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Facebook shuts down Instagram accounts advertising illegal St Patricks Day rave

The event would be in breach of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions if it went ahead.

FACEBOOK HAS SHUT down social media profiles advertising an illegal “lockdown rave” after profiles gained traction online.

The event, which has been advertised on both Instagram and Snapchat, would be in breach of Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions if it went ahead.

“We have restricted access to this account as it violates government Covid-19 health guidelines,” said a Facebook company spokesperson.

“We are committed to supporting the HSE’s work to keep people safe and informed, including on the importance of social distancing.” 

While Level 5 restrictions officially end on 5 March, it is all but certain that they will be extended into April.

Level 5 restrictions prevent social gatherings of any type, with exceptions for social bubbles or for essential family reasons like childcare.

According to posts seen by TheJournal.ie, the illegal rave was planned to be held in Dublin or Kildare, and organisers were planning on announcing the location 12 hours before the event began.

Posts by the organiser before the page was taken down reported that they had sold over 1200 tickets to the event.

The group’s Snapchat profile has also been taken down, due to Snapchat’s community safety policy against using the app for any illegal purposes.

“Our community guidelines clearly state that Snapchat should not be used for any type of illegal activity and anyone who sees things like this should immediately report it in app,” said a spokesperson for Snapchat.

A PayPal account linked to the event has also been closed, due to information used in the creation of the account being either fraudulent or stolen.

Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West Emer Higgins had called on social media platforms to remove all content that relates to the illegal rave, calling the event “reckless”.

A private social media group advertising a ‘Paddy’s Day Lockdown Rave’ was initially set up on Instagram and seems to have now migrated to Snapchat. It is being advertised as a paid event, with tickets priced at €20 for ravers who want to attend this reckless rave in a warehouse at an undisclosed location in Dublin or Kildare.

“If this event goes ahead it will be a flagrant dismissal of the current legislations and a mockery to all the efforts everyone has made in the battle against Covid-19.”

Higgins said that while restrictions have been tough on everyone, now was not the time to return to normality and urged those considering attending to think again.

“Think of your families. Think of the vulnerable people in our society who might die if they get this virus,” said Higgins.

With reporting by Adam Daly

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    Mute Aranthos Faroth
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:29 AM

    Should have let it go ahead and been one of the easiest sting operations.

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    Mute Brendan Gordon
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:08 PM

    @Aranthos Faroth: Yeah, super safe to try and arrest dozens and do crowd control for hundreds in a pandemic. Get everyone in one room is the perfect plan.

    63
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    Mute Mark Brown
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    Feb 21st 2021, 3:04 PM

    @Aranthos Faroth: Yeah, I can see it now. Two thousand revellers ordered to vacate premises. Gardai issue four fines.

    29
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    Mute Jazz Buckler
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:43 AM

    The organisers know it’s a good way of scamming “edgy” rule breakers and Covid deniers out of 20 quid.
    Advertising widely a secret rave for 5,000 people – on FB, Insta and SnapChat – saying the Gardai will never find it etc !
    They know it’s never going to happen and will just keep the money they’ve already been paid through the multiple PayPal a/c’s they’ve set up.

    287
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    Mute John Bathe
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:54 AM

    @Jazz Buckler: yep your bang on.. never underestimates people’s ability to be scammed by a simple ploy like this

    170
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    Mute Stephen Deegan
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    Feb 21st 2021, 3:37 PM

    @Jazz Buckler: Master stroke if you ask me. Never underestimate how easy it is to take €20 from an id1ot.

    38
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    Mute Alan Leahy
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:53 AM

    Legally restrictions end on 5th March so how is it illegal. I understand they may be extended but there are plenty of gigs organised throughout the year. Electric Picnic is still advertising as going ahead. Surely it wouldn’t become illegal until the restrictions were extended. Not condoning the event, I would openly condemn it, just a question on the legality of the sanctions imposed.

    179
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    Mute Gavin Linden
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:03 AM

    @Alan Leahy: Fair point.

    55
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    Mute Paddy Cullen AIWS
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:10 AM

    @Alan Leahy: Operating without a licence?

    68
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    Mute Gavin Linden
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:21 AM

    @Paddy Cullen AIWS: I’m fairly sure EP has no licence for 2021 event which they are advertising on FB but that is irrelevant to why the rave was removed. If fb are to be consistent this should be taken down too.

    33
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    Mute barry moore
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:36 AM

    @Gavin Linden: EP is an official event advising with a time date and venue. They will have already engaged with the relevant authorities in relation to holding an event for 2021. Garda will have been asked to provide crowd control. They will have supplied a site plan along with safety plans incase of in emergency. Huge difference between EP and the illegal rave that was planned. I hope FB and PayPal provide garda siochana with the details of all the organisers and prospective attendees.

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    Mute Declan Doherty
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:07 PM

    @barry moore: It’s not illegal to “plan” on going to a rave.

    17
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    Mute Gavin Linden
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:12 PM

    @barry moore: but that is not the illegality they referenced in their decision to remove it. There is a distinct difference.

    7
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    Mute Sheila McNulty
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:16 PM

    @Alan Leahy: so u think if restrictions are eased U can bring a Hugh crowd into a warehouse & no problem, U would have to be Brain dead to think that is ok , Dr Ronan Glynn only the other day saying it would be at least 6 months before we could have gatherings of 50 people Do u actually know what is happening at present

    17
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    Mute Alan Leahy
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:37 PM

    @Sheila McNulty: Read my comment again.

    16
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    Mute barry moore
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:38 PM

    @Declan Doherty: if it was an illegal rave the person involved could possibly be prosecuted under conspiracy to commit a crime laws. Highly unlikely but always that chance.

    3
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    Mute barry moore
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:49 PM

    @Gavin Linden: it was removed because under current restrictions as all large events are cancelled. Anyone who thinks that the government will go from no one attending an event to 1200 people attending events on 5th March needs to get help. The government has said that we won’t see any major relaxing on restrictions till mid summer. Electric picnic is planned for the end of September. Everyone knows that if restrictions are extended EP won’t happen we can’t say the same about the illegal rave that was planned.

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    Mute Margaret Deacon
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:51 PM

    @Alan Leahy: highly unlikely restrictions will end on March 5th

    7
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    Mute Margaret Deacon
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:53 PM

    @Gavin Linden: imagine EP will give refunds it they don’t get a license , wonder has the rave, security,for check etc , sounds a bit dodgy

    3
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    Mute Ann Mc Shane
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    Feb 21st 2021, 2:15 PM

    @Declan Doherty: you sound like a child

    5
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    Mute Alan Leahy
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    Feb 21st 2021, 4:31 PM

    @Margaret Deacon: Yes, I understand that and addressed it in my original comment.

    2
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    Mute Football Value Trader
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:30 AM

    It was never going to happen. Sounded like a scam from day dot

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    Mute Darren Mc Mahon
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:28 AM

    Pretty sure it’s a golden oldie rav if they are using Facebook

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    Mute Aranthos Faroth
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:30 AM

    @Darren Mc Mahon: where are you living?

    The breakdown of demographics by age include:
    51% of 13–17 year olds use Facebook
    76% of 18–24 year olds use Facebook
    84% of 25–30 year olds use Facebook
    79% of 30–49 year olds use Facebook
    68% of 50–64 year olds use Facebook
    46% of 65+ year olds use Facebook

    79
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    Mute Darren Mc Mahon
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:34 AM

    @Aranthos Faroth: never never land

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    Mute Gavin Linden
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:58 AM

    @Aranthos Faroth:
    68% of 50–64 year olds use Facebook??!
    That seems very high, is that a percent of every body? I’m in that category and I actually no none of my friends actually use it. A few family members only.

    30
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    Mute Matty J Molloy
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:05 AM

    @Darren Mc Mahon: fifty year olds can still go to raves …….. i do

    31
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    Mute Richard Russell
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:45 AM

    @Aranthos Faroth: I have stopped Facebook 6 years ago

    8
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    Mute Diarmuid Kelly
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:59 AM

    @Aranthos Faroth: Demographics for some redneck region in USA?

    12
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    Mute Darren Mc Mahon
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    Feb 21st 2021, 1:55 PM

    @Matty J Molloy: go on ya good thing

    4
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    Mute Aranthos Faroth
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    Feb 21st 2021, 2:37 PM

    @Diarmuid Kelly: yes. I pulled exactly that. It’s surprising how much marketing analysis is targeted and driven to that single geographic location. How did you know?

    2
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    Mute Stephen Deegan
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    Feb 21st 2021, 3:38 PM

    @Darren Mc Mahon: I could do with a golden oldie rave.

    5
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    Mute Mikey
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    Feb 21st 2021, 5:47 PM

    @Aranthos Faroth: * has a Facebook account

    1
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    Mute Damo
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:40 AM

    Payment in advance? Seems legit alright

    72
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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:57 AM

    When are the government going to grow a pair and come out and tell us what is there plan over the next few months or are we going to learn everything from leaks through twitter

    46
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    Mute Mairead Jenkins
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:03 AM

    @Shaun Gallagher: Apparently after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting. A communications shambles

    28
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    Mute Eddie Michael
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:32 AM

    What about the groups on Fakebook that have organised meet ups

    35
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    Mute Robert Robert
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:32 AM

    Take down forever,this St Patrick’s Day will be never celebrated like before under this circumstance,we must keep pictures form previous celebrations at least we can show our kids a piece of history and how was normal times before covid.

    34
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    Mute yell cub
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:22 AM

    @Robert Robert: We can show them grammar and punctuation too. It’ll be cool.

    78
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    Mute Robert Robert
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:31 AM

    @yell cub:take : , . ‘ ” ? ! put yourself as your wish if I forgot something let me know :)

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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:44 AM

    @yell cub: When you correct someone’s punctuation or grammar, make sure yours is perfect. You’re missing a comma in your comment.

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    Mute yell cub
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:45 AM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: Nope.

    12
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    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:50 PM

    @yell cub: The word “too” requires a comma preceding it as it is a secondary clause in that sentence.

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    Mute Robert Robert
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:52 PM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: thanks man

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    Mute yell cub
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    Feb 22nd 2021, 12:44 AM

    @Brian Ó Dálaigh: That’s absolute nonsense.

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    Mute Matty J Molloy
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:02 AM

    so facebook is the new police force in ireland

    29
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    Mute barry moore
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:13 AM

    @Matty J Molloy: they never said that. If you actually read the terms of use for any social media website they all say that using their platform for illegal purposes can lead to you being banned. They are looking after their own business.

    36
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    Mute Brian Murphy
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:11 AM

    Someone cleaverly pointed it out that there is nothing illegal about it as it’s after March 5th and no restrictions confirmed beyond then. I think Ticketmaster gave actually sold tickets for events in the summer and they likely won’t go ahead either.

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    Mute barry moore
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:27 AM

    @Brian Murphy: holding a large scale event without a licence is illegal. When you buy tickets from ticketmaster they always sold “subject to licence” event licence is only granted after a review of the venue, and its safety plan. Has the organisers notified the local authorities they intend to hold the even? Nope Has the organisers arranged for garda to police the event and offer crowd control? Definitely not.
    That makes this kind of event illegal every day of the year.

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    Mute Gavin Linden
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:40 AM

    @barry moore: Fair enough but that is not why they removed it. Their removal cited illegal under covid rules. So if the rave organisers put it back up with ‘subject to license’ everything will be ok?
    If fb are to be consistent the likes of Electric picnic pages should be removed immediately too.

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    Mute Mark Dowling
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:48 AM

    @barry moore: we don’t know these answers until the relevant bodies release that information. It’s all just speculation, we don’t know the facts. Sure a walk to visit my mother’s house is now apparently illegal, I wonder how many criminals we have in Ireland these days. They’ll need to start building jails

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    Mute barry moore
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:52 AM

    @Gavin Linden: that would be up to the FB moderator but highly unlikely, but possibly if they were a registered company and went about it the right way. The organisers of EP are actual company called Festival Republic and they will have started the applications to get the licences for the event long ago. They will have notified An garda siochana of their intention to hold a large scale event and have emergency plans in place.

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    Mute barry moore
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    Feb 21st 2021, 11:59 AM

    @Mark Dowling: we do know they didn’t have a licence they weren’t telling anyone where the venue was till 12hours before. All licence applications have to appear in the local newspapers to allow people to object if the have grounds to before being approvedby local authorities. They also said An garda siochana will never know where the event is. By law an garda siochana have to be informed about large scale events.

    7
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    Mute Mark Dowling
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:01 PM

    @barry moore: could have just been a marketing ply to get young people on board, could have been an add in a local village news paper?

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    Mute barry moore
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:23 PM

    @Mark Dowling: if that is the case that is false advertising. Your clutching at straws with the village newspapers idea. FB moderators will have done the research into it before removing it and more than likely contacted relevant authorities. Having seen the advert for it I can safely say it wasn’t legit. More than likely a scam and I’d be delighted If that’s what it turns out to be.

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    Mute Brian Murphy
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    Feb 21st 2021, 12:45 PM

    @barry moore: no a fair point, I did know that, facebook wouldn’t have known that for definite or shouldn’t have at least and wasn’t the reason it was removed. Was to due with projected restrictions

    2
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    Mute David Duffy
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    Feb 21st 2021, 10:37 AM

    Oh that will work alright

    13
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    Mute Jjohn Cconway
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    Feb 21st 2021, 4:02 PM

    Someone has just pocketed a handy 24,000 euro!

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    Mute Shawn O'Ceallaghan
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    Feb 21st 2021, 4:34 PM

    Assuming the restrictions are no longer just guidelines?

    4
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