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Luke 'Ming' Flanagan said a council official 'sorted out' two penalty points he had accrued for using his mobile phone while driving. Julien Behal/PA Archive

Roscommon county manager will take ‘all necessary steps’ to protect name after Ming's Dáil comments

Frank Dawson says he assumes he is the official Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan had referred to, and rejects the TD’s claims.

THE COUNTY MANAGER of Roscommon County Council has ‘utterly rejected’ allegations that he ‘sorted out’ an incident where local TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan had two penalty points removed from his driving licence.

Frank Dawson said he assumed he was the official to which Flanagan was referring to in the Dáil last night when he explained the circumstances under which two offences, for using his mobile phone while on Oireachtas business, including one occasion when he was travelling to a council meeting in December 2011.

Flanagan said he had mentioned his incident to a ‘senior council official’, who later called him to say he had “sorted out my penalty points issue for me”.

In a statement this afternoon, Dawson said he assumed he was the official involved “as he did mention in a conversation with me in December 2010 [sic] that he was stopped by An Garda Siochana for using a mobile phone whilst driving, outside the Council offices.”

“I utterly reject his allegations that I ‘sorted out his penalty points issue for him’,” Dawson said, saying he would “take all necessary steps to protect my good name and reputation”.

Today I am forwarding my account of this matter to the Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Siochana in charge of the investigation. In this context it would not be appropriate to comment any further at this time.

Dawson had been due to travel to the United States for the St Patrick’s Day festivities, as part of a council delegation, but is understood to now be remaining in Ireland.

Column: ‘Ming’ case demonstrates a profound misunderstanding of parliamentary privilege

Read: Ming: I want my penalty points back

More: Wallace: Ming should have accepted quashed penalty points

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110 Comments
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    Mute Marvin Dollery
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    Nov 30th 2024, 1:54 PM

    With a bit of luck. Hardly surprising given his abysmal track record. Even if a few of these chancers lose their seat it’ll have been a good election. Onwards and upwards.

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:20 PM

    @Marvin Dollery: You’re putting a brave face on it, but you must be bitterly disappointed that there’s no great far-right wave.

    The other night you were claiming to represent the views of the Irish people and calling me every name under the sun for being moderate. All I can say is LOL.

    20
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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:23 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: hey brenny… what time this ‘green wave’ you were banging on about due to start?????

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:26 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: Of course you are lying as usual. If you dispute this, show evidence, like I have shown evidence that ‘Kevvy kerrr’ and ‘Frank Mc Carthy’ are the same person.

    7
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    Mute Stephen
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:31 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: Hey Brennie boy, Greens and democrats lost. BIGLY. Have you ever been right? PS, your ma is still dead. Bye now xx

    12
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    Mute Marvin Dollery
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:35 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: Nope, I didn’t say there’d be any “far-right wave” at any stage. You assumed as usual, and tried desperately to put a disgusting twist on my points. The only LOL here is for you – you were quite literally made a clown of and hundreds agreed. Still sore from it hence the petty follow-ups.

    15
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    Mute FlipBip
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:35 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: Imagine actually being smug because the uni party is remaining in power, to do more damage. You are so tragically pathetic. I feel sorry for you.

    22
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:40 PM

    @Marvin Dollery: Still with the brave face, but it’s cold and lonely out there on the far-right edge.

    And still not accepting that votes are what matter: not ‘likes’ on this website.

    Four more years for you and your kind (of which there aren’t many, luckily) to wallow in bile and embitterment. That should be amusing.

    3
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    Mute Marvin Dollery
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:43 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: So petty. So sour.

    15
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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:44 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: Give it a rest will you Brendan. You don’t need to repeat the same crap in every article about the election. Not one candidate has been elected. Also there was never going to be a government led by an anti immigration party. If you actually think there was then you’re the only one. The trolls are playing you and you’re biting and playing exactly how they want you too

    17
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:44 PM

    @FlipBip: The ‘uni party’ isn’t much good but it’s better than the people you support, so yes, I shall allow myself a little smugness.

    2
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:46 PM

    @Ger Whelan: Your opinion has been noted and filed in the appropriate place. I’ll say what I want when I want, and if you don’t like it that’s too bad.

    3
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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:52 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: ah you need to get a life lad. It’s a fairly sad life to be chasing people from article to article saying the same false information. You’ve no idea how many seats the anti immigration candidates may or may not win.

    10
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:53 PM

    @Ger Whelan: Read my last comment again.

    2
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    Mute FlipBip
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:00 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: Go ahead, enjoy yourself. Damn everyone else. Damn this country, it’s people, it’s culture and it’s future. As long as Brendan is happy and can get one up on strangers online, that’s all that matters. You are the personification of the selfish and entitled baby boomer and this world will be a better place when you are all gone. It’s a pity, but unsurprising, that you’re intent on thrashing the place on your way out though. But don’t worry, my generation and the next, will fix things. We’ll do what you lot are too weak and spineless to do.

    12
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    Mute Marvin Dollery
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:09 PM

    @FlipBip: 100% well said.

    8
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:11 PM

    @FlipBip: You do realise that we had a democratic election yesterday? Whatever you may be, you are certainly not the voice of your generation, so stop trying to claim a role that nobody has appointed you to.

    And if you really want to fix things, getting involved in action on the climate/biodiversity crisis would be a good place to start.

    2
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    Mute Marvin Dollery
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:18 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: HAHAHAHAHAHA

    7
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    Mute FlipBip
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:19 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: Ah yes the climate. Another mess you’ve left for us. Cheers for that. I’ll plant some flowers for the bees, shall I? Go f yourself, you delusional old wreetard.

    8
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 4:19 PM

    @FlipBip: Showing your true nature here. Do you really want to do that? It’s pretty ugly.

    Check this out to see the true voices of what is probably your generation. Quit the echo chambers for a while: there’s a whole world out there.

    https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/2024/11/30/teachers-behind-new-book-of-refugees-stories-want-to-challenge-stereotypes/

    2
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    Mute FlipBip
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    Nov 30th 2024, 5:13 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: €1.25

    4
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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Nov 30th 2024, 5:30 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: Well Brendan by your logic it would seem the Irish people have no interest In climate action or biodiversity. Our people look to be telling the green party to F off big time and they are re-electing FG and FF to govern. 2 of the lowest scorers for climate action in their election manifesto according to friends of the earth. So clearly climate change isn’t high on our priorities list.

    4
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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 30th 2024, 1:57 PM

    A beautiful day seeing the greenies LOSING 75% of their seats….the pontificating condescending arrogance that more TAXES on the working man would change the world has been well & truly exposed for the nonsense it is

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    Mute Andrew Kenny
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    Nov 30th 2024, 1:59 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: 100%!

    104
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    Mute Marvin Dollery
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:01 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: A glimmer of hope in these cruel times. Nobody with a conscience could vote any of them back in. It’ll send a nice message to the next Government as to where the publics anger lays.

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    Mute Kevvy kerrr
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:07 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: c’mon now, a small bit of empathy & sympathy for all the brendan o briens accounts….. coming so soon after the overwhelming victory for the republican party in US, this’ll be very hard for those government shills

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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:16 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: you think the green agenda/carbon taxes are going to disappear with the Greens? Not a chance. New taxes tend to be permanent.

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:22 PM

    @Dermot Blaine: never said that….I DONT want my tax euros going on unused bicycle lanes & acting the ‘big man’ at those stupid COP ‘jollys’

    26
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:23 PM

    @Kevvy kerrr: A quick reminder that ‘Kevvy kerrr’ and ‘Frank Mc Carthy’ are the same person: see thread started by Gerry Kelly here.

    https://www.thejournal.ie/world-reaches-300-bn-climate-finance-deal-at-cop29-6551764-Nov2024/

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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:25 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: sure brenny…deflection is the answer, lol. Which is more painful…. the greenies 75% wipeout today or the overwhelming victory for republicans in the US. Bit if advice…don’t ever go boylesports or paddy powers

    8
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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:30 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: So where is the evidence that I ever said anything about a ‘green wave’? (Hint: nowhere, because I didn’t.)

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    Mute Marvin Dollery
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:37 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: Tut tut little man.

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    Mute Brian
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:38 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: Imagine retiring at 52 ( apparently ) and spending your days swapping between multiple accounts, talking to yourself and attacking genuine posters in a comments section. This comments section is your life.. it fills your days.. fulfils your inner Walter Mitty and gives you a platform to anonymously show your most odious persona. You’re a very troubled individual.

    11
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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:44 PM

    @Brian: c’mon brenny, you can do better than this juvenile account…..use the chutes or ‘kevin kerrr’ ones…they’re more fun to laugh at

    5
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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:52 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: neither of which are going to change anytime soon. Local councils introduce cycle lanes, the Greens don’t control any councils.

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Nov 30th 2024, 5:17 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: There is a God after all!

    2
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    Mute ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere
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    Nov 30th 2024, 7:31 PM

    @Dermot Blaine: Elected Councillors don’t control the Councils either.
    Council management do.

    And they are not answerable to our representatives on the Councils.

    Local democracy is a sham in this country.

    1
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    Mute Ann Reddin
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:09 PM

    So no change there then. In the last GE, neither Donnelly or Harris got enough votes to cross the line, but after the eleventh count they were deemed elected anyway. Both of them were handed ministerial positions and there’s Harris sitting in the big chair at the top of the table – an absolute joke.

    88
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    Mute Conall O Briain
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:32 PM

    @Ann Reddin: Do you not understand how our electoral system works? Voted are counted until all seats are filled by candidates reaching the quota. That’s why it can take so many counts. They were elected by reaching the quota after 11 counts, not “deemed elected” arbitrarily.

    21
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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Nov 30th 2024, 4:09 PM

    @Ann Reddin: FG ran a campaign to spilt the vote in Harris constituency last time, that’s why his vote was so low. They didn’t do it this time and he’s topped the poll, most likely. That’s how our system works.

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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    Nov 30th 2024, 5:03 PM

    @Ann Reddin: maybe a quick course in proportional representation??

    1
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    Mute Maniac 2000
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:00 PM

    Put he didn’t run in Limerick or Clare. He would have got zero votes. A disgrace of a minister allowing the UHL crisis to continue

    89
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    Mute Frank Mc Carthy
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:10 PM

    @Maniac 2000: TRUE…… well he simply couldn’t/ wouldn’t have run. R.I.P. Aoife Johnson

    39
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    Mute Maniac 2000
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    Nov 30th 2024, 10:08 PM

    @Frank Mc Carthy: I know he couldn’t but….

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    Mute John Paul Long
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:10 PM

    Good riddance!

    50
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    Mute Andrew Kenny
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    Nov 30th 2024, 1:55 PM

    If any positive is to come from this election, its the hope that this f@@l loses his seat.

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    Mute Mayo seem to be the football equivalent of Waterfo
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    Nov 30th 2024, 1:57 PM

    @Andrew Kenny: here here

    42
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    Mute honey badger
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:11 PM

    Wallace and Daly have failed in their bids to get reelected. Thank you, voters. Two odious people.

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    Mute Patrice Ahern
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:31 PM

    @honey badger: Thank God.

    13
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    Mute Kevin O Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:19 PM

    Paying the price for the Double cross on his previous voters and going to fianna Fail

    44
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    Mute Longlin
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:38 PM

    @Kevin O Brien: You’re right. She should have stuck with the SD’s and kept giving solutions from the sidelines instead of ever being in government.

    7
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    Mute Mayo seem to be the football equivalent of Waterfo
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    Dec 1st 2024, 1:13 AM

    @Kevin O Brien: Exactly

    1
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    Mute Gerry Lamont
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:10 PM

    How a man so arrogant and incompetent could be re-elected would be a kick in the face for any of us on hospital waiting lists. Llike most of his party buddies ..a horrible creature.

    62
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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:28 PM

    Bye bye Cabbage Heads, a lot of sore losers about today. Taxing the people doesn’t help the planet! Educating people does!
    These green ideas could have been brought in gradually and not foisted on us in one fell swoop!
    My heart bleeds for you! Cycle ofg into the sunset with your tails between your legs!!?

    45
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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:47 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: As much as I dislike Donnelly, he’s not losing out at all, he’ll get his pension etc and he’ll walk into the board of a private company earning a massive salary, while your here sitting in the internet like a 5 year old say ” cabbage head”.

    7
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    Mute Joanne Stokes
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:49 PM

    One is wishing and hoping he loses his seat along with O’Gorman cheers!!

    23
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    Mute Des Quinn
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:18 PM

    Give whoever picked that photo a raise and the rest of the week off.

    19
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    Mute Raymond Dennehy
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:34 PM

    Could go back to his engineering background. He’s a degree from a prestigious US university. BAM always looking for suitable applicants

    18
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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:12 PM

    This was predicted, he always struggles plus he doesn’t hold constituency clinics

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    Mute Michael Andrews
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:17 PM

    Greatest lampooner in the Dail
    . KARMA.

    17
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    Mute David Fox
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:34 PM

    He deserves nothing. Get him out immediately.

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    Mute reg morrisey
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:58 PM

    I hope you get pummeled Donnelly. It’s all you deserve

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    Mute FlipBip
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    Nov 30th 2024, 1:59 PM

    Literal soyboy meme

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Nov 30th 2024, 2:24 PM

    @FlipBip: Drowning your sorrows today?

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    Mute DavyDoDa
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:37 PM

    Cheeri Fxckin O

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    Mute Phillip Smyth
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:27 PM

    S

    4
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    Mute Phillip Smyth
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    Nov 30th 2024, 3:28 PM

    @Phillip Smyth: poofer

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    Mute Paul H
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    Dec 1st 2024, 9:45 AM

    Thank god hes gone

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