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Lennon (left) at a demo in the wake of the Woolwich killing Neil Lancefield/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Large numbers of second generation Irish in far-right group, leader claims

The head of the EDL said his group would only target Irish in Britain if they use ‘IRA slogans’ or sing rebel songs.

THE LEADER OF the controversial English Defence League has claimed that large numbers of second generation Irish people are joining the far-right group.

Stephen Lennon – who runs the hate group under the pseudonym Tommy Robinson – said in an interview with the Irish Post they had “no problem” with the Irish in Britain as long as they had integrated.

Despite billing itself as an “inclusive movement dedicated to peacefully protesting against Islamic extremism,” the group has long faced accusations of being fascist and Islamophobic. Its activities have been in the spotlight in the wake of the killing of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich last month, following several high-profile demonstrations.

Lennon told the London-based newspaper that that a large number of second generation Irish joined the EDL when it was set up in Luton four years ago. And the 30-year-old, whose mother was born in Dublin, said his group would only target Irish community groups if they used ‘IRA slogans’ or sang Republican songs.

Lennon and supporters demonstrating outside the Old Bailey in London last week (Image: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire/Press Association Images)

The EDL leader also defended anti-Irish comments posted on Twitter, saying that if his mother had not come to England, she would be “in Ireland picking potatoes and eating cabbage”.

“Part of Irish heritage is being able to have a laugh, hence my mum picking potatoes and boiling cabbage,” he said.

Lennon also appeared on the BBC Radio 4′s Today programme this morning, and the interview has since come in for fierce criticism.

The segment was was branded “ludicrous” and “poisonous” by critics on Twitter who questioned why he was invited on at all, as he is not an elected representative.

In the course of the interview, Lennon denied his members had any responsibility for reprisal attacks on Muslims in the wake of the Woolwich killing, and admitted the group’s tactics were “completely questionable”.

Read: Woolwich accused disrupts hearings, shouting ‘I’m a soldier’>

Read: Far-right protesters turn up at mosque, worshippers give them tea >

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133 Comments
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    Mute Ivon Itchie Saq
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:47 AM

    Why didn’t they allow their members to vote if they didn’t have an official party policy, they criticise the party whip system but use it when it suits them

    355
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    Mute David Murphey
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:01 PM

    Don’t care what their policy is. Won’t vote for SF. Wouldn’t vote for them if they were the only party.

    319
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:45 PM

    Whip system abolition only works when the full house votes with conciounce not just Sinn Fein, they also have to respect their members equal vote.

    65
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    Mute Dave Obreen
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    Mar 4th 2015, 2:10 PM

    I remember Claire Daly on TV defending the right to life of the minx cat in relation to fur farming .

    and I agree with her on that ,

    but it twists my brain how she will defend the right to life of the minx cat while at the same time call for the right to life of the unborn to be abolished .

    90
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    Mute Kevin Higgins
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    Mar 4th 2015, 3:02 PM

    Do you understand what a Fatal Foetal Abnormality is?

    If so do you respect the democratic wishes of 81% of the population?

    129
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    Mute Charles J. Ahern
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:01 PM

    Kevin, the Democratic wishes of 81% of the population?

    31
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    Mute Rochelle
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:00 PM

    The minx cat is an independently alive creature while a fetus isn’t? Not really something to be twisting your brain about.

    38
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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:09 PM

    Yes it is true that women should have sovereignty to their wombs , but what about the embryo having a father ?
    Would it not be fair to explore the area of freezing embryos or offering the father a chance to get a surrogate –
    Life is life after all !
    And yes I know that many fathers may not care but for those that do and for those who believe that life begins at conception etc. etc.

    28
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    Mute #Wynner
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    Mar 5th 2015, 12:32 PM

    Can you peeps look up “Fatal” in the dictionary please.

    5
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    Mute Michael O'Reilly
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:40 AM

    Question surely is – do SF actually have a policy on anything ? Do any political parties actally have a POLICY on anthing or do they merely have temporary opinions that they feel might just get them elected?

    296
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    Mute Dave Obreen
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:00 AM

    It wont be long before Panti is heading up Sinn Fein .

    My advice to Sinn Fein is to split in two .

    the communists on one side , and the nationalists on the other .

    125
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    Mute Peter Grimes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:06 AM

    I see the FG/LAB trolls are up bright and early this morning,

    106
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    Mute Dave Obreen
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:22 AM

    Peter , why do you think that . I dont support any political party .

    FG , Lab , SF , FF all the same to me , all media conformist parties .

    101
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:23 AM

    Peter grimes: Because someone is opposed to Sinn Fein doesn’t mean they are FG/Labour supporters nor does it make them trolls. Feel free to debate the topics rather than resorting to insult at the first opportunity.

    179
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    Mute Charles Rex
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:36 AM

    The lack of the usual shinnerbots commenting on this sf article suggests they are unable to carry a personal opinion on the subject of abortion. Far better to wait for guidance and moral clarity from the great bearded saviour of the universe. ‘St gerry of the blessed murph’ they cry. ‘Bring us the light of your populism to guide us through the dark night of our moral ambivalence’

    147
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    Mute Peter Grimes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:37 AM

    With you lot, you can’t be serious you wouldn’t know your ar*e from your elbow. I haven’t seen much debate here yet, all I can see is smart ar*e comments. As a matter of fact I haven’t seen a decent comment on here that could lead to a debate. Kenny is delusional,to the point of madness. The srart of Hitler’s downfall came when he created the russian front, most of his troops froze to death, he hadn’t the foresight to take the harsh russian winter into consideration, and equip his troops accordingly. Kenny is taking the same path, I think his party would have survived the austerity war, reasonably intact, until he decided to create a second front on austerity, the water charge, he wasn’t prepared for the rise of the Irish people. A quote from Isoroku Yamamoto after the attack on Pearl Harbour sums it up. “I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve,

    40
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    Mute Charles Rex
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:41 AM

    Sorry, what?

    86
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    Mute ProudIrishRepublican
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:04 PM

    Maybe it’s because we’re in work Charles, that we don’t have time to comment ad nauseum. You on the other hand and all the other endabots are no doubt civil servants and have plenty of time to comment in between scratching your arses.

    50
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    Mute Charles Rex
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:09 PM

    Here sniper on patrol, I look forward to you outlining your position when gerry has squared away your beliefs for you. Puppets and sheep.

    76
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    Mute David Fortune
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:18 PM

    Sinn Fein do have policies, they’ll tell you right after you tell them what you’re really, really, really like to happen.

    89
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    Mute Dave Obreen
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    Mar 4th 2015, 1:48 PM

    actually , I should have said split in three .

    within Sinn Fein , there seems to be 3 different groups .

    communists , nationalists and judging from their EU Manifesto Europhiles ,

    dont you just hate the way europhiles try to get their feet into every political party so people in ireland will have no alternative than to kneel before the kaiser

    30
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    Mute Brian Fitzmaurice
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:25 PM

    Charles Rex: Sniper needs to check out his statement with P O Neill first

    25
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    Mute Lao Tzu
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:10 PM

    But, Brian, are you saying that PIR is P O’ Neill? Well, I’m astonished, particularly considering he’s one the many Shinnerbots who accuses the rest of us as having fake accounts/names – what a surprise!

    19
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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:11 PM

    Excellent assessment Dave – you left out the loyalist element as well – if the I.R.A. were infiltrated by the british you can be damn sure Sinn Fein are as well !

    14
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    Mute Kevin Whyte
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    Mar 5th 2015, 8:04 AM

    Peter, FGLAB FF and all others are as entitled to troll their opinions and to express them as you are to troll yours.
    Your snide trolling against them is boring

    5
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    Mute Charles McDonald
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:36 AM

    We may support it if it populist.

    242
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    Mute commonsense
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:45 AM

    Yeah they will be ruined if they ever get into power and have to make actual decisions. I have never seen such raw blatant populism. ‘We registered to pay water charges but now we see so many marching we won’t pay either’.

    231
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    Mute davedunne
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:58 AM

    Aye sinn fein norn Iron gibba jabba. Still better than Enda ( never worked a day in his life ) Kenny

    60
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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:01 AM

    Charles I could not have said it better myself.

    74
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    Mute Francis Devenney
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:06 AM

    By Populist, do you mean bowing to the will of the people? Then we need more populist politicians.

    96
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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:08 AM

    @Francis Devenney

    We the people demand Christmas every day!

    We SF promise to deliver Christmas every day!

    179
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    Mute davedunne
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:10 AM

    That’s because you are Charles

    20
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    Mute ProudIrishRepublican
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:11 AM

    Yawn.

    32
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    Mute Charles McDonald
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:11 AM

    Populist as in everything to GET elected and then realising whoops in a spot of bother here.

    That’s why labour are finished they took a stance they could not keep up and we’ll paying price. To be fair to fg they did not go into office to kick out ECB or lower taxes they were elected to short the mess out.

    It’s largely sorted to be fair.

    100
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    Mute Brendan Walsh
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:24 AM

    We had rakes of populist politicians (all parties) during Celtic Tiger era: buying property with easy credit was very popular. See where it got us.

    66
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    Mute johngahan
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:35 AM

    Populist parents allow their children watch tv all day and eat sweets for fear of being unpopular.

    Doesn’t bode well for SF making tough decisions on anything that might lose a voter.

    82
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    Mute An Ciarraioch
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:36 AM

    Huge crowd of FG/Lab Trolls on in response to a Hugh O’Connell “Special” Article this morning !!!

    By golly – Huge panic has set in since the last weekend disastrous Labour Party Conference tiny turnout ?

    Deckchairs spinning around the deck of The Titanic at this point !

    Well done Hugh – At least you are gathering these people in the one spot moaning , groaning and spilling their anguish .

    Can’t wait for The Upcoming General Election – Good times ahead .

    44
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    Mute patjoejoe123
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:38 AM

    Im looking forward to continued prosperity under FG for the foreseeable future. i wish them well in their second term

    79
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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:44 AM

    Fine Gael are toast Pat – the names of the H.S.B.C. 350 and the Ansbacher politicians are going to come into the public domain and when they do then Fine Gael are in big doo-doo !

    42
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    Mute patjoejoe123
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:01 PM

    oh that tumbleweed story – I’m sure everyone is terrified haha

    39
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    Mute Cuppantae
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    Mar 4th 2015, 1:03 PM

    ….The answer my friend is blowing in the wind….

    10
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    Mute Dieu_7
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    Mar 4th 2015, 6:07 PM

    First of all I’m not a SF member but have voted for them (and other parties) in the past. This constant charge of populism is pure silliness and detracts from any meaningful debate. Populism means that the support the masses against the interests of the elites. what is so bad about that? Is that really something to be ashamed of? All opposition parties could be called populist at any time because they strive to appeal to the middle ground voter and the fringes of the parties in governments. People would do well to address actual issues instead of these constant and childish accusations of populism.

    21
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    Mute commonsense
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    Mar 4th 2015, 6:53 PM

    Dieu7 : you’re definition of populism is wrong. It means having absolutely no views or opinions of you’re own and doing whatever is most popular in each instance. Even when the popular action directly contradicts previous actions.
    If you stand for nothing you will allow anything.

    49
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    Mute Markonline
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:05 PM

    Populism is whatever spin the media put on a story to annoy the sheep that lap it up. Everything is a crisis or biggest scandal ever…until tomorrow’s headline.

    11
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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:13 PM

    Keep Laughing Pat – that’s how they find you – Fingers only thinks he has gotten away with it !
    FG – the law and order party my rear !

    4
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    Mute john murphy
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:47 AM

    The question really is what is Sinn Fein’s policy on anything apart from the North… they’re great at jumping on bandwagons, but never hear a whole load of sense from them in so far as wider policy is concerned.

    91
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    Mute Cillan32
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:08 PM

    Here’s a mad idea John … Watch the Ard Fheis this weekend and find out .. Just a thought !

    21
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    Mute patjoejoe123
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:44 AM

    whatever is the populist stance thats the SF stance

    90
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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:44 AM

    They seem to have Fine Gael and Fianna Fail Labour disease on that front !

    17
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:35 PM

    So Hermes you think introducing property tax and water charges was populist?

    41
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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:14 PM

    Yes in Germany for their coffers – of course it was – the bundestag and the Troika have been writing the economic script in Ireland for some time now …That is why Ireland will be the first to leave the E.U. we are the empire breakers when they try to break us !
    Enda is only the window dressing and for that he will have a terrible price to pay !

    7
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Mar 5th 2015, 9:00 AM

    Hermes when you’re in a hole stop digging

    2
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:40 AM

    Sinn Fein don’t have an obvious policy on abortion other than to: ‘hear no evil, see no evil and to speak no evil’.

    80
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    Mute johngahan
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:27 AM

    They need to run the numbers and figure out what position would be most popular with voters.

    Give them time; rest assured it will be a popular position when they calculate what it should be.

    76
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    Mute Dermot Mc Loughlin
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:00 PM

    Don’t all parties do that?

    32
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    Mute johngahan
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:32 PM

    No, some have positions on moral or economic policy issues as a fundamental value – rather than sourced from marketing focus group.

    42
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:08 AM

    The ‘Republican Movement’ was always essentially a one-issue (‘Brits Out’) organization comprising strange ideological bedfellows. At some point it decided arbitrarily that it was actually ‘left-wing’ (read ‘fuzzily populist’), but it has always looked foolish when attempting to venture beyond its simplistic take on ‘the national question’.

    75
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    Mute Felicia Spells
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:39 AM

    Hugh, how much are FG paying you per week ?

    67
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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:42 AM

    A lot of money invested privately in this Government – the rich need Enda more than Ireland does and Enda goes and impoverishes irish Families with Bundestag Budgets…….. !
    He reminds me of the Vichy Government in France under Germany in the 40s …. and all the loot pouring into Switzerland – Free the H.S.B.C 350 !
    Enda has known about the HSBC 350 since 2010 and so has the Irish media – that’s all you need to know actually .

    42
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:43 AM

    That’s a stupid comment, Felicia.

    72
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    Mute Felicia Spells
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:54 AM

    Explain why it is stupid. All Hugh spouts is anti Sinn Fein lies time after time. An impartial journalist should not be bias. So Hugh is either a dishonest, poor or compromised journalist. Take your pick Dermot

    48
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:59 AM

    The article is fair, balanced and in no way is anti Sinn Fein. If anyone has an agenda here it’s you. I’d say you haven’t even read the article.

    93
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    Mute Don Juan
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:03 AM

    Ha! That’s Sinn Feins answer to everything; “how much are you paid?”.

    Ironic seeing as their economics are so clueless!

    84
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    Mute Felicia Spells
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:05 AM

    I suggest you read it again Dermot. All the sly digs in there. This is an article penned by an author with alternative motives

    42
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    Mute Felicia Spells
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:10 AM

    Don Juan, it was me that posed the question and I am not a member of Sinn Fein so I don’t see the revelance of your comment. Was it meant for another thread or something ???

    34
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    Mute Don Juan
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:14 AM

    Good answer Felicia!

    15
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:19 AM

    I’ve read it again and I can see anything that’s not an accurate statement of the party’s position. If the writer has a hidden agenda it’s not obvious to me from this piece. Can you quote me an example?

    51
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    Mute Vincent O Mahony
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:22 AM

    @ Felicia – you’re right in what you say about the author and just ignore the blueshirt trolls on here – a lot of them are feeling sensitive about losing their place and getting their asses handed to them in the next election.

    28
    Reg
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    Mute Reg
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:23 AM

    Dermot, you should know by now that anything that makes Sinn Fein supporters feel a little bit uncomfortable is blatent propaganda written by FG and Labour trolls. Criticism of Dear Leader is not allowed!

    72
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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:46 AM

    I’m still waiting for someone to point out the bias/anti SF agenda in this article, and yet by simply asking for this I’m a government troll?
    Not everyone who criticises or questions SF is a govt supporter. As a political party aiming to lead the country, and with big support in the opinion polls, SF supporters need to realise that they and their policies will be subject to close scrutiny from now on. Get used to it.

    50
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:58 AM

    Arguing with a Shinner is like arguing with a turnip. What you see is what you get – a turnip. Would you admit to having a conversation or debating with a turnip?

    51
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    Mute ProudIrishRepublican
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:01 PM

    Says the soggy tea bag!

    27
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    Mute An Ciarraioch
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:12 PM

    Mr Lyons – Discussing or debating with you is like talking to Goebbels about reforming and speaking other then a continuous load of FG porky pies!

    23
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    Mute Denis Reidy
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:37 AM

    Their position is anything that will get votes, much like the other parties. All will debate and again leave it till after the GE

    65
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    Mute potty o shea
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:18 AM

    Adams mind must be melted thinking about what he should advise as leader of Sinn Fein on this matter! After all he has to think carefully if he should support the “pro life” side considering the IRAs history of murder and violence.
    He is also well acquainted with lies, rape, child abuse and incest in his immediate circle.
    Would he not find it very hypocritical to vote against allowing women to have a termination when she has been told that her baby has no chance of life outside the womb!!

    58
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    Mute Thomas Aquinas
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:44 AM

    Two horses and a foot on each saddle…

    57
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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:29 AM

    They had no problem with the aborting of thousands of lives as a result of a fanatical hatred of the ‘others’.

    53
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    Mute ProudIrishRepublican
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:06 PM

    Defending your community against illegal occupation is no crime. #heroesIRA

    23
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    Mute patjoejoe123
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:12 PM

    if it was illegal you should go to the police :D

    38
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    Mute Jacinta
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:41 AM

    Their stance will be whatever is the popular with the people.

    Remember Adams said he was paying his water bill on his second home in Donegal, then suddenly when public opinion changed, he changed as well and suddenly wasn’t paying it

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    Mute Mark O'Hagan
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:22 AM

    It depends on what public opinion is on the issue – like every other SF policy.

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    Mute #COYBIB
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:01 AM

    A divisive issue? No way Sinn Fein are weighing in on that!

    A real example of Sinn Fein leadership, clarity and conciseness of policy and ability to make tough decisions for the good of the country.

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    Mute patjoejoe123
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:55 AM

    child protection is literally a very touchy subject for SF

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    Mute ProudIrishRepublican
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:08 PM

    Who said that? Was it (a) Kenneth, (b) realgael, (c) Gillhouley or (d) all of the above?

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:18 PM

    They have to see which way the bandwagon is parked first.

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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:49 AM

    Shinners ask yourselves this -
    Who will lead you when Gerry Adams has passed away ?

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    Mute O'Reilly
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:00 AM

    Or jailed…

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    Mute michaelhenry
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:03 AM

    Adams will hopefully be around for another while- but who ever is voted as Sinn Fein leader at the Ard Fheis will lead us- simples-

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    Reg
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    Mute Reg
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:30 AM

    There will be no talk of replacing Dear Leader, he is leader for life!

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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:46 AM

    I might have to apply for the position – it being an open and democratic organisation with no links to MI5 – Denis Donaldson and all that !

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    Mute Ignoreland
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    Mar 4th 2015, 3:08 PM

    SF are total cowards and hypocrites on this issue. They don’t have a policy on it (even though abortion is not new) because they don’t want to lose all those soft FF voters who are currently supporting them, or they don’t want to make themselves less attractive to transfers from similar voters.

    Even if they have a policy on fatal foetal abnormalities after their Árd fhéis, this would just raise the question of what their stance is on abortion in cases of rape, when the mother’s health as distinct from her life is at risk etc. etc. etc. They need a clear policy once and for all.

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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:39 AM

    They are waiting for Paul Murphy to point the way is my guess – Murphy is more republican with his stand on Irish Water then many within Sinn Fein and that is a fact !
    I like Sinn Fein though – I know their grassroots and they are not men to be fooled for too long and not men to be double-crossed either !

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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:03 AM

    SF are fooling a lot of the electorate with the populist policies.

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    Mute ProudIrishRepublican
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:13 AM

    Maybe the electorate have had enough of FG unpopulist policies.

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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:47 AM

    Like Enda did in the last election Prionsias – that is why Independents must be to the fore – they have the internal mental capacity to think outside the groupthink mentality !

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    Mute An Ciarraioch
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:13 PM

    Proinsias – How are The Labour Party doing ?

    19
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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:32 PM

    Eddie you know as much about the Labour Party as me, so ask yourself!

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    Mute An Ciarraioch
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    Mar 4th 2015, 1:21 PM

    Proinsias – what’s all the bashing and pro Government Parties mentality so ?

    Presumably , being a Foley , your background is Stickie / Workers Party / Democratic Left / Labour and all the other multiplicity of names and splits they had over the years !
    But they have truly destroyed The Labour Party , since they took them over , I’m sure you will agree ?

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    Mute Proinsias Ó Foghlú
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    Mar 4th 2015, 1:58 PM

    Eddie, unlike many people I never subscribed to the lunacy of voting for a party just because my father or mother did! Regarding my parents my father is a died in the wool FF man and my mother came from a strong Labour supporting family.

    I make my mind up at election time based on the best mix of these and other wishes of mine:

    I am not swayed by fantasy economics, I want a pro employment party, I detest conservative Christian types, I like a reasonable mix of social and economic liberalism, I want a party that is pro business but looks after the weakest in society. I want a party to tackle lifelong welfare spongers, I want career criminals to be given harsh sentences, I want strict separation of church and state.

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    Mute Reg
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    Mar 4th 2015, 2:54 PM

    Proinsias for Taoiseach!

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    Mute Paul Fahey
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:03 PM

    Pronsious – I think your second paragraph has concisely summed up what most of Ireland want, but sadly unlikely to get. A new party who offered such principles, would in my view do very well.

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    Mute Cathal O'Donoghue
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    Mar 4th 2015, 4:55 PM

    Sf policy on abortion is whatever policy is most likely to win votes.

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    Mute Mindfulirish
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    Mar 4th 2015, 8:04 PM

    SF don’t mind people suffering especially children, they caused so much suffering to children they should hide in shame.

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    Mute Old Gordon
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:06 PM

    Sinn Féin have a policy?

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Mar 4th 2015, 5:12 PM

    They’ll support abortion, as long as it involves shooting the mother.

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    Mute M Bowe
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:47 AM

    What exactly is Sinn Fein’s position on abortion?
    Hugh the answer to that question, as you well know, will be defined this weekend at the party ard fheis.

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    Mute Stephen Duffy
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    Mar 4th 2015, 9:53 PM

    Whats SFs policy on any issue?? All depends on the day of the week and whether you live in the South or the North..

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    Mute Silver Planet
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:28 AM

    What’s the Journal’s policy on abortion? Still pretending not to have one?

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    Mute Hermes
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:48 AM

    The fourth Estate should be impartial – unle3ss you believe in manipulation of the masses by crooked media of course !
    The planet is blue by the way !

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    Mute Silver Planet
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    Mar 4th 2015, 2:35 PM

    Yes it SHOULD be

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    Mute Roland D Hay
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    Mar 4th 2015, 1:40 PM

    Depends which day of the week it is.

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    Mute Al Fonso
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:00 PM

    I think I have heard it all.

    So, apparently, it is bad for Sinn Fein to choose a policy because it will give them votes.

    So what is the right course of action for SF. Choose a policy that the people majoritarily doesn’t want?

    How does that make any sense?

    Anyway, such comments come from those who think SF cannot do anything right, no matter what SF does. They happily go all out against ‘Shinner bots’ by behaving exactly like ‘Anti-shinner bots’ would.

    No brain, all bot.

    If I could vote in this country I’d vote SF, as long as they came up with a pro-choice policy. No policy and pro-foetus policy would not get my vote.

    But apparently if SF chooses to take on *ANY* option about abortion, that will only be with the purpose of gaining them votes. It could not be with the purpose of representing the people, no. That’s reserved to FG and FF.

    Give me a break.

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    Mute Clodagh Carroll-Armenta
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    Mar 4th 2015, 7:04 PM

    Seems that Journal readers are much more comfortable with a Labour-style policy, Al. That is, trade on a pro-choice stance until they actually get into government. Then when they could do something about it, go with their overlords in FG and claim that there is no mandate/ appetite/ bla bla.. I wonder what scares people more at this stage – the likelihood of abortion in certain cases becoming a reality in Ireland or the likelihood of SF being part of the government that will introduce it?

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    Mute Sean C Devine
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:45 AM

    Lord of mercy.
    I see the packet of tea bags and dougal reg are up and at it must of got a call from fg HQ.
    Total muppets without a brain reg you do no that dougal was not a real person .

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    Mute Bob Beaman
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    Mar 4th 2015, 9:40 PM

    Dissapear them

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    Mute OggieThe4th
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    Mar 4th 2015, 12:05 PM

    Sinn Fein :’My new love’ :)

    If you’re taking your time on this important issue,Ger -then please – don’t take as long as the other populist parties on this . #oggieisprochoice

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:39 PM

    So this government shouts about cutting taxes while introducing steeper new taxes and charges and all they can talk about is Sinn Fein and Abortion???

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    Mute Ten Major
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    Mar 5th 2015, 1:36 AM

    It is amusing to see posts here about it being pointless voting for parties as long as there is a whip. Yet if a policy is left open for the TD’s to decide then they are accused of the crime of being populist. Political parties have done nothing to legislate on this thorny subject precisely because it is so divisive among party members and activists. The best way forward is for all parties to back of the ideology and let a free vote take place. That way we will know how TD’s really think and feel on the matter. More importantly we will get to out the hypocrites who want to hide behind party policy and the whip, claiming to be one thing yet voting the other way.
    Sadly instead of having an open and honest debate, journalist like Hugh here will party politicise the issue and party trolls will milk it for for everything it is worth. No wonder so many people are disillusioned with politics.

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:38 PM

    If the government taxed it then it might be another Irish spinner for them… lol.
    An Irish Water personnel at every pregnancy so they can charge 188 for when the water breaks lol.

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    Mute John Hutchins
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    Mar 5th 2015, 5:42 AM

    How screwed up is it that this is even a issue. Hard to believe that a modern day European country still does not allow women to control their own lives.
    Ruled by an archaic religious creed and doctrine.

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    Mute Tap Solny
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    Mar 4th 2015, 5:02 PM

    .

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    Mute Lao Tzu
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    Mar 4th 2015, 11:13 PM

    Night, Tap xxx

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    Mute AnDruidDearg
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    Mar 4th 2015, 10:50 PM

    They should change there stance after all the stalling once and for all and support a women’s right over her body and be pro choice officially. Like all respectable socialists.

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