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A Black Lives Matter/end Direct Provision protest in Dublin in June RollingNews.ie

Open Letter from Ireland's psychologists 'Direct Provision is causing untold psychological harm'

“As a country we must do better,” according to about 150 signatories.

PSYCHOLOGISTS FOR SOCIAL Change Ireland is a network of clinical, applied, and academic/research psychologists and psychology graduates. About 150 of them have signed this letter to the Taoiseach and Children’s Minister, calling for the dismantlement of Direct Provision. 

Dear Taoiseach and Minister Roderic O’Gorman,

We are a group of applied and research psychologists practising in Ireland who believe that Direct Provision must be promptly dismantled and replaced with a more humane and ethical alternative.

We wish to express our solidarity with those seeking asylum on our shores. Our nation has a responsibility to protect those who come to Ireland seeking refuge from persecution, famine and war.

We observe that the Direct Provision system has barely met the basic physiological needs of these individuals and families, while causing untold psychological harm. We are concerned by the many systemic barriers which deny those living in Direct Provision the dignity of fully participating in Irish society.

Bulelani Mfaco of the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland has explained how this system “eats away at your humanity”. As a country we must do better.

We are horrified by tragic reports of deaths and suicides. Five years ago, Minister Frances Fitzgerald confirmed that 61 people died while in direct provision between 2002 and 2014.

Shamefully, this included the deaths of 16 children under the age of five. We know of more people who have died in direct provision since the government stopped publishing this data.

People seek asylum to escape traumatic and unbearable situations. As psychologists, we know that before someone can process and recover from a traumatic event, the event itself must have ended. However, Direct Provision actually perpetuates trauma for individuals and families, who often spend years trapped in this system, with considerable uncertainty and ambiguity about when their situation might change.

Tragically, suicide can occur in the context of hopelessness, when the present is unbearable with no end in sight.

Children require physical and emotional safety in order to reach their full potential. They also need space to learn and play.

Parents have spoken out about the immense challenges of raising children within the constraints of the €29.80 weekly allowance per child, and the restrictions imposed by Direct Provision centres, while teenagers have spoken of the difficulties of growing up without privacy in these confined and often isolated settings.

Young people have also told the Ombudsman for Children’s Office about the challenges they can face while living in Direct Provision, including racism, stigma, bullying and exclusion. Implementing a system of lesser entitlements upon children in Ireland’s international protection system is contrary to the state’s obligations as a party to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Irish Refugee Council has described how children in direct provision live in “state sanctioned child poverty and exclusion”, while the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection has highlighted inherent safeguarding risks to these children.

As psychologists, we recognise that Irish international protection policy requires radical overhaul in order to protect and meet the developmental needs of all children living here.

We welcome the commitment to the abolition of Direct Provision in the new programme for government. However, if we are serious about tackling the mental health crisis facing asylum seekers in this country, then we must acknowledge that Direct Provision has itself been a primary cause of this crisis.

As psychologists, we see people’s individual struggles in their respective social contexts and are mandated to advocate for social justice. We are aware of the suffering of those who live in Direct Provision and we stand with them in demanding change.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Rebecca Heslin (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Cal Mc Donagh (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Jennie Milnes (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Alanna Donnelly (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

Dr Susan Brannick (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Sharon Lambert (Lecturer in Applied Psychology)

Dr Geraldine McNamara (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Maebh Culhane (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Rachel O’Connor (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Helen O’Connell (Senior Clinical Psychologist & Lecturer in Clinical Psychology)

Dr Suzanne Finnegan (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Richard Lombard Vance (Postdoctoral Researcher & Lecturer in Psychology)

Theresa Ryan-Enright (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

Dr Sean Foy (Chartered Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Mark Robinson (Counselling Psychologist)

Caoilfhionn O’Riordan (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Dorothy Leahy, PhD (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

Dr Aisling O’Dwyer O’Brien (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Sarah Robinson (Postdoctoral Researcher in Applied Psychology)

Marica Cassarino (Lecturer in Applied Psychology)

Dr Aileen O’Connor (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Elaine McCarthy (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Conal Twomey (Clinical Psychologist) 

Dr Orlagh Murphy (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Katie Barrett (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Ruth Groarke (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Pádraig Collins (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Deirdre Cleary (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Anne O’ Connor (Senior Clinical Psychologist & Lecturer in Clinical Psychology)

Dr Jonathan Egan (Deputy Director of DPsychSc in Clinical Psychology)

Dr Sheila Devane (Nurse, Midwife, Senior Clinical Psychologist & Medical Missionary of Mary)

Dr Bridge Lucey (Counselling Psychologist)

Dr Jennifer Fennell (Counselling Psychologist)

Dr Sara Oroz (Counselling Psychologist)

Dr Michela Devaney (Counselling Psychologist)

Orla McLoughlin (Counselling Psychologist)

Dr Emer O’ Loughlin (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Colette Conroy (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Joy Kelly (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Andrea Grehan (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Lynda Naughton (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Claire Fahey (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Siobhan Daly (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Ailíse Burke (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Deborah McNamara (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Mark Corcoran (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Maggie Hennessy (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Ann Marie Coffey (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Ruth Stewart (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Aoife Moloney (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr David Feely (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Noelle Sammon (Clinical Psychologist)

Anjali Chaudhri (Counselling Psychologist in Training)

Hayley Bell (Counselling Psychologist in Training)

Tomás Walsh (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Aoife Clancy (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

James Sheerin (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

Inge Nieuwstraten (Counselling Psychologist & Psychotherapist)

Dr Kathleen Mulhall (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Kiera Cosgrove (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Leora DeFlumere (Trainee Counselling Psychologist)

Dr Majella Butler (Counselling & Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Aoife Kearney (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Conor O’Malley (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Anita Turley (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Paul Hayes (Senior Counselling Psychologist)

Dr Charlotte Wilson (Assistant Professor in Clinical Psychology and Clinical Psychologist)

Keith Mulroy (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Aideen O’Neill (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Sinead Ní Chaolain (Clinical Psychologist)

Emmeline Gillan (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Cliona Hallissey (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Katarina Timulakova (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Dorothy Rowley (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Austin Bailey (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Jennifer Mulligan (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Johanna Clancy (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Gillian Karwig (Clinical Psychologist)

Suzanne McMahon (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Shona O’Connor (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Laura O’Halloran (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Gwen Farrell (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Brìd Blackburn (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Mark Smyth (President of the Psychological Society of Ireland)

Louise Hickey (Clinical Psychologist)

Louise Bhandal (Trainee Counselling Psychologist)

Caroline Chawke (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Catherine O’Kelly (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Susan Fox (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Haulie Dowd (Chartered Clinical Psychologist & Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Conor Linehan (Senior Lecturer in Applied Psychology)

Dr Laura Philpott (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Amanda Fitzgerald (Associate Professor University College Dublin)

Alison Dillon (Chairperson of the Psychological Society of Ireland Early Graduate Group)

Dr Alisha Walker (Clinical Psychologist)

Teresa O’Mahony (Principal Psychologist Manager)

Professor Gary O’Reilly (Professor of Clinical Psychology & Principal Clinical Psychologist)

Joe Geary (Counselling Psychology Trainee)

Dr Deirdre Finnegan (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Cian Aherne (Clinical Psychologist)

Katy Anchell (Chartered Counselling Psychologist)

Dr Michael Drumm (Principal Psychology Manager)

Dr Olive Moloney (Clinical Psychologist)

Niamh Ni Dhomhnaill (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

Dr Orla Lynch (Psychologist & Senior Lecturer)

Dr Joanne McVeigh (Psychology Department Lecturer)

Dr Orla Richardson (Clinical Psychologist)

Niamh Gralton (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Alison Byrne (Clinical Psychologist)

Siobhán Burke (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Toni Galligan (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

Patricia Cooney (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Niamh Allen (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Jackie Boland (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Aoife Fennelly (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dee Brennan (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Megan King (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Jackie Fitzgerald (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Lisa Fennelly (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Alisha Gillespie (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Marese McDonnell (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Lisa McGrath (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Deirdre Desmond (Associate Professor in Psychology)

Dr Simone Carton (Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist)

Dr Sarah Foley (Lecturer in Applied Psychology)

Dr Gillian Murphy (Clinical Psychologist)

Louise Foley (PhD Student in Psychology)

Dr Gerry Molloy (Lecturer in Psychology)

Dr Mike Murphy (Lecturer in Applied Psychology)

Clare Thynne (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Liliana Morales (Counselling Psychologist)

Jane Murphy (PhD Student in Psychology)

Hilary Groarke (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Mary Egan (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

Dr Paul Quinn (Clinical Psychologist)

Karen Hickey (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Bríd Fogarty (Clinical Psychologist)

Leanne Gibney (Trainee Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Garret McDermott (Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist)

Dr Niamh Lowe (Clinical Psychologist)

Ciara Wynne (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Hester Noonan (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Eimear Morrissey (Health Psychologist)

Dr Eleanor Griffith (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Orla Moore (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Marian O’Flynn (Senior Counselling Psychologist)

Dr Clare Sutton (Clinical Psychologist)

Dr Mary Keating (Senior Clinical Psychologist)

Rebecca Collins (Psychologist in Clinical Training)

Formed in 2019, Psychologists for Social Change Ireland is interested in applying the principles and evidence of psychology to policy and political action. The group believes that people’s social, political, and material contexts are central to their experiences as individuals. Its aim is to encourage more psychologists to draw on shared experiences and knowledge to engage in public and policy debates.

Psychologists for Social Change Ireland is not a membership organisation, rather it is a network of individuals. The open letter was written by a core group of psychologists and signed by a considerable number of psychologists in our networks but is very much a living document and we welcome further signatures.

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118 Comments
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    Mute Kinsaleable
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:41 PM

    They’re go those horrible multinational drug companies saving lives again. .

    150
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    Mute Deborah Behan
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    Jul 31st 2015, 6:05 PM

    It must have been all the religious people praying! #sciencesaves

    27
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    Mute Kinsaleable
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    Jul 31st 2015, 7:09 PM

    There. . stupid autotext

    3
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    Mute John Curry
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:22 PM

    another good means of prevention would be to stop eating monkeys. some will think that is a racist remark but it isnt. Bush meat has been proven to be the cause of the outbreaks.

    115
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    Mute Ryan Anthony
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:51 PM

    Thats actually just a theory the reservoir of ebola is still a mystery. One would think though, if someone said to you “a virus may begin in that food you are eating that melts your organs and has a 70pc fatality rate, people would give that food a miss.

    51
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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Jul 31st 2015, 3:03 PM

    There is also a belief bats are a major contributor to the spread. Fruit plants kept near pigs attract bats and spread to pigs to humans.
    I wouldn’t be too cocky about it as mad cow was spread and produced by western farming. We also had horse meat issues.

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    Mute Ryan Anthony
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    Jul 31st 2015, 3:16 PM

    The first theory was bats have it (as they were res for Marburg a similar virus), they eat stuff, drop it half finished, their saliva maybe has high enough concentration of virus (unlike human saliva in an ebola victim) to infect the gorillas who eat the leftovers…Africans preparing bush meat get infected.

    It wasnt so much them eating it that might infect them (ebolas vv weak and would not survive cooking) its the people preparing it getting cut on bones etc or eating bits raw that might do it…they’re crazy..and stupid. Theres a youtube doc where you can see them munching away even after theu’re told..

    11
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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Jul 31st 2015, 3:27 PM

    Crazy is strong. They don’t have the same education or belief in medicine we have. From their point of view something they did for generations isn’t suddenly now fatal.

    26
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    Mute Erica Corcoran
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:22 PM

    But vaccines cause autism, and we all know it’s much better to die of a horrible disease than have autism, right? This is sarcasm if you didn’t know…

    88
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    Mute Doogle Knows
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:28 PM

    Yes autistic parenting is cruel.

    8
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    Mute Jimmy
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:18 PM

    Page 11 of the Tripedia vaccine on the FDA website lists autism and sudden infant death syndrome as adverse effects because of “seriousness or frequency of reporting”. So to say there is no truth in this whatsoever is a bit naive.

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    Mute John B
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:27 PM

    Jimmy, I gift to you a tinfoil hat. The fda website does not state that autism and sids are adverse effects. It states that these are post approval reports. Basically, vaccine side effect follow up is so detailed that doctors are supposed to notify of anything that happens to a child that received the vaccine, even if there is no relation. But hey, I’m not one to let facts get in the way of a good debate.

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    Mute Erica Corcoran
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:31 PM

    Jimmy, pls, stahp

    3
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    Mute Jimmy
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:54 PM

    I know people who say their child got autism because of the shots. Would you tell them put on a tinfoil hat?

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    Mute Erica Corcoran
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:57 PM

    Absolutely.

    8
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    Mute John B
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    Jul 31st 2015, 10:44 PM

    Jimmy, your sentence is written incorrectly, your friend got autism AND vaccinated, not BECAUSE. Autism is devastating, but there is no scientific evidence at all that shows a link between the two. One anecdote does not mean causation, in the same way that I cannot say that my kids got vaccines and didn’t get autism means vaccines are safe. It is only by analysing thousands of cases. Kids get autism irrespective of vaccination.

    9
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    Mute Jimmy
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    Jul 31st 2015, 11:11 PM

    So you think that you know about this child more than his parents? Rates are soaring since the 80s and getting worse, so i don’t believe this should be passively dismissed. A quick google search of “cdc fraud” will show you there has been a cover up of the reports.

    4
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    Mute Erica Corcoran
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    Jul 31st 2015, 11:19 PM

    Uh, rates are soaring because the criteria is widening all the time as we learn more and more. Please, stop being ridiculous.

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    Mute Jimmy
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    Aug 1st 2015, 3:02 AM

    1 in 2000 children in the 80s to 1 in 150 today in the US today. What are you on about woman, criteria widening. There seems to be no end to this widening criteria.

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    Mute Erica Corcoran
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    Aug 1st 2015, 3:26 AM

    I see basic logic isn’t your thing.

    5
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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:55 PM

    People really need to check their conspiracy theories and assumptions on racist reasons at the door. The disease was first identified in 1976 and it scared the hell out of the medical community. Real fear it would spread so research started. Nearly 40 years later they found a vaccine.
    It was and is really only a risk in Africa. The recent outbreak was still only a risk in Africa and required quarantine and other precautions. The vaccine was not suddenly studied because it was a risk outside of Africa. The outbreak did spur more study because there was a sudden huge outbreak.

    29
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    Mute John Lennox
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    Jul 31st 2015, 6:33 PM

    Places in Africa where proper hygiene and quick disposal of bodies during outbreaks were followed saw a quick end to the disease.

    It wasn’t a priority because it usually burned out quickly and following procedure stopped it.

    There are many many diseases in Africa that are being worked on that still kill and will kill more than ebola ever did.

    Up to this year the common flu killed more than Ebola in its 50+ years in the public.

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    Mute Fian
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    Jul 31st 2015, 4:08 PM

    fantastic news .

    24
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    Mute mary carey
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:25 PM

    I know all vaccines take money and serious labour to produce. But look how quickly they developed a vaccine when they put their minds to it.

    How long has Ebola been around? How long has it been killing people? But it’s only when it threatened the western world that pharmaceutical companies decided to try to prevent it…

    20
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    Mute Romeo Sensini
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:28 PM

    So. They arnt charities. Why don’t you go help develop it out of your own pocket.

    50
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    Mute Paul Debussy
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:36 PM

    Africans or whoever could start developing their own vaccines if they are that concerned about it.

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    Mute mary carey
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:40 PM

    Yeah. Fair point. This isn’t about not giving a hoot about Africans. It’s just about when they really put their minds to it in research – they can come out with results.

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    Mute Graham Kavanagh
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:46 PM

    Considering that vaccine development can take over a decade, I doubt that this new development has been precipitated by any recent outbreak.

    36
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    Mute Ryan Anthony
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:56 PM

    It was never a threat to the western world for a long list of reasons, that was all mass hysteria based on public misunderstandings of how its transmitted, and conspiracy theorists, as the fact that the much predicted huge western outbreak never happening proved.

    They’ve been working on ebola for’ decades, a bigger outbreak = bigger study sample + more data thats why they made breakthroughs.

    30
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    Mute Wayne O'Fathaigh
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:57 PM

    Mary, disease was first discovered in the mid 70′s. By your logic we should have a vaccine against HIV by now but we don’t

    24
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    Mute mary carey
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:58 PM

    Okay – but how come a vaccine is developed within six months of the biggest outbreak?

    I know vaccine development takes a long time. But as proven with swine flu (yes – virus, different, I know) but there, they also managed to develop a vaccine within six mths.

    5
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    Mute mary carey
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    Jul 31st 2015, 3:01 PM

    Just to add upon reading ispr’s comment above – I am not a conspiracy theorist. I don’t think drug companies breed disease to make money from. I know they are money making organisations – not charities.

    Still I’m just saying: when they put their minds to it – they can really get some good and hopeful results

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    Mute Ryan Anthony
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    Jul 31st 2015, 3:07 PM

    You are confusing, I think anyway, when they started working on it with when the news started reporting on it. Like I said the later breakthroughs are easier when you have more people to study this was way way bigger than any previous outbreak thats why everyone was so worried.

    Local cultural practices like washing of the dead and, its theorized, bush meat , were driving it thats among reasons wjy it was never a threat to the west. Worst case scenario Ireland might have got 5-10 cases on a really really bad day, and we’ve had a viral hemmoragic fevers plan since 2000 since b4 even the Office of Emergency Planning was created and we stockpiled all those influenza and smalox vaccines.

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    Mute Ryan Anthony
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    Jul 31st 2015, 3:10 PM

    Sorry Mary I read your stuff during the outbreak I know youre mot was referring to our 4-5 resident truthers on here who predicted this would be rampaging through Europe by now if we didnt ban flights from Morocco which was 4500 miles from the outbreak, and hurling abuse at me when I countered their nonsense about it already being airborne. Obviously they were wrong

    6
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    Mute mary carey
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    Jul 31st 2015, 3:25 PM

    I never went along with theorists belief of it being airborne/transcontinental etc. And like u read my stuff, I read urs. And ur constant ‘mammy-ing’ irked me too. The ‘everything will be fine’ attitude annoyed me.

    I am not for mass chaos but nor was I for ur stuff. I am glad they were vigilant about travel from Africa and about workers being quarantined. And we will never know if it was right or wrong to implement those measures.

    I accept the point about a larger sample group to study from. But your tone is patronising and condescending.

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    Mute John R
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    Jul 31st 2015, 4:51 PM

    Mary I do not think that Ryan’s tone can be construed as patronising and condescending. Knowledgeable, rational, direct, no BS, but patronising and condescending I think not. And he was absolutely right to call it as he did and the facts and the outcome have proven him to be correct. Reason is a far better approach to these issues than emotion. The outcomes are also better. I am not accusing you of being emotional btw! I simply think that the hysteria and paranoia which passed for debate by some commentators on The Journal during the outbreak has been proven to be embarrassingly wrong. They are very silent now but it won’t stop them from behaving in exactly the same way in the future. This is a victory for reason and medical science and for Governments who held their nerve.

    7
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    Mute The Viking
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:20 PM

    The vaccine has been their since day 1 . It was a man made disease and they were holding back the cure. Population cull..

    17
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    Mute James Comiskey
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:49 PM

    @Viking one problem with your conspiracy theory . in terms of global population the virus has killed f all . and now they’re producing a vaccine . explain that one

    60
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    Mute Wayne O'Fathaigh
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:55 PM

    More people die from the flu than Ebola!

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    Mute Ryan Anthony
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    Jul 31st 2015, 3:01 PM

    So you and the nut brigade have stopped predicting ijts gonna cause a western outbreak as a pretense for martial law and world govt then? Maybe when yoir v specific hysterical predictions are proven wrong ypu could I dunno change your mind maybe?

    You lunatics had the public terrified with your ignorance and you lamasted tjose of us myself included who tried to provide them with proper information, best you can do is slink away

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    Mute John R
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    Jul 31st 2015, 4:52 PM

    Ryan, do not demean your intellect engaging with the likes of The Viking. If this were medieval times he’d be out burning witches at the stake and eating bat poo as a cure for ailments.

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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Jul 31st 2015, 5:28 PM

    If so, it’s not a very efficient population cull

    6
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    Mute John B
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:29 PM

    It’s such a shame that science cannot come up with a vaccine against stupidity.

    7
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    Mute Supernova
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:22 PM

    Funny we only hear about ebola again as it was only killing poor Africans, not effecting Europeans and Americans therefore it’s not important..

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    Mute Romeo Sensini
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:27 PM

    You think that’s funny?

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    Mute Supernova
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:30 PM

    Hardly… Ffs does anyone on here every get comments? No one ever gets sarcasm either, you have spell out back and white for them

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    Mute Erica Corcoran
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:35 PM

    Haha Supernova, that’s exactly why I put a disclaimer on my comment above.

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    Mute Supernova
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    Jul 31st 2015, 2:38 PM

    Haha it drives me mad at times

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    Mute hit shappens
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    Jul 31st 2015, 4:51 PM

    whats a disclaimer?

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    Mute M
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    Jul 31st 2015, 5:18 PM

    Im thankful there are plenty of rational people on here. But holy crap there is some ejits out there, hopefully they will be of little consequence.

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    Mute Carlos André
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    Jul 31st 2015, 5:03 PM

    Great news!

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    Mute ✨Barbara Christopher
    Favourite ✨Barbara Christopher
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    Jul 31st 2015, 4:00 PM

    There is no doubt in my mind that there is a cure out there for cancer. Overnight they have found a cure for Ebola, yet our loved ones are allowed to die from a disease that’s been around for years. Just doesn’t make any sense!

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    Mute Fian
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    Jul 31st 2015, 4:12 PM

    problem is there isnt just one type of cancer there are more than 200 so one cure does not suit all . if there was a cure out there it would be out . its too big a thing to hide . and plenty of CEOs of pharma companies die or jave family members die from cancer aswell . if they had a cure available fo you think they would leave it sitting on the shelf for the sake of company profits

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    Mute fiachra29
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    Jul 31st 2015, 4:23 PM

    Also if they had a cure for cancer people would be willing to pay far more for it, these ridiculous theories that the big pharma is holding back the cure because current treatment is more profitable makes no sense whatsoever a cure would be way more profitable.

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    Mute Jimmy
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    Jul 31st 2015, 8:34 PM

    A once off payment for a cure or constant treatment for years. I would say treatment is more profitable.

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    Mute Gemma Shah
    Favourite Gemma Shah
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    Jul 31st 2015, 4:35 PM

    Do you ever feel that we’re just so arrogant?

    These diseases exist for a reason, a very good reason. Every now and then a cull of humans is necessary.

    I know, I know, if it were me or mine infected we’d take the damn vaccine.

    Just sometimes I wonder exactly how much damage we’re causing?

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    Mute Stephen Bernard
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    Jul 31st 2015, 5:09 PM

    Do you think about what you say, or just blurt out stuff you’ve read on Jayden Smith’s Twitter?

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    Mute John Fergus
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:30 PM

    hmm so people need to be culled to reduce the damage they are doing. tell you what gemma you first.

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    Mute John B
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:32 PM

    Ah Gemma, the naturalistic fallacy. So how far do you want to are your argument? Does that mean that any medical intervention that alters nature is wrong? Sooooo meningitis, broken bones, heart attacks, should we not treat those also? Or where do you draw the arbitrary line in the sand.

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