INDEPENDENT IRELAND: THE INVESTIGATIVE DOSSIER - Part One - " In The Line Of Fire "
Independent Ireland (Éire Neamhspleách) is Ireland’s newest significant political force a right-wing party founded in November 2023 that has gone from zero to four TDs, one MEP, and twenty-three councillors in under twelve months. Led by Cork TD Michael Collins, the party markets itself as the “comfortable alternative” for voters fed up with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael but unwilling to back Sinn Féin.
Beneath the “common sense” branding lies a party walking a tightrope: hardline anti-immigration rhetoric, internal fractures over European alignment, the explosive resignation of a candidate over ties to Conor McGregor, and unanswered questions about funding and discipline.
The Mercosur Deal: A Direct Threat to European Farmers and Democratic Accountability
The EU–Mercosur trade deal represents a fundamental threat to European farmers, food standards, and democratic accountability. By opening EU markets to agricultural imports produced under weaker environmental and welfare rules, the agreement creates an uneven playing field that places family farms at risk. The decision to refer the deal to the European Court is a necessary step in challenging a trade policy that many believe sacrifices rural communities and food security in favour of multinational interests.
Aaron Joyce, Newswire, L.T.T Media; January 21, 2026