Conor Gogarty
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Investigations editor at @WalesOnline. Specialist journalist of year and scoop of year at '24 UK Regional Press Awards. Email conor.gogarty@walesonline.co.uk
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Articles by Conor Gogarty
An AI sock puppet might be Cardiff data centre’s only supporter
It’s not easy to find people who like the idea of a data centre replacing Cardiff East Park and Ride. The park and ride in Llanrumney, offering 1,000 spaces for staff and patients travelling to Heath hospital, is under threat because Cardiff Council wants to sell the land to a developer called Curtis Hall, which plans to build a massive data centre there. The scheme has prompted more than 3,000 objections, which according to campaigners is the most in Welsh planning history.
Inside the crisis at the Heath
The Heath is the place we turn to when we’re in need. Lives are saved at the hospital every day by the hardworking staff on its frontline. But they are operating in unsustainable conditions. The crumbling site itself is a highly visible reflection of the hospital’s long decline. For many years while Labour was in power in Wales, the Heath was a huge headache.
The people and businesses caught evading tax in Wales
Conor Gogarty Fri, 6 November 2026 at 10:50 am UTC 4 min read Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. HMRC's list of tax evaders includes eight new names from Wales. They range from restaurants to a used car dealer. A person or business appears on the list if they have made at least one deliberate default on more than £25,000 in tax. The list is updated every three months and a defaulter's details are removed after a year.
Cardiff set to lose £8m cancer facility - Your proper Cardiff briefing
Hello! Welcome back to your Tuesday briefing. After a first week dominated by housing stories, today Conor has been looking at concerns that smoking restrictions are failing to be properly enforced at the Heath hospital as well further news on the loss of a key cancer diagnostic and treatment tool. We’ve also included a feature report from photojournalist Tom Wilkins. Over the past year and a half, Tom has become well known in Cardiff for his unique brand of documentary street photography.
Searching for Cardiff's most infamous landlord
Cardiff — 12 min read We tracked a landlord with housing offences dating back to 1996 If we asked you to name the places in the UK where it is hardest to get on the property ladder, where would you say? Chances are, you might say London. While London has the UK’s highest house prices, it doesn’t mean it is the least affordable. Last year, a report found that when average income is taken into account, Cardiff is less affordable to first-time buyers than any area of England or Scotland.
Dad who abused children is allowed to see them without professional supervision
A mum believes her abusive ex-husband should be professionally supervised when having contact with their four children. But despite the man admitting his history of abuse towards the mum and children, a judge allowed him to have contact with the children supervised by one of his friends. The mum appealed against the Wrexham family court judge's decision but she was unsuccessful. The Court of Appeal found the judge was "entitled" to find such contact was in the children's best interests.
Search called off for missing man, 18, after body found in water
A body has been found in the search for a missing 18-year-old last seen over a week ago. On Sunday morning a body was recovered from water at a coastal location near Newport in Wales, according to a statement from Avon and Somerset Police. George, from Portishead, a seaside town in north Somerset, England, went missing from that area at around 8.20pm on September 17.
Body found in water in search for missing 18-year-old
A body has been found in the search for an 18-year-old man named George. The body was recovered on Sunday morning from water at a coastal location near Newport, according to a statement from Avon and Somerset Police. George, from Portishead, a seaside town in north Somerset, went missing from that area at around 8.20pm on September 17. In the following days there was a large-scale search by the police, coastguard, RNLI and other services.
Mum shares poignant tribute to the son she lost two years ago on his first holiday abroad
The mother of a Welshman who died while on holiday in Spain has shared a moving tribute to mark the second anniversary of his death. Nathan Osman, a 30-year-old welder, disappeared in Benidorm on September 27, 2024, and was later found dead at the bottom a cliff on the outskirts of the city. The Pontypridd dad-of-four went missing within hours of arriving on the holiday with friends. His loved ones have long claimed Spanish authorities failed to fully investigate all lines of enquiry.
Welsh Labour leader accuses Rhun ap Iorwerth of neglecting real problems in Wales
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Palestine Action protesters cheer as they are arrested outside Labour party conference
Police have arrested people outside the Labour party conference after a demonstration in support of the banned Palestine Action group. More than 200 protesters sat outside the conference in Liverpool, many holding home-made banners which read: "I support Palestine Action." Police stood by before moving in to arrest an elderly man who was sitting under a tree. They then made another arrest after telling a protester he was holding up a sign supporting a proscribed organisation.
Welsh Labour leader accuses Rhun ap Iorwerth of neglecting real problems in Wales
Welsh Labour leader Ken Skates accused Plaid Cymru of focusing too much on "constitutional process" in his speech at the UK Labour party conference. He said the focus should be on the problems people face trying to see a GP, on challenges in schools or the cost of living. Mr Skates said the Senedd was hoarding too much power and called for more devolution to "local communities". He said: "The destination of devolution should not be Cardiff Bay. It should be the people.
Welsh independence march fills the streets of Aberystwyth
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Man betrayed parents as he assaulted one child and took sickening photos of others
A man sexually assaulted one child and took indecent images of others. South Wales Police said Nathan Berry targeted non-verbal children and betrayed their parents "in the most dreadful way". The 38-year-old, from Llantwit Major in the Vale of Glamorgan, was arrested in March. Police found images of children on his phone and he provided officers with their names.
Wayne and Coleen Rooney climb Welsh mountain on weekend break
Wayne Rooney climbed Wales' tallest mountain this weekend. The footballing legend scaled Yr Wyddfa, also known as Mount Snowdon, with his wife Coleen. Snaps shared by Coleen on Instagram show the couple encountered both sunshine and cloudy weather on their trek up the most popular mountain in Eryri national park. She captioned the post: "After a busy week…. What do we decide to do with our very rare free weekend…. Climb Snowdon." Man Utd's all-time top goalscorer has a few links to north Wales.
Welsh independence march fills the streets of Aberystwyth
A huge crowd marched through Aberystwyth on Saturday calling for Welsh independence. First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth was among the speakers at the rally. Banners calling for a referendum in 2032 were held aloft by campaigners in what was described by organisers as the first "March for Independence" to be held in mid-Wales. Following the march through the seaside town, there were speeches and live music at Castle Gardens.
Pregnant mums 'not listened to' with tragic consequences
A new report has made "deeply concerning" findings of failure and inequality in maternity care. Black women were almost three times as likely as white women to die during or shortly after pregnancy, according to the Oxford University research. The maternal mortality rate of women from the most deprived areas was double that of women from more affluent areas. "Racism" in care was also flagged as a persisting concern by the report from the university's National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit.
Serious failings in cancer care at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
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Cardiff shop owner risked explosion in busy high street
A hardware shop risked an explosion by piling up gas cylinders. Safety failings by Roger Walters Interiors could have caused disaster on the busy high street where it is based, Merthyr Road in the Whitchurch area of Cardiff. Roger Walters, who owns the shop, was taken to court by Cardiff council over how he stored liquid petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which are often bought for barbecues and industrial uses.
Serious failings in cancer care at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board
A report has found serious failings in Welsh NHS cancer services at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (UHB). The board, which covers the Gwent area, is "well below" its performance target, according to a report by Audit Wales. The watchdog, which looks at how public money spent in Wales, said the health board's attempts to improve cancer services had "not yet led to lasting improvement". Only 61% of patients started cancer treatment within 62 days – far short of the 75% target.
Couple caught in 'sickening' plot to abuse child
A couple have been jailed over a plot to sexually exploit a girl. Victoria Lewis, 40, arranged for the child to meet her partner Shaun Lewis, also 40, knowing he planned to abuse her. South Wales Police said the couple, from Neath Port Talbot, had made "depraved" plans for the girl. Victoria Lewis arranged for an indecent photograph to be taken of the child and for her to travel to an area to be exploited.
'Unacceptable' five-year wait for corrupt police officer to be struck off
Fresh concerns have been raised over Gwent Police's misconduct process after it took five years to strike off a corrupt officer. Former PC Paul Chadwick was jailed in 2021 over affairs with vulnerable witnesses but his misconduct case did not conclude until this month. In June 2021 the officer retired from Gwent Police and six months later he was handed an 18-month jail term for misconduct in public office.
Controversial businessman's firm has been under criminal investigation for nearly three years
Almost three years have passed since a criminal investigation began into a controversial Pembrokeshire landfill site. Environmental regulator Natural Resources Wales is yet to conclude its probe into the company behind the Withyhedge landfill near Haverfordwest. That company, Resources Management Limited (RML), is part of entrepreneur David Neal's network of waste and energy firms.
Pub landlady apologises after backlash to 'special bus' comment
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Pub landlady apologises after backlash to 'special bus' comment
A pub landlady has apologised following a backlash to her social media comment about a "special bus". Debbie Jones, who runs Penarth's St Fagans Castle pub with her husband Huw, denied making fun of disabled people but told us she was sorry for not wording her comment "correctly". The row began after Mrs Jones, using the pub's Facebook page, posted a photograph of graffiti in its toilets. She also shared a CCTV image of the man she suspected of being responsible for scrawling the tag on the wall.
Man cleared of rape and exposing himself at Cardiff's Bute Park
A man has been cleared of exposing himself in a park and raping a woman. Last week a Cardiff Crown Court jury found Nicolas Reah not guilty of 10 charges, all of which dated back to 2018. The 32-year-old, of Brynheulog in Pentwyn, had been accused of two counts of exposure in Cardiff's Bute Park and one of assaulting a woman by sexual penetration at the same location. He was alleged to have intentionally exposed his genitals at the park to cause alarm or distress.
Carer arrested after dementia patient suffers alleged overdose
A carer has been arrested after an 83-year-old dementia patient suffered an alleged overdose of prescription drugs. The family of Patricia Enos say she is "traumatised" after her experience. South Wales Police arrested a 47-year-old woman on suspicion of ill treatment or wilful neglect as a care worker in connection to the incident on August 13 at Patricia's home in Barry. The suspect has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
When heartless scammer avoided jail she sobbed with relief and vowed to pay victims back. She hasn't
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Hospital worker allegedly called colleague the N-word but remained in their job
It is the latest in a long series of disturbing allegations about what it is like to work at Wales' biggest hospital University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff(Image: Conor Gogarty) A former employee at a troubled Welsh health board received a settlement payout after a colleague allegedly used the N-word to mock her. Samantha Morgan, who is of Jamaican and Portuguese heritage, sued Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for discrimination over the incident.
Controversial Welsh businessman sued for vile treatment of pregnant woman
The controversial former owner of Neath rugby club has been found to have discriminated against a pregnant woman. In recent years Frederick Geraint Hawkes has worked in a senior role at a wood supply firm – and an employment tribunal concluded he mistreated one of the staff by telling her "nobody wants to see a pregnant woman". Hawkes was forced to end his 12-year spell as chairman of Neath in 2015 when he was handed a 10-year ban from acting as a company director .
Police descend on Cardiff street amid fight reports
Police were called to a busy Cardiff street after reports of a fight which saw one man hospitalised. A heavy police presence was seen at around 9.30pm on Saturday in City Road, Roath, a lively part of Roath filled with restaurants and bars. Social media users who were in the area at the time reported seeing "loads of police cars racing up City Road" and "a big fight" as well as armed officers rushing to the scene. South Wales Police told us it was responding to reports of a disturbance on the road.
Dozens of litter bins removed in Cardiff as locals bemoan 'endless pit of rubbish'
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Every litter bin removed in Cardiff as locals bemoan 'endless pit of rubbish'
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Every litter bin removed in Cardiff as locals bemoan 'endless pit of rubbish'
Some 37 litter bins across the Welsh capital have been removed over the last three years with no replacement. Cardiff Council told us the changes were driven by people misusing the bins for household waste – but locals say it has led to more rubbish being dropped on their streets. In 2024 the council announced plans to save money by reducing the number of litter bins on residential streets and instead prioritise district centres, parks, bus stops and dog-walking routes.
Woman, 27, who took her own life had stopped taking medication
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Row erupts after Wales halts all gender-affirming surgery referrals
The Welsh Gender Service has controversially paused all referrals for gender-affirming surgeries. Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which runs the Wales-wide gender identity clinic, said there were "concerns" in the NHS about the number of referrals being made. Data from 2025 / 26 showed "significantly higher rates of referral" for gender-affirming surgery compared with English gender services, according to the health board.
Woman, 27, who took her own life had stopped taking medication
An inquest into the suicide of a 27-year-old woman has found her decision to stop taking her medication was likely a factor in her death. Clêr Ann Moran hanged herself on July 18 last year at her home in Edward Street, Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil county. She had been prescribed medication for some time to manage her depression and anxiety, Pontypridd Coroner's Court heard.
Top restaurant appeals against 'unfair' food hygiene rating and gets new score
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Top restaurant appeals against 'unfair' food hygiene rating and gets new score
An acclaimed Turkish restaurant has gone from a food hygiene rating of one to five. The Sultan, in Cardiff Bay, disagreed with the "unfair" previous inspection and believes the new rating is a truer reflection of its standards. Kerem 'Kay' Kavak, director of the restaurant in Stuart Place, told us the economic climate is already challenging for small family-run businesses like the Sultan. "Situations like this can put a great deal of pressure on small businesses," he said.
The Cardiff restaurants with the worst food hygiene ratings
What's On Food & Drink Restaurants One restaurant on the list is a two-time winner at the Food Awards Wales Some 22 restaurants across Cardiff have received the food hygiene ratings of one or zero. The latest list includes highly-regarded spots in the city centre and the Bay. The Food Standards Agency classes businesses with zero stars out of five as "urgent improvement necessary" and those with one star as "major improvement necessary".
Our six-month battle to report a hospital department in crisis – and bosses are still hiding things
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Hospital covers up investigation into department in crisis
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Everything the Cardiff and Vale health board will tell us about probe into cardiology department
Below are the details released to us by Cardiff and Vale university health board, in its own wording, about a comprehensive service review into failing cardiology services. You can read our story on the health board's cover-up of the full findings here.
Hospital covers up investigation into department in crisis
WalesOnline has won a six-month battle to report details from an investigation into the cardiology department at the scandal-ridden University Hospital of Wales – but bosses continue to cover up key findings. The report was the third comprehensive service review in the last two years at Cardiff and Vale university health board. Each review looked at why a different department was failing.
Football club chairman conned community out of £22,000
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Football club chairman conned community out of £22,000
"It's right that he isn't getting away with it. Why would you want to do that to a club on your doorstep? Everyone knows what we do for the community." Those were the words of Karl Morecroft, then the chairman of Blaenau Gwent's RTB Ebbw Vale junior football club, when we interviewed him three years ago about a teen biker being taken to court for vandalising the club's pitch. The condemnation reads a little differently now that Morecroft's own crimes have been exposed.
Police concerned for missing man
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Police concerned for missing man
Police are appealing for help to find missing Sion Owen. The 47-year-old was last seen at around 10am on Sunday at his home in Wenvoe, Vale of Glamorgan. A South Wales Police spokesperson said: "He is around 5ft 10ins, of medium build, dark greying short hair, and was last seen wearing a pink-coloured jumper, shorts, white adidas sliders.
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