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A photo of the Independent TD making the gesture while being filmed by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy was shared on social media. Screenshot

Michael Lowry says he was telling Paul Murphy 'to sit down with my fingers'

An image of Lowry making a gesture at People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy was shared on social media.

MICHAEL LOWRY HAS told The Journal that he was telling People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Paul Murphy to “sit down with my fingers” after a screenshot of him making a gesture was shared on social media. 

The screenshot of the Independent TD was shared by Virgin Media News correspondent Gavan Reilly from a video taken inside the Dáil chamber by Paul Murphy. 

The TD was filming after the House was adjourned following the passing of a motion to create a new speaking slot for government backbenchers and a group of independents.

In the video, chants of “shame, shame, shame” can be heard from opposition politicians as Lowry says something to Murphy filming him and makes the gesture. 

A number of opposition politicians have accused Lowry of “giving two fingers to the Irish people” in posts shared on social media. 

Asked if he was giving two fingers to Paul Murphy, he said he wasn’t. “I don’t think so,” he told The Journal. “I was telling him to sit down.”

Pressed again on the question – given it looks like he gives Murphy the two fingers, a gesture that has a specific meaning – he said he wouldn’t characterise it as that and he was just telling him to sit down.

“The bottom line,” he said, “is that it was outrageous for Paul to be using his telephone and his camera in the Dáil chamber. I was telling him to sit down with my fingers.”

He said he would not speak more on the issue.

The Dáil was adjourned this afternoon after the controversial speaking rights amendment passed. 

After the vote was held, Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy said that one side “have, without good reason, refused to sign the teller sheet”. Therefore, the motion was carried, she said. 

A number of government TDs then left the chamber while opposition TDs remained on their feet shouting at the Ceann Comhairle.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin attempted to continue with the Order of Business, but opposition members refused to resume their seats, with some shouting “shame”. Microphones were turned off as the shouting continued and the Ceann Comhairle was unable to be heard at certain points. 

Murphy then adjourned the Dáil until 9am tomorrow.

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    Mute Mike Brady
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    Oct 24th 2023, 12:26 AM

    Swiftly removed after 3 weeks lol

    623
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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 12:28 AM

    @Mike Brady:
    Ehhhr…BnB???

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    Mute Richard Walsh
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    Oct 24th 2023, 8:29 AM

    @: that’s a racist comment.

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    Mute Mike Brady
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    Oct 24th 2023, 9:35 AM

    If the Journal wasn’t full of anonymous bot chancers like yourself…

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    Mute Keith Collins
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    Oct 24th 2023, 9:37 AM

    @Richard Walsh: well to be fair @: is a racist

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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 1:12 PM

    @Keith Collins: ?

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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 2:31 PM

    Report for racsm

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    Mute F Fitzgerald
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    Oct 24th 2023, 7:48 PM

    @Mike Brady: “after a number of checks before listing”!

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    Mute Ger Byrne
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    Oct 24th 2023, 1:25 AM

    I’m amazed at this error by Booking.com ! Makes me nervous re booking with them again !

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    Mute Rose Sheridan
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    Oct 29th 2023, 7:48 AM

    @Ger Byrne: If you book through Booking.com after you verify payment block them as they went back and took €50 extra from my account one month later..without my permission..they are seriously compromised

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    Mute Paul Gorry
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    Oct 24th 2023, 12:22 AM

    Ive booked a room for December with me mistress. Very deflating news..

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    Mute Mise Freisin
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    Oct 24th 2023, 1:25 AM

    @Paul Gorry: Take her up to Monto, and pump her with Gin

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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 9:05 AM

    How dare you

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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 10:31 AM

    @Paul Gorry: a brazzer more like

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    Mute Valerie J Mck
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    Oct 24th 2023, 9:27 PM

    @Mise Freisin: nice.

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    Mute Eric Gaffney
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    Oct 24th 2023, 5:53 AM

    Can we just stay? Jesus, people are nuts.

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    Mute Michael o
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    Oct 24th 2023, 7:12 AM

    That’s why it’s always better to book direct. You often get a better price and definitely get a better service.

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    Mute F Fitzgerald
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    Oct 24th 2023, 7:52 PM

    I once booked a BnB in Sligo for the weekend and the owner even collected me from the train station. Most people are sound.

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    Mute Valerie Lowth
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    Oct 24th 2023, 12:33 AM

    Sounds like an angry ex

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Oct 24th 2023, 8:33 PM

    @Valerie Lowth: Certainly seems like someone with a grudge, rather than a financial scam when they didn’t take payment in advance.

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    Mute Anna Carr (Morrigan_Dubh)
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    Oct 24th 2023, 12:47 AM

    That’s unbelievable. The stuff of nightmares

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    Mute HurdyGurdyMan
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    Oct 24th 2023, 4:26 AM

    Booking.Comical :)

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    Mute Pato
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    Oct 24th 2023, 1:58 AM

    I just don’t know what to do anymore.

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    Mute Tom Newell
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    Oct 24th 2023, 8:23 AM

    cowboys absolute cowboys Ted!

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    Mute Bruno
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    Oct 24th 2023, 8:56 AM

    @Tom Newell:
    Shoddy, shoddy, shoddy

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    Mute Tomás Ó Muireadhaigh
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    Oct 24th 2023, 1:53 PM

    someone booked a listed 2 star for an anniversary. presumably the last anniversary they’ll be enjoying together

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    Mute Clau O'Riordan
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    Oct 24th 2023, 12:40 PM

    To do what in kinnegad, 7:20 is the last food is served in the pub, doesn’t have restaurants open. Nothing to do in kinnegad

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    Mute F Fitzgerald
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    Oct 24th 2023, 7:36 PM

    It’s normal enough to break the journey to Galway in Kinnegad? I know loads of people who don’t like driving long distances, or after dark.
    Mind you, whoever set up that elaborate a false booking account should maybe move to a busier town instead of annoying the residents.

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Oct 24th 2023, 1:31 PM

    We had a somewhat similar problem (but not as bad!) here when a local large BnB put my Eircode on their website instead of their own
    We had no idea and a family turned up at the door wanting to stay the night. A lot of confusion and angry words later they left.

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    Mute Laura Farrell
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    Oct 24th 2023, 5:06 PM

    @P.J. Nolan: A poor woman turned up at my parents with their address looking for “AirBnb”. I gave her the directions of the garda station and told her she had been scammed.

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    Mute F Fitzgerald
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    Oct 24th 2023, 7:39 PM

    @Laura Farrell: I saw the same happen in Dublin city centre the other day – an unlucky couple had booked an Air BnB online that didn’t exist. Just what you need after a long day’s travel. Their taxi driver said it’s happening every week now.

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    Mute P.J. Nolan
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    Oct 24th 2023, 8:32 PM

    @Laura Farrell:
    Indeed, these people had travelled from the north to the south east. I can understand why they weren’t happy but nothing I could do about it.

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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Oct 24th 2023, 8:35 PM

    @F Fitzgerald: Another reason to ban the pox that is AirBnB.

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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 5:29 AM

    I tell ye if these knocked on me door asking to stay I’d show them both barrels and arsenal full of feckin lead

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    Mute Ajax Penumbra
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    Oct 24th 2023, 6:56 AM

    @: Sure you would.

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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 9:06 AM

    @Ajax Penumbra: then I’ll look for you Mr tough guy.

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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 10:55 AM

    You spelled balls and ars@ wrong

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    Mute
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    Oct 24th 2023, 2:47 PM

    It’s our anniversary. Can we stay at your two bedroom, remote home anyway? We don’t mind sharing the toilet bowl

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    Mute F Fitzgerald
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    Oct 24th 2023, 8:02 PM

    If you can find the “quadruple room”, go for it! There’s another 11 people you’ll be sharing with.

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