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OVER HERE AT TheJournal.ie headquarters we sometimes get sent in some really, REALLY random stuff.
While for the most part our readers send us news tips and pictures that are perfectly relevant and useful, sometimes they’re really not.
We used to post some of the weird sh*te that got sent our way, and we’ve recently started bringing back the randomness.
So here’s a look at some of the surprises we got when we opened our inboxes recently:
All help on deck
This photo came in from Derry with the sender explaining how “the rain stopped the umbrella from burning”.
Perfect Irish BBQ then.
No ‘Epic Banter’
This angry angry poster was spotted in Goatstown.
Just one nice neighbour trying to make the students feel welcome. That’s nice.
Rule Breaker
We got sent in this beautiful picture of a playground on a sunny day. We think a woman ignoring the ‘Keep off the grass’ sign may have been the reason.
But honestly, we’re just not sure.
Leaping Leitrim
We got sent in this photo with the caption, “Two Leitrim frogs”. There they are now. Cheers.
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Smashed
This photo of car parts for sale came in with this clever caption, “Am guessing that if the bags didn’t deploy then they don’t work?”
Beaming
There it is now – the sun. Thanks for that.
Gorgeous
This beautiful photo of Ellen out for walk in Mullingar Co Westmeath was sent in with a the caption, “The wilds of Westmeath”.
How rude
Well really.
This person was obviously never told:
If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
Fore
Sure why not – send in a photo of Rory there.
Splendid.
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Remember one thing folks – Trichet was able to manipulate our previous government – is there a possibility something similar is being done now- that would explain their failure to back down over Irish Water .
Every time I hear John Tierney’s name I think of Frank Dunlop for some reason – is there something wrong with me ?
If this claim is true, then it is a matter for the police.
It is very easy to pass on details on the incoming line with Caller Line Identification. Given that there was another alleged incident with the same Deputy Kelly, there is not reason to air this matter… unless there is another agenda.
This appears to be part of a concerted effort by elected members of our parliament to undermine opposition to the Irish Water (IW) quango.
The police should now interview Deputy Kelly about this matter to check whether it is a valid complaint and whether his office is using basic Caller Line Identification. On the latter point, if CLI is not used then why not? Might it be to faciliate ‘stories’ that attempt to undermine legitimate opposition to IW.
get real if you keep poking a dog he will bite .. so i ask the state why did they mess with the peoples heads .. and make anger built up this wrong i condemn but ask why all the force from the state mob as of now
Cowenwatch is right, we should let Wicklow County Council stay in charge of the supply of water services in their area – this Irish Water crowd are exceptional and can’t be trusted.
Yes, terrible, whatever, but all this stuff should not distract from the main issue. Its way too convenient for the government to have all this liveline outrage stuff on the day they introduce their pathetic attempt at damage limitation
Live in the town where his office is and don’t believe a word of this his constituents aren’t happy with him but this was voiced at a peaceful protest on the 2nd in the town there’s another protest in the town tomorrow. Personally I think alan is feeling the pressure and this is all just spin spin spin to distract from the main issue
WereJammin
Could you please ascertain with your Headquarters in Parnell Square that rogue elements of your Movement have not been making these threats against the life of a Minister.
Sure Phil Hogan threatened the whole nation that their water would be “cut to a trickle” if they didn’t comply with his demands. Enda Kenny threatened every man, woman and child that the revenue would take it from their pockets if they didn’t submit to IW demands. EK said that the protesters in Sligo had no interest in the safety of “women and children” at the protest there the other night in an attempt to manipulate and intimidate protesters not to bring their families to the big one on the 10th. Who is threatening who here?…
I Put the below comment up on Monday’s article to the alleged bomb threat – All hail Mystic Minister………….
“His quote today after this alleged bomb threat was this “I condemn any bomb threats or bullet threats,” . I wonder if he has said this to early and the bullet stunt was planned by him for tomorrow as this wasn’t originally part of today’s “threat”. The man is out of depth in Irish Water.
Someone on you tube did the same to me. i just laughed at him. This is just case of demonising the people because they are getting the better of the politicians in every respect.
How hard is it to trace a phone call if he genuinely believes there is a threat to his life? This reeks of BS and “Poor me”, looking for a sympathy vote. Personally I don’t believe this nonsense, if he gets the Gardai to trance these ominous, anonymous callers who are threatening him with bullets and bombs then I will happily retract my statement.
@ Vin Heffer The Garda still have not arrested anyone for the “bomb threat” on A.Kelly office the other day. So I’m with you I d’ont believe these stories and did the person making these calls mention anti-water protests were the reason for the threats.
In the article from the bomb threat, it states, the gardai nor the army were contacted. Why not contact the gardai after a “serious” bomb threat is made. I don’t condone any threats made against a man and his family but this reeks of BS.
Just another ‘poor me’ tactic….. what about the hardship this man is enforcing on the people of Ireland?
The parents who’s lives is an endless worry about keeping a roof over there heads, heat in the house and food on the table.
Another regressive tax on the people of Ireland…. these muppets in FG & Labour are without morals.
These terrible miscreants may follow up with an entire tub of curry sauce?? Have you thought of the consequences??? Oh, this is anarchy on a grand scale – me is scared.
Someone or some group wants to break the back of the anti water charges group. This has happened before in other countries. Governments and their supporters will do anything to stay in power.
It actually looks like a media onslaught against water protestors, Jamie. It’s a subtle distinction, but it may explain what happens as the situation escalates.
This government is making it clear they need to protect themselves from the people.
Personal protection seems more of a priority than actually reaching a compromise with the people involved. Since all this fuss has started not ONE politician has met up and discussed the situation with the ordinary people in the estates or for Ireland for that matter. They swan about going from one fancy dinner to the next while people can’t afford a loaf of bread. One wonders what planet they are on.
You did, Norman, I saw it. Both yourself and another poster felt he had moved ahead in the script inadvertently by mentioning ‘a bullet’ and lo and behold, today a threat with a bullet!!!! Who’d ever a thunk it?
Just another ‘poor me’ tactic….. what about the hardship this man is enforcing on the people of Ireland?
The parents who’s lives is an endless worry about keeping a roof over there heads, heat in the house and food on the table.
Another regressive tax on the people of Ireland…. these muppets in FG & Labour are without morals.
Call didn’t happen, was invented by Alan kelly to discredit protestors. The guards made the call. I got a call of a bomb threat before so what? I got the same call, prove I didn’t. It didn’t happen as there was no bomb squad or guards there.
Now that should save about 40 conspiracy theorist from commenting!
Maybe they will bomb Minister Kellys private railway and was built at great expense and carries nobody.
Or they might threaten Minister Kellys private bus service that carries 4.5 people per day at a cost of €150,000.
Convenient that he was junior Minister for Transport when this was done????
Grow up Alan Kelly, I’m sure all politicians get silly phone calls. We know that this is all being hyped up to add to the “anti water thugs” spin. We are hundreds if thousands, we are peaceful people, we oppose your coo riot regime. We stand together in this and we will not be manipulated with all your nonsense stories. You are trying to subvert the will of the nation. Why ??
Journal propaganda at its worse, this government is on its knees, they don’t like the climb down.
and will lie through there teeth to quell the support for anti-austerity, will be interesting to see there
faces today as Kelly grovels..
If I was in the governments position I wouldn’t find it too hard to get a low level party operative to ring the constituency office and place the threat. That way the minister knows nothing of it so can truthfully claim innocence and shock… But its really just an attempt to divide the opposition base so that the people who oppose water charges but would be outraged by death threats back away from this “sinister” element.
Don’t believe a word of it? More anti-protest media fodder like Joan sitting in her car for two hours surrounded by police so that she could say they “kidnapped” her. Where is the recording? You’d think after the first threat they would have started recording incoming calls “for training purposes” of course. If almost every large company in Ireland can do it don’t think that a minister wouldn’t have had the resources to set it up. But if the call was a hoax then you wouldn’t want to record that now would you?
How about we do something good with this fire in the belly. How about a type of “water pack nominations” for anyone who still has one. We can show solidarity and a charity will gain in the process. St Francis hospice could always benefit from extra funds. Great place and great staff. Just my 2 cents. And it’s peaceful.
Jeez this govt should sit in the national concert hall not the Dail. The violins would be less out of place .
And I’m surprised that Alan Kelly knows what’s going on in his office as I wrote him there a handful of times asking for clarification on taxi legislation and he never saw fit to answer!!
This is a smear campaign against the right to water groups. Anyone or any organisation capable of carrying out such a threat wouldn’t do it as the resultant state crackdown would be unprecedented in modern times! This call didn’t happen. It doesn’t add up except to garner sympathy for the poor politicians. I don’t buy it as it doesn’t add up logically.
It is very possible that it is down to internal Labour politics as well.
There are many people in the Labour party, including elected members, at a senior level that know how to handle a bang bang machine as an aide for removing those who disagree with them or for fundraising.
People must be absolutely steadfast in their determination to knock this IW corrupt entity down. We must unite and stay strong in the face of all the lies and manipulation. We are fighting for our country and fir our childrens future. We must bring down this immoral unjust entity and oust this government. We must win this war against the people. It was truly a Freudian slip that caused Brian Dobson to call us the anti-war protesters. We have woken up and understand we ARE at war with the people WE pay to look after our best interests . TRAITORS
If he honestly believed there is a whack job out there with a gun threatning people including his own staff than surely he has a responsibility to the public and his staff to report this to the Gardai and to make sure it is investigated.Surely he agrees that not to do so poses a danger to the public in itself.Well Alan are you going to report this or not??!It is a direct threat to the democracy you and Enda seem to be so worried about all of a sudden.
I’m sick of this nonsense. Either arrest whatever head case is making crank calls, or STFU. By the way, similar threats, and worse, were made by the holy people during the great Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill (a misnomer if ever there was one), without half the fanfare and angst that we are hearing about now. Even the divine Teasock was subject to abuse during that ‘controversy’. Get a grip, get a sense of proportion, Kelly.
BS of the highest order. Government are looking to scapegoat the anti water charge campaign so they will have an excuse for heavy handed tactics at protests. This is the same tactic used by governments world wide to suppress legitimate protest. The danger is, it can become a self fulfilling prophecy.
So it’s back to the “one hand in the ballot box and something else in the other’. We live in a democracy, we will all get a chance to vote in the next election and vote for Sinn Fein and the real left and then our problems will be solved. Right??
Efforts are being made to discredit the anti water charge movement by national media, RTE and government TD’s. The important message the leaders of the anti water movement need to emphasise is our non co-operation to pay any charge is more powerful then heckling abuse at TD’s.
Another day, another bomb, another bullet, another whinge, another spin of the spinning wheel. You get a pain in your hole having to listen to this utter drivel every day. A General Election will solve all of this. Put up or shut up.
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