Conor Gogarty

I'm very excited to have joined Proper Cardiff News as investigations editor. Proud to be working with some of the best journalists in Wales on a news service dedicated to our capital city.

Will Hayward - Wales Journo@willhaycardiff.bsky.social

Big announcement - a Cardiff specific news service. @propercardiffnews.bsky.social Full details in the video and you can subscribe in the comments. Bloody hell this is exciting (and terrifying).

walesonline.co.ukBrothers embroiled in scandal now revealed to have links with GP surgeriesThe pair previously co-ran a firm accused of making “obscene profits” at the expense of the NHS as medicine prices were hiked by up to 2,500%

Two brothers are the landlords of 13 GP surgeries in Wales. The same pair were embroiled in a scandal over massively inflated medicine prices. Now they've come to our attention for breaking rules on declaring property ownership. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

Another family court case in Wales A dad with narcissistic personality disorder traits has a history of physically and emotionally abusing his ex-wife and their children The mum applied for him to be barred from direct contact with the children...

... but a judge decided the dad could have fortnightly contact (supervised by a friend of the dad) This was despite a social worker recommending only indirect contact (e.g. by letter) to protect the children from "further emotional and psychological harm"

walesonline.co.ukDad who abused children is allowed to see them without professional supervisionThe man has traits of narcissistic personality disorder and a history of abusing his ex-wife and their children

The mum appealed But Court of Appeal said the judge was entitled to find it was in children's best interests to make the order However, the judge was found to have wrongly restricted the mum from making further applications to the court Full story www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

A bleak day in family court as a dad faced questions over his baby's severe leg break. He claimed he was moving her legs in a bicycle motion when he heard a “pop”. Experts say this fails to explain the “highly suspicious” injury During cross-examination the dad screamed...

walesonline.co.ukDad loses temper when questioned about his baby's broken legThe parents are fighting to keep custody of the baby as social workers say the child suffered a 'highly suspicious' injury

... abuse at the council barrister, calling her a “t**t” and a “tramp”. Texts showed he'd sent other men “vivid descriptions” of the mum's sexually transmitted infections and had made threats to post intimate images of her online. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukPrimary school teacher made his family's lives into a terrifying hellEven as his own life crumbled, Christopher Haynes maintained a chilling control over his shattered family

Very grateful to Karen for trusting me to tell such a painful story People thought she and her husband were the closest couple in the village. In reality she was restricted from going out without him The decades he spent controlling her are now over www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukPregnant mums 'not listened to' with tragic consequences'We continue to see cases where concerns raised by mothers are not acted upon,' said one lawyer in Wales

22 Sept

“We continue to see cases where concerns raised by mothers are not acted upon” www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukSerious failings in cancer care at Welsh health boardThe health board was found to have no clear improvement plan

18 Sept

Audit Wales report finds serious failings in cancer care at Aneurin Bevan health board www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukControversial firm has been under criminal investigation for nearly three yearsDavid Neal previously made headlines because of a large donation to the Welsh Labour leadership campaign of Vaughan Gething

16 Sept

A Welsh landfill site run by David Neal – the repeat environmental offender who infamously donated £200k to Vaughan Gething – has been under criminal investigation for almost three years. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukCarer arrested after dementia patient suffers alleged overdose'She could hardly walk or talk,' said the patient's daughter. 'She couldn’t eat or drink'

6 Sept

Carer arrested after dementia patient suffers alleged overdose www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

A woman who worked at the scandal-plagued Cardiff and Vale health board has received a payout after a colleague kept his job despite allegedly using the N-word to mock her. Several staff have controversially avoided the sack after serious misconduct allegations, ranging from...

... snorting drugs on hospital premises to a male worker exposing himself in front of a young female colleague. One employee avoided suspension despite being arrested on suspicion of rape. A senior leader in operating theatres kept her job after saying...

walesonline.co.ukHospital worker allegedly called colleague the N-word but remained in their jobIt is the latest in a long series of disturbing allegations about what it is like to work at Wales' biggest hospital

... a group of Indian nurses needed name badges because they "all looked the same". Weak management and toleration of unacceptable behaviour have been a consistent theme of damning reports into the health board. Full story www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.uk'Hooded police punched, strip-searched, and falsely imprisoned me,' man claimsJames Kennedy believed he was being robbed in a terrifying ordeal that left him with PTSD, his court filing alleges

South Wales Police officers wearing hoodies repeatedly punched a musician who was sitting in his car after a gig in Cardiff, according to court claim He thought he was being robbed as they failed to immediately identify themselves as police, it's alleged www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukWoman left 'in pain and struggling to walk' two years after routine procedureIt is the second allegation of a botched lumbar puncture at the same hospital

Patient in severe pain and struggling to walk since lumbar puncture two years ago at the Royal Gwent. She is the second patient to come forward over traumatic lumbar punctures at the hospital. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

24 Aug

Awkward moment in Cardiff Crown Court as junior lawyer's phone rings during plea hearing In desperate search of exit he sprints through a door "That's a cupboard," shouts judge. "Just turn it off" Panic-stricken lawyer emerges and runs through actual exit, phone still ringing

walesonline.co.ukThe Cardiff GP who put people on drips in a pub and infuriated a cancer charity'The whole thing made me feel very uncomfortable,' one NHS source said of Dr O'Connell's intravenous 'wellness' drips in a Cardiff pub

18 Aug

Experts have slammed the medical watchdog for not taking action against a Cardiff GP who featured in "dangerous" adverts for health pills. He claimed they produced extraordinary effects but we interviewed experts who gave damning assessments. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukWoman 'in unbearable pain' after 'unbelievable' blunder at troubled hospital'I'm ever so sorry. We dropped you from the table'

6 Aug

A woman has spoken about being dropped from an operating table while unconscious during surgery at University Hospital of Wales She suffered an agonising shoulder injury and says the hospital downplayed the incident in its communications with WalesOnline www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

We've obtained court papers detailing allegations that senior South Wales Police officers had sex with more junior female colleagues in a police station. The allegations were made by a sergeant who was himself under investigation for sexual misconduct. He threatened to air...

View full thread

He had warned the force: "A witness who is a retired police inspector will give evidence on this matter should it go to court and explain how the incident was brushed under the carpet."

walesonline.co.ukSenior police officers had sex with colleagues in station, claims sacked officerThe allegations were made by Rhodri Davies, who was sacked for striking a handcuffed detainee and claims South Wales Police victimised him

We have asked the force if a desire to keep embarrassing allegations out of court played a part in its decision to drop the sexual misconduct probe and pay out in a settlement before the tribunal could reach a hearing. It has yet to answer. Full story www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

... the allegations about senior officers in a courtroom. Then the misconduct investigation into his behaviour was dropped and he received a settlement payout. This was despite four female colleagues accusing him of sexual misconduct.

A former sergeant has successfully sued South Wales Police for victimising him in the misconduct investigation that led to his sacking. Rhodri Davies was fired after a panel found him guilty of gross misconduct for taking a handcuffed detainee to the floor and striking him...

The ex-officer brought an employment tribunal claim against the force over how it handled the case The judge didn't make a finding on whether his actions against the detainee were justified But she did rule in Davies' favour on some allegations about how the force treated him

walesonline.co.ukSacked sergeant wins case against police as judge slams senior officersRhodri Davies was dismissed from the force after a panel found him guilty of gross misconduct

The judge was highly critical of some senior officers, describing their actions as "highly irregular", "deeply flawed", "particularly inappropriate", and creating "a clear conflict of interest". Full story here www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukHospital covers up investigation into department in crisis'How can lessons be learned if the truth remains hidden?' said one hospital whistleblower

We have won a six-month battle to report details from an investigation into the cardiology department at the scandal-ridden University Hospital of Wales. However, bosses continue to cover up key findings. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukJudge lambasts 'pitiful' police after care home fraud blunderJudge Huw Rees said it was 'absolutely disgraceful' that police had been unable to 'add up simple sums'

A judge has lambasted Dyfed-Powys Police after an "absolutely disgraceful" gaffe jeopardised an elderly fraud victim's compensation. An officer miscalculated the amount stolen from 89-year-old William Jones by senior employees of a care home. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukFootball club chairman conned community out of £22,000Karl Morecroft's selfishness has left the children's club under 'severe pressure'

Children's football club chairman conned community out of £22,000 www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukMy ex said he respected women. He strangled me until I blacked outRachel is calling for changes in the criminal justice system after her harrowing experience at the hands of her former partner

My ex said he respected women. He strangled me until I blacked out www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukCarer screams 'I hope you die' at dementia patient in tirade of vile abuseThe footage shows Louise Harris screaming: 'I hope you die in your sleep'

Carer Louise Harris was caught on camera abusing an 81-year-old dementia patient, who is now "horrifically traumatised" www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.uk'Damning' independent investigation into crisis-hit Welsh hospital'Patients, staff, and the wider public deserve transparency about what has gone wrong'

An independent investigation into the embattled Cardiff and Vale health board has found "severe operational and leadership failings", we understand. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukControversial businessman and wife accused of taking cash out of struggling firmRichard Hayward has been accused of improperly "enriching" himself while allegedly enjoying an extremely lavish lifestyle

15 July

Controversial Welsh property developer Richard Hayward is being sued for £550k after allegedly cheating the taxman and other creditors. We've obtained court papers alleging he and his wife drained their struggling business of cash to enrich themselves. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukThe appalling state of Wales' biggest hospital‘A dead pigeon was rotting above a roof panel and stinking theatres out, and it was only discovered when maggots started dropping from a roof tile’

14 July

“A dead pigeon was rotting above a roof panel and stinking operating theatres out, and it was only discovered when maggots started dropping from a roof tile” Bleak insights into life at Wales’ biggest hospital www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

5 July

Three years ago a fraudster named Alyson Perrett accused us of fake news when we revealed she'd conned families into paying thousands for fake bookings at a Welsh holiday park. This week she finally admitted the scam in court, and wasn't as talkative when we caught up with her.

walesonline.co.ukWoman conned families out of thousands in Welsh caravan park scamThree years after WalesOnline exposed Alyson Perrett's practices, justice has caught up with her

5 July

Full story here www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukUnconscious patient falls from operating table in Welsh hospital's latest fiasco'Staff have been told to keep it quiet and not say anything,' claimed one whistleblower

5 July

Another alarming incident at University Hospital of Wales www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukWales' most charming criminal partied around the world with cocaine cashSam Takahashi had just got engaged when he learned justice was about to catch up with him. Now he says he is done letting down those closest to him

2 July

Wales' most charming criminal partied around the world with cocaine cash. Then everything came crashing down www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukClaims hospital bosses ignored problems before horrific blunder'If this was somebody's business the board would have been sacked or resigned by now,' said one of the families affected

11 June

Staff raised concerns – and were ignored – about mismanagement of Royal Gwent Hospital's sterilisation unit before a scandal in which 21 patients underwent procedures with unsterilised medical tools, exposing them to risk of HIV infection www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukEye-watering amounts paid to Welsh police who've been suspended for yearsSome have been paid to do nothing for more than three years

9 June

Gwent Police has been paying more than £870,000 a year to suspended officers, we can reveal. Four officers have been off work on full pay for more than three years www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukMy boss stole £11.5m of people's life savingsSteven Long enjoyed a lavish lifestyle by persuading elderly vulnerable clients to part with huge sums. Then it all came crashing down

8 June

My boss stole £11.5m of people's life savings www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukNeighbours furious at landlord who's been ignoring the council for years'What happens when I die and my kids try to sell this place, with that eyesore next door? I wish it would get knocked down'

1 June

Landlord leaves terraced house empty and derelict for a decade. Council has been trying to buy it for years but landlord ignores all communication. Now, when named and shamed, he claims he's 'horrified to learn' of the property's issues. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukMajor Welsh employer quietly drops living wage commitmentCleaning firm Mrs Buckét said more than 95% of its staff still got the real living wage but some were on minimum wage because of 'commercial constraints'

31 May

Wales' biggest cleaning firm Mrs Buckét, which often talks about staying true to "values", has quietly dropped its commitment to all staff getting the real living wage So quietly, in fact, that it kept its accreditation until a whistleblower alerted us... www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.uk'I walked in on hospital worker snorting powder. He got a promotion'Wales' biggest hospital is 'broken', according to people who have worked there

5 May

More extraordinary revelations from people who’ve worked at the University Hospital of Wales. As ever, huge questions for the perennially crisis-hit Cardiff and Vale health board… but also for ministers who were warned of its toxic culture years ago. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukLeaked report exposes turmoil at failing mental health unit'These findings paint a deeply concerning picture of mental health services under significant strain'

28 Apr

A leaked report from external investigators has shed more light on the crisis gripping mental health services at Cardiff and Vale health board. It raises serious concerns over a recruitment freeze and says “new leadership” is needed www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

walesonline.co.ukBoss removed from Welsh NHS role after damning reportsWe have seen a leaked report from external investigators stating a need for 'new leadership'

24 Apr

A senior figure at the crisis-hit Cardiff and Vale health board has been removed from his role Dan Crossland is no longer acting as director of operations for mental health We've seen a leaked report from investigators stating a need for 'new leadership' www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...

9 Apr

Exclusive: A physician associate is under investigation after allegedly attempting seven lumbar punctures on an autistic woman and then falsifying records of the procedure. PA is also alleged to have ignored instructions that the patient be given diazepam. www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-n...