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This photograph was taken of the van in situ in the car park of the Garda station TheJournal.ie

Gardaí investigating how pro-life campaign billboard van was allowed to park on Garda property

The parking of the ‘No’ mobile billboard vehicle caused some concern.

GARDA MANAGEMENT HAS initiated an internal investigation into how a pro-life campaign van was allowed to park at a Garda station in the west of Ireland.

A Save the 8th mobile billboard van was kept at the car park of the Carrick-on-Shannon Garda station in Co Leitrim on 24 April last. TheJournal.ie understands that express permission was given by a member of An Garda Siochána for the van to use Garda property.

However, it is understood that other members of the force took issue with a referendum campaign vehicle being allowed to use the Garda car park. Photographs were taken of the van in situ and distributed in a Whatsapp messaging group.

Some officers complained when they saw the vehicle parked up, saying that they felt that if a member of the public had managed to spot the van there that it risked looking like the force had been politicised in the referendum. The van had been parked at the back of the station, away from the public road.

There had been a number of instances of vandalism in the area relating to the referendum. Sources told TheJournal.ie that some officers were concerned that public trust in the gardai’s ability to police such incidences with impartiality could be eroded should it be thought that they favoured one side of the debate.

The vehicle was part of a roadshow travelling the country. Social media posts show this vehicle as well as a number of other Save the 8th buses and cars in Carrick on Shannon at the time.

However, it is understood that the complaint was met with an order from an officer that all officers on duty that day furnish a report to reveal who took the photograph.

Sources have told TheJournal.ie that morale has been affected by the incident and the subsequent fallout for officers who complained about the van.

An Garda Síochána has told TheJournal.ie that it is now launching a probe into the entire incident, from the point of how the vehicle came to be parked at the station.

In a statement, gardaí said: “An Garda Síochána is an apolitical organisation and all members are aware of this. Internal enquiries are ongoing in relation to this matter.”

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194 Comments
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    Mute Scott Peterson
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    May 4th 2018, 12:14 AM

    Drip
    Drip
    Drip
    At this stage the Journal might as well just place a Repeal banner on the website and openly admit they’re part of the Yes campaign.

    792
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 12:40 AM

    @Scott Peterson: the report appears to be correct. Must TheJournal.ie only report good stories about Pro-Life or ignore bad stories about Pro-Life?

    617
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    Mute Rochelle
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    May 4th 2018, 12:51 AM

    @Scott Peterson: The report is factual. Do you have nothing to say about the obnoxious No campaign to pull such a stunt?

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    Mute Scott Peterson
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    May 4th 2018, 12:59 AM

    @Rochelle:
    Parking a van in a Garda car park is obnoxious?
    Hilarious overreaction there Rochelle.

    176
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 1:01 AM

    @Scott Peterson: using public facilities free of charge and doing so to support one side in a Referendum seems serious.

    266
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    Mute Del Bear
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    May 4th 2018, 1:54 AM

    @Scott Peterson: she hasn’t overreacted at all…she’s simply stated her opinion like everyone else..you’re the one getting emotional over someone having a different opinion to you..calm down love!

    216
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    Mute Andrew Cosgrave
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    May 4th 2018, 3:03 AM

    @Michael Lang: what about the Government(the people’s representatives) taking sides and using public taxes to do so. It’s only a problem when it’s the other side isn’t it Michael? Hypocrites.

    131
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    Mute Nicky O'Donnell
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    May 4th 2018, 6:30 AM

    @Scott Peterson: Why don’t you just admit to the truth of what the Journal has been reporting: That the anti-choicers are bullies, losing the debate, and have been resorting to an increasingly desperate and underhanded campaign the closer we come to the referendum. Harassing women in at maternity hospitals with sickening banners. Blatantly lying to the public with factually incorrect posters. And now, to help them out in ballybobackwards they need the biggest bullies of all on their side; the Gardai. Pathetic.

    204
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    Mute Boyne Sharky
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    May 4th 2018, 7:12 AM

    @Scott Peterson: May I ask if the van was carrying a poster from the Repeal lobby would you still feel the same way, I sincerely doubt it.
    The story, complete with accompanying image, is clearly accurate and at this point it’s becoming obvious that hardly a day goes by when there’s another revelation of the Pro-Life lobby getting caught lying or misrepresenting. I realise it’s not your fault they’re doing this, but you can hardly blame The Journal for reporting these facts, or us readers either.

    104
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 7:15 AM

    @Andrew Cosgrave: Government and public representatives have not only a right but a duty as publicly elected persons to make their views known and to advocate for whichever side they support. It is democracy and feeedom of expression in action.

    47
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    Mute Pepper Brooks
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    May 4th 2018, 7:36 AM

    @Nicky O’Donnell: what’s an anti choicer? That’s a new one!

    30
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    Mute AP
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    May 4th 2018, 7:40 AM

    @Scott Peterson: and rightly so …… repeal the 8th

    37
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    Mute O'Boyle Darragh
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    May 4th 2018, 7:40 AM

    @Scott Peterson: Perhaps you prefer the anti-choice bias of the Liberal.ie?

    36
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    May 4th 2018, 8:01 AM

    @Boyne Sharky: I would have a problem with either side displaying a mobile billboard from state property.

    36
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    Mute Boyne Sharky
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    May 4th 2018, 8:16 AM

    @John Mulligan: Indeed, but not reporting it accurately.

    3
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    Mute Pconor
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    May 4th 2018, 8:29 AM

    @Scott Peterson: well Said Scott. Disgraceful one-sided biased journalism. Scouring the country for anything to throw at the pro life movement.
    VOTE NO.

    37
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 8:35 AM

    @Graham Wilson: the supposed Life if a mere foetus but at the expense of the life, health, dignity, and welfare of the pregnant woman.

    33
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    Mute Thomas Francis
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    May 4th 2018, 8:46 AM

    @Scott Peterson: Sure let them off; they’re only doing their master’s (NUJ) bidding…

    12
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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:03 AM

    @Scott Peterson: It is quite embarrassing at this stage. Reporting on a parked van is the best they can come up now.

    28
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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:06 AM

    @Rochelle: So what if it is factual? It is also trivial. It is the equivalent to reporting on a person being fined for dropping litter. It just shows the desperation of the yes campaign, of which the journal is firmly embedded. They are bordering on the ludicrous at this stage.

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    Mute Mirabelle Stonegate
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    May 4th 2018, 9:08 AM

    @Boyne Sharky: pro choice. This is a disgusting tactics from the no side imo.

    And yes, I condemn such tactics regardless of side. A friend admitted to ripping down no posters recently. I admonished him for being in the wrong, even though I could understand his position. Thing is though, I encounter this sort of thing more from the no side.

    20
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    Mute Scott Peterson
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    May 4th 2018, 9:12 AM

    @Johnny Bellew:
    Hilarious really given that The Journal has been portraying itself as some sort of totally unbiased international Fact Checking think tank on the upcoming referendum.
    The Yes people lap it up.

    28
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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:16 AM

    @Scott Peterson: They are an embarrassment to journalism.

    29
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    Mute John Smith
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    May 4th 2018, 9:18 AM

    @Johnny Bellew:

    It is anything but trivial. It may seem trivial to you, but the national police force shouldn’t be seen to be supporting a side in a referendum. It was most likely some clown of a Garda that didn’t comprehend the seriousness, or supported the the no campaign, but it should not have happened. Equally as serious is the furnishing of a report to find out who took the picture. The Gardai have a serious issue when it comes to their members calling out bad practise in their organisation.

    36
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    Mute helen walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:21 AM

    @Scott Peterson: what rot, there are more NO posters throughout the country than Yes..what is the Yes campaign doing?

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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    May 4th 2018, 9:22 AM

    @Andrew Cosgrave: You obviously have NO grasp of the government’s role here. Pity.

    7
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    Mute Scott Peterson
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    May 4th 2018, 9:24 AM

    @helen walsh:
    The Yes side hardly need posters now do they when they have Irish media in their back pocket.

    19
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    Mute Danny Rafferty
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    May 4th 2018, 9:24 AM

    @Thomas Francis: Hilarious childishness

    6
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    Mute Ohhh_reeally
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    May 4th 2018, 9:25 AM

    @Nicky O’Donnell: pathetic is when you read an article and see that it was the garda themselves that complained about the van but you still imply that the gardai are supporting the no side

    12
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    Mute Scott Peterson
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    May 4th 2018, 9:27 AM

    @John Smith:
    The Yes side are supported by the HSE and RTE, both funded by Irish taxpayers and nobody blinks an eye yet some poor individual parks a van in their local Garda station in order to avoid having it vandalised by the loony left and the nation is up in arms. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yes side called for a tribunal of inquiry and an appeal for the UN to intervene.
    Absurd.

    24
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    Mute John Smith
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    May 4th 2018, 9:39 AM

    @Scott Peterson:

    Whats the point of using the term “loony left”? Is it that you are out to paint people with some blanket brush to delegitimise a group or is it because you lack any originality and squawk overused phrases like a trained parrot? Lame man.

    The HSE are stating medical facts. RTE are reporting news. Neither of which are supporting a side. If the referendum was on “Should Garda carry guns?” then it would be the responsibility of the force to provide facts about the arming of police, as they are the experts in that field.

    Pretty simple logic to understand. Unless you are simple.

    18
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    Mute Dani
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    May 4th 2018, 10:09 AM

    @Scott Peterson: Lets hope so Scott. How’s your uterus today? No? Shut up.

    20
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    Mute Lamb
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    May 4th 2018, 10:30 AM

    @Michael Lang: Civil servants are not allowed to participate in political lobbying. I would have expected the same of public servants…despite the high numbers of teachers in political parties.

    2
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    Mute Nicky O'Donnell
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    May 4th 2018, 12:02 PM

    @Ohhh_reeally: Come off it. The dogs on the street know that the Gardai and religious and political conservatism go hand in hand. I’ve no doubt that if surveyed, the number of Gardai voting no would be much higher than the national average. They’ve always been apologists for Fianna Fail: the proud Catholic Party.

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    Mute Andrew Cosgrave
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    May 4th 2018, 2:26 PM

    @Danny Rafferty: explain it to me please since you are ever knowing. I’m guessing you are a Yes vote therefore the Government acting this way doesn’t bother you in the slightest. The hyprocity levels are off the scale.

    5
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    Mute Pauline Geraghty
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    May 4th 2018, 10:29 PM

    @Pconor: You vote NO. At least you have a choice.

    1
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    Mute Repeal Harlot
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    May 4th 2018, 12:09 AM

    Well whoever gave the go ahead for that is a bit of a dope. No matter which side the van belonged to this is not ok.

    533
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    Mute Walt Jabsco
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    May 4th 2018, 6:23 AM

    @Repeal Harlot:
    Yes, but the “van had been parked at the back of the station, away from the public road”.
    Could it be another example of a journal ‘exclusive’ that’s just trying to sensationalise a non-event?
    Perhaps ill-informed to leave it there, but hardly headline material.

    275
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 7:10 AM

    @Walt Jabsco: using State public facilities free of charge and doing so to support one side in a Referendum is unacceptable and wholly improper. It contravenes the impartial and non political nature of AGS.

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 4th 2018, 7:41 AM

    @Walt Jabsco: well then we can do away with the “balance” RTÉ have to show then?

    21
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    Mute Andrew Cosgrave
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    May 4th 2018, 8:27 AM

    @Michael Lang: Have you completely lost the plot? The government are using state funds to push a Yes vote. How is that any different. Michael I know you are employed by the YES campaign to spread the word of pro choice in the comments section of the journal but if you took off the blinkers for just a minute you might see how hypocritical your comments are. Leo and Harris are using my hard earned tax money to push a result that I disapprove of. Am I entitled to be up in arms over that. Pot, kettle, black and all that.

    31
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 8:38 AM

    @Andrew Cosgrave: funding of a Referendum campaign is not at the expense of the State and our politicians are entitled to promote their own side . You are terribly badly informed.

    26
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    Mute Pconor
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    May 4th 2018, 8:44 AM

    @Andrew Cosgrave: Well said Andy. Be prepared to get attacked by the trolls.
    VOTE NO.

    24
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    Mute eric nelligan
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    May 4th 2018, 8:50 AM

    @Repeal Harlot: together4Yes launched in a maternity hospital, the irony of this article.

    Government ministers and TDS using the apparatus of the state to further agenda, not a peep.

    TheJournal.ie is a joke of a media organization.

    28
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    Mute Thomas Francis
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    May 4th 2018, 8:50 AM

    @Andrew Cosgrave: None so blind Michael as those (the collective known as Michael Lang) who will not see.

    10
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    Mute The Hoodedman
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    May 4th 2018, 9:09 AM

    @Michael Lang: Where does your funding come from then?

    14
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    Mute helen walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:22 AM

    @Walt Jabsco: what is the van doing there anyway,

    9
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    Mute Michael Walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:27 AM

    @Pconor: vote yes

    8
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    Mute Michael Powell
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    May 4th 2018, 9:53 AM

    @Repeal Harlot: I’m voting yes just to be clear but it’s a non story. It wasn’t in public view and was there to stop it being vandalised. Pro active policing.

    10
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    Mute Walt Jabsco
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    May 4th 2018, 1:32 PM

    @helen walsh:
    Reading between the lines of the article it appears it may have been parked there to prevent it being vandalised.

    9
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    Mute Andrew Cosgrave
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    May 4th 2018, 2:52 PM

    @Michael Lang: I’m not talking about funding the referendum, im talking about funding a YES vote. If the government do not need to be impartial publicly then why do the Gardai? Both state operated divisions. The government will try to do their best to shut every NO voter up. I’m understand you are a paid employee for YES campaign so asking you to remove the blinkers for a second won’t have any effect, it’s a pity really Michael you might be able to look at both sides for a while and then make an educated decision but I guess the € is greater than your morals.

    6
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    Mute Patrick Kearns
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    May 5th 2018, 4:23 AM

    @Andrew Cosgrave: Everybody needs to eat and pay their bills, if he’s devoting his full working day to campaigning the it’s right he should be paid for his time no matter which side he’s campaigning for. It is the job of those in government to represent the views of those who vote them in, it is their very job not to be impartial. AGS however have to be impartial, it is illegal for them not to be. You can twist this anyway you like but the fact is, either there to advertise or hidden there, it was not an impartial action. If I want to keep my car safe can I park at the back of the local Garda station and if so, at what point do our copshops turn in to parking lots?

    1
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    Mute Murph11
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    May 4th 2018, 12:09 AM

    Are there any negative vote yes campaign stories or is it just a totally one sided media campaign

    388
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    Mute Scott Peterson
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    May 4th 2018, 12:17 AM

    @Murph11:
    It’s embarrassing at this stage. The Journal is an impartiality and integrity free zone.

    269
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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 12:41 AM

    @Murph11: the Pro-Life side are responsible fir drawing negative coverage of negative conduct.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 6:50 AM

    @Murph11: you’re upset that the YES side aren’t stooping to this level? They wouldn’t be able to report on all the vile or underhanded things the NO side are doing if they weren’t doing them.

    83
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    Mute Me_a_monkey
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    May 4th 2018, 7:15 AM

    @Michael Lang: 100%!
    They’re using questionable tactics and very questionable statistics to back up their claims. Their statistician was probably a previous Anglo employee.

    Can’t say some of the other sides figures are perfect either but at least they’re not putting up pics of aborted foetuses outside maternity hospitals…

    41
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 4th 2018, 7:44 AM

    @Murph11: besides a dodgy photo shopped poster I have not observed anything out of hand the yes side have done. So maybe you’ll fill me in. Go.

    49
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    Mute Toon Army
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    May 4th 2018, 8:11 AM

    @Me_a_monkey: Exactly, the actions of the No side are truly reprehensible.

    25
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    Mute Thomas Francis
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    May 4th 2018, 8:51 AM

    @Scott Peterson: They’re so primitive it’s hilarious though; they should study Edward Bernays to be more subtle and effective.

    4
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    Mute MK76
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    May 4th 2018, 8:58 AM

    @Murph11: Amazing to see the issues the No side have with facts being reported. Guess that happens when your campaign is based predominantly on lies.

    12
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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:09 AM

    @Murph11: The journal are embarrassing themselves and the yes campaign in general. Their one-sided reporting gives journalism a bad name (notice that I didn’t say serious journalism)

    24
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    Mute Michael Walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:27 AM

    @Murph11: vote yes

    14
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    Mute Michael Powell
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    May 4th 2018, 10:19 AM

    @Johnny Bellew: it’s not really one sided when reporting. The repeal campaign has been a factual adult campaign with no childish or devious acts. The same can t be said for the no campaign. As for the story above, it’s a non story. Out of public view. Big deal.

    12
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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 10:51 AM

    @Michael Powell: The problem with the journal is that they scour the internet searching for stories searching to support the yes campaign. There is another propaganda repeal piece in today journal. It is the equivalent of Fox News in the US.
    As for facts, the repeal side should stop using euphemisms to describe reality. For example the “healthcare” they refer to is in fact NOT healthcare for the life that is killed. They don’t like to mention that it kills human life. Many repealers deny that the government will allow abortions up to 6 months even they they have issued a proposed bill that will see abortions up to the point of “viability” (6 months) for some certain and some tenuous reasons.

    12
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    Mute Michael Powell
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    May 4th 2018, 12:28 PM

    @Johnny Bellew: it is health care. If that’s your argument against it. Good night

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    Mute Eamonn Duggan
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    May 4th 2018, 6:33 AM

    They do what they want.
    Cobh town was plastered in NO posters yesterday, despite a request not to do so by Cobh Tidy Towns. Ironic that NO side struggle with the word NO.

    291
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    Mute The Hoodedman
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    May 4th 2018, 9:11 AM

    @Eamonn Duggan: It’s ironic the Yes side struggle with equality.

    64
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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:17 AM

    @Eamonn Duggan: See any Yes posters in Cobh, Eamonn? Try and be honest.

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    Mute helen walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:23 AM

    @The Hoodedman: yes they do, everything weighed against them

    3
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    Mute Michael Walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:28 AM

    @The Hoodedman: vote yes

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    Mute Keith O'Reilly
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    May 4th 2018, 3:27 PM

    @Eamonn Duggan: Same thing down here in Arklow, Tidy Towns asked for no posters and then No campaign has covered the town in their lies, but Yes haven’t put up a single poster because they actually care about being sensitive to people’s opinions.

    6
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    Mute The Hoodedman
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    May 4th 2018, 11:59 PM

    @Michael Walsh: not a chance ,Vote No

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    Mute Eamonn Duggan
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    May 5th 2018, 1:30 AM

    @Johnny Bellew: Not a single YES poster within the town,

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 12:34 AM

    That’s a very, very strange looking foetus!

    181
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    Mute A Piece of Chalk
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    May 4th 2018, 7:57 AM

    @Michael Lang: I’m a bit (not entirely) surprised at how badly run the No / LoveBoth campaign has been. I didn’t expect it to be such a disaster although I’m delighted it has been. John McGuirk has a very consistent track record of running disastrous campaigns, they really have been shooting themselves in the foot week after week. As a side note, I notice they haven’t mentioned women once throughout their campaign, it’s been 100% about foetuses, even on their horrid ’6 month’ poster they can’t bear to show a woman’s face and have it cut off at the top, dehumanising women as merely vessels.

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 8:07 AM

    @A Piece of Chalk: exactly! pregnant women don’t count.

    Pregnant women are mere vessels for foetuses which are conceived instantly as 6 month old real babies.

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    May 4th 2018, 8:27 AM

    @A Piece of Chalk: apart from half the love both posters having photos of women and mums on them they don’t have any women at all . Yep . Well spotted. Sigh!!!

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    Mute A Piece of Chalk
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    May 4th 2018, 8:31 AM

    @Greg Kelly: I haven’t seen a single LoveBoat poster on a lampost in Dublin with a woman on it apart from the faceless receptacle with the ’6 month’ bump.

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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:11 AM

    @Michael Lang: It is not a foetus nor does it purport to be a foetus. Whatever gave you that idea?

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    Mute helen walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:27 AM

    @A Piece of Chalk: as far as I am concerned Yes is not to be seen in most towns in the West, not until Galway, what is Yes doing in areas where a Yes campaignis much needed? Have they agreed with NO not to enter the fray in certain areas.which is most of the West?

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    May 4th 2018, 6:35 AM

    OMG , EXCLUSIVE This is major investigative news from the journal ! A parked van. WOW

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 7:19 AM

    @Martin Sinnott: using State and public facilities free of charge and contravening the impartiality and non political nature of An Garda Siochana is improper and unacceptable. The views of the Referendum Commission should be sought. The Garda who gave consent should be the subject of an investigative process and potential disciplinary action of a proportionate nature.

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    Mute Paul
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    May 4th 2018, 7:44 AM

    @Michael Lang: I am not a no voter. I can see why a guard might have given permission, their first obligation is protection of life and property. This guard would be damned either way if the van had been refused and parked then damaged elsewhere. Only oversight I can see here is that the posters weren’t covered up.

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 4th 2018, 7:46 AM

    @Paul: why would the van have been damaged? Such bull.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 7:48 AM

    @Paul: are you suggesting that any members of the public is entitled to park their car at a Garda facility because it’s safer than taking care of their own property. If the Garda had refused permission to park there would be no problem, you’re not entitled to use Garda facilities because you can’t be bother to secure your vehicle yourself.

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    Mute Paul
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    May 4th 2018, 8:12 AM

    @Karen Wellington: I’ve seen anti drugs campaigners park their poster vans at my local. St. John’s ambulance also park there. Like I said if the guard had the opinion that the vehicle MIGHT be damaged if parked on a public street because this referendum is contentious then he/she may have been justified but the poster should have been covered.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 8:57 AM

    @Paul: anti-drug message and st johns ambulance are things that the Gardaí can support. Neither is political and the former is actually in line with the Garda outlook. You or I can ask to park our cars at the local station because it’s safer than on street parking but we would probably be refused, like this case should have been.

    The Garda Code states that the organisation must maintain impartiality in this case, they didn’t and it’s a problem.

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    Mute helen walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:28 AM

    @Martin Sinnott: stop your rot..that van should not have been parked up at a Garda station

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    Mute Michael Powell
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    May 4th 2018, 9:55 AM

    @Karen Wellington: I’m voting to repeal the 8th just to be clear but this us a non story. Unbelievable dramatics from both sides

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 10:12 AM

    @Michael Powell: that’s a fair enough assessment, it’s hardly news worthy and if we weren’t in the run up to a referendum none of us would have heard about it and like Paul said if they’d covered the billboard message it there’d be no case to answer. But it is an infraction of the Garda Code and prolifers crying victim because they aren’t being given special treatment is just aggravating

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    May 4th 2018, 1:16 AM

    Good luck with that one ….if they can’t find Garda commissioners missing phones…. well I despair on this one.

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 12:38 AM

    An Garda Siochana Management are much less concerned by the parking of the pro-life vehicle and the circulation of the photo than about the fact that the vehicle was parked at the rear of the Garda Station.

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    Mute Sean taoiseach
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    May 4th 2018, 6:53 AM

    Or perhaps the person who gave permission was just being nice and allowing them park it for fear of being vandalised on the street whether it was a yes or no either would run the risk no conspiracy just good policing

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 7:03 AM

    @Sean taoiseach: would anyone think it was parked there for any other reason? It’s unlikely they were trying to canvass the Gardaí in Carrick for a no vote. The issue for the Gardaí is more about optics, this looks like an organization that cannot take a political stance (like the HSE) is siding with the no side.

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 7:24 AM

    @Sean taoiseach: The NO NO NO and definitely NO dude should have it’s own proper offstreet secure parking facilities and not be using Garda and State property for political purposes, thus compromising the impartiality and non political nature of An Garda Siochana.

    The sign is false. A 6 month old baby is not a foetus.

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    Mute Paul
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    May 4th 2018, 8:13 AM

    @Karen Wellington: “siding with the no side” bull. The only reason we know this happened was because Gardai objected, that means guards didn’t want it there….

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 8:51 AM

    @Paul: one or more individuals who work as Gardaí or Garda Civilians reported it to management and management has taken the appropriate action to comply with the Garda Code and maintain impartiality.
    It could be that a pro-choice person raised the issue because they’re pro-choice, but it’s equally likely that someone who couldn’t find a parking space took issue with that heap taking up space, ask any Garda what parking is like at a District HQ station.

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    Mute Paul
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    May 4th 2018, 12:09 PM

    @Karen Wellington: like I’ve already said. This Garda was damned either way. This is obviously a high risk vehicle. If the Garda refused and it was damaged they would be held responsible.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 1:12 PM

    @Paul: no they wouldn’t, the person or people that caused the damage would be responsible. The Gardaí are not responsible for every crime that wasn’t preempted.

    The Gardaí can’t and shouldn’t accede to requests like this. They could have offered crime prevention advice, like suggesting other, privately operated, secure yards and maybe cover the image up when it’s not on display if it’s that contentious. Every Garda knows that the organisation is apolitical / impartial, they take an oath to that effect, and even if they’ve forgotten what they swore to there was uproar three years ago when Pearse Street Station tried to encourage people to register to vote (and rightly so, they’d aligned themselves with a specific side for their campaign) and a directive was issued to remind Garda members.

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    Mute Johnno Byrne
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    May 4th 2018, 1:09 AM

    Oh look Garreth did a story about the Gardai that seems negative. there’s a shock!

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 4th 2018, 7:47 AM

    @Johnno Byrne: they should run all stories by you eh? Amirite???

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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:15 AM

    @Johnno Byrne: The Gardai are forming a special unit specifically for this case. They say that they will spare neither human nor financial resources until they get to the bottom of it.

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    Mute B9xiRspG
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    May 4th 2018, 8:00 AM

    Sounds like Gardai used a bit of common sense, if the van was parked up in public car parking, it would probably be burnt out.

    Not uncommon for high risk vehicles to look for secure parking like this.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 8:04 AM

    @B9xiRspG: there’s a whole host of options between a public car park and a garda facility, the rest of us have to secure our own vehicles and find a way to do so.

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    Mute Alan Carmody
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    May 4th 2018, 10:12 AM

    @B9xiRspG: high risk? Maybe shouldn’t be on the road then. Is there an NCT on it?
    Do the guards only police their own stations now? Is the rest of the country an anarchistic, mad max style dystopia?

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    Mute Thomas Francis
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    May 4th 2018, 8:56 AM

    And this is their lead morning headline?
    What more need to be said about their agenda ?

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    Mute Ronan
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    May 4th 2018, 9:00 AM

    This is another BS story from the Journal. A quick look on Google maps shows that the location of the van is totally out of site of the general public.
    Does this mean a member of the public wearing a badge of any sort into a public building seeking safety or other, would be refused, because this is where your going people?

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    Mute Liam Rogers
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    May 4th 2018, 7:56 AM

    Whats the big deal here?

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 8:02 AM

    @Liam Rogers: an organization that’s not allowed to make a political statement appears to have made a political statement.

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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:22 AM

    @Liam Rogers: None. But it was the best that the journal could come up with foe the bank holiday weekend. In other news, a man in Dublin was given a parking fine.

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    Mute Thomas Francis
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    May 4th 2018, 9:00 AM

    They ( the ‘Yes’ side) want to bring abortion – killing for profit – into this country; and they’re concerned about a supposed parking violation ?
    I can’t add anything further.

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 9:05 AM

    @Thomas Francis: you’ve hadn’t added anything at all.

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    Mute Orla van der Noll
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    May 4th 2018, 10:36 AM

    @Thomas Francis: yeah instead the no side wants to export abortions to other countries. As long as it’s not on holy Irish soil abortions are ok yeah? Believe it or not but the rate of abortions won’t increase if the 8th is repealed, it’ll just be safer for Irish women. I wonder why prolifers are so obsessed with foetuses but you never ever see them rallying for the rights of the born. Such as the horrid abuse children go through in some foster care homes in our country and the homelessness crisis affecting many children. Etc etc

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    Mute Thomas Francis
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    May 4th 2018, 1:38 PM

    @Orla van der Noll:
    ‘it’ll just be safer for Irish women’
    Sorry to burst the SU cliche-fed image of realty, but I lost my brother at practically birth stage (over 30 years ago) to just such a medical necessity; and this in the Coombe. I was there and (unfortunately) saw the bloody mess that was required to save my mother. The 8th did not matter.

    ‘ you never ever see them rallying for the rights of the born.’ Join VdP then and you’ll see that assistance given weekly – and to their (mostly single) mothers too.

    ‘As long as it’s not on holy Irish soil abortions are ok yeah?
    Really ! But for the delay as implicit in the UK solution many (including myself) might not have made it. It’s when your mother stands on the banks of the Royal Canal and thinks of suicide that help, not butchery, is needed.

    Stop for a while and do more research so that you may realise what’s really at stake here, and who is setting the agenda (of which this is just a part).

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    Mute Peter Cavey
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    May 4th 2018, 12:24 AM

    The abortion campaign was always going to get ugly… Being as controversial as it is… Brace yourself. It’s going to get a lot uglier in the run up to the referendum.. by both sides.

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 12:38 AM

    @Peter Cavey: which side do you think will be worse?

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    Mute Barry Somers
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    May 4th 2018, 7:37 AM

    @Peter Cavey: and yet it’s the no side using dirty, underhanded tactics like picketing hospitals with graphic signs. This is extremely upsetting to many patients.

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    Mute Toon Army
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    May 4th 2018, 8:13 AM

    @Barry Somers: it really speaks a lot of the mindset on the no side.. despicable

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    Mute Duncan
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    May 4th 2018, 8:20 AM

    @Michael Lang:

    The yes side !!!

    Is that what you’d like him to say !!

    Idiot

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    Mute Greg Kelly
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    May 4th 2018, 8:33 AM

    @Barry Somers: because it’s the No side who put up fake posters of the other side’s campaign? Oh wait……

    Because it’s the yes side who has graffiti sprayed on their posters on the Dublin canal? Oh wait…….

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 8:43 AM

    @Duncan: that’s a strange way to sign off your own comment “Idiot”.

    Is your name “Ducan Idiot” or “Idiot Ducan”.

    The fact is that the bad behaviour is on the NO, NO NO side.

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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:19 AM

    @Michael Lang: Your occasional outbursts of vitriol certainly doesn’t help.

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    Mute Michael Walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @Michael Lang: vote yes

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    Mute helen walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:30 AM

    @Peter Cavey: indeed

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    Mute Duncan
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    May 4th 2018, 6:29 PM

    @Michael Lang:

    Ha ha that would normally be pretty funny but coming from you it’s just reflective of the depth of you’re intelligence or rather the lack of depth.

    You’re a strange little man and I can only assume you’ve no family or job because you seem to have time for nothing else only posting toxic comments on the journal

    And don’t assume you know my views on the topic of repeal. You’ve no real interest in anything to do with this issue. You just like the sound of your own voice and thats all that matters to you.

    And just for clarity ( something new for you )

    You’re an idiot !!!!

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    Mute Pconor
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    May 4th 2018, 8:37 AM

    Exclusive….’ yes side losing momentum by the day and pleading to the journal for more biased articles ‘…..At this stage the majority of Irish voters see through all this rubbish journalism. They don’t want abortion on demand up to 6months (on non specified health grounds). PEOPLE certainly don’t trust politicians given all the scandals in this country.
    VOTE NO.

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 8:45 AM

    @Pconor: you are in for a sad shock on the 26th May.

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    May 4th 2018, 8:46 AM

    @Pconor: you’re so full of it. Lies and fearmongering is all you have left. No-one has even drafted legislation. And no-one will be aborting healthy foetuses at six months. FFS.

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    Mute Kevin Slater
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    May 4th 2018, 9:32 AM

    @Pconor: LOL!

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 12:42 AM

    Ex-Commissioner Callinan might describe this as “disgusting”

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    Mute Era 'tis
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    May 4th 2018, 12:35 AM

    Oh my God, Oh my God, guys we’ve a problem here. I’m really worried. Michael ‘The Lang3r’ Lang hasn’t left a snide, aggressive, pro-murder comment here and the article is over 20 min old!?! I’m really worried. Can someone go round to his place to check on him?

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 12:48 AM

    @Era ’tis: thank you for your care. You have motivated me to increase my contributions.

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    Mute Era 'tis
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    May 4th 2018, 1:06 AM

    @Michael Lang: ah yes, you’re showing your true colours now Michael. Horrid individual, making disgusting gestures right off the bat.

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    May 4th 2018, 1:09 AM

    @Era ’tis: I am sure that it was a misunderstanding which will be quickly cleared up. I regard you as a man entirely beyond reproach.

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    Mute Era 'tis
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    May 4th 2018, 1:14 AM

    @Michael Lang: I’m guessing no family of your own? 1000 comments per day on here wouldn’t leave much time for family, and yes voter, doesn’t appreciate the possibilities and miracle of new baby

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 1:17 AM

    @Era ’tis: ahh babies are cute and okay, even if they all look like Winston Churchill but I can take or leave foetuses. They are not photogenic and they lack any personality.

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    Mute Era 'tis
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    May 4th 2018, 1:23 AM

    Disagree with you. When we saw a heart beat after 8 weeks when we had a scan after my wife bumped her belly there was an emotional bond there immediately. If you ever experience it I promise you you’ll regret voting Yes. I promise that.

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 1:26 AM

    @Era ’tis: expectation is wonderful but actual birth is when it gets real.

    I value my wife more than all the foetuses that ever existed.

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    Mute Era 'tis
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    May 4th 2018, 1:34 AM

    @Michael Lang: but if you abort everything that grows you’ll never experience the result. I love my wife like one person loves another, love for a child, different scale, completely different. Even at 8 weeks in the womb the thought off any harm coming to them is unimaginable. And giving that baby, foetuses, living thing, growing thing no natural rights is unfair. If someone kicked over a little flower in a garden you think they are being a dick, why disturb a little growing thing in your wife’s belly?

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    May 4th 2018, 1:40 AM

    @Era ’tis: that’s a fine bit of nonsense, many people who have children will vote yes and many will vote no, all without regret. Also, why would someone regret having an option available if they don’t intend to use it? Are you trying to imply that people that don’t want to have abortions would do so just because they can?

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    Mute Era 'tis
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    May 4th 2018, 1:54 AM

    @Dave O Keeffe: that’s exactly what’ll happen. Ifnits there it’ll be used out of convenience, don’t be naive be thinking it won’t.

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    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
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    May 4th 2018, 6:27 AM

    @Era ’tis: Yes, after the 8th amendment is repealed, abortions will become mandatory

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 7:20 AM

    @Era ’tis: do you love a foetus more than you love your wife?

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    Mute AP
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    May 4th 2018, 7:59 AM

    @Era ’tis: you two should get a room ……

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    Mute It's A Bay-bee!
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    May 4th 2018, 7:59 AM

    @Era ’tis:there’ll be pesky wimmin out harassing their Local GP’s every single day ..they’ll be askin’ them for those magic pills that make your pregnancy disappear ..

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    Mute It's A Bay-bee!
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    May 4th 2018, 7:59 AM

    @Era ’tis:there’ll be pesky wimmin out harassing their Local GP’s every single day ..they’ll be askin’ them for those magic pills that make your pregnancy disappear ..

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    May 4th 2018, 8:25 AM

    @Era ’tis: I asked if you thought people who don’t want to have abortions will have them just because they can and you said that’s exactly what’ll happen! You seem to be trying to say that abortions will be forced on every pregnant woman in the state. Good luck with that nonsense

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    Mute Kevin Slater
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    May 4th 2018, 8:00 AM

    Really, the No campaign has only school yard pranks and dirty tricks. No reasoned arguement, no science and a longing for the old days of church oppression policed by the prurient priesty camp followers from which sad group the No campaign draws its number.

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    Mute helen walsh
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    May 4th 2018, 9:36 AM

    @Kevin Slater: that may be so but come West and you can’t count a YES poster until Galway, ..the Culchie GAA is making sure that NO prevails, no need for the Catholic Church to bother too much when the GAA are NO-ing for it.

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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:46 AM

    @helen walsh: The Dubs who are flying high in the GAA at present will probably take offence at being referred to as culchies.
    But I suppose, your comment just adds to those little prejudices from the pro-abortionist side.

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    Mute Tony Brady
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    May 4th 2018, 9:35 AM

    I think the story here is that senior Garda went after the whistleblower (he who posted the photo) and not the crime

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    Mute Lyn Brookes
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    May 4th 2018, 11:18 AM

    I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact that the Superintendents wife is one of the leading lights of the Carrick on Shannon pro life brigade. I also heard that some of the Leitrim Together for Yes were giving out leaflets after Mass on Friday evening and were watched by four Gardai, maybe they had a tip off the collection plate was going to get stolen.

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    Mute Daniel Donovan
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    May 4th 2018, 9:33 AM

    The Journal or so obviously on the Repeal side, it’s blatant.

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    Mute Jonny
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    May 4th 2018, 7:19 AM

    No surprises here, garda are primarily culchies who come from rural backwaters and are still stuck in a 70s religious time warp and can’t seem to grasp that time has moved on

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    Mute Karen Wellington
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    May 4th 2018, 7:26 AM

    @Jonny: well that seems unfair, at least one of them saw that it was a problem and made a complaint.

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 7:26 AM

    @Jonny: it was members of An Garda Siochana who objected and circulated the photo so that action would be taken. You should not tar all with the same brush.

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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    May 4th 2018, 7:50 AM

    @Jonny: a bit judgemental considering the facts.

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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    May 4th 2018, 8:52 AM

    @Jonny:
    Actually a significant number of Gardai have Degrees in various disciplines and are over qualified for job.

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    Mute Jonny
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    May 4th 2018, 9:15 AM

    @Aine O Connor: why are they doing it then, let’s face the harsh facts the garda are rotten to the core from top to bottom, there needs to be a radical overhaul getting rid of the bad apples starting at the very top

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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:39 AM

    @Jonny: “………can’t seem to grasp that time has moved on”
    Moved on to what? Killing the young without barely a thought in the world.
    You may believe that that is progress. It isn’t. It’s killing made easy.

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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    May 4th 2018, 10:21 AM

    @Jonny:
    Stop ranting Jonny, the vast majority of the Gardai (14,000) are good decent men. The tendency in this country to tar everyone with the same brush when some corruption is uncovered is unjust and irrational. By all means the bad apples should be rooted out .

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    Mute Winterfell
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    May 4th 2018, 7:39 AM

    Happened in the grounds of Tullamore hospital on at least three separate occasions.

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    Mute Johnny Bellew
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    May 4th 2018, 9:22 AM

    @Winterfell: Oh no!

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    Mute @mdmak33
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    May 4th 2018, 9:49 AM

    The journal is getting very bias on this issue.the vehicle was parked round the back out of sight.

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    Mute AP
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    May 4th 2018, 7:55 AM

    for every abhorrent tactic of the anti choice campaign serving to force their opinions down the throats of Irish people with their horribly graphic posters outside maternity and children’s hospitals…. it just cements the decision of the undecided to repeal the 8th!!!! used to be this country demonized pregnant women, shamed them into Magdalene laundered and stole their babies….. same country wants to control lives of Irish women ……. time to get out from under this oppression and repeal the 8th

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    Mute Jennifer M Kehoe
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    May 4th 2018, 9:12 AM

    If I remember rightly did not Gardai pose for photos while distributing merch for one side during the last referendum held in Ireland? Sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander.

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    Mute Marie Gunbay
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    May 4th 2018, 6:52 AM

    I would rather see it parked in the police yard there than another anti Mobile bill board parked outside the Rape Crisis Centre in Dublin .

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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    May 4th 2018, 8:46 AM

    Crime of the century . All Garda leave suspended to track down culprit. LOL

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    Mute Michael Lang
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    May 4th 2018, 8:47 AM

    And we see the ICBR with its online links to the Life Institute ambushing pregnant women outside hospital with gruesome manipulated imagery.

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    Mute Jennifer M Kehoe
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    May 4th 2018, 9:09 AM

    Crime of the century here.

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    Mute Orla van der Noll
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    May 4th 2018, 10:25 AM

    The whole no campaign is fraught with lies, sexist slogans such as the “women can’t be trusted poster” and funding from American prolife groups messing around with our referendum. Can’t wait to vote yes and let this be over

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    Mute Era 'tis
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    May 4th 2018, 11:49 AM

    @Orla van der Noll: you’re happy to put complete control, that’s complete and utter control of abortion legislation, in the hands of this government and and future government to do with what they want? Leaving no control/choice with women ultimately.

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    Mute John Mc Avinue
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    May 4th 2018, 4:26 PM

    @Era ’tis: Yes. All other legislation is controlled by the politicians. This should be no different.

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    Mute mr non snowflake
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    May 4th 2018, 8:50 AM

    You people get over yourselves. The gardi should not be getting involved….

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    Mute Fintan
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    May 4th 2018, 10:03 AM

    For “sources” read Gardaí in the station. As for affecting their “morale”. Are they men or mice?

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    Mute mr non snowflake
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    May 4th 2018, 8:49 AM

    The g ards had no business doing this full stop.

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    Mute Tom Kelly
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    May 4th 2018, 7:24 AM

    North West of Ireland

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    Mute Luke Robson
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    May 4th 2018, 11:07 AM

    Someone the other day was telling me that the Gardai aren’t actually a police force but rather an organisation that strives to keep the peace. That is a very nice thing to have and would be great if there was enough money to pay for such a nice thing. However, maybe Ireland needs to get an actual police force, one that is transparent, looks after and respects its members and that both enforces and obeys the laws. Actually, at the same time maybe ireland could get a government because at the moment there just seems to be a group of spineless self interested jelly backs doing a bit of back slapping and playing games. About the referendum, the government should provide the necessary education to allow people to make informed choices and then have the balls to allow women to choose for themselves. It still amazes me that there are people out there who think they have the right to tell others what is best for them especially about something so personal as choosing to have an abortion or have a child. I believe that if someone doesn’t want an abortion they should be allowed to choose to not have one.

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    May 4th 2018, 8:43 AM

    Being a bunch of fundamentalist zealots who happily lie for jesus, and are funded by their fellow morons in the US, the no side have repeatedly shown themselves to be of ‘ very little brain’ and even fewer morals. Here’s to them drying up and blowing away….

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    Mute Ciaran
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    May 4th 2018, 9:33 AM

    Hopefully this indicates our friends in Carrick will lead the way again on another referendum issue

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    Mute Frank McGlynn
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    May 4th 2018, 5:24 PM

    Much ado about nothing. “Citizen parks van with political slogan at public building”. I am fairly sure this has happened before but no media outlet was so hard up for a headline that they gave it any coverage.

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    Mute Bintex Sebastian
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    May 4th 2018, 10:14 AM

    Is this a news that people should argue about…
    … Arms the harmless

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    Mute Niall Sheridan
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    May 4th 2018, 7:56 AM

    The Sergeant here, who was previously a Guard in Ballaghaderreen, was renowned for being a one man ticket factory. He would shop his Granny. Probably why he was promoted. I can’t imagine that he would be so stupid as to allow this. Or maybe……!?

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    May 4th 2018, 8:41 AM

    Being a bunch of fundamentalist zealots who happily lie for jess, and are funded by their fellow morons in the US, the no side have repeatedly shown themselves to be of ‘ very little brain’ and even fewer morals. Here’s to them drying up and blowing away….

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    Mute Stephen Small
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    May 4th 2018, 8:55 AM

    Ridicoulous billboard anyway, NOBODY IS GOING TO BE KILLING BABIES YOU FRUITCAKES!

    18
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