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PA

Calls for Van Morrison to be stripped of city honour

The musician was given freedom of the city of Belfast in 2013.

LAST UPDATE | 18 Sep 2020

A BELFAST COUNCILLOR has said the local authority should revoke Van Morrison’s freedom of the city over his coronavirus intervention.

The musician was given the honour in 2013 in recognition of his storied career.

He has called for an end to measures which “enslave” people in a new song calling for pandemic restrictions to be lifted.

City councillor Emmet McDonough-Brown said: “Van Morrison was given the freedom of Belfast, the highest honour the city can bestow.

“His most recent lyrics undermine the guidance in place to protect lives and are ignorant of established science as we grapple with Covid-19.

“So I’ve asked Belfast City Council to consider revoking it.”

He added: “I think we should withdraw the endorsement.

“He remains free to say whatever he wants.”

Van was brought up in east Belfast and the inspiration for several songs came from local streets like Cyprus Avenue and Hyndford Street.

The songwriter, 75, is releasing a trio of protest songs calling for an end to rules aimed at stopping the spread of coronavirus.

His song No More Lockdown labels those who are “disturbing our peace” as “fascist bullies”.

Belfast faces renewed restrictions preventing residents from entering other people’s houses as the rate of infection increases.

Northern Ireland’s health minister has said Van’s lockdown protest songs are dangerous.

Robin Swann told the BBC: “I don’t know where he gets his facts.

“I know where the emotions are on this, but I will say that sort of messaging is dangerous.

“Our messaging is about saving lives.

“If Van wanted to sing a song about saving lives, then that would be more in keeping with where we are at the minute.”

The lyrics also include reference to an unsubstantiated conspiracy theory that scientists are “making up crooked facts”.

He criticised celebrities “telling us what we are supposed to feel” as he called for an end to the “status quo”.

In a statement, Van said: “I’m not telling people what to do or think, the Government is doing a great job of that already.

“It’s about freedom of choice, I believe people should have the right to think for themselves.”

Alderman Jim Rodgers, a long-serving Ulster Unionist Belfast City councillor, was brought up about half a mile from Van’s East Belfast home.

He said he would be opposed to revoking the honour.

“It is a cheap political stunt from councillor McDonough-Brown.”

He said he understood that people were depressed and fed up by the restrictions.

“I did not agree with what he (Morrison) said but nevertheless I would not be prepared to go down that road to support removing that freedom of the city.

“We all say and do things that in hindsight we regret.” 

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    Mute The Firestarter
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:18 PM

    Van and Jim Corr should perform a duet.

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:20 PM

    @The Firestarter: that’d be the worst thing since Sting and Shaggy did a duet…. yeah that’s a real thing :(

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    Mute Anna Anna
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:25 PM

    @The Firestarter: and Noel Gallagher, and Ian Brown and Dr Feeley – Clinical Director of the Midlands Hospital Group and Professor Carl Heneghan and Professor Karol Sikora and and and …

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:34 PM

    @Anna Anna: what are you on about? They can’t play instruments! Especially Noel Gallagher

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    Mute Mattress Dick
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:45 PM

    @The Firestarter: Jim Morrison?

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    Mute Anna Anna
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:59 PM

    @Mark: well Dr Feeley has plenty of time on his hands now he has been forced to resign for speaking out ;) you won’t hear too many more from the HSE criticise NPHET

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:28 PM

    @Anna Anna: I’m more concerned that you think Noel Gallager had something smart to say

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    Mute easy_money82
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:35 PM

    @Mark: apart from Lead Guitar in the greatest band in the last 30 years
    ;)

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    Mute Anna Anna
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:37 PM

    @Mark: my focus would be on the medical experts I listed. Noel and Ian are just two musicians who think similarly to Van

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    Mute Karl Keane
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:54 PM

    @Mattress Dick: he actually did, the Doors used to support Van Morrison and Them back in the late 60s and the Doors covered Gloria.

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    Mute Tom Harpur Photography
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    Sep 18th 2020, 6:43 PM

    @Mark: van and Jim Corrs new song for pre-release at a anti lockdown rally.

    Plonkers to the left of me plonkers to the right
    Here I am stuck in the middle with you …..

    16
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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Sep 18th 2020, 7:11 PM

    @The Firestarter: might not have the tin foil hat in his size

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    Mute jnulty17@gmail.com
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    Sep 19th 2020, 10:14 PM

    @The Firestarter:

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    Mute Conall
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    Sep 20th 2020, 8:33 AM

    @Mark: I know plenty of doctors wko can play instruments. Don’t lump them in with Noel.

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    Mute Colm O'Brien
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:20 PM

    I think Van is Real Real Gone, in the head.

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    Mute Declan Holden
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:00 PM

    @Colm O’Brien: comment of the day.

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    Mute Geraldine Glynn
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:07 PM

    @Colm O’Brien: brilliant

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    Mute C_O'S
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:57 PM

    @Geraldine Glynn: the elevator doesn’t reach the top floor anymore…

    38
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    Mute Jerriko17
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:29 PM

    @Colm O’Brien: my mama told me there’d be days like this……

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    Mute Derek Emmett
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    Sep 19th 2020, 12:33 PM

    @Colm O’Brien: Mad as a bag of cats.!

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    Mute Molly1952
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:30 PM

    Disappointed that Van is doing this…. I was always a staunch fan but it’s not good to see him jumping on this populist bandwagon.
    As my Mam might have said….. “more in his line to be saying his prayers” :)

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    Mute Pius Flynn
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    Sep 19th 2020, 2:10 AM

    @Molly1952: and maybe more in yours to be educating yourself.

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    Mute Daniel O'Byrne
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    Sep 19th 2020, 5:24 AM

    @Molly1952: populist bandwagon? You’re false finger wagging and outrage is a bit sad

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    Mute Fionn Darland
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:41 PM

    He’s ‘Real Real Gone’! Van has form as in the 80′s he studied Scientology and gave special thanks to L. Ron Hubbard on ‘Beautiful Vision’ album credits. I will not be taking his advice on how to treat Covid no matter how good a singer / songwriter he is.

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    Mute Gavin Mckenna
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:51 PM

    Possible Van Morrison 2020 lyrics…

    “Hey, where did masks go?
    Days when the plagues came
    No social distancing
    Playin’ a daft game
    Coughin and a wheezin hey, hey
    Spreading and infecting
    On a hospital ventilator with
    Our hearts a stoppin’ and you, my… 5G girl”

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    Mute owentighe
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:19 PM

    @Gavin Mckenna: haha! Love it!

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    Mute The Descolada
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:31 PM

    @Gavin Mckenna: outstanding! Hahahaha

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    Mute Marcella Donaghy
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    Sep 18th 2020, 3:53 PM

    @Gavin Mckenna: Did he not know ,that there be days like this???.

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    Mute James Fox
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:30 PM

    John waters on drums. He’s good at making a racket.

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    Mute ℍ
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:38 PM

    Absolute legend, Van is a top man!

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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:55 PM

    @ℍ: and a pioson personality!

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    Mute Conall
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    Sep 20th 2020, 8:35 AM

    @Michael Burke: Haven’t met him, but I’m not trying to be his friend. As long as the music’s good, I’m happy.

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    Mute
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:20 PM

    Just reading these comments, I’m seriously thinking of emigrating to a proper country. Anyone who wants to be allowed go to a restaurant must be a Gemma clone. You people are embarrassing and Van is alright. Rage on Van Morriston.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:12 PM

    @: I’m sure you’ll be missed

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    Mute Conall
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    Sep 20th 2020, 8:41 AM

    The US? Always wanted an orange narcissist for a president. The UK? Boris Johnson, enough said. Saudi Arabia? Hope you don’t plan taking any female relatives with you. Australia? Whole place is boiling hot, on fire and full of giant spiders and poisonous wildlife (though ok otherwise).

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    Mute pat seery
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:20 PM

    Wonder if he got the Virus what songs would he Release Up up and Away would be a good Title

    119
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    Mute Declan Leonard
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:02 PM

    Van morrison is a tool

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    Mute Joe Toner
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:49 PM

    Ah for the love of Jasus….. Are we not suffering enough without having to endure this s#ite? A majority of the population will suffer bleeding from the ears and manic depression….

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    Mute Anna Anna
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:16 PM
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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:05 PM

    @Anna Anna: twice our population more than three times the deaths and the economy is not doing well. Sweden have done much the same as us but without the temporary lockdown. They gave all the same advice on travel, working from home etc.

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    Mute Anna Anna
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:10 PM

    @Dave O’Keeffe: gave advice. Businesses were not forced to shut. Healthcare system kept open for everyone. More deaths because they didn’t protect the care homes (like us) and they have 3 times the number of over 65s so naturally had 3 times the deaths

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    Mute mar
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:31 PM

    @Dave O’Keeffe: No lockdown, everything open including pubs, no masks. Yeah they have pretty much done the same as over here.

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Sep 19th 2020, 1:15 AM

    @Anna Anna: I can honestly say that the idea that a life matters less because of the number of years in it is disgusting in my opinion. Also, as I’m sure you’re aware you’ve forgotten to adjust your over 65s number to a per capita format that would actually make it relevant but would also have a negative effect on your “logic”. Roughly twice the population, means they would have had 1.5 times the deaths per capita (based on the pop. over 65) in comparison, but it’s actually double that.

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    Mute Dolphins
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:45 PM

    Van’s the man !!! Freedom ! freedom ! freedom ! ✊✊✊. Enough of this propaganda.

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    Mute Thomas O' Donnell
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:29 PM

    @Dolphins: Propaganda. All the stories of people in ICU, dying , getting long term lung, heart and brain damage all made up?

    42
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    Mute John Rock
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    Sep 19th 2020, 8:30 AM

    @Thomas O’ Donnell: long term? We don’t know that.. that’s the problem. Covid has been with us for less than a year ;!

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    Mute Kinsaleable
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:02 PM

    Amazingly a highly contagious virus doesn’t care about personal freedoms.

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    Mute
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:21 PM

    @Kinsaleable: Amazingly, I’m not a virus.

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    Mute Kinsaleable
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    Sep 18th 2020, 7:18 PM

    That’s right. Not really getting my point but you are correct nonetheless.

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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:24 PM

    I don’t agree with him at all but really is nobody allowed to have an opinion anymore, even mad ones like this one….does everyone have to agree with the narrative now?

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:12 PM

    @Joan Featherstone: he has the right to his opinion, and we have the right to call him a tool. Just like people who think aliens built the pyramids, they have the right to their own narrative but they’re definitely worth laughing at

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    Mute Lager Lout
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    Sep 21st 2020, 9:32 AM

    @Mark: we laugh at people like you.

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:26 PM

    This is the biggest outrage since he ruined what would have been a good Cheiftains album with his annoying voice. Never forget

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:36 PM

    @Mark: nonsense his version of carrickfergus and raglan road never been bettered

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:02 PM

    @Rory Mackle: *Luke Kelly has entered the chat*

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:05 PM

    @Mark: yes agree with that

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    Mute Declan McArdle
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    Sep 18th 2020, 5:37 PM

    @Rory Mackle: Aha! We have found the spray painter of Sheriff St.!

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:01 PM

    @Declan McArdle: no what are you talking about love Luke Kelly

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    Mute patrick hughes
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:50 PM

    Really ….. As I walked out . A reminder of the night he disappeared off stage without even an encore and left his fans bewildered Im Not a fan than god.

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    Mute J
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:09 PM

    @patrick hughes: he does that most nights. He has massive contempt for his audience. Doesn’t stop me from listening to his records though.

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    Mute Paddy Murray
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:45 PM

    A pure PR stunt .

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    @Paddy Murray: hardly, when I’m sure he knows he’s going to heavily criticised and ridiculed for his opinions

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    Mute Conor Tansey
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:17 PM

    Sure his moma told him there’d be days like this

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    Mute PaulOMahoney Irish
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:48 PM

    I’m surprised Sinead hasn’t joined in, afterall she never misses a bit of controversial claptrap

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    Mute Canyon
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    Sep 18th 2020, 11:40 PM

    @PaulOMahoney Irish: gemma

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    Mute Lucille Ball
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:37 PM

    This is what happens when you think you’re very important.. kinda like Bono..?!

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    Mute SquintEastwood
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:45 PM

    @Lucille Ball: where is bono hiding last while ?
    Coronavirus is good for something

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    Mute Alan Biddulph
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:45 PM

    My guess is all of Vans travels and future plans are put on hold like the rest of us mere mortals, and he is cracking up being stuck at home. Great leveller this virus. Reminds those at the top that we are the same species! Big fan of his music saying wall that.

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    Mute Nick McGivney
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:02 PM

    Vansplaining

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    Mute Kerry Evans
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:32 PM

    Who?

    53
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    Mute Colm Walsh
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:51 PM

    Old man sings at cloud

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    Mute Phil O' Meara
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:16 PM

    I am going to predict the formation of a new anti-mask conspiracy theory musical Supergroup.
    Morrissey, Jim Corr and Van Morrison – “Unravelling -Will Burys”

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    Mute Brendan Gill
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    Sep 18th 2020, 5:02 PM

    Well done Van for having the courage to say the truth!!!!

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    Mute John Nolan
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:16 PM

    Moany old ballocks and a rude one at that too!

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    Mute Boxer Alice
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    Sep 18th 2020, 6:43 PM

    I agree 100% with Van. !!. All this hype is not doing any of us any good!. Let people make up their own minds. Good Luck to all!

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    Mute Peter Burke
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:06 PM

    Oh dear, how the mighty have fallen. When you begin to believe in your own publicity, it’s time to quit while you’re ahead.
    Van, old boy, you are abusing your privileged position and that is really disappointing – I thought there was more to you than that.

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    Mute Nick Condon Sen
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    Sep 19th 2020, 10:43 AM

    @Peter Burke: To be honest he doesnt give a fiddlers what you or I think.
    It wouldn’t be the first time he courted controversy.
    Id be a fan of his music but not some of his sentiments or rudeness.
    But eccentric talents are sometimes like that.
    You could have left the OLD BOY bit out of your statement it smacks of condescending ageism.
    Id say you are someone that might be pretty peeved if you were called an OLD BOY.
    Would I be right on that assumption ?
    Anyway Im 72 and I must be off on my bike-literally- and get away from being dragged into this type of indulgent crap.
    Fanacht Sabhálta

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    Mute Paul Atreides
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    Sep 18th 2020, 3:35 PM

    Always thought Van Morrison was overrated

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    Mute Tom Sullivan
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    Sep 20th 2020, 5:27 PM

    @Paul Atreides: And that is relevant how, precisely?

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    Mute Barry
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:42 PM

    What a tool he is,

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    Mute Maria Hickey-Fagan
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:58 PM

    @Barry: ah he’s not. Tools are useful.

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    Mute GoodQuestions
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:34 PM

    What is surreal is the majority of comments here given today’s ‘public health advice’ that borders on pseudoscience at this stage (statistical framing/exaggeration & data obfuscation). I hope most of comments are bots.

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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    Sep 18th 2020, 7:02 PM

    @GoodQuestions: I have that hope as well .

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    Mute Peter Coen
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:58 PM

    Just maybe they know something that the rest of us dont.

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    Mute Martin Doherty
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:58 PM

    Maybe he’s missing being rude to his fans

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    Mute Pat Lynch
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:16 PM

    @Martin Doherty: And he has done that many times.

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    Mute A -AFC
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:25 PM

    Van who???????

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    Mute Sean Murnin
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:28 PM

    @A -AFC: Morrison, his name is in the title of the article!

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    Mute A -AFC
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:36 PM

    @Sean Murnin: straight over your head wasn’t it

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    Mute Rory Mackle
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:01 PM

    @A -AFC: I think his comment might have been over your head

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    Sep 18th 2020, 3:06 PM

    @Rory Mackle: I doubt he was that clever now now

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    Mute John Hagin Meade
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:38 PM

    @A -AFC: Van should move to Bedford then we could know him as Bedford Van. Sorry, Bedford vans do have some uses.

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    Mute Sean Murnin
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    Sep 18th 2020, 6:12 PM

    @A -AFC: Come on out from behind your mask and we’ll have a discussion Einstein.

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    Mute Bernard Doyle
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    Sep 19th 2020, 5:39 AM

    @A -AFC: I think Sean and Rory are a couple of cans short of a six-pack. And Sean I’ll glady have a discussion with you when you get an education.

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    Mute Sean Murnin
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    Sep 19th 2020, 8:45 PM

    @Bernard Doyle: I have 2 degree’s wànkstain and doing very well thanks.

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    Mute Misty Eyed Mutton
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    Sep 18th 2020, 5:21 PM

    Mark Ellen said that when it comes to Van Morrison there are to types of people, those who like him and those who’ve met him.

    C’mon Van, it’s a marvellous night for a maskdance.

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    Mute Paul Cahoon
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:27 PM

    Man is quite entitled to have an opinion.

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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    Sep 18th 2020, 7:01 PM

    Here come the apologists of totalitarians that can’t cope with other people having a different view and expressing it . That was quick

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    Mute Shane
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:54 PM

    The sad reality is there are people who will be guided by van Morrisson’s views rather than those of the vast majority of public health doctors across the globe… and these same folk will accuse of those who prefer to be guided who know what they are talking about of being sheep….

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    Mute Isabel Oliveira
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:01 PM

    Looking only at the lyrics transcribed in this article I can’t see where he’s wrong, hence i’m amused by the virtuous comments on thread condemning him.

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    Mute SandraMeyler
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    Sep 18th 2020, 6:00 PM

    How dare he speak (or sing).. Cancel him immediately

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    Mute Denis Hourihane
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    Sep 18th 2020, 6:43 PM

    That anti-social git has been self isolating for years.

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:15 PM

    Sweet Caroline is one of the worst songs ever written… you can’t change my mind

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:17 PM

    @Mark: I just realised my mistake, don’t point it out please.. but I stand by my statement

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    Mute Mark
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:18 PM

    @Mark: brown eyed girl I meant, those two songs occupy the same annoying part of the brain

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    Mute Karl Keane
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:19 PM

    @Mark: hahaha! Agreed

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    Mute samdithers
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:09 PM

    @Mark: Do you mean the brown eyed girl, Caroline? Yeah, she’s sweet alright. Imagine a mash up of those two songs ;-)

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    Mute John John
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    Sep 18th 2020, 7:48 PM

    What for? telling the truth? Cop on… the man is expressing his opinion in a song.. fair play to him…

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    Mute PaulOMahoney Irish
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    Sep 18th 2020, 12:47 PM

    Even his shoes are terrible

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    Mute Niall Byrne
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    Sep 18th 2020, 3:26 PM

    Van’s been dining out on Astral Weeks for over half a century. The rest is forgettable easy listening.

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    Mute Nick Condon Sen
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:44 PM

    @Niall Byrne: Sure you could be spot on there but you know
    “One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
    One man’s gain is another man’s loss”

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    Mute Nick Condon Sen
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:46 PM

    @Niall Byrne: Sure you could be right there but
    One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
    One man’s gain is another man’s loss

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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:55 PM

    It’s like they get to a certain age and ego and they lose the plot.

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    Mute Tom Sullivan
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    Sep 20th 2020, 5:28 PM

    @Liam Byrne: Speaking from experience, are we?

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:44 PM

    As a Belfast person, I can say that we have experienced much worse than this. Most people may not agree with him, but he’s not inciting hatred. I would prefer if they exiled Sammy Wilson

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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:09 PM

    Every time I hear of Van I smile at the Shane McGowan lyric..

    Victoria, left me in opium euphoria
    With a fat monk singing Gloria
    My girl with green eyes

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    Mute Daithi Mac An TSionnaigh
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:40 PM

    Well he is off my playlists forever. Muppet

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    Mute Carm(Orange Vampire)
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:14 PM

    Ffs

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    Mute Ray Martin
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    Sep 18th 2020, 7:03 PM

    Belated Happy Birthday Van. It’s a massive inconvenience for most people who lose their jobs ,have to close their business or most of all lose their lives.I’m sure your wealth hasn’t taken much of a hit.
    If you have any inside information it would be great if you could share it with government and health officials and save a lot of lives.
    Definitely singing about slagging off people who are working 24/7 to do their best to fight something they can’t see isn’t the smartest option.
    go back to singing about places of your youth like visits to the Cregagh Estate and The Cregagh Glen and Rocky Rd.
    Making money singing doesn’t make you a health expert,
    Always enjoyed your singing .

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    Mute Dunkel Master
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:23 PM

    He should given a medal

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    Mute Pat Lynch
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:13 PM

    And rightly so, being lectured by a man living in an Ivory Tower in Killiney. Van I remember a gig when you walked off stage after half an hour because you couldn’t be ars*d. Let me know when you’ve reached the high moral ground in Killiney.

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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    Sep 18th 2020, 5:41 PM

    He should write a song after he contacts the virus , if he does, then he would know what he was writing about

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    Mute Boxer Alice
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    Sep 18th 2020, 7:10 PM

    Both myself and my husband got it bk in March after our return from Tenerife. Its not the end of the world for the vast majority of people!!!

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    Mute Ciaran De Bhal
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:25 PM

    Van Morrison to express how unhappy he is … Crank.

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    Mute The Wigster
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    Sep 18th 2020, 4:20 PM

    Muppet

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    Mute Dermot Cronin
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    Sep 18th 2020, 5:12 PM

    What a plonker

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    Mute Maria Hickey-Fagan
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:57 PM

    He didn’t do this around his big birthday, I notice. Otherwise Radio Nova would have had to rethink playing ALL his music on a bloody loop!

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    Mute Noel McGuinness
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:13 PM

    Hope they are on spotify soon cant wait to hear the songs, I think he is brilliant, heard one of the songs is called, The truth will set you free .

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    Mute Aine O Connor
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    Sep 18th 2020, 5:39 PM

    The Government could ban their release.

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    Mute Jason Ebbs
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    Sep 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    Something to look forward too…

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    Mute Liam Meade
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    Sep 18th 2020, 1:33 PM

    Album title

    “Covid the second wave behind the mask”

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    Mute Daly Galway
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    Sep 18th 2020, 5:04 PM

    Absolute Clown.

    24
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    Mute Declan McArdle
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    Sep 18th 2020, 5:30 PM

    “Momma told us, there’d be days like these…”

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    Mute Galwaygogo
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    Sep 18th 2020, 10:00 PM

    He must be gone to the tinfoil hat zoom calls, is Jim core supporting him?

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    Mute Noel McGuinness
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    Sep 19th 2020, 10:58 PM

    @Galwaygogo: gallygoga his name is Corr

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    Mute Seamus Kelly
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    Sep 18th 2020, 11:45 PM

    Van’s the man.

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    Mute John Rogers
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    Sep 18th 2020, 11:49 PM

    You can take the man out ot BOG but you CAN’T TAKE BOG OUT OF THE MAN. It’s disgraceful to think that Irish nurses, doctors & all front line staff, not to mention all the relatives of those whom have died, our national RADIO Stations should not play any more Val Morrison’s music.

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    Mute Caro Fionnagán
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    Sep 19th 2020, 10:26 AM

    @John Rogers: all of what ppl… There isn’t a lot of ppl to who justify lock down on people why don’t you go and look at the statistics it’s very low the depths of covid-19 and there mostly from old people who were going to die this year any high from cold flu and pneumonia

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    Mute David Geraghty
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    Sep 18th 2020, 6:41 PM

    This man should be named and shamed

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    Mute Mary N. Cooke
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    Sep 19th 2020, 12:16 AM

    You can believe too much of your own stuff!!
    He’s on another planet

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    Mute Ciaran Wood
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:50 PM

    Jedward can do the answer song!

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    Mute Nicola Cox
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    Sep 19th 2020, 9:06 AM

    Why are people not allowed to have different opinions anymore ?

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    Mute Ronan Ryan
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    Sep 19th 2020, 12:10 AM

    If you like his songs, listen to them. If you don’t, don’t.

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    Mute Yvonne Ní Shamhrain
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    Sep 19th 2020, 9:22 AM

    Van is right. They are making it up as they go along, based on their own vested interests. While the rest of Europe is playing whack-a-mole, tackling fresh outbreak with the mallet of local lockdowns, Sweden is easing restrictions, their cases have plunged and also their death rate. Stockholm has reached herd immunity.

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    Mute David Van-Standen
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    Sep 18th 2020, 3:43 PM

    C O V I D A, Co-vi-da, C O V I D A, Co-vi-da, is sure to be a big hit in the wet pubs…

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    Mute Eric Gaffney
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    Sep 18th 2020, 7:34 PM

    More commie bs.

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    Mute Paul Ryan
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    Sep 18th 2020, 10:32 PM

    Hear hear . Strip him of the honour. Bad show from Van

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    Mute Caro Fionnagán
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    Sep 19th 2020, 10:23 AM

    My god the intolorence is strong with this guy… Let’s strip him of his honour… I don’t like what he said…… Communism tactics are emerging fast.

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    Mute Jaymes Moynihan
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    Sep 19th 2020, 1:00 PM

    @Caro Fionnagán: this goes far beyond ” not liking what he said” people like him, have power in the minds of simpleminded gullible people who can’t think for themselves, and spouting this nonsense can add fuel to the fire of this already ridiculous anti mask campaign,.. clearly the reason why people like morrison pose a danger has go completely over your head. You should read more, and think more. Before you comment.

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    Mute Paul Connell
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    Sep 19th 2020, 10:38 AM

    Shocking and irresponsible , pity his talent doesn’t stretch to common sense .

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    Mute M.J. O' Neill
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    Sep 19th 2020, 8:47 AM

    Jasus, I thought he was dead….?

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    Mute Ciaran Wood
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:50 PM

    Jedward can do the answer song!

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    Mute Ciaran Wood
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:50 PM

    Jedward can do the answer song!

    2
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    Mute Ciaran Wood
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:50 PM

    Jedward can do the answer song!

    2
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    Mute Pat Andrews
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:45 PM

    Is he Dutch?

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    Mute Robert Deane
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    Sep 20th 2020, 1:36 AM

    Not news, Van man dont listen to PC beep

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    Mute Marie Broomfield
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    Sep 19th 2020, 8:33 AM

    could we not just say ‘ as he’s getting doddery in his old age’ and leave it at that!

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    Mute Ned O Mahony
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    Sep 19th 2020, 3:10 PM

    A lot of these old codgers should be put out to grass years ago
    Did anyone see a picture of The Rooling Stones I mean look at the cut of them

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    Mute Tom Sullivan
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    Sep 20th 2020, 5:31 PM

    @Ned O Mahony: Would you like people talking about you like that when (or if) you reach that age?

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    Mute Jaymes Moynihan
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    Sep 19th 2020, 12:55 PM

    Here we go again, some famous person who can sing good sits in his big home trying to tell us about our freedoms being stolen lol. Strip him, he’s miserable, and doesn’t have a clue what he is talking about. Same goes from him Corr and that irrelevant singer from Oasis. They’re all absolute embarrassments, and they don’t have a clue, I mean how would they, they sit in their big lovely homes, where staff polish their awards, and they have zero intelligence beyond playing music.

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    Mute Lager Lout
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    Sep 21st 2020, 9:36 AM

    @Jaymes Moynihan: you jealous of their ‘lovely big homes’ don’t worry, you’ll get on the housing ladder when the bubble bursts next time…..or the time after that.

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    Mute Fachtna Roe
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    Sep 18th 2020, 11:22 PM

    I’m not one of his fans, I haven’t heard the songs, would almost certainly disagree with the views expressed if I had, and think anyone with a knighthood is a bit of a plonker (though I exclude Mr Attenborough from that) but, if the “freedom” of anything means restrictions on one’s freedom of expression – even if he is a bit of a whiner – then maybe he’s better advised to give the thing up himself.

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    Mute UR S MAN(Sam Reeves)
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    Sep 22nd 2020, 1:41 AM

    …freedom is the best thing ever had when it’s gone…

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    Mute Richard Ahern
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    Nov 7th 2021, 6:40 PM

    As much as I love his music and have learned, over the years, to play it on piano, my efforts are tainted by the fact that he is an obn0xious individual. Pity, that.

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    Mute Anthony Byrne
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    Sep 18th 2020, 8:11 PM

    News ???

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    Mute Elaine
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    Sep 18th 2020, 9:45 PM

    I think you should all wise up. Van Morrison is amazing and just playing music for the current situation.
    Calm down. It’s only a song!

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