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A demonstrator kicks away a tear gas canister outside the Parliament in central Athens, during a rally against plans for new austerity measures Kostas Tsironis/AP/Press Association Images

Tear gas fired at protesters in Greece as thousands march against austerity measures

Irish people living in Athens have told TheJournal.ie that violence is being caused by a small minority, and that life there has become very difficult.

TEAR GAS has been fired at protesters who’ve clashed with riot police in central Athens after a major anti-austerity rally descended into violence outside Parliament, where the struggling government was to seek support for new cutbacks to avoid a disastrous default.

The gas blanketed the capital’s main Syntagma Square, where more than 25,000 people had gathered to protest a new package of tax hikes and spending cuts through 2015.

A few hundred youths smashed the windows of a luxury hotel on the square, ripped up paving stones to throw at police and hurled firebombs at cordons of riot police. Demonstrators said at least 10 people were injured, and they appealed to fellow protesters to stay calm and allow ambulances through.

Irish man Charles Werner, who lives in the city told TheJournal.ie that life in Athens has become very difficult. He says that mass protest is the only outlet left for Athenians worried about massive changes being forced on them in such a difficult period. However he says the violence is being caused by a minority:

Fringe minority communities – notably the strong communist and anarchist movements – are using these protests as an excuse for violence. This comes at a high cost to the many thousands of peaceful protesters, whose message gets overlooked. The odd molotov being thrown in front of the cameras has a much bigger impact internationally than the rolling protests that have been occuring during the last few weeks.

Irish woman Cáit Power, who lives near Syntagma Square told TheJournal.ie that there have been dozens of helicopters flying overhead today and that the city is on lockdown.

The protests are the epicenter of a crisis that could end in a disastrous default that would threaten the future of the eurozone and shake financial markets just as the global economy struggles to recover.

Today’s violence adds public pressure on the government at a time when Prime Minister George Papandreou also faces a party rebellion from within his governing Socialists over the new austerity. One of his deputies defected Tuesday, reducing Papandreou’s parliamentary majority to five. Another Socialist lawmaker said he will vote against the bill, which is set for final approval by early next month.

But the new bill, worth €28 billion must be passed this month if Greece is to continue tapping its rescue loans.

The stakes are high and the results uncertain — if Greece is denied continue rescue funding, it will default on its debts, likely setting off a financial chain reaction that experts have described as catastrophic.

In Athens, sporadic clashes on the fringes of the rally gradually spread, scattering those in the previously peaceful rally. Police had set up a massive security operation to ensure protesters could not carry out a pledge to prevent lawmakers from accessing Parliament.Some 5,000 officers, including hundreds of riot and motorcycle police, used parked buses and crowd barriers to prevent protesters from encircling the building, while a large part of central Athens was closed to all traffic.

The protests in Athens and in the northern city of Thessaloniki, where another 20,000 people rallied peacefully, were part of a 24-hour general strike, the result of months of growing frustration over the country’s slide.

“A national effort is required. Because we are at a historically crucial moment and a time of crucial decisions,” Papandreou told Papoulias, adding that he was still in contact with opposition party leaders in an effort to garner cross-party support for the austerity drive.

“But on the other hand, everyone has to assume their responsibilities,” he said, according to a transcript of their conversation released by the prime minister’s office. “In any case, we will move forward with this sense of responsibility and the necessary decisions” to pull Greece out of the crisis.

The statements calmed concern, voiced mainly in the local media, that the prime minister might have been considering calling early elections.

“Resign, resign,” the crowd chanted outside Parliament before the clashes. The protesters included both young and old, and many brought their children, hoisting them onto their shoulders to shield them from the crush.

The latest austerity drive has brought many people onto the streets for the first time.

“What can we do? We have to fight, for our children and for us,” said Dimitra Nteli, a nurse at a state hospital who was at the protest with her daughter. “After 25 years of work I earn 1,100 euros a month. Now that will drop to 900. How can we live on that?”

Her 26-year-old daughter, Christina, said the situation in Greece had led her to leave for Britain to study conflict resolution.

“I have no job here. There are no prospects,” she said.

Police spokesman Athanassios Kokalakis said about 20 protesters were briefly detained.

The general strike crippled public services across the country, leaving state hospitals running on emergency staff, disrupting port traffic and public transport.

The Socialists’ popularity plummeted in recent weeks over the new austerity plan. A weekend opinion poll gave the main opposition conservatives a four-point lead over their Socialist rivals, the first time the party has been ahead in surveys since 2009. The next general election is scheduled for October 2013.

With its credit rating deep in junk status, Greece is being kept afloat by the EU and IMF bailout, but will need additional support to cover financing gaps next year as high interest rates keep it out of the bond market, contrary to what the original bailout agreement had predicted.

On Monday, Standard & Poor’s slashed Greece’s rating from B to CCC, dropping it to the very bottom of the 131 states that have a sovereign debt rating. That suggests Greece’s creditors are less likely to get their money back than those of Pakistan, Ecuador or Jamaica. On Tuesday, the agency also cut its rating for four Greek banks to CCC from B.

- Additional reporting by AP

Column: We must seize the day when Greece defaults, warns Nick Gleeson>

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21 Comments
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    Mute Darren Bates
    Favourite Darren Bates
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    Jun 12th 2019, 11:52 AM

    The belle of our city. Rest in Peace Philomena.

    844
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    Mute Russel Steapot
    Favourite Russel Steapot
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:09 PM

    She was such a lady. I spilt a full glass of red wine over her once and she just smiled and tootled off to the loo to wash it off. Not a word of complaint. Of course I was morto and everyone else was like fella do you even know who that is?!? She was so gracious, wouldn’t even let me pay her dry cleaning bill. RIP

    374
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    Mute Aidan Kearney, Wicklow CCRO.Leinsterrugby
    Favourite Aidan Kearney, Wicklow CCRO.Leinsterrugby
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    Jun 12th 2019, 11:54 AM

    What a wonderful woman, with her boy now. RIP

    649
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    Mute Means of escape
    Favourite Means of escape
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    Jun 12th 2019, 9:23 PM

    @Aidan Kearney, Wicklow CCRO.Leinsterrugby: Reminds me of Bruce Springsteen’s mother who also truly believed in her boy .

    Thanks to both

    37
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    Mute tommytukamomo
    Favourite tommytukamomo
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:01 PM

    Rest in peace beautiful Lady.

    365
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    Mute Mjhint
    Favourite Mjhint
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:05 PM

    What an amazing woman. Goodnight madame.

    312
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    Mute Jimmy Bolton
    Favourite Jimmy Bolton
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:08 PM

    An amazing lady. She gave us our finest Rock star. RIP Phylis

    323
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    Mute Yvonne Brock
    Favourite Yvonne Brock
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:03 PM

    R I P Philomena

    244
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    Mute Honeybee
    Favourite Honeybee
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:25 PM

    @David Gannon: Families are complicated, Phil’s son was adopted at birth and brought up bu loving parents which was not unusual in that time as Phil was a struggling musician and the baby’s mother , a young single lady not in a position to meet the baby’s needs. Do not rush to judgement, Phil’s mam had already known her own hardship raising Phil and sometimes giving a child for adoption is the most unselfish thing. Phil’s son is a gifted artist and successful sculptor in his own right and Phil would be very proud of him, following his success in finding his birth family, he was acknowledged as Phil’s son. This is not the forum,time or place to intrude in to this man’s grief, he has just lost his nan.

    208
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    Mute The Risen
    Favourite The Risen
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:05 PM

    An amazing woman. My brothers were visiting Phils grave and she invited them over to her home for a cup of tea and to see his memorabilia. Such a kind and wonderful person.

    215
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    Mute Tony Gordon
    Favourite Tony Gordon
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:42 PM

    I’ve been a wild wild rover
    Sailed all over the sea
    But this thing that makes me wonder
    Has made a fool of me

    For it took me from my childhood
    Underneath the stars and skies
    And I still hear the wind
    Whistling through the wild wood, whispering goodbye

    It’s home boys home
    She’s home boys home
    No matter
    Where I roam

    If you see my mother
    Please give her all of my love
    For she has a heart of gold there
    As good as God above

    If you see my mother
    Tell her I’m keeping fine
    Tell her that I love her
    And I’ll try and write sometime

    Philomena by Phil Lynott

    145
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    Mute Means of escape
    Favourite Means of escape
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:57 PM

    @Tony Gordon: From up on the hill my eyes are filled with the beauty down below
    Need to look no farther than down in the harbor I remember long ago
    Young guys with stars on their eyes I remember it well and the road ends weep and the salty breeze leads me into their spell theirs a boundless ocean in constant motion deep and wide
    Coming going waving and flowing oh sister the moon is its sky
    Oh I can’t be on I can still look upon it soaking in the view and the fishing boats are arrive on safe at Howth and Phil pal so are you

    -Old Pal
    By Brush Shiels(overlooked and underrated classic)

    51
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    Mute Darren Dowling
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:25 PM

    Legend of a woman. RIP Philomena

    137
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    Mute WoodlandBard
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:51 PM

    The hidden Thin Lizzy member, rock n’ roll woman, lovely woman. Thanks for keeping Phil alive. RIP.

    123
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    Mute Helena Mulcahy
    Favourite Helena Mulcahy
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:30 PM

    @Darren Bates: I’m well aware that having children out of wedlock isn’t a taboo any more. Don’t get too hung up on it. My point was that she had two other children and gave both up for adoption. As a mother, I couldn’t imagine how any woman can bring herself to giving up her children not once, but twice!! And I read her book about Phil as well as articles about her on the net, so I know what I’m talking about. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, you don’t have to agree with it!

    76
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    Mute Michael Bardon
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:54 PM

    @Donnachaín Ní Uallacháin: Very well said who are we to judge

    104
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    Mute Michael Bardon
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:59 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: Are you blaming her for having children out of wedlock when no contraception was freely available.

    54
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    Mute tooler doogan
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:32 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: jesus i dont think now is the time for that!

    55
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    Mute Liz Gallagher
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:36 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: Personally I think the hardest thing a mother can do is decide to give up her baby for adoption, so I think she was really brave to do that, because she was clearly doing it in the best interests of the children. I know because I adopted both of my children and am eternally grateful to their birth parents for giving me the opportunity to raise their children. She seemed like a wonderful woman. May she rest in peace.

    88
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    Mute JC
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:44 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: ah you read articles on the net – expert so

    44
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    Mute Sean
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:29 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: whether we disagree or agree with you is not relevant. It is simply neither the time nor the place for expressing your opinion I’m afraid. Haven’t you heard that you should never speak ill of the dead because they can’t defend themselves!

    39
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    Mute G.M Lockjoy
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    Jun 12th 2019, 11:32 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: you’re a witch

    12
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    Mute Oonaghx
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    Jun 13th 2019, 12:45 AM

    @Helena Mulcahy: I totally agree with you, it’s amusing how others have say now is not the time to express opinions, as they express theirs!

    7
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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Jun 13th 2019, 7:36 AM

    @Helena Mulcahy: who the hell are you to judge anyone?

    10
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    Mute Michael Ivers
    Favourite Michael Ivers
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    Jun 13th 2019, 6:21 PM

    @Helena Mulcahy: you could keep your opinion for a different page ya tit, this is a tribute page to one of the nicest people i ever met, would be sure to leave you in the shadows. dont bother replying to me

    4
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    Mute Barry O Toole
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:55 PM

    Sad news a lovely lady together again

    63
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    Mute Maro Wright
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    Jun 12th 2019, 12:54 PM

    Rest In Peace

    60
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    Mute ted hagan
    Favourite ted hagan
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:26 PM

    A mum in a million with wonderful devotion to son Phil. RIP Philomena.

    57
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    Mute Tom Noctor
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:23 PM

    A lovely lady. I met her a few times and she was always full of stories about Phil. She’s with him now, may she rest in peace.

    46
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    Mute tooler doogan
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:29 PM

    Can the so called journalist not call the lady by her full name instead of “Lynott”, very disrespectful, shabby writing but thats the journal.
    RIP Philomena

    69
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    Mute Declan Leonard
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:32 PM

    Gutted to here this. A truly remarkable woman that gave us one of the most talented irish music hero’s. Had the pleasure of meeting her at the exhibition in Stephen’s green in Phil’s memory. I very interesting woman that took great pleasure in her sons legacy. Rip

    45
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    Mute Seàn Mc
    Favourite Seàn Mc
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:15 PM

    Great woman, may she rest in peace

    43
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    Mute paul kelly
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:38 PM

    My dad used to drive Phil this his practice sessions when they both lived in cadogan road Fairview and always spoke highly of “Phil’s ma” RIP

    40
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    Mute Martin Fahy
    Favourite Martin Fahy
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:16 PM

    Amazing lady, very sad news

    42
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    Mute Adam Gibson
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:26 PM

    Back together at last RIP

    34
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    Mute David Corcoran
    Favourite David Corcoran
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    Jun 12th 2019, 4:00 PM

    Very sad to hear of her passing she was a remarkable woman together again with Phil may she rest in peace

    25
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    Mute M
    Favourite M
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    Jun 12th 2019, 1:32 PM

    Nice lady. Rip.

    29
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    Mute Jun Stone
    Favourite Jun Stone
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    Jun 12th 2019, 7:04 PM

    My sister dated Philo back in the day, said he was a lovely genuine lad, Dublin back then (80’s)…

    19
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    Mute Alan Biddulph
    Favourite Alan Biddulph
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:09 PM

    RIP, great woman.

    20
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    Mute Toon Army
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    Jun 12th 2019, 6:37 PM

    Very sad. What an amazing person. Nearly always showed up at the annual vibe and added her unique warmth.

    13
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    Mute Oonaghx
    Favourite Oonaghx
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    Jun 13th 2019, 12:39 AM

    She had 3 children, each of them named some variation of Philomena, she gave each of them away. They didn’t know about each other until adulthood, by then the brilliant Thin Lizzy front man had passed!

    12
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    Mute Liz Gallagher
    Favourite Liz Gallagher
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    Jun 13th 2019, 7:34 AM

    @Oonaghx: and? What has this got to do with her passing?

    9
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    Mute Therése Martin Farrell
    Favourite Therése Martin Farrell
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    Jun 12th 2019, 2:43 PM

    Lovely lady who I had the pleasure of knowing, rip P x

    22
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    Mute Ian Phillip Creaner
    Favourite Ian Phillip Creaner
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    Jun 12th 2019, 8:15 PM

    Ní bheidh a leithéid ann aríst. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

    10
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    Mute Sean Meaney
    Favourite Sean Meaney
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    Jun 13th 2019, 9:45 AM

    It’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking to see so many lovely tributes being paid to Philomena on her passing, she touched so many people in so many ways, we all have wonderful stories to tell. It was a great privilege to have known Philomena and shared so many stories which will be passed on for many years. Her commitment to keeping Phil’s legacy alive is both remarkable and courageous. RIP

    10
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    Mute Cat K.
    Favourite Cat K.
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    Jun 12th 2019, 9:02 PM

    Rip

    9
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    Mute Emmett Currie
    Favourite Emmett Currie
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    Jun 12th 2019, 8:09 PM

    RIP

    9
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    Mute Des Decourcy
    Favourite Des Decourcy
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    Jun 12th 2019, 6:11 PM

    Rip philomena Lynott

    14
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    Mute Donwon999
    Favourite Donwon999
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    Jun 12th 2019, 7:10 PM

    Bless

    7
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    Mute Michael Ivers
    Favourite Michael Ivers
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    Jun 13th 2019, 6:15 PM

    Very sad to hear of your passing, i had great affection for you.,Had the Honor of meeting you one night some years ago,being a huge Lizzy fan, i’ll always remember it, the conversation, the hug, the kiss, you were a real lady and you did Phil proud in keeping his legacy alive. R.I.P. Philomena, the sun goes down….. again.

    1
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    Mute Staker Wallace
    Favourite Staker Wallace
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    Oct 3rd 2023, 6:31 AM

    @:

    1
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    Mute Means of escape
    Favourite Means of escape
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    Jun 13th 2019, 8:39 PM

    Hetfield not only going to see Lynott sculpture but giving it a less speaks volumes about the high regard of the late star .

    1
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    Mute Brian Higgins
    Favourite Brian Higgins
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    Jun 13th 2019, 3:57 PM

    Can also attest to Philomena’s generous nature, inviting my Mom for tea and a look at memorabilia when she visited Phil’s grave.
    Rest easy sweet Lady.

    1
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