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Gene Kerrigan: 'I'm sorry for you, it's no consolation, but you are not alone'

There was a man sitting in the middle of the courtroom, clutching a large notebook stuffed with loose sheets of paper. He was wearing a casual red jacket and an open-necked blue-striped shirt.

Gene Kerrigan: Government needs a dose of reality to go with arrogance

In decades to come, books will be written about last week. Not just about the depression that followed the 2008 crash -- enough happened just last week to fill a volume or two. Those books will say it was the week when the scale of the problem dawned on those we call world leaders. They may well say that happened too late.

Gene Kerrigan: Zombie-like arguments on fiscal treaty

The best thing about Michael Noonan is his voice. The way he keeps it low, the calmness, the absolute certainty it exudes. There are actors who would kill for a voice so convincing.

Gene Kerrigan: Rant at RTE but for the right reasons

You have to admit, we get great value from the TV licence, don't we? Not the programmes, good God, no. There's more bloody rubbish on the box these days than ever there was. However, paying my ¿160 a year gives me unconditional freedom to complain about any programme and every presenter. And to do so loudly, endlessly and with a pompous sense of self-righteousness.

Gene Kerrigan: Search for closure goes on three decades after priest's violent end

MOST of all it was a family tragedy. But it was also a mystery, with allegations of a cover-up. The mystery has never been resolved, so it became one of those stories that refuses to be filed away.

Gene Kerrigan: A country is flayed with contempt as European identity is shattered

HERE'S the number to remember when we talk about Greece: 2,109. And here's another, to keep things in perspective: 1,419. And here's a word that's supposed to mean something: solidarity.

Gene Kerrigan: Enda's mad transitions make no sense

LET'S open two official documents and see what they tell us. Then, let's consider the recent behaviour of the Taoiseach and some of his ministers.

Gene Kerrigan: Is your toilet half-empty, or half-full?

Let's explore the toilet arrangements of Mr Brendan Howlin TD. Mr Howlin is the Minister for Frowning Sternly at Waste of Public Money. The minister wakes up thinking of costs he must chop, he nods off to sleep muttering about spending he might slash. It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. A bit like this column -- who else will take on the job of peering closely at Mr Howlin's toilet arrangements?

Gene Kerrigan: As a journalist, it isn't in your job description to pick a side

The release of British state papers from 1981 has branded some journalists -- including me -- as IRA "sympathisers" back then. It's unsurprising that embassy diplomat PR Whiteway, drawing up his or her list 30 years ago, should imagine that Ed Moloney, Eamon McCann, Vincent Browne and I were Provo fellow travellers.

Gene Kerrigan: Our Christmas woes committed to tune

There are lots of great Christmas songs, but very occasionally, a song comes along that not only catches the Christmas spirit but somehow clicks with the mood of the times. Such songs use heightened seasonal sentiments to connect with the deeper emotions of the era. For instance, White Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Happy Xmas (War is Over), Fairytale of New York.

Gene Kerrigan: The sad truth is, Enda Kenny's a chicken

What's on tomorrow's political news agenda? Some minister may be exposed for spending over the odds for a hotel room on a visit to foreign parts. Some politician most of us don't care about will attack some politician we wish we'd never heard of.

Gene Kerrigan: Suddenly, everyone favours 'growth'

This is embarrassing on so many levels. Enda Kenny was revving up to full speed, poised to ram through his fiscal treaty referendum. Angela Merkel was happy.

Gene Kerrigan: One hundred reasons to dislike Big Phil

DID you notice the single most embarrassing fact in the 3,270 page Mahon report? It seems that no one bribes TDs. It's worth your while to bung a cabinet minister, or a lowly councillor.

Gene Kerrigan: Coalition cruising towards the farcical

THIS week, at no extra charge, we bring you right to the heart of the tiresome debate about the notorious Austerity Treaty -- and how it relates to the ups and downs of Tom Cruise's movie career. Beyond that, we'll consider what the punishing years of economic crisis have done to democracy.

Gene Kerrigan: For both sides, the kicks keep coming. . .

A QUESTION. Have the citizens of this befuddled little nation become so used to bowing the knee that there's nothing they won't let these people get away with? So far, an impartial observer might answer, yeah, probably.

Gene Kerrigan: With one leap, Noonan turns into our very own Clooney

WHAT an achievement! And what timing! They said it couldn't be done. But Michael Noonan -- what a guy! The charmer weaved his magic and the European Central Bank -- well, things got a little steamy, apparently.

Gene Kerrigan: Mr Cowen goes to Washington and rewrites history

TWICE in recent weeks, Brian Cowen came out of seclusion. The first time, at the Fianna Fail Ard Fheis, he got a standing ovation. He responded with what looked like gratitude and perhaps a little disbelief.

Gene Kerrigan: Judges didn't cop out in report -- but the rest of us did

Some of us were half-expecting a cop-out, but Judges Alan Mahon, Mary Faherty and Gerald Keys followed the logic of the evidence. The Planning tribunal has done its job. Will the DPP's office, the police and the Revenue now do theirs?

Gene Kerrigan: We are voting with a gun to our heads

The Taoiseach seems a nice guy, very pleasant, full of enthusiasm, but ... well, last week two disturbing matters surfaced. The first was petty but significant. The second very serious. What kind of leadership do we have in this period of extreme danger?

Gene Kerrigan: Enda just wants us to smile politely as cash is carted off

Let's imagine there's a small town supermarket being robbed. Two thugs with shotguns have cleaned out the cash registers and now they're forcing the cashiers to empty their purses and wallets.

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Dublin Sightseeing Reaches New Heights

Ireland’s most iconic venue, Croke Park Stadium, announced the opening of the much anticipated Etihad Skyline tour on the roof of the historic ground. Sponsored by Etihad Airways and opening to the public on Friday 1st June, the tour offers access to a unique Croke Park rooftop walkway and spectacular panoramic views of Dublin city.

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McAreavey suspect accuses police

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 30, confessed to police about his involvement in strangling Michaela McAreavey, but now insists he was forced to sign the statement.Treebhoowoon and co-accused Sandip Moneea, 42, deny murdering the 27-year-old teacher on her honeymoon at the Legends Hotel.

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