffrey Donaldson was doing paid work for the ministry of defence in Africa even as acute political turmoil was engulfing his party at home in Northern Ireland.
­
Why was the then DUP leader undertaking sensitive work in dictator-led Cameroon just a week after he himself collapsed Stormont in 2022? Why was he helping sell arms in Egypt alongside a British general?
­
Why did a special forces officer say he’d worked with Donaldson before?
­
Profound political questions remain over who all the now convicted paedophile was working for – alongside concerns about whether he had access to children in developing countries.
­
Host: Ciaran Dunbar
­
Guest: Sam McBride
­
This episode of The Indo Daily is brought to you by our sister podcast The BelTel.
­
The Indo Daily is part 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>

What was Jeffrey Donaldson doing in Africa? Examining his international double life

Incidents of violent drug-debt intimidation are rising in Ireland – and the methods are becoming more concerning and elaborate.

Brutal enforcers are now using 'disappearing' video technology on social media platforms to capture and distribute graphic footage of torture.

The targeted aggression goes beyond those allegedly in arrears, with innocent friends and family members increasingly caught up in the cruel crossfire.

What are the gardaí doing about it?

Is there a class issue at play?

And what about the incidents we're not hearing about?

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent Southern Correspondent Ralph Riegel to examine a terrifying new trend in Ireland's underworld.

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

­

Incidents of violent drug-debt intimidation are rising in Ireland – and the methods are becoming more concerning and elaborate.
Brutal enforcers are now using 'disappearing' video technology on social media platforms to capture and distribute graphic footage of torture.
The targeted aggression goes beyond those allegedly in arrears, with innocent friends and family members increasingly caught up in the cruel crossfire.
What are the gardaí doing about it?
Is there a class issue at play?
And what about the incidents we're not hearing about?
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent Southern Correspondent Ralph Riegel to examine a terrifying new trend in Ireland's underworld.
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism
­

How torture videos are escalating drug debt intimidation in Ireland   

The grand vision was to create a modern metropolis to rival London, Paris or Madrid.   

  

But as the Celtic Tiger roared, Dublin's Docklands became emblematic of property speculation, unchecked largesse and broken promises.   

  

The transformation is celebrated as a triumph of regeneration.  

  

But it also sparked battles over planning, politics and public money.   

  

On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent news correspondent Conor Feehan to explore how a neglected stretch of Dublin's waterfront became a model of urban renewal and a symbol of what happens when fortune-building is prioritised over building a community.    

  

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

 

The grand vision was to create a modern metropolis to rival London, Paris or Madrid. &nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
But as the Celtic Tiger roared, Dublin's Docklands became emblematic of property speculation, unchecked largesse and broken promises. &nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
The transformation is celebrated as a triumph of regeneration. &nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
But it also sparked battles over planning, politics and public money. &nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
On this episode of The Indo Daily, host Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Irish Independent news correspondent Conor Feehan to explore how a neglected stretch of Dublin's waterfront became a model of urban renewal and a symbol of what happens when fortune-building is prioritised over building a community. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
The Indo Daily is part of the Trust Project. See our ethics policies at independent.ie/ourjournalism&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Downfall: Swing-gate’ scandal – How Maria Bailey fell from political favour

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