Maria Delaney
@mariadelaney.ie
Editor @investigates.thejournal.ie / The home for investigative journalism from The Journal 🕵️♀️ Reporting: Health • Social justice • Science • Data • FOI Visit: thejournal.ie/investigates/about • She/Her
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!
Ever use a CPAP or BiPAP? Thousands of sleep and respiratory devices were recalled in 2021 due to a defect related to foam inside them. Our investigation now reveals there have been 70 incident reports in Ireland potentially related to affected machines. Latest by Jane Moore and I:
Around 18,000 breathing machines remediated in Ireland after defect led to recall
Some 70 incident reports potentially related to the affected machines were received by the Health Products Regulatory Authority.
thejournal.ie
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
Honoured to be shortlisted for Investigative Journalism in this year's Irish Journalism Awards!! This was for my series on the extent and impact of cancer treatment delays: thejournal.ie/cancer-delays/news Thanks to everyone who highlighted ongoing issues to me for these articles.
What a year! Thanks so much for your ongoing support of our work.
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.It's a year since we launched The Journal Investigates! Since last September, our team produced 28 major investigations, consistently exposing injustice and driving change. Find out more about our work – only made possible thanks to your ongoing support: jrnl.ie/6808070
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.
Israel must abide by its international obligations to protect journalists
The Journal joins hundreds of media outlets today in demanding protection for journalists in Gaza.
jrnl.ie
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.Today, hundreds of media outlets in over 50 countries are mobilising in solidarity with Palestinian journalists in the Gaza Strip, alongside RSF and Avaaz. Find out more: jrnl.ie/6804407 bit.ly/3UXUSOS #ProtectJournalistsInGaza #LetReportersIntoGaza
Today, as part of our series exposing cancer care delays, I reported that adjuvant chemo is not being given to many breast cancer patients on time. When this was put to the Minister of Health, she said there's "no point" in promising extra hospital staff to tackle treatment delays:
Health minister: 'No point' in promising extra hospital staff to tackle chemo treatment delays
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said recruitment is already a “persistent” issue within the health service.
thejournal.ie
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
Chemo after breast cancer surgery often delayed to point it is less effective
This therapy can reduce the risk of cancer coming back. But potential benefits decrease the longer people have to wait for treatment after surgery.
jrnl.ie
'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.
No treatment, no dignity: 'If she knew she was going to die, she would have had a party'
Marian Quinlan was diagnosed with cancer and died less than three months later with no curative or palliative treatment. Her family want answers.
jrnl.ie
Great reporting by @stemcdermott.bsky.social today on scam ads – here are his tips on how to spot them:
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.How do you spot a scam if you see an ad for discount clothes on social media? Here are five tips:
Our latest investigation by @trishdevlin.bsky.social exposes an important security concern across Ireland:
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.Chinese surveillance cameras banned from sensitive government sites in the UK, US and Australia, are in widespread use right across Ireland, we can reveal. http://www.thejournal.ie/investigates-hikvision-surveillance-6755381-Jul2025/
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
Valproate scandal: Parents feel failed by State over drug that harmed their children
Noteworthy finds that pleas for help from women impacted by valproate (Epilim) continue to be dismissed.
jrnl.ie
Important work out today by @stemcdermott.bsky.social:
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.The 8 companies that Ireland invests in that have links to illegal Israeli settlements. Our latest investigation ⬇️ https://www.thejournal.ie/investigates-state-investments-settlements-6740909-Jul2025/?jrnl_lg=1
More people are waiting longer than recommended to start vital cancer treatments in Irish public hospitals. Read our latest investigation now: jrnl.ie/6751362
People are encountering delays in the Irish healthcare system at every step of their cancer journey. Our latest investigative series highlights the devastating impacts this is having all across Ireland. This morning, I reported that hospitals are failing to consistently start chemo on time:
'It's getting tougher': Hospitals failing to consistently start chemo on time
This is just one of the many delays faced by people with cancer in the public healthcare system.
thejournal.ie
Latest by @eimermcauley.bsky.social:
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.NEW INVESTIGATION: Content moderations were asked to think like paedophiles or act suicidal while they trained Meta AI tools as part of their work for an Irish outsourcing company Read the full story: http://jrnl.ie/6745653
Thank you to the brave female paramedics who spoke to me for this investigation👇
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.‘I won’t work alone with certain colleagues’: Female paramedics tell @trishdevlin.bsky.social they feel there is an ‘unsafe culture’ within the National Ambulance Service. Read our latest investigation ⬇️ http://www.thejournal.ie/national-ambulance-service-female-paramedics-6748778-Jul2025/
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
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.People are more likely to get – and die – from cancer in Ireland than in many other European countries. Without urgent action, the toll on people in Ireland as well as our health service will be “immense”, the Irish Cancer Society warned today:
Last few days to apply… deadline is this Friday 04 July:
Maria Delaney@mariadelaney.ie · last yr.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
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
Acting Editor
careers.thejournal.ie
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
The Journal Investigates: Where are all the data centres and why should you care?
investigates.thejournal.ie
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
Campaigners seek to meet Minister as inquiry into drug that causes birth defects yet to begin
It has been almost a year since a chairperson was appointed to lead the inquiry into the historical licensing and use of the drug.
thejournal.ie
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
The Journal Investigates: Where are all the data centres and why should you care?
investigates.thejournal.ie
The Journal Investigates@investigates.thejournal.ie · last yr.Our team examined over 25 years of planning records to pinpoint Ireland’s data centres. We found 89 data centres, with a further 40 in development. Explore the interactive, visual investigation here: https://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.
We've an exciting report out today which showcases the full impact of data centres in Ireland We developed an interactive, visual investigation that maps - for the first time - all operating and planned data centres Report by @conorocarroll.bsky.social; Design by Jordan Huysman & Niall O'Shea:
The Journal Investigates: Where are all the data centres and why should you care?
investigates.thejournal.ie
Outstanding article on the real (genetic) causes of autism www.vox.com/health/41474...
RFK Jr. is looking in the wrong place for autism’s cause
The autism commission is doomed to fail.
vox.com
"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...
In Emaciated Children, Gaza’s Hunger Is Laid Bare
nytimes.com
*intake of breath* Ciaran Mullooly used AI to write a letter to Ursula von der Leyen about EU aid to Gaza, quoting Swedish House Mafia and including a story about a fake girl. *collapses* www.thejournal.ie/ciaran-mullo...
Ciaran Mullooly used AI to write letter to EU on Gaza aid, which quoted Swedish House Mafia
The Independent Ireland MEP also included an emotional story from a “fictional” girl in Gaza in the letter.
thejournal.ie