Maria Delaney

What a year! Thanks so much for your ongoing support of our work.

Returned to work this month after a fascinating year full of laughs, yawns and learning... where my little girl turned into a headstrong explorer. It's been a swift transition, getting stuck straight into investigations, and adjusting to a new work-life balance. But it's nice to be back at it!

Reporter @conorocarroll.bsky.social explains how our team examined more than 500 election expense returns to uncover how much you might have to spend to secure a Dáil seat. Read the full investigation: jrnl.ie/6845119

We cannot stand by and watch more and more of our Palestinian colleagues being targeted and killed for doing their job. Without journalism, there is no accountability. We stand in solidarity with media organisation across the world in demanding interactional action for these atrocities in Gaza.

Adjuvant chemotherapy, which can reduce the risk of breast cancer returning after surgery, is not being given to many patients on time. This is driving many people into the private system, as @mariadelaney.ie explains. Read the full story: jrnl.ie/6798640

Really important story this morning from @mariadelaney.ie ⤵️ Just 13% of people w/breast cancer at Letterkenny University Hospital had treatment on time in 1st quarter of year. jrnl.ie/6798640t

'It was devastating for all of us.' Marian Quinlan was diagnosed with cancer and died less than three months later with no curative or palliative treatment. Her family want answers.

Great reporting by @stemcdermott.bsky.social today on scam ads – here are his tips on how to spot them:

Our latest investigation by @trishdevlin.bsky.social exposes an important security concern across Ireland:

The valproate inquiry is finally starting! I've been speaking to families who want answers since the early 2010s, incl for our valproate scandal investigation in 2021 (below) Jane Moore @thejournal.ie covered many calls for an inquiry more recently incl: jrnl.ie/6723579 Inquiry info: svinquiry.ie

Important work out today by @stemcdermott.bsky.social:

More people are waiting longer than recommended to start vital cancer treatments in Irish public hospitals. Read our latest investigation now: jrnl.ie/6751362

Latest by @eimermcauley.bsky.social:

Thank you to the brave female paramedics who spoke to me for this investigation👇

Have you been affected by delays in cancer diagnosis or treatment? I'm examining this issue right now. Get in touch at investigates@thejournal.ie

Last few days to apply… deadline is this Friday 04 July:

Our entire team was shortlisted for Justice Media Awards. The ceremony was yesterday and we got some good news! Maria Delaney and Patricia Devlin received a merit award in the print/online human rights and social justice reporting category: jrnl.ie/6744242

Would you like to lead a team of reporters dedicated to lifting the lid on how Ireland works? Apply to become the Acting Editor of @investigates.thejournal.ie (full time for a year). I'm biased but this is a really meaningful and enjoyable job. Shout if you've any questions! Deadline: Fri 04 July

For those interested on how AI infrastructure is already having an impact in our environment I recommend the work done in the last months by @conorocarroll.bsky.social and @mariadelaney.ie at The Journal Investigates. investigates.thejournal.ie/data-centres

It’s unbelievable that the sodium valproate inquiry hasn’t begun 4.5 years after the Government said it was “a priority” It’s now nearly a year since a chair was appointed to lead the inquiry Thousands of families impacted by this drug which can cause birth defects are still waiting for answers

Yes, I really did go through 25 years of planning records. Explore our interactive, visual investigation so you don't have to and find out where Ireland's data centres are located. investigates.thejournal.ie/data-centres

Reporter @conorocarroll.bsky.social explains how we mapped - for the first time - all operating and planned data centres in Ireland. Examining over 25 years of planning records, we found 89 data centres, with a further 40 in development.

Outstanding article on the real (genetic) causes of autism www.vox.com/health/41474...

"The starvation of Gaza can be measured in the jutting ribs of a 6-year-old girl." So begins Vivian Yee's report. Don't look away. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/w...

Paul Kearns: I showed my friends in Israel this photo of a starving baby in Gaza and asked them if they knew www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

Every moment of this horror is beyond comprehension

Delighted to have been nominated for a Justice Media Award for my investigation with @pjarandia.bsky.social looking at Ireland's data centres. And honoured to also be nominated for Newcomer of the Year!

Was so lucky as a student to have the experience of spending a summer in Harvard Medical School’s research labs. Such awful news to hear today that this opportunity will be removed from students all over the world for standing against Trump:

Calls to end Ireland’s controversial badger culling programme intensified in the Dáil yesterday after TDs raised serious concerns about the government-licensed practice. It followed an investigation of the cull by @trishdevlin.bsky.social which we published yesterday:

It is an honour that our coverage of human rights and environmental injustices has been recognised in this year’s Justice Media Awards Our team always strives to spotlight issues that don’t get the attention they deserve Thanks to everyone who spoke to us and helped our team uncover these issues!

This is a necessary read - yes #marref was a great result, it showed the resilience, solidarity & fabulousness of LGBTIQ+ ireland but it also left a lot of hurt & trauma in its wake- having to ask your neighbour for what they took for granted was hard #speirgorm www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...

Tánaiste Simon Harris has said members of the Dáil should not be divided along political lines when it comes to the "genocidal actions" of Israel against the Paelestinian people in Gaza. http://jrnl.ie/6711402

So after quite a few weeks investigating Ireland’s culling of badgers to control TB, I found data that shows that a staggering 80% of the protected species killed by the Department of Agriculture were TB free. jrnl.ie/6709659

#ExportingAbortion More than 5,000 women in Europe have to travel abroad each year to access abortion. Thanks to @mariadelaney.ie CC @thejournal.ie @mediapart.fr @publico.pt OKO.press, Expresso, Taz,, Denník N, Page not found, Altaveu, Amphora Media and Moment voxeurop.eu/en/abortion-...