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The day an Irish fishing boat was sunk by a British submarine

Newly released documents show the Government had ‘no intention’ to get involved in the crew’s case against the UK.


David Connolly / Vimeo

IN APRIL 1982 a Clogherhead fishing boat, the Sheralga, was trawling for prawns in the Irish Sea.

Raymond McEvoy was skippering the 70ft vessel about 30 miles off the Dublin coast when near disaster struck.

Other vessels in the area reported seeing the boat suddenly lurching back before being dragged backwards at high-speed, an estimated 10 knots. A significant pace with the Sheralga’s engines powering in the opposite direction.

The five man crew at first didn’t know what was happening but the seriousness of the situation soon became apparent when the boat started to go under.

The Sheralga was dragged for about two miles before it sunk and all five crew leapt overboard. They were rescued by number of other trawlers with Paul Connolly, captain of the main rescue vessel The Supreme, describing what happened.

“Next thing I seen him go full astern, he was flying astern about 6, 7, 10 knots astern. Then the boat listed over on her side.”

PastedImage-90569 One of the boat's crewmen interviewed after being brought to shore. Vimeo / David Connolly Vimeo / David Connolly / David Connolly

The crew men were taken to shore at Clogherhead by The Supreme and were in no doubt that they’d been sunk by a submarine which had left the scene rather than assist the rescue.

“She was dragged over, definitely, by a submarine, definitely,” said crewman Noel Kirwan in the hours after the sinking. “What was going to pull her back, 600 horsepower, something had to pull her back.”

At first, Britain denied any involvement in what happened but a number of weeks later admitted that the sinking had been caused by one of their subs.

The incident happened at the height of the Falklands War and it later transpired that the the Sheralga’s nets had been caught by HMS Porpoise which was looking for Soviet submarine activity in the Irish Sea.

PastedImage-67652 The harbour at Clogherhead in 1982 where the Shelga's crew were taken. Vimeo / David Connolly Vimeo / David Connolly / David Connolly

‘No intention’  

The sinking caused a major diplomatic incident between Ireland and the UK with demands that submarine activity be stopped in the Irish Sea.

The crewmen wanted compensation, both for the loss of the boat and their livelihoods and also for what they saw as the risk to their lives. The Irish Government meanwhile pushed for Irish fishing grounds to be made submarine-free.

But a confidential Government document published under the 30-year rule demonstrates that there was no Government appetite to “become party to the dispute” between the men and the United Kingdom.

The March 1984 briefing note for Minster for Foreign Affairs Peter Barry ahead of a UK visit contained the following extract:

We have no intention of acting as a party to the dispute and we have involved ourselves only to the extent of keeping ourselves informed of the views of both sides.

“We strongly hope that a court case may be avoided and that the matter may yet be settled by mutual agreement of loss adjusters,” it adds.

IMG_0871 Briefing note for Foreign Affairs Minister. National Archive / TheJournal.ie National Archive / TheJournal.ie / TheJournal.ie

In the end, the men did go the legal route and four years later the crew received compensation in a Belfast court according to submarine blog Sundodgers.com.

The blog added that the compensation as Raymond McAvoy puts it “didn’t even match half of what he paid for the boat”.

The 1984 Government documents also outline how the Sheralga was far from the last of the “allegations of submarine interference with fishing vessels”.

The memo outlines to the Foreign Minster that he may wish to mention:

  • “The increase in alleged submarine incidents in the Irish Sea. In particular the case of the trawler Oriel which had to cut nets when hauled astern of Clogherhead on 8 March.
  • That we trust that the relevant British authorities remain fully concious of the dangers of submarine activity in prime fishing ground in the Irish Sea and have taken appropriate measures to avoid Sheralga-like incidents.”

Read: Near Misses: ‘The US were lucky to get out of the Cold War without a nuclear detonation’ >

Read: First Irish TV, Titanic, a famous ceiling: the big anniversaries of 2012 >

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51 Comments
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    Mute David Huston
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:01 AM

    Three stories in a row about Sinn Fein, its almost like someone is trying to control the mindset of the people,Any updates on the pay increases TDs awarded them self’s.

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    Mute David Huston
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:22 AM

    @Fomorian: Your anti sinn fein bias is apparent in your comment,But you lack of facts is deliberate,no sf member shot anybody as you well know, leobots are not great with the truth.

    100
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    Mute David Huston
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:48 AM

    @Fomorian: “not once stated anything suggestive of support for any political party” – Typical Leobot retort, or maybe your a DUPer

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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:54 AM

    @frank murphy: Barry, seek some professional help.
    Your state of mind cannot be good for you.

    22
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:02 AM

    @frank murphy: Barry, you come across as a hysterical adolescent idiot here at the best of times.
    Then again…….

    21
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    Mute David Huston
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:33 AM

    @Nick Allen: it must be time to take your meds.

    11
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    Mute Shane Molloy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:52 PM

    @EdgeOfTheWorld: Remind him of his drinking habit….he does be yapping about it in other articles. Clown blocked me

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    Mute Roger Poles
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:37 PM

    @David Huston: leo was protecting irish interests in the brexit negotiations and good Friday agreement while one of the me fein good for nothing MPs be littles the victims of innocent people killed years ago. Do nothing only give out no solutions. Martin mcguinness was the only one of that crowd had some common sense since his passing sein fein has lost the run of itself out of their debth good for nothing. Mary Lou bag of wind is no better

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    Mute Mark Gearey
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    Jan 10th 2018, 4:42 PM

    @David Huston: Are people not allowed to just hate SF anymore. I hate em. And I’ve never voted for anyone other than, Workers Party, independents, or Labour. I hate FF and FG too. And the DUP don’t exist where I live thank fup.

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    Mute Honeybadger197
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    Jan 8th 2018, 7:53 AM

    “Nominations” ;)

    86
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    Mute Harry Whitehead
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:22 AM

    @Honeybadger197: “I’ve got no strings /
    To hold me down /
    To make me fret, or make me frown /
    I had strings /
    But now I’m free /
    To do as Jorry tells me”

    58
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    Mute Honeybadger197
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:25 AM

    @Harry Whitehead: lol. Nice one.

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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:45 AM

    @frank murphy: Sooooo bitter, Barry.

    20
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    Mute Christy Nolan
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:57 AM

    @Honeybadger197:
    First time vote for SF. Can’t afford a mortgage and my mother is still on a hospital waiting list.
    It makes perfect sense not to vote for the government of the past decade.

    28
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    Mute John Mc Donagh
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:00 AM

    @Harry Whitehead: Hilarious and factual—Great comment!

    10
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    Mute The Risen
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:02 AM

    @Christy Nolan: SF will be getting my 2nd preference vote. I’ll be ignoring the supporters of the party who wrecked the economy and the party currently wrecking society trying to convince me that voting for left leaning candidates is a bad idea.

    19
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    Mute Paddy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 12:57 PM

    @The Risen: your only fooling yourself.

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    Mute The Risen
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    Jan 8th 2018, 5:14 PM

    @Paddy: * You’re

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    Mute Pascal Coleman
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    Jan 8th 2018, 7:54 AM

    The first 3 “news” items this morning are about Sinn Féin. Just a slow day……. or is this becoming an obsession for Journal writers?

    91
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    Mute Malachi
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:00 AM

    @Pascal Coleman: Well… three significant things involving Sinn Féin did happen/are happening today, were they supposed to refrain from reporting them to spare hurt feelings or something? Defeats the point of news, doesn’t it?

    105
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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:15 AM

    @Pascal Coleman: slow start for shinners comments on here ,then it’s 8 o’clock early for shinners to be out of bed

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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:48 AM

    @Pascal Coleman: As Oscar Wilde once said, the only thing worse than being talked about was NOT being talked about.
    SF has FFG worried, otherwise they’d be ignored.

    35
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    Mute Jane
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:36 AM

    @EdgeOfTheWorld: yeah you’re right, it has absolutely nothing to do with what is actually going on with SF at the moment. It’s all a big conspiracy.
    Why won’t the media stop being such big meanies to SF?

    14
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    Mute Shane Molloy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 12:18 PM

    @Pascal Coleman: it’s click bait for Frank & Co.
    It’s like a cartoon at times

    2
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    Mute John Mc Donagh
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:17 PM

    @Pascal Coleman: AND they’re largely relating to the murders of innocent people!

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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:39 PM

    @John Mc Donagh: Like Mary Boyle, Fr. Niall Molloy etc etc?

    4
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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:11 AM

    It won’t make a blind bit of difference.
    The Fine Gael newsletter (Irish Independent) will still regular carry more stories on its front pages attacking that parry more so than the rest.
    The head might have changed – the D.O.B. media tactics won’t.

    85
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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:23 AM

    @frank murphy: I’m NOT a SF fan but even if they gave away free money, the Fine Gael newsletter would still try dig up something.

    66
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    Mute Sam Alexander
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:26 AM

    @Unitedpeople:
    SF gets too much media exposure. No matter what other party is involved in the news it is always Adams’s photo that heads the article. Similarly any misfortune that happens in a community the media always go to a SF councillor for comment.

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    Mute Fomorian
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:32 AM

    @Unitedpeople: Isn’t that what Sinn Féin’s whole campaign is based upon? Giving free money to those who do nothing to deserve it….

    36
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:49 AM

    @Fomorian: Not sure anyone in SF is best buddies with Maltese tax evaders.

    29
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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:39 AM

    @Walt Jabsco: Unlike the present lot in government that is writing its own rules and laws, unconstitutionally signing us up to the EU arms – and then will be spending €3,000,000,000+ in 2010 on weapon spending?

    Not defending any illegal robbing by any side – by is the legal side any better by another shower?

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    Mute Unitedpeople
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:40 AM
    10
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:40 PM

    @Sam Alexander: That paranoia is getting the better of ya.

    2
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    Mute Marty Gormley
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:01 AM

    Hard to look past Barry Mcelduff for the leadership

    62
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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:18 AM

    @Marty Gormley: he has one of the best advantages of being leader,memory loss

    33
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    Mute Willy Malone
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:19 AM

    One can feel the fear from media… Wind of change bringing that odour ;)

    39
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    Mute Christy Nolan
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:06 AM

    @Willy Malone:
    This a orchestrated plan to keep the Trolley Scandal off the agenda.

    19
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    Mute Jane
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:38 AM

    @Christy Nolan: off the agenda? There’s not a person in the country that doesn’t know we have a major crisis with our health service. People are able to process more than one story at a time.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:48 AM

    @Willy Malone: A wet fart you mean….

    3
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    Mute EdgeOfTheWorld
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    Jan 8th 2018, 2:20 PM

    @Jane: Is that why you and your ilk run away from all articles about how FFG are failing the people of Ireland?

    5
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    Mute The Dublinist
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    Jan 8th 2018, 7:53 AM

    Arlene foster might put her name down for the craic.

    39
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    Mute James Beattie
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:07 AM

    @frank murphy: you could be right there Frank. It seems it is the same with all parties. The overall majority of members in FG voted for Simon Coveney for FG leader yet Leo got the job. It is hard to know which is worse, give the people a vote and then ignore the voting results or not give them a vote at all.

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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:17 AM

    @The Dublinist: why not two cheeks of the same @rse

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    Mute James Beattie
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:27 AM

    @frank murphy: you could be right there Frank. It seems it is the same with all parties. The overall majority of members in FG voted for Simon Coveney for FG leader yet Leo got the job. It is hard to know which is worse, give the people a vote and then ignore the will of the people or not give them a vote at all.

    1
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    Mute Unauthorised Comment
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:29 AM

    @frank murphy: you could be right there Frank. It seems it is the same with all parties. The overall majority of members in FG voted for Simon Coveney for FG leader yet Leo got the job. It is hard to know which is worse, give the people a vote and then ignore the will of the people or not give them a vote at all.

    17
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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:50 AM

    @The Dublinist: Now that really would be funny, and she would probably win hands down….shady lady.

    3
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    Mute Jim Buckley Barrett
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:40 AM

    Why do I get the feeling the Leader has been picked already and this is only a exercise for the public interest….

    29
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    Mute Rob Cahill
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:56 AM

    @Jim Buckley Barrett: Because FG did the same thing a few months ago?? Politics is a filthy business no matter which party.

    12
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    Mute JJ O Riordan
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:09 AM

    Congratulations to the blessed virgin Mary Lou on being voted the new leader/chief of staff.

    17
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jan 8th 2018, 9:52 AM

    Well I have read all the negative comments about Sinn Fein their so stupid not worth my time . So back to reality Fine Gael ,FIANNA Fail , Labour ,Social Democrats ,The Greens , a bunch of Independents we have seen how all those Party’s have performed the state of the HSE ,Social Housing won’t have room on my page to mention them all. Sinn Fein are the party for the future so whoever leads good luck to them .

    32
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    Mute Robert Harris
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:54 AM

    @Donal Carey: How’s power sharing going up Nord,no problems with the health service ,no one sleeping rough ,or are you too busy putting bread on your head to be doing real work

    21
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    Mute Casper
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    Jan 8th 2018, 11:12 AM

    @Robert Harris:

    North

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    Mute Shane Molloy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 12:41 PM

    @Robert Harris:
    The DUP cannot stick to the good Friday agreement.
    It’s not in their DNA to accommodate a side show like the Irish language act. It’s nothing tangible really but they couldn’t stomach anything different in the orange state for the orange people. AKA bigotry with a slap in the face.
    So how can you deal with them in a government.
    Can only imagine the behind the scenes childishness behaviour

    5
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Jan 8th 2018, 12:46 PM

    @Robert Harris: who is talking about the North of Ireland we are talking about the South of Ireland come back when there is a United Ireland which is not to far away.

    4
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    Mute joe celtic 1888
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    Jan 8th 2018, 8:18 AM

    West Belfast lol

    11
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    Mute Liberal Larry
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    Jan 8th 2018, 10:05 AM

    It would appear that Cianan just checked the Paddy Power website and didn’t properly research the story, lazy journalism…
    Doherty has not put his name forward.

    13
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    Mute Karl Phillips
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    Jan 8th 2018, 7:52 PM

    Maybe that spacer going around with the bread balanced on his head will put his name in the ring, shocking people who pretend to represent the under privileged, you will be found out in the end as failures as well !!

    3
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    Mute Deano Cracow
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    Jan 9th 2018, 2:04 AM

    There is only one possible choice for leader. Barry McElduff. You know he is the right choice if you know what side your bread is buttered on. Towers above the rest

    1
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    Mute Joe Kemmy
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    Jan 8th 2018, 5:26 PM

    Yes she is a shoe in,they do not seem to do leadership contests in SF

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