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Investigates

    InvestigatesTraining AI
    Asked to think like a paedophile or act suicidal: Workers training Meta's AI in Ireland speak out
    Content moderators say the work they carry out is increasingly psychologically distressing because of the advent of AI
    One worker self-harmed in real life after spending entire shifts writing first-person suicide-related prompts
    Workers recount horrifying videos they have reviewed as part of their day jobs
    Benefits such as free meals - which contract workers say made the workday more bearable - have been removed
    Eimer McAuley
    3 Jul
    37.0k
    InvestigatesNAS Complaints
    ‘I won’t work alone with certain colleagues’: Female paramedics break silence on 'toxic' culture
    Staff told The Journal Investigates they feel that there is an ‘unsafe culture’ within the National Ambulance Service.
    A total of 85 complaints raised by NAS staff in five years
    Gardaí investigating allegations involving female staff
    Union calls for independent investigation into ‘toxic’ culture
    Patricia Devlin
    Updated 2 Jul
    46.4k
    InvestigatesLaughing Gas
    Nitrous oxide canisters littering streets and parks 'sparking curiosity' in children
    Experts say the are ‘everywhere’. What should you do if you find one?
    25 Jun
    10.2k
    24
    InvestigatesLaughing Gas
    ‘Devastating’ nitrous oxide available to buy on popular Irish websites
    Our investigative team found the psychedelic drug on Amazon and classified sites.
    Canisters marketed online ‘to fuel nights you’ll never forget’
    Misuse can lead to severe burns, paralysis or suffocation
    Drug remains in a legal grey area despite calls for regulation
    Conor O'Carroll
    25 Jun
    15.3k
    36
    InvestigatesData Centres
    Where are all the data centres and why should you care?
    We mapped, for the first time, all operating and planned data centres in Ireland.
    The Journal Investigates examined over 25 years of planning records to pinpoint the location of data centres
    Our interactive map allows you to explore Ireland’s 89 data centres as well as another 40 in development
    Conor O'Carroll
    13 hrs ago
    20.8k
    InvestigatesImpact
    Notable Award Wins
    With your support, we get results that deliver impact.
    Updated 1 Jun
    322
    podcast image
    PodcastThe Explainer
    Why is Ireland still culling badgers to stop TB?
    16m
    Investigatesfarm inspections
    Majority of councils miss farm inspection targets vital for water protection
    The Journal Investigates found a significant level of non-compliance in the first year of farm slurry inspection targets set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
    Seven councils completed less than 50% of their target inspections
    Results described as “extremely worrying” for water quality
    Local authorities struggling to fill inspector positions despite government funding
    Conor O'Carroll
    28 May
    8.8k
    43
    InvestigatesBadger cull
    Over 80% of badgers culled in government TB programme found to be free from the disease
    More than 8,000 badgers destroyed by DAFM in a nation-wide crackdown to eradicate bovine tuberculosis were found to be infection free following post-mortems.
    Over 66,000 badgers culled in last 10 years
    Concerns over ‘barbaric’ traps used to snare protected species
    Over 4,000 foxes mistakenly snared in government-issued traps
    Patricia Devlin
    21 May
    23.6k
    75
    InvestigatesTB crisis
    ‘It’s the next worst thing to losing a family member’: The toll of Ireland’s bovine TB crisis
    As TB numbers continue to rise across Irish farms, The Journal Investigates speaks to those in the farming community carrying the huge financial and emotional loss.
    Patricia Devlin
    20 May
    13.3k
    17
    Investigatesdeportation flights
    What role do Irish companies have in the US deportation industry?
    The Journal Investigates found airlines who run flights for ICE have links to several aircraft leasing companies in Ireland.
    Ireland is a major worldwide hub for aircraft leasing
    Two Irish companies leasing planes to Avelo and GlobalX airlines
    Government has supported the Irish leasing industry through millions in investments
    Conor O'Carroll
    16 May
    23.5k
    InvestigatesImpact
    The Journal Investigates work on exposing data centre emissions shortlisted for global award
    12 May
    7.4k
    33
    InvestigatesTransgender healthcare
    Transgender people moving to Ireland put on long waitlist for vital healthcare until assessed
    The Journal Investigates spoke to transgender people who moved to Ireland and couldn’t continue the care they received abroad
    Transgender people can’t continue their hormone treatment in a timely manner
    National Gender Service significantly delaying people from accessing vital healthcare
    People also discouraged from seeking healthcare in the UK
    Conor O'Carroll
    2 May
    10.0k
    InvestigatesTransgender healthcare
    Transgender people turning to DIY-healthcare due to lack of trust in National Gender Service
    The Journal Investigates heard from transgender people pushed into accessing healthcare outside the official channels
    Transgender people are purchasing HRT drugs through online sources
    Waitlist and the types of questions being asked leading to a lack of trust in NGS
    Some GPs advised by NGS that they do not recommend blood tests for transgender people
    Conor O'Carroll
    1 May
    14.5k
    InvestigatesTransgender healthcare
    ‘It left me traumatised’: The barriers to accessing transgender healthcare in Ireland
    The HSE has admitted that transgender healthcare is ‘limited’ and is ‘not meeting people’s full range of needs’.
    Numerous people speak out about traumatic experiences of accessing trans healthcare
    Trans people report being asked about pornography and their sex lives
    Long wait times adding to problems with National Gender Service
    Conor O'Carroll
    30 Apr
    19.9k
    InvestigatesSeagrass
    Robbing a bank when no one’s looking: The most important place on Earth you've never heard of
    Saya de Malha Bank is among the world’s largest seagrass fields and the planet’s most important carbon sinks.
    27 Apr
    8.5k
    Investigateselectric buses
    'Teething problems' such as insufficient heating prevalent in electric bus rollout
    19 Apr
    17.8k
    55
    InvestigatesPlanning Submissions
    Series of unusual planning objections to vet practices uncovered in Dublin, Meath and Kildare
    “I came as close as I’ve ever come to having a nervous breakdown,” one vet said about the planning objections.
    The Journal Investigates reveals that possibly unfounded objections led to financial losses and delayed businesses from opening
    Objections were submitted by people living hundreds of kilometres away
    Locations were masked by some who used mailbox addresses
    Conor O'Carroll
    19 Apr
    46.0k
    56
    podcast image
    PodcastThe Explainer
    Is porn driving a rise in youth sexual violence?
    18m
    Investigatesrestricting pornography
    Almost all youths accused of sexual crimes rejected from gardaí intervention programme
    92% of 12-18 year olds accused of sex crimes were found unsuitable for prosecution alternative.
    Over 300 over youths investigated by gardaí for sex crimes
    Experts warn online porn access influencing criminal behaviour in children
    Government urged to pass stricter legislation to combat harm
    Patricia Devlin
    17 Apr
    22.1k
    Investigatesonline pornography
    Surge in children receiving treatment for sexually harmful and abusive behaviour
    Referrals to a Tusla-led intervention programme have increased so much it has rolled out more services around Ireland.
    Tusla sees a 40% increase in demand for child intervention services
    Government urged to act as ‘younger and younger’ children exposed to X-rated content
    Legislative action needed urgently to tackle harmful content
    Patricia Devlin
    16 Apr
    20.7k
    InvestigatesExporting Abortion
    'I'll never forgive my country': Women on the trauma of having to travel to UK for terminations
    “We brought our baby’s body back in our carry-on luggage, surrounded by frozen vegetables,” one woman told us.
    Women can have abortions in Ireland for any reason up to 12 weeks gestation
    Many still travel abroad to access abortion services for a variety of reasons
    Some struggled to book appointments and bring their baby's remains home
    9 Apr
    16.0k
    RELATED
    'The most vulnerable are still being exported': Why and how women have to travel for abortions
    8 Apr
    Over 5,000 women in Europe have to travel abroad for abortions each year
    7 Apr
    InvestigatesExporting Abortion
    'The most vulnerable are still being exported': Why and how women have to travel for abortions
    Hundreds of women travel from Ireland to the UK every year for terminations.
    8 Apr
    5.4k
    InvestigatesExporting Abortion
    Over 5,000 women in Europe have to travel abroad for abortions each year
    Legal, bureaucratic and social obstacles are still faced by women, even if they live in countries where abortion is legalised.
    At least 5,860 European women crossed borders for abortions in 2023
    Routes of travel are shaped by the countries’ abortion laws and geographic proximity
    The Netherlands — where termination is allowed up to 24 weeks — was the most frequent destination
    Órla Ryan & Maria Delaney
    7 Apr
    15.6k
    InvestigatesBirth Choice
    Labour room built for less medicalised births cost €100,000 but rarely used
    The suite in Sligo University Hospital is often called ‘the good sitting room’ by frustrated mothers and birth workers.
    The Suaimhneas Room is the only delivery suite in the hospital that complies with modern infrastructure guidelines
    Almost 40 women told The Journal Investigates about how this impacted them
    Midwife: 'They’re not facilitating what the women need'
    Adriana Casserly
    3 Apr
    20.3k
    18
    InvestigatesThe GP Crisis
    Opinion: 'Not only could he not get an appointment, he couldn't get a GP to take him on'
    Anonymous
    1 Apr
    15.4k
    36
    InvestigatesCork Floods
    Over €13m spent by OPW on controversial Cork flood defence scheme before construction begins
    A bitter public dispute and several redesigns have stalled progress and left the city susceptible to flooding.
    Total spent so far likely to be close to €17 million
    Final design still not decided by the OPW
    Construction not expected to begin until mid-2027
    Conor O'Carroll
    28 Mar
    22.4k
    58
    Investigatesyour stories
    ​Powering through and praying: Our readers' stories about the GP crisis in Ireland
    We asked our readers to share their experience of accessing family doctors across the country. Here’s what we heard back.
    Many were forced to resort to already overcrowded emergency departments
    This follows our investigation exposing a worsening crisis as a surge in population hasn't been matched with a proportional increase in GPs
    26 Mar
    18.7k
    63
    InvestigatesImpact
    The Journal and The Journal Investigates shortlisted for the Mary Raftery Prize
    Updated 24 Mar
    7.4k
    48
    InvestigatesThe GP Crisis
    Ireland already has some medical deserts - and it’s been getting worse
    A surge in population hasn’t been matched with an increase in GPs.
    Ireland is one of few EU countries where the patient load of GPs has grown
    The Journal Investigates reports that this is exacerbating the primary care crisis
    Expert: "Over a protracted period... the health of the population will be eroded"
    Maria Delaney
    18 Mar
    26.2k
    85
    Investigatesmuddied waters
    Thousands miss out on compensation from Irish Water complaints process
    Irish Water initially refused to say how many customers got compensation, saying it ‘could lead to an increase in the number of complaints’.
    The Journal Investigates reports that €30 can be claimed if plans to resolve issues aren't provided within certain timeframes
    People who complain through TDs and councillors aren't entitled to the payment
    But many who complain directly to Uisce Éireann say they get nowhere
    Mairead Maguire
    6 Mar
    33.6k
    36
    InvestigatesReduced School Days
    'Lack of supports' leads to more students given reduced school hours
    These ‘exceptional’ arrangements disproportionately affect Traveller and Roma children as well as students with special educational needs.
    The number of students moved to reduced school days has increased by over 20%
    Expert: "Very often, the reality is it’s suspension by another name."
    Maria Delaney
    2 Mar
    17.7k
    Investigatesoffshore wind
    Government to choose future offshore wind farm locations to 'protect biodiversity'
    Conor O'Carroll
    24 Feb
    10.5k
    59
    RELATED
    Calls for government to play greater role in offshore wind farm development
    21 Feb
    Who controls Ireland's offshore wind? Spoiler: Not Irish companies
    21 Feb
    Investigatesoffshore wind
    Who controls Ireland's offshore wind? Spoiler: Not Irish companies
    Big oil, governments and one of Europe’s largest polluters are among the developers of planned projects off our coast.
    Half of the offshore wind projects are backed by fossil fuel companies
    EU governments also investing in Irish wind
    Some investments labelled as ‘greenwashing’
    Conor O'Carroll
    21 Feb
    23.0k
    61
    Investigatesvaping
    Analysis: Irish vape users are being failed in the face of illegal products
    Maria Delaney
    9 Feb
    7.4k
    30
    PodcastThe Explainer
    What has a new investigation uncovered about vaping in Ireland?
    InvestigatesVape Lobby
    Tobacco company sent legal letters to Department of Health over vaping consultation
    PJ Carroll raised concerns over the scope and nature of the review which looked at stricter vaping regulations.
    Patricia Devlin
    5 Feb
    29.9k
    48
    InvestigatesSeized Vapes
    Over 64 tonnes of illegal vapes stopped from entering Irish market since 2023
    The significant seizures took place at Irish air and sea ports with retail experts blaming criminal gangs for the surge.
    Multiple enforcement actions taken by HSE
    Black and ‘grey’ market operating in Ireland
    Retailers want more action against criminal trade
    Patricia Devlin
    29 Jan
    12.8k
    38
    Investigatessmoke screen
    Undercover investigation reveals scale of Ireland's illicit vape market
    Over 80% of the shops visited by The Journal Investigates sold the team a disposable vape that breached regulations.
    Our investigative team went undercover and bought vapes across the capital
    Two products contained multiple times the legal amount of e-liquid
    Majority of vapes purchased by undercover team lacked proper health warnings
    Conor O'Carroll & Patricia Devlin
    27 Jan
    27.4k
    65
    InvestigatesSoil Invaders
    A love-hate relationship: Ireland’s rhododendron problem
    21 Jan
    21.0k
    39
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