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TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE has today condemned those responsible for the violence which occurred during riots in Belfast over the weekend.
A number of police officers were injured when crowds of loyalists hurled missiles and petrol bombs at them. The violence kicked off after police stopped an Orange Order parade from passing through the nationalist Ardyone area during the Twelfth of July commemorations.
On Friday night alone, more than 30 officers were injured as several were knocked unconscious and one suffered from a broken jaw. The violence continued for another two nights with a number of arrests made last night.
Speaking today, Gilmore said that the attacks on police which led to over 40 in total being injured are “simply unacceptable and appalling”.
“I believe that most members of the Orange Order would not condone the sectarianism we witnessed in recent days, be that the playing of sectarian tunes outside a catholic church or the burning of the Irish flag,” he said.
It’s important to remember that over the period of the 12th there were almost 600 parades. The great majority of these passed off peacefully. But where individuals who march behind the banners of an organisation commit blatant acts of sectarianism, it is simply not acceptable for that organisation to try to explain or condone it – or even to ignore it. Its leaders and its members must clearly condemn it.
The Tánaiste added that Northern Ireland’s reputation had been “greatly enhanced” by last month’s G8 meeting and the scenes witnessed this weekend put this good work at risk.
He called for political efforts on both sides to focus on ensuring the scenes are not repeated and said he was hopeful that outstanding issues around parades can be worked through.
The Northern Ireland Assembly is due to meet tomorrow to discuss the violence that took place over the weekend.
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Somebody’s weekend is fcuked
Mine an all
As there was a potential loss of €9000 does that mean that the price of cigarettes is 75% tax?
Yes… if not more!
As little as €15 per 200 fags in Lanzarote. Nearly €10 per 10 here… ;)
So 3,000 euro of vodka would make 14,000 euro for the government. How are we in debt with economics like that?
So its real cash, real cigarettes and counterfeit Vodka! I’d never have guessed them in that order.
As I said before. Legal, regulated and taxed. And still criminals smuggle them.
Because of the crazy amount of tax !!
And you think weed won’t be any different?
And you think legalized Drugs would be any less taxed? And that criminals would say ho hum pack up and do something else?
Sh*t… Where will I get my counterfeit vodka now?
Never thought I’d say this but I’m off to louth
Its the bleary eyes and cough that gives the smugglers away each time.
What happens to the cash in these situations?
After the trial. And if there is a conviction the money goes to the Government as its proceeds of crime.
Balbriggan garda station, for safe keeping.:)
Rats out
Does it not go to the CAB Mick if its the proceeds of crime,I for one wouldn’t go near real vodka never mind counterfeit vodka meant to full of nasty chemicals,I no of students that I no over in England that drink it because its £5 a bottle and been a student they have no choice to buy and drink it cuz there on a tight budget,over there the off licence sells it to you from under the counter,everything is mostly counterfeit these days because theres a demand for it,and the government taxes the ass out of everything that moves its the governments fault as well partly cuz the more they keep taxing the more demand for counterfeit goods,that’s my opinion on it,sure there selling counterfeit chainsaws which are dangerous at the best of times,anyways that’s my rant over goodbye……….
The gathering cancelled
Looking at that money I wish I could get a loan :)
I hate you
Um.. What exactly is counterfeit vodka?
Are you taking the piss?
Is it paint thinner or something? Cuz they sell that in Tesco and call it value vodka..
Hi Rayne, apparently it’s homemade madness. Meth spirits and all sorts in it, probably some vodka too just to ‘water’ it down so to speak. You hear stories of lads going blind and getting very, very sick from a sesh on this stuff. I know some Eastern European pals who were telling me about the vats of stuff that would be made back home. Wild.
Yup that vodka is extremely dangerous its well known in Russia.
You can be sure that cash will not be secure in a garda safe.
The vodka is rot gutt!
Is the headline name what Charlie sheen eats for his breakfast?
Congratulations must go again to the Gardai who have again kicked carreer criminals where it hurts. Hopefully there wil be many many more similar seizures.
Ah jasus give us a break , I’m back on the Rollie’s now and will be forced to drink turps again after this bust .
This shite is killing me .
have your say