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Fionnán Sheahan

Ireland Editor at Mediahuis. Fionnán writes news, analysis and comment on current affairs and politics for the Irish Independent and Independent.ie. He is a weekly columnist with the Irish Independent and a presenter of InFocus, the current affairs podcast from Independent.ie. A native of Thurles, Co Tipperary, Fionnán has won several awards for print and digital journalism from Newsbrands Ireland, the Law Society and the National Newspapers of Ireland, including National Journalist of the Year. Prior to his current role, Fionnán’s positions included Editor and Political Editor of the Irish Independent. He is a regular commentator on TV and radio.

The complaint by two female soldiers was hugely embarrassing for military top brass. Photo: Stock image

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Sexual assault, intolerance and cover-up culture rife in our Defence Forces, and how it’s still going on today

Wiping tears from her eyes, the female soldier sat upright and dignified in the witness box. Dressed in her full ceremonial uniform, she had told the impact on her life of being sexually assaulted by an army officer after a social function at a military barracks three years ago. The non-commissioned officer also described the effect of the subsequent trial and media publicity. She made no eye contact with her attacker during her five-minute appearance at the Military Justice Centre in McKee Barracks in Dublin. “That wasn’t easy,” the judge remarked, as she concluded.

The challenge remains for Sinn Féin's president Mary Lou McDonald to find credible coalition partners to form a government. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA

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Fionnán Sheahan Opinion Only coups, conflicts and clashes will put down Mary Lou McDonald's grand left coalition

The classic ‘Carry On’ movie line springs to mind when Richard Boyd Barrett gets going about “elites”: “Infamy...Infamy.....they’ve all got it in for me!” His latest wheeze is that he didn’t say a left-wing government would be overthrown by a coup, despite saying it. It’s become the narrative the “left” doesn’t want you to read – except it’s on page 20 of their own document.

Paschal Donohoe's craft is definitely at odds with the caricature of the politely inoffensive limelight shunner

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Fionnán Sheahan Opinion The most talented, most shrewd and most guileful of them all – but postergate proves Paschal Donohoe is far from Teflon

“Then the door opened quietly and the beaming face of Charlie Haughey appeared. ‘He’s the man. He’s the best, the most skilful, the most devious, and the most cunning of them all,’ pointing at [Bertie] Ahern. When Charlie Haughey left the room, Bertie Ahern looked at the three journalists resignedly and muttered, ‘God, that’s all I need’.”

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