Michael McDowell was largely but not entirely to blame for the Progressive Democrats' election debacle. Others contributed handsomely to the defeat and now there seems little point to the party's continuance By Adam Maguire

A round up of some of this month's media news – from the devaluation of Skype to a new college for Independnent Newspapers

A Catholic priest is on trial in Argentina accused of being involved in the deaths of seven people and 31 instances of torture. By Hiram Morgan

The Labour Party has never defined a distinctive position, it has floundered ideologically and failed electorally. By Niamh Puirséil

A star which has been observed for over 400 years shocked the scientific world when a tail was discovered trailing behind the star, writes Leo Enright

Both Fianna Fáil and the Greens promised a reduction in the overall number of ministers. Instead, the number of junior ministers has been increased yet again, now seven more than Fianna Fáil promised. By Joe O'Malley

The use of the company private jet for a $500,000 holiday, a $60,000 birthday party with guests Henry Kissinger and Donald Trump, and a $4.6 million refit of an apartment to make it habitable – all billed to the Hollinger media company. These are some of the details of excess and extravagance that emerged during a two month trial accusing media mogul Conrad Black of looting $60m from his Hollinger media empire. Black (62) is accused of 17 charges of fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, and obstruction of justice and faces up to 100 years in prison if he is convicted.

Gardener Diarmuid Gavin, reputed for his wacky bold garden designs, returned to Ireland this year having reaped success across the pond. But success did not come easily. By Emma Browne

Diarmuid Gavin has been called many things – “enfant terrible”, “the punk rock gardener”, “the Damien Hirst of garden design”. And the impression portrayed by the media, mainly the British media, is of an arrogant, difficult man with a big ego.

A large site on the Tara motorway route is unlikely to be saved, despite it having been declared a national monument. By Emma Browne

Two TEFL teachers who travelled to Poland through the company i to i to teach English had to work ‘all hours', were not paid, and one was threatened when he decided to leave. i to i has now apologised and is offering a refund. By Emma Browne