Dermot Ahern says 2009 law was designed to make prosecutions for the act impossible

A guide to how the State’s ban on blasphemy became a law

Diarmuid Martin: ‘Not informed of any such interventions at that time by either side’

What sort of country will Pope Francis encounter? One where Mass attendance – though falling – is still among the highest in Europe, where scandals have dented people’s faith in the church, but faith itself has not died

Reports indicate little has changed at the Vatican where handling abuse is concerned

Dermot Ahern says Cardinal Sodano ‘was quite blunt’

It had been estimated in 2004 abuse crisis compensation would cost Irish dioceses €50m

Former leaders Bertie Ahern and Tony Blair showed how co-operation should work

McCabe controversy may discourage potential chiefs from applying, Dermot Ahern says

Fitzgerald’s position on Garda strategy on whistleblower ‘not credible’

So deep are the problems that actions for damages may be brought and convictions quashed

Politicians agree the Garda commissioner has a tough role, but sympathy is limited

This Taliban-like law has no place in a democracy

Minister for justice in 2009 said he never had so many outraged emails as on this issue

Minister says ‘this is a democracy, and people have the right to express whatever view they do’

Steve Fitzpatrick, the pragmatic union leader who won’t leave managing to the managers

‘Nationalist to her fingertips’ was proud of legacy of late father, former taoiseach Séan Lemass

Club shows money is not insurmountable obstacle if organisation and spirit is right

Government says taking part in celebrations could provoke strong reaction from China

Sgt Maurice McCabe a ‘dedicated and committed’ member of the force