Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
Updated 8pm
SINN FÉIN PRESIDENT Gerry Adams is flying to New York tomorrow at the invitation of Bill and Hillary Clinton – but in contrast to his deputy leader, Mary Lou McDonald, he will be flying economy class.
McDonald was criticised earlier this month after it emerged that she flew business class on a recent party visit to Australia at a cost of around €4,000.
She insisted at the time that the flights were paid for by party funds and that no taxpayers’ money was involved. McDonald said that flying business class was “extremely helpful just given the scale of the tour itself”.
Sinn Féin, which has been a vocal critic of austerity in recent years, received €720,000 in State funding last year and its TDs make much of their claim to only take home the average industrial wage with the rest of their €87,000 annual salaries going into party coffers.
Adams is in New York tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday attending the annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative – a humanitarian organisation established by former US president Bill Clinton after he left office.
Sinn Féin said he was invited by the Clintons and that he will fly out tomorrow – in economy class – before returning on Wednesday.
Adams is due to attend the National Ploughing Championships in Co Laois on Thursday.
First published 8am
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
That flight to Australia is horrendous I must say in economy class. Kids crying, stranger people falling asleep on your shoulder, shit food, sore neck, numb a55, unable to take a dumb because of the food additives, top off with a nice few days of jet lag. I only done it 12 hrs ago…. grrrrr
Nothing like lobster and a silver knife and fork at 38000 feet
You make it sound like the titanic. It’s economy class on a plane. Just back from San Francisco direct – economy and had no one fall asleep on me.
Yeah he is flying economy but what the article doesn’t tell you is that he bought the seats either side of him so he can stretch out!
Hating taking a dumb on a plane. Should always take a dumb before you board otherwise its just dumb
San Fran an easy flight. Bring a book and a long movie on your tablet and your there!
Handy thing about a balaclava is you can just pull it down over your eyes a bit and it makes a great eyemask, or roll it up as a small cushion. Great for long distance flights in economy.
It also usually means the seats beside you remain unoccupied and few people tend to fall asleep on your shoulder.
Gerry knows all about ‘stretching’ people ‘out’.
how do you know that?
At least the taxpayers didn’t pay for Mary Lou’s trip, much ado about nothing !
If you’re getting on a bit and have spine problems then first class on the way back can save you a few days of soreness afterwards. But economy isn’t a hardship and I applaud his attitude. It’s in stark contrast to some of Enda’s comments on water charges in recent weeks.
@John Gahan. Just snorted out into my Solpadine and water:-)). Good post.
In fairness to Mr Adams as a writer of numerous amount of fine books he can travel what ever way he likes.
He is not getting any younger and if chooses to travel economy class fair play to him.
As far as I can make out he seems to live a reasonable frugal lifestyle compared to the champagne socialists who prop up our government.
john gahan
you need help, you’re getting more and more bitter, let it out.
“If you’re getting on a bit and have spine problems then first class on the way back can save you a few days of soreness afterwards. But economy isn’t a hardship and I applaud his attitude. It’s in stark contrast to some of Enda’s comments on water charges in recent weeks.”
I wonder did Gerry take economy class when he was flying to have his eye operation at a private clinic in the US last year?
Im going in 3 week’s time but stopover at Boston..only way ..
Mickey Finn , Phill Hogan likes the silver knife, cost the state 10.000 just to go to Spain. Pure propaganda about Mary Lou. As far as state funding goes the journal should have mention FF get double that , FG and Lb get 4 times as much. What does it cost to fly to Australia economy class, you wouldn’t get much change from 3000..
Ask Martin McGuinness did he fly business class from Newark to Belfast back in March. He did. Who paid for that?
All the red thumbs proves the Shinners don’t like hearing the truth..
Troll
John have you ever worn one? They’re the most uncomfortable thing ever. Very itchy, often must reposition it and you’ll sweat like a Devil whilst wearing it.
@stephen. How am I a troll? I was on that flight and I saw him. Wouldn’t be too hard to find out would it?
Gerry will fly economy and have about 16 rabid Shinners to carry onboard the trunks packed with champagne, lobsters, caviar and Wolfe Tones CDs.
Still laughing at Mary Lou’s selfish greed, she probably knew she’d get caught for it but the pathetic little hypocrite could get over her Marie-Antoinette tendencies – Let them eat Caca Milis she roared in defiance!!!!
I’ve often wondered about those knives and forks in first class, can’t terrorists afford to travel up the pointy end ?
How many other TD’s have flown business class? Not a single article mentioned on the Independent. The selective outrage machine is absurd.
Karl Marx was once asked by a journalist while sitting in first class on a train “should you not be sitting with all the working class further down the train” his response was “some day I hope all the working class will be sitting up here in first class with me “
Why was Karl Marks in 1st class?
Green monkey that was BS then and it’s still BS now!
but until then they can fack aff.
I all fairness, it was only complete and utter eejits who found the original story ‘controversial’.
Typical of most ‘socialist’ leaders.
Because like all socialists he could only afford to be a socialist at the expense of others
Surely this is at odds with Sinn fein Palestine policy? To accept an invitation from unwavering Israel supporter- Hillary Clinton..
But yes the focus should be on flight class.
A article right out of the Sindo book of how to bash SF ….boring useless information …Lazy journalism!
Bashing SF. Really? Few things more distasteful that perpetrators whining on about being victims. These blood drenched murderers have bombed and butchered their way into government. Respect? No. Bashing? Yes…
C’mon Journal, the two flights are not comparable. Gerry’s will be a morning flight arriving in the afternoon. Coming back will be a night flight but he’ll be coming home and prob straight to bed. How old is poor Gerry FFS?
I can’t sleep on planes and if MLMcD is like that she prob would have lost a day in Oz catching up on her sleep, that would have been a bigger waste.
I’m ok if thejournal wants to report on politicians’ travel but be balanced, how’s everyone else travelling?
Man flies to USA. Alcock and Brown made the first non-stop transatlantic flight in 1909. This was a newsworthy event at the time. How can a man who is merely a passenger on a flight make news 105 years later?
Banga
Why are we being told that this Great Leader is flying down the back in cattle class with the people that Sinn don’t usually mix with at thirty five thousand feet?
Sinn Fein must have been rattled that their “ruling class” we’re caught out by spending some ten thousand Euro to hide up the from of an aircraft in isolation from their “people”
It’s important to also note that Gerrry is so important that he received a personal invitation from the Clintons to the meeting in San Francisco. What he didn’t tell us is that everyone at that meeting got a signed invitation but Gerry is there because his Party have been described as ” dysfunctional” in their administration of the North and this one more attempt to hold their hands and learn how to become practicing politicians.
Gerry is aware that the stinging criticism of his Party by the US aides is the end of the road as far as further American ” assistance” in getting them to see sense.
What a CV to have for a Party that considers it will enter Government in the Republic after the next election!
What was it again?………..Dysfunctional……and these are the words of people such as Senator Gary Hart and many others.
I was wondering when the spoofer rodgers would raise its tinfoil covered head from under the rock to vent it’s well rehearsed spleen.
C’mon richie (walter mitty) rodgers,tell us again how we should adore kenny & co and how honest they are.
Mike you don’t seem to like facts. You always attack the messenger who brings you those facts.
Facts? What facts? Rodgers is a bonafide spoofer, though it’s not surprising given he’s a blueshirt lover. Comes with the territory I suppose, to be a fantastical liar.
I hope he gets a free upgrade.
Free upgrade onto a wing seat without a seat belt
I was on a flight once Shannon to JFK and whilst Gerry Adams was seated in Economy Class same as me but as soon as everyone was seated, he was for some reason asked to go up front by the Air Hostess ………. must happen alot !
Aiden, was he asked to keep his hands where everybody could see them?
always be nice to the air hostesses, they are good people and if you are sick will sometines bring you up to business class.
I think the journal should have written about fina fail wanting to buy a new private jet for them selfs rather than gerry adams flying economy.
And our government does not need a private jet before any one out there says they do. they can do what the rest of us do and a lot of government’s world wide are doing. take a comercial flight.
Why would Fianna Fail need a private jet?
I want a private jet.
Typical BS on this site…why are you lying you spoof, Fianna Fáil are not trying to buy a private jet..how stupid are you???
In 2003 Fianna Fail said their brand new 8-seater Lear Jet was a “symbol of a changing Ireland. It’s time to step out and not have Ireland chickening out and being afraid to show itself off.”
Classy!
Most countries have an air transport solution – if it increases efficiencies and gets politicians back home faster then I’m fine with it.
There’s a classic,talkingcrap/stinktoner calling someone a spoofer…..
This fool wouldn’t know the truth if it got up and bit it.
Fair play spoofer for giving us a laugh you muppet.
Ah mikey, tell me where I am spoofing…provide facts and figures and examples please? Or can you? I don’t think you can Mikey…prove me wrong kid…
Idiotic comment. You do know Fianna Fáil are not in government
Talking Sense the Government Jet is lying in a US Air Force Base in Texas at the moment awaiting to be serviced, our Government are wanting to purchase a new one ….. Watch this space!
Are Fianna Fáil in government? Wats your point kid???
Ah Jarry de Martyr – look at me I’m flying economy class !! At least McGuinness had the balls to admit he was in the IRA unlike Jarry !!!!!
Personally I was always baffled by that denial. In recent years I’ve come to the conclusion that if there was any proof he would have been arrested, charged and jailed. How could one of the most intensely watched person on this island been in the ira and avoided detection.
He certainly was a senior republican, no doubt, but where is the proof, other than hear say, pub talk and the accounts of dead ppl from the other side of the republican divide.
Anyway my point it he very well may have been in constant negations with the IRA but never have been an active member.
Whether Gerry was technically a member of the IRA or not is trivial.
You have to admire his transcendent wisdom at never actually signing the papers or whatever would have been required of him to have been on the official member’s register.
Wonder how many of Labours crew were on that ‘official’ list?
Good man gahan,never miss a dig eh. Kinda like the spineless and ball less worm you are always defending.
You’ve got real problems Mike if my mere stating of a near universally accepted fact is something you regard as a dig.
No gahan,your the one with the problems .
Just read over some of todays tripe you have posted.
John
You will notice the nearly perfect Shinner speak from Clinton as he intellectually responds to your statement of fact. He is probably incandescent with rage but can only resort to vulgarity and nastiness.
These are the field supporters of Sinn Fein that we would be welcoming into our Houses of democracy if they were to garner any more support.
Dysfunctional on many levels I would suggest.
Richard I always make allowances for Angry Mike. He types with his fists so it is a miracle he gets anything posted at all.
At least I don’t have to hide & spoof in order to post on a public forum rodgers.
I’m not the one cowering behind multiple false accounts .
I’m not the one that spends all day switching from one false account to another rodgers .
Still though richie(walter mitty)rodgers hope you get wellpaid for working on sunday.
You need the extra cash to feed your family…. Oh wait !!
Clinton, pipe down you angry man, you are a lot angrier than before,is that because the corner has been turned, no more spoofing from your corner…good times ahead…
Ah the anti SF brigade never miss an opportunity. What is it they say about empty vessels?
As for you stink toner/talkingcrap you are another spoofing cheek of the arse.
Your another mouthpiece that cowers behind a false name.
Easy Mikey, easy…I reckon that you have been rattled…time to come off this and go out and enjoy the good times kid…oh, and get a job and contribute while you are at it..
Haha,your some comedian talkingcrap/stinktoner,it would take a lot more that a coward like you or the other muppets to rattle me.
And I actually quite like & enjoy the job I have.
Unlike you I have never once had to claim social welfare.
So what other spoofing are you going to come out with today.
Haha,your some comedian talkingcrap/stinktoner,it would take a lot more that a coward like you or the other muppets to rattle me.
And I actually quite like & enjoy the job I have.
Unlike you I have never once had to claim social welfare.
So what other spoofing are you going to come out with today.
***Boom****spoof alert above****Mikey Clinton Spoofs Again******
When have I had to claim social welfare Mikey? I never once had the time to claim social welfare, was always working, good times and bad. Don’t spoof mikey, it makes you look weak and pathetic and confirms that you are a spoofer…
Ps…this stink toner/ ink toner profile is not me by the way…you have been mentioning it all morning…how embarrassing for you mikey…I feel for you…
Your living up to your name talkingcrap,I can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that I have never claimed social welfare/dole or whatever .
Unlike you I don’t cower behind false names you muppet .
Who’s spoofing now gombeen.
Now prove me wrong.
Settle petal…you are grasping at straws now…how embarrassing… Mikey, i must go to the match but I will be back and if you spoof again, I will rat you out, and embarrass the hell out of you, this will continue until you stop lying on the journal…it’s for your own good mikey, you have a problem with the truth..
McGuinness had immunity under the Bloody Sunday inquiry to say he was a member- Gerry would have to serve two years in prison if he said he was a member of the IRA- know the law to beat the law-
Mike
People are laughing ‘AT’ “TalkingSince” . Comedian he’s not .
Yeah? Yawn…
Day 1035 in ‘the Journals Adams Big Brother House’.
Get the peasants arguing about a few grand over a f-/(%^# airplane seat whilst the elites steal another few billion. Get over yourselves.
Hopefully Gerry isn’t too nervous at the Ploughing Championships that nothing odd gets trawled up from deep beneath the turf.
Are you insinuating that Gerry has something to do with dozens of ‘disappeared’, people murdered by the IRA on some pretext or other, then buried in shallow graves? Might an arm or a leg be ploughed-up during the Irish ploughing championship?
Surely not! Gerry and Ian were never responsible directly or indirectly for hundreds or even thousands of murders, on the contrary they ‘saved’ Ireland and were two of life’s gentlemen. (This last line is an extract from Irish school history books as re-written following the appointment of the first SF minister for education in the so-called ‘do a deal with the devil coalition’ government of 2065).
I wonder if kenny will pay back the monies that was deemed illegally used by their party during the childrens referendum gahan.
Yeah Mike, I really can’t differentiate between referendum funding and shallow grave executions. I mean, they are both the same really aren’t they. Which do you think is worse?
John
The graves of the disappeared were not shallow. They were very deep because they were all tortured before being murdered and the physical marks on their skeletal remains ( evidence from the pathology report of the post mortem report on Jean McConville)
It is clear that this involved in such depravity were completely psychotic and this had to be hidden at all costs.
Didn’t take long for Jean McConvilles name to be dragged up by those who only use hers and Gerry McCabes name to bash Sinn Féin. You care not a jot about either. It seems with your sort that these were the only 2 victims of the war. On away with youse, Enda’s arse needs wiping.
So raising the issue of The Disappeared is off limits for SF/IRA supporters – because people don’t care as much about these people as SF/IRA did.
That’s some irony Roland.
You use her name for political gain Gahan. Desperation on your behalf. Sling your mud, it’s like water off a republicans back.
What was it that the Fine Gael backbenchers were bellowing across the Dáil at Gerry Adams last year?
“We’ll never forget Jane McConville!”
You couldn’t make it up.
@Roland – Let’s not call them “Republicans” ok? We have a Republic, and these terrorists actively try to subvert it.
I would spit on them if I ever had the misfortune to meet one. Thankfully I don’t wallow in those circles.
John Gahan the irony is that your party in the government which you defend so robustly have files on thousand of disappeared children over years yet refuse to help family reunite by opening those records.
If there was half as much cooperation as republicans have the disappeared commission then lots of families would be re united today.
I am a proud Republican & member of Sinn Fein, if you need to spit on me to express yourself then your expression is an act not worthy of expression.
M Bowe are you really saying that the Government caused children to disappear?
While the co-operation of Republicans who have information about Republicans who abducted, executed and buried people is welcome, it is hardly deserving of praise given their own brethren, if not they themselves, committed the heinous cowardly acts in the first place.
Hi Hugh/The Journal,
Just to give you a heads up, I am deleting the journal app. Sick to the teeth of all the Sinn Fein articles, are they shareholders?
Your editor loves highly viewed, highly commented articles, but at what cost?
Has really sucked the life out of the journal for me. You’re article has just pushed me over the edge.
It’ll be the Indo, BBC, Irish times, The Guardian, RTE, Aljazeera & Waterford Whispers, for me from now on.
Any other news apps worth getting?
Kind regards,
Ross
Indo Ross ? … LMAO
Don’t go yet, there is a Journal Special planned next weekend ‘Fly Fishing with Gerry’ where he takes us on a wonderful trip around his favourite waterways, with his new puppy Tickles and his woolly jumper.
Do yer lives revolve around thejournal.ie or what?
The indo? Lol ye may as well read the beano!! Has less fiction!!!
is it too late to say goodbye?
let it out gahan……….ommmmmmm…….ommmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Martin Mc Guinness is the angler not Gerry. F- on that 1
Just a question for the Journal. No agenda really. Did the Sinn Fein press office tell you Gerry was flying economy class in the release or did you ask them? Because economy class is in the headline, the first paragraph and the last but one paragraph of the story and as I’m writing this I can’t even remember the rest of the story except it’s something about the Clintons. I’m sure Gerry’s not flying to the U.S. economy class just so he can issue a press related saying he flew economy class…..is he?
With my average industrial wage I get taxed. Can anyone tell me does Mary Lou pay the same taxes on her average industrial wag? Or are we being misled
There is no tax relief on political contributions, so Mary Lou will pay full tax on her TD salary.
What she does with her take home pay after that is her own business.
It is an interesting question though: is the ‘average industrial wage’ they keep in their pocket the true net take home pay after tax on the ‘average industrial wage’, or is it the gross amount, in which case their take home pay far exceeds the ‘average industrial wage’ they tell everyone about?
I would imagine that all politicians pay tax on their gross earnings as well as those of additional declared earnings from speaking at private functions. The question should be how much is actually declared when speaking at overseas functions. It is hardly likely that Adams and Co travel for the fun of it.
Do you honestly expect to ever get a straight answer to that question?
This is not news…. there are several other national issues/scandals much more deserving of attention. Lazy journalism i guess.
Our day is coming
Hugh,
Could you have been a real journalist and not a yellow one like your fellow national broadcasters by writing a section on the March that took place in Dublin yesterday,that no-one seems to be talking about on the usual main stream “Meeja” instead of writing this crap??
Will Adams sing the Sinn Fein song on Palestine to the Vocally pro Zio n ist Clintons
Wonder if he’s getting any more medical treatment while he is in USA? Health system here not good enough for gerry.
You need some treatment yourself McBab.
Comment of the week for Roland. Hard to compete with that classic.
A humanitarian organisation established by the Clintons. I guess they do believe in Karma. I don’t think it will matter how many they establish for the pure evil they have caused.
I am no Sinn Fein supporter but does anyone pointing a finger a Adams point the same finger at Clinton. Adams was the leader of the IRA in
In my opinion. Clinton is responsible for far more deaths though!
Tiocfaidh Armani.
He was treated better in Antrim PSNI
While he’s there he should ask Bill why he ordered the bombing of a pharmaceutical factory in Sudan responsible for producing life saving medicines for 60% of the population and most of Africa undercutting American pharma by 40%, on dubious intelligence which turned out to be false, because the people of Sudan are convinced that their factory was bombed to divert attention from Clinton’s troubles 6500 miles away in Washington his presidency in jeopardy after Monica revealed all. One person was killed in the bombing but it’s estimated that much more people suffered and lost their lives in the ensuing months and years from lack of medicine than lost their lives in 9/11. The Sudanese refer to it as their ground zero. No apology from Bill or the Americans to date.
What is Gerry doing down there? I thought he was a proud Ulster Irish man, you never even hear of him in northern news these days
Journal.ie has just hit on an excellent marketing idea – A private jet for Gerry Adams called “Sinn Plane”.
Too late the damage is done. hypocrites..
and
Why ?
Is the fundraising not paying for it like MaryLou?
have your say