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Joe Biden eulogises late friend John McCain as 'giant among all of us'

John McCain’s remains will lie in state in the US Capitol tomorrow, followed by a funeral service on Saturday.

AZ: North Phoenix Baptist Church for a memorial service for Sen. John McCain Former Vice President Joe Biden gives a tribute during memorial service at North Phoenix Baptist Church for Senator John McCain Matt York / Sipa USA Matt York / Sipa USA / Sipa USA

FORMER US VICE president Joe Biden has eulogised late senator John McCain as an American “giant” whose belief in the soul of the country helped give citizens their confidence and optimism.

Biden led heartfelt tributes to the warrior and onetime Republican presidential nominee at a Phoenix memorial shortly before McCain’s remains were to be flown to Washington.

“My name is Joe Biden. I’m a Democrat. And I love John McCain,” he began as he praised his longtime Republican Senate colleague as “a giant among all of us”, a hero whose character, courage and integrity helped inspire a nation.

“The bottom line is, I think John believed in us,” said Biden, who occasionally wiped away tears as he recounted a friendship that marked a bygone-era of bipartisan cooperation in Washington.

“I always thought of John as a brother. We had a hell of a lot of family fights,” but their closeness transcended political differences, he added.

Biden’s poignant words came a day after more than 15,000 people, many waiting in 38-degree summer heat, paid tribute to McCain at the Arizona state capitol.

Some two dozen senators from both parties attended today’s church ceremony, as did McCain’s children and wife Cindy, who wore black mourning dress.

McCain Cindy McCain during the memorial service Jae C. Hong Jae C. Hong

Biden said there was something “intangible” about the national outpouring of grief over the passing of McCain, who has been critical of President Donald Trump.

“I think it’s because they knew John believed so deeply and so passionately in the soul of America. He made it easier for them to have confidence and faith in America,” Biden said.

Hundreds of Arizonans were seen lining the streets to pay final respects as McCain’s flag-draped coffin was then driven in a black hearse, escorted by four policemen on motorcycles, towards the airport for transport to Washington aboard a US military plane.

McCain Well wishers line the street as the hearse carrying the late Senator John McCain Ralph Freso Ralph Freso

Tomorrow, his remains will lie in state in the US Capitol, followed by a Saturday funeral service where former presidents George W Bush and Barack Obama – each of whom defeated McCain in their races for the White House – will deliver remarks.

It is expected to be a fitting send-off for a political icon and former prisoner of war who came to epitomize respect, passionate debate and conciliation, especially in today’s climate of political division.

McCain, who died Saturday at 81 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer, will be buried Sunday at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

Trump is not scheduled to attend the funeral services.

© – AFP 2018 

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    Mute Joseph Dempsey
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:55 AM

    Just curious to know why a Team of geologists from the UK were called in, according to reports in the indo (refreshing there not focussing/obsessing on Vogue Williams for a change), is there not a single Irish Based geologist who could share their experiences, knowledge etc

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    Mute John Campbell
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:01 AM

    @Joseph Dempsey: very good question. Just wondering myself why any building development was permitted in the area of mine shafts.

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    Mute Stuart Wootten
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    Sep 25th 2018, 12:11 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: or a geologist in training who might learn from the “UK experts”!!

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    Mute Malcolm Smith
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    Sep 25th 2018, 2:59 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: Well maybe, just maybe that UK geologists have more experience in mining subsidence owing to the amount of collieries that the UK had.

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    Mute Brendan
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    Sep 25th 2018, 4:00 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: There is very few jobs in Ireland for geoscientists, so most of us have had to move over seas to find work. Thinking about it, I’m not even sure that the GSI would have the equipment to investigate something like this, never mind the resources.

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    Mute Harry Whitehead
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    Sep 25th 2018, 5:46 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: I would imagine UK-based geologists are more experinced on account of there being more cave networks in the UK. Yorkshire alone has over 50 miles of interconnected caves.

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Sep 26th 2018, 12:23 AM

    @Joseph Dempsey: could ask the question why we have no marine drilling expertise also. The Norwegians produced home-grown experts in oil and look at them now.
    Incidentally – might be nice if maybe more of the slice of Monaghan’s jp Macmanus pie went to this club…

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    Mute iohanx
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:04 AM

    Any chance of a photo showing the pitch now?

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    Mute Paul Devlin
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:33 AM

    @iohanx: you would think someone would get a drone over the pitch and take some shots if it’s so dangerous to approach

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    Mute Gerry McBride
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:48 AM
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    Mute Paul Devlin
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    Sep 25th 2018, 11:15 AM

    @Gerry McBride: some drone footage on the BBCNI site. It’s some crack in the ground alright

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    Mute James O'Brien
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:43 AM

    Years is a bit sensationalist now…

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    Mute Dermot Foley
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:45 AM

    @James O’Brien: shows how much you know about a new pitch. Two years minimum for a decent pitch from scratch.

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:47 AM

    @James O’Brien: it could fully at any time..

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    Mute Yorkie1892
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:53 AM

    @Yorkie1892: collapse fully*

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    Mute Simon Connolly
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    Sep 25th 2018, 11:22 AM

    @James O’Brien: Sensationalist, just like Storm Ali!! Eh, James???

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    Mute Shane Kelly
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    Sep 25th 2018, 2:02 PM

    Ah excuse me, the comments here are just a bit too light hearted. A GAA club’s ground has been closed, destroyed. A hundred years of fund raising and the work of countless generations of volunteers is gone. Years and years of blood, sweat and tears. I don’t believe they will ever be allowed to open again. It’s a dreadful blow for this community. So please, have some consideration.

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    Mute Cathal Leonard
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:54 AM

    Good job it didn’t happen in Rosses consituancy he would filled it up with our cash.

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    Mute Flippermac
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:00 AM

    @Cathal Leonard: but sure he’d be spending the property tax raises in that community
    not to the back ass off kerry

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    Mute Stephen Tyrrell
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:40 AM

    @Cathal Leonard: #pitchesfortheboys

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    Mute Fear Uisce
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    Sep 25th 2018, 11:35 AM

    @Cathal Leonard: no he wouldn’t, it’s not a hockey field

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    Mute Flippermac
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    Sep 25th 2018, 11:51 AM

    @Fear Uisce: it’s local taxes for local ppl

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    Mute Rachel McEneaney
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    Sep 25th 2018, 2:21 PM

    This is my club. My kids play here. It is indeed a devastating blow to our community. There are plenty of photos of the damage including Ariel photos on line. The amount of effort and work from coaches and volunteers throughout the years resulted in top quality facilities for our kids. This is indeed devastating. The buildings on it are also unusable. One of my kids played there Saturday and that was the last time these facilities were used. We are lucky there was no one there.

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    Mute Peachesncream
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    Sep 25th 2018, 12:41 PM

    Well that’s the border sorted.

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:57 AM

    Sure jp mcmanus will buy them a new town with a big win on the horses.

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    Mute Thomas Sheridan
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:04 AM

    A few wheelbarrow loads of mushroom compost should fix it grand.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:52 AM

    No mention of the homes affected by the subsidence…

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    Mute sixmile
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:48 AM

    I’d say a three mile radius needs to be sealed ff for ever!

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    Mute BarronVonVaderHam
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:45 AM

    It looks more like subsidence than a sink hole

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    Mute Tommy C
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    Sep 25th 2018, 9:53 AM

    @BarronVonVaderHam: Finally a solution to all the hand passes

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    Mute Sean
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:49 AM

    @BarronVonVaderHam: subsidence / sinkhole are the same thing. Subsidence is the term generally used for slight drops of several cm but obviously if a big hole opens as a result of subsidence then it is s sink hole.

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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    Sep 25th 2018, 1:10 PM

    @BarronVonVaderHam:
    Looks like the aftermath of a mini earthquake to me.

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    Mute Joe O'riordan
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    Sep 25th 2018, 1:42 PM

    By all accounts the guards are looking into it …..

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    Mute wiggy
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:01 AM

    A bit OTT ……

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    Mute Neil Ferriter
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:28 AM

    @wiggy: Why is it OTT?

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    Mute shellakybooky
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    Sep 25th 2018, 10:36 AM

    @wiggy: bit a muck and grass seed. Be grand

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Sep 25th 2018, 1:16 PM

    Brexit is has really started.

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    Mute Vince Shields
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    Sep 25th 2018, 3:54 PM

    They’ve got two 5 a side pitches now!!

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    Mute Vince Shields
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    Sep 25th 2018, 3:54 PM

    They’ve got two 5 a side pitches now!!

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    Mute Roy O'Rourke
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    Sep 25th 2018, 2:34 PM

    Oh the humanity

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    Mute Vince Shields
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    Sep 25th 2018, 3:54 PM

    They’ve got two 5 a side pitches now!!

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