Mick Clifford – författare

A true story of murder and vengeance, a shattered community and a miscarriage of justice that echoes down the decadesOctober 1971. Nineteen-year-old Una Lynskey vanishes near her home in Co. Meath. In the weeks that follow, and on flimsy grounds, gardaí identify three young local men as suspects. Within days of her body being found, one of the three is beaten to death by members of Una’s family.The entire sequence of events is a tragedy in a quiet rural community - the wrong men jailed, no one ever facing justice - and becomes one of the most notorious failures in Irish policing and judicial history.In Who Killed Una Lynskey?, award-winning journalist Mick Clifford has built a compelling portrait of the case from interviews with the surviving main players, as well as exclusive access to the files of a private investigator who uncovered information the gardaí missed - or ignored.A timely, humane and compulsive read, this is a ground-breaking account of the botched investigation and its devastating consequences for not just four devastated families, but also the reputation of the gardaí.

The Number One Bestseller______________For over thirty years, David McDonald worked in Ireland's biggest prisons. This is his story.As a young officer, McDonald got a baptism of fire in Mountjoy. In 1989 it was a chaotic, pungent and overcrowded place, and the approach to keeping order was primitive.Returning to his hometown two years later, he entered Portlaoise Prison, which - due to the presence of IRA and other subversive prisoners - was then the most secure prison in Europe. McDonald was amazed to discover the power of these subversives within the prison. Portlaoise, and later the new Midlands Prison, were also where Ireland's emerging class of serious gangsters were housed. McDonald dealt with notorious household names like John Gilligan, Christy Kinahan, Brian Meehan, Dessie O'Hare and, more recently, killers like Graham Dwyer, in his average working day.McDonald shares vivid accounts of the constant war of attrition between prisoners and prison authorities over the smuggling of contraband like drugs and phones. His work in a specialist security unit trying to stop this trafficking sometimes brought him into conflict with his bosses. He also questioned aspects of an often brutal and under-resourced system. Ultimately, concerns about poor handling of key issues led to him becoming a whistle-blower.In Unlocked, McDonald brilliantly describes the boredom, the constant tension and flashpoints of extreme violence, and the moments of comedy, tragedy and surprising humanity that are part and parcel of working in prisons. Written with the help of award-winning journalist and author, Mick Clifford, it is a jaw-dropping and authentic account of life in the toughest of workplaces._____________'An extraordinary behind-the-scenes look at the hidden world of Irish prisoners . . . fascinating' Brendan O'Connor'Cracking' Matt Cooper

A true story of murder and vengeance, a shattered community and a miscarriage of justice that echoes down the decadesOctober 1971. Nineteen-year-old Una Lynskey vanishes near her home in Co. Meath. In the weeks that follow, and on flimsy grounds, gardaí identify three young local men as suspects. Within days of her body being found, one of the three is beaten to death by members of Una’s family.The entire sequence of events is a tragedy in a quiet rural community - the wrong men jailed, no one ever facing justice - and becomes one of the most notorious failures in Irish policing and judicial history.In Who Killed Una Lynskey?, award-winning journalist Mick Clifford has built a compelling portrait of the case from interviews with the surviving main players, as well as exclusive access to the files of a private investigator who uncovered information the gardaí missed - or ignored.A timely, humane and compulsive read, this is a ground-breaking account of the botched investigation and its devastating consequences for not just four devastated families, but also the reputation of the gardaí.

A fundamental tenet of the GAA is under threat in a manner that has not happened in its 140-year history. For generations, the GAA club has been the beating heart of Irish communities - rooted in the parish, sustained by volunteers and inseparable from identity. But today, that foundation is under threat.In this deeply personal and sharply observed memoir, journalist Mick Clifford traces the seismic shifts that have brought the GAA to a crossroads. From his childhood in football-mad Iveragh to three decades in Dublin - where he mentored his son's team and witnessed the sport's urban transformation - Clifford explores the widening gap between tradition and modernity.Blending reportage, interviews and historical insight with a lightness of touch, he examines the forces reshaping the club system and asks: what must be done to preserve the soul of the GAA?This is a story of memory, belonging and the future of a movement that has always been more than just sport.

The Number One Bestseller______________For over thirty years, David McDonald worked in Ireland's biggest prisons. This is his story.As a young officer, McDonald got a baptism of fire in Mountjoy. In 1989 it was a chaotic, pungent and overcrowded place, and the approach to keeping order was primitive.Returning to his hometown two years later, he entered Portlaoise Prison, which - due to the presence of IRA and other subversive prisoners - was then the most secure prison in Europe. McDonald was amazed to discover the power of these subversives within the prison. Portlaoise, and later the new Midlands Prison, were also where Ireland's emerging class of serious gangsters were housed. McDonald dealt with notorious household names like John Gilligan, Christy Kinahan, Brian Meehan, Dessie O'Hare and, more recently, killers like Graham Dwyer, in his average working day.McDonald shares vivid accounts of the constant war of attrition between prisoners and prison authorities over the smuggling of contraband like drugs and phones. His work in a specialist security unit trying to stop this trafficking sometimes brought him into conflict with his bosses. He also questioned aspects of an often brutal and under-resourced system. Ultimately, concerns about poor handling of key issues led to him becoming a whistle-blower.In Unlocked, McDonald brilliantly describes the boredom, the constant tension and flashpoints of extreme violence, and the moments of comedy, tragedy and surprising humanity that are part and parcel of working in prisons. Written with the help of award-winning journalist and author, Mick Clifford, it is a jaw-dropping and authentic account of life in the toughest of workplaces._____________'An extraordinary behind-the-scenes look at the hidden world of Irish prisoners . . . fascinating' Brendan O'Connor'Cracking' Matt Cooper

We are where we are has become one of the great truisms of the current crisis facing the country. But how did we get here and can an inspection of the roots of our modern failings - of government, state agencies and church - help us to pave a way forward? Scandal Nation argues the case as it analyses twelve key events since the foundation of the Irish state that shaped us as a nation. It examines the culture within which these events occurred, how they unfolded and their impact on what followed. THE SCANDALSDEV'S FAILURE TO TALK THE TALKThe Civil War and the inception of a culture of party loyalty that has come to define modern Ireland for the worse. SWEEPING DIRT UNDER THE CARPETThe Hospital Sweepstakes scandal and how the rule of law is ignored by successive governments . . . when the price is right.JOBS FOR THE BOYSThe 'Battle of Baltinglass' and the prevailing culture of jobbery in Irish public life.IN A STATE OF DISGRACEThe overturning of Noel Browne's Mother and Child Scheme of the 1950s, and its legacy on Church-State relations.A DONATION ONCE AGAINTACA in the 1960s and how it set the scene for the cosy culture of business donations in politics.PLANNING FOR THE PAY DAYFrom the first ignored warnings about Ray Burke and planning corruption right through to the planning tribunal, which lingers to this day.THE BENT ARM OF THE LAWFrom the activities of the 'Heavy Gang' of the 1970s to the Morris Tribunal.BLOOD SISTERSThe Hepatitis C blood scandal and the failure of state agencies and government to face up to their mistakes, favouring denial of responsibility over the plight of citizens.DOING THE STATE SOME DISSERVICECJ Haughey and the culture of corruption in the body politic.BANKING ON THE STATEThe ICI and AIB bailout in 1985 and the culture of loosely governed banks and ensuing state bailouts.BEN THERE, DUNNE THATHow a drug-fuelled holiday in Florida ultimately led to the Moriarty Tribunal.PASSPORT TO A NEW LIFEThe 'passports for sale' scandal, as successive governments put a price on Irish citizenship.