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A Palestinian woman drags a sack of flour at a UN food distribution centre at Shati refugee camp. AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

Column Why peace has eluded the Middle East

Dr David Abrahamson feels the portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian impasse is imperfect – and that neighbouring Arab countries have fostered the hope of a Palestinian state by refusing to absorb refugees.

IN THE AFTERMATH of the 1973 Yom Kippur War between Israel and its neighbouring countries, Israel’s Foreign Minister Abba Eban, arguably the world’s most eloquent statesman of the time, expressed the view that “the Arabs never miss an opportunity, to miss an opportunity”.

Today this statement is often misquoted in the media by replacing “Arabs” with “Palestinians”, and used by many political observers to explain (and sometimes justify) the lack of progress in the peace process. Palestinians are portrayed as being incapable of reaching an agreement, and Israel claims to lack a sincere partner in the quest for peace in the Middle East.

Rhetoric aside, the single most important question to be answered is: Why is this the case?

Sadly, the underlying reason behind the impasse is all to frequently glossed over by outside observers to the conflict. On a daily basis each side accuses the world’s media of unbalanced reporting due to a lack of knowledge or understanding of the background to the problem; to a (natural) tendency to compare events in the area to similar local issues (for example, comparing the conflict in the Middle East to the troubles in Northern Ireland); or to bias — either wilful, or well-meaning based on support for a perceived underdog.

So what is the root cause of the ongoing conflict and how might it be resolved?

In 1948, following the establishment of the State of Israel, the surrounding Arab nations went to war in an attempt to destroy the fledgling state, promising to “push the Jews into the [Mediterranean] Sea”.

Although history shows that they failed to achieve this objective, in some quarters this aspiration still persists as evidenced by wording in the 1988 Hamas Covenant and recent statements made by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, etc.

Unfortunately, for a wide variety of reasons including fear, persuasion and misinformation, a large percentage of the indigenous population left their homes in 1948 and, ever since the war ended, have cynically been left languishing in so called refugee camps by their Arab brethren. But this did not have to be the case.

One comparison, often overlooked, is that of another group of refugees in the area—the forgotten one million Jews who were forced into exile from their homes in a large number of Muslim countries across the region. These people also ended up in refugee camps, but in Israel— and here the similarity of treatment between the two groups of refugees ends.

Over the past 63 years the Jewish refugees have been absorbed as citizens of Israel, but none of the other countries in the Middle East have copied this example by doing anything similar for the people from Palestine living on their soil. As a result these refugees have been left stateless, as if in limbo, leading to the desire for the formation of a Palestinian state of their own.

In 1949 the General Assembly of the United Nations passed a resolution calling for the formation of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, charged with overseeing direct relief and works programmes for refugees from Palestine.

However, instead of encouraging the neighbouring Arab countries to absorb the refugees from Palestine, UNRWA has been complicit in perpetuating the hope that one day these people (and all of their descendants) will be able to return to lands that have become part of the State of Israel.

So has the Palestinian’s leadership been inadvertently missing opportunities for making peace with Israel? Surely the answer here is no — they have done so deliberately in the mistaken belief that, by waiting, they will eventually get everything they want. And has Israel been lacking a sincere partner for peace? Only time will tell.

Thus, rather than voting at the UN’s General Assembly in September for the establishment of an independent Palestinian State inside borders that existed before the start of the 1967 war, Western governments would do more to foster peace in the region by encouraging the Palestinian leadership to sit down with Israel — in the absence of preconditions and without further delay— to negotiate a just settlement to what is surely the longest running conflict of modern times.

Dr David Abrahamson has been teaching Computer Science in Trinity College Dublin since 1972. He has been a frequent visitor to Israel since 1961 where he has many friends and relations.  In 1981 he spent three months working as a Visiting Scientist at the Technion in Haifa. Since his term of office as Head of the School of Computer Science and Statistics ended in July, he has found time to start writing about Israel — a country which he feels deserves a more open and honest hearing by the world’s news media.

Read: Column – Whatever happens at the UN, the Israeli occupation will continue>

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6 Comments
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    Mute Dave Davis
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:46 PM

    5 more of these idiots off the road. If one life was saved on Saturday because of these checkpoints, it was well worth it.

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    Mute Genius
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:31 PM

    Yea, only people in Dublin drink and drive the rest of the country is safe, More money grabbing in the city.

    121
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    Mute John Lacross
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 5:21 PM

    are you for real? just because they set up a blitz on one night in dublin and catch 5 morons you then insinuate it would only happen in dublin??? get real ya plank

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    Mute John Michael
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 5:27 PM

    I think he’s being sarcastic. However, congratulations to the Gardai. Diverting all the men away from the fighting and drug-dealing in town just to catch five men over the limit. What sentence will they get? Penalty points probably. Makes you feel safe, doesn’t it?

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    Mute Genius
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 5:37 PM

    Until i hear of a check point like this set up on a road out of Ballygobackwards it will always remain another Dublin people revenue soaking exercise.

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    Mute Martina Lavin
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 6:07 PM

    As someone who lives in Ballybackwards, i totally agree with you!

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 6:20 PM

    A drunken pedestrian or cyclist who causes a motorist to crash should also receive a ban if they hold a driving licence, or if no license, pay a heavy fine.

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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 6:26 PM

    What is a drink related road crash? Just curious.

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    Mute Genius
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 6:57 PM

    Its a road crash related to the consumption alcohol ,But they only occur in Dublin city according to Garda

    21
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    Mute Russell Bradley
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 7:28 PM

    Not sure of the law about being drunk in charge of bicycle in Ireland.. but the uk you most defo can be fined, and charged..

    9
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    Mute johnny
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 7:49 PM

    No Genius, checkpoints only happen in Dublin, according to journal. Dont ever think for yourself youll collapse with the stress of it all

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    Mute Shane Hogan
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 10:23 PM

    You can be arrested and charged for being drunk cycling a bike.

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    Mute rod
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    Feb 3rd 2014, 9:20 AM

    Ape

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    Mute Cathal O'Loughlin
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:03 PM

    Would love to see how many would be over the limit if they setup a checkpoint out side any golf course in Dublin day or night

    335
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    Mute Snorre Sturleson
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:06 PM

    You can’t do that old boy….thats where the nobs hang out

    219
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    Mute Michael Garett
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:38 PM

    Go out the country lads and ye’ll want a bus to take drink drivers back to the station

    296
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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:59 PM

    Where do all the single vehicle accident occur on weekend nights? That’s the question they should be asking themselves before they set up checkpoints!

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    Mute Drew Clarke
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:25 PM

    The cops are really really taking this seriously. I know that for sure because they’re out in the rain in the pics. Irish Gardai don’t like the rain. It gives them the blue flu. Wonder will never cease. I’m impressed.

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    Mute johnny
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 8:07 PM

    Drew does your mammy know youre ont the internet?

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:40 PM

    Good on the Garda and well done. I can’t believe there are still gobsh1tes out there that think it’s acceptable to drive while over the limit except if your a td or a minister.
    Well done folks and thanks.

    287
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    Mute Dermot O Dwyer
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:50 PM

    it should be 2 years off the road for first offense .
    And you are blacklisted for car insurance.
    and the only way any car insurer will insure you is a flat rate of 5000 EURO a year.
    2nd offense life time ban..

    92
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    Mute Kevin McCarthy
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:05 PM

    5 arrests plus more than 1500 who won’t chance it another night cause they know the checkpoints are out there

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    Mute Kieran Harvey
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:02 PM

    Amazing the moralistic brigade on here forcing their feigned ‘outrage’ at drink driving on us – whereas they seem relatively indifferent to idiot girls applying make-up and texting while driving in excess of 80kph. Idiots.

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    Mute Karen NíDhochartaigh
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:41 PM

    You would think people are starting to realise they’re doing this Saturday clamp down and not drink n drive. There are some idiots in this country!!!!!

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    Mute Malcolm
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:00 PM

    Long ways to go before court. Like every citizen, these 5 people are entitled to a persumption of innocence until convicted in district court..

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    Mute Danny Southgate
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:42 PM

    What is all this crap about every weekend, so many stopped , so many arrested, tell us how many old people were broken into last night, tell us how many people were. In A@E for injuries from anti social behaviour, go and solve that every weekend then tell us about drink driving

    57
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    Mute johnny
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 8:04 PM

    Drunk drivers is the job of Traffic Police. No matter what developed country you travel to they have traffic police. Traffic police do not deal with Crime or anti social behaviour. Why do dumbass irish people seem to be the only ones having trouble understanding this?

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    Mute Danny Southgate
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 8:16 PM

    Would that be the same police in a developed country that let ministers who refuse to provide a breath sample drive on, is this the same police that let celebrity’s and judges off with penalty points, now Johnny can you tell me the last time someone was killed on the stillorgan dual carriageway by a drunk driver, this is a big PR stunt end of story,

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    Mute Vinny Mulhall
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:29 PM

    Any person at any time could kill a person with or without a car, with or without drink. so just because people were arrested doesn’t mean they were going to kill anyone .
    It’s all about fines and money.
    If they were interested in saving lives they would put money into mental health and prevent the even greater number of suicides than road fatalities.

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    Mute Hippocrateeth
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:34 PM

    Haha the gardai doing their own ‘fail’ picture. Love it.

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    Mute Darren Turner
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:40 PM

    Only five arrests after all that? Doesn’t really seem worth it.

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    Mute Shanners
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:42 PM

    Not about arrests. Makes people think they may be caught.

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    Mute Tequila Gold
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:47 PM

    What do you mean not worth it. 1% are drink driving. 1% too many. I’d say numbers are much higher in reality

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    Mute Marc
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:53 PM

    1 arrest is worth it. That person could have went on to kill someone.

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    Mute Ruth Canavan
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:58 PM

    Only five is a lot. That is five and plus more families lives saved if they had killed someone else in a collision in other cars. That is why never drink and drive. No excuse at all.

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    Mute Kay Tighe
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:17 PM

    Small amount of arrests I think it shows that people are taking heed and not drink driving

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    Mute Silent Majority
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    Feb 3rd 2014, 1:29 AM

    Exactly Kay, surely a small number of arrests from a large checkpoint is a success. It’s not just about enforcement, this is an indication that enforcement, education, and pr to highlight the dangers of drink driving are proving fruitful as a strategy.

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    Mute Michael McHale
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:57 PM

    5,000 insurance is a bit steep, new driver wouldn’t be paying that. I get the being annoyed but if its the following day, you could feel grand, reactions could be perfect even, but your alcohol level is still too high. That’s too much in my eyes, education is the better option, not punishment.

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    Mute Jacqueline Mckenna
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:14 PM

    nothing is too steep when the potential to kill someone is at stake

    35
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    Mute Kieran Harvey
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:28 PM

    But i suppose it’s ok for girls to apply make-up and text away on their phones while driving at high speeds – sure that couldn’t kill at all i suppose. But one pint is deadly alright.

    Idiot.

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    Mute Shanners
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:34 PM

    What about people that drive when they are over tired? Proven to be as bad as drink driving when it comes to reaction time. No excuse to drive in that condition either.

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    Mute Lee-Anne Jansen
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:41 PM

    Right on Shanners, I’ve had my car license for 12 years and I’m currently studying for my bus license theory test. In the book it’s actually stated that a lot of accidents (I think they even say most) are due to driver fatigue. :( just as dangerous as drink driving if not worse. No excuses… Don’t drink and drive, pull over if tired and take a nap. :)

    24
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    Mute Shanners
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 5:12 PM

    I have witnessed an accident were the driver fell asleep, drifted across the road and collided with a signpost. So lucky there was no oncoming traffic.

    Very easy to drift off behind the wheel on the motorways if tired. Very little stimulus to stay awake.

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    Mute Malcolm
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:23 PM

    Nobody seems to care about the half a million people driving on anti depressants. Shur their a danger to no one

    35
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    Mute Eamonn Óg Ó Gallachóir
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 5:19 PM

    Looking for good publicity after there crooked boss tried to cover up for the penalty points crooks well done on this though it’s what we pay them for

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    Mute johnny
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 7:52 PM

    Eamonn, you pay nobody

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    Mute Eamonn Óg Ó Gallachóir
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 8:41 PM

    Your obviously not good at understanding economics Johnny the Garda are not a private company there a public service payed for by public’s taxes my insurance company will confirm

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    Mute Shane Hogan
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 10:24 PM

    Then they pay themselves so are entitled to decide what they do as much as you are.

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    Mute Eamonn Óg Ó Gallachóir
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 10:33 PM

    There publically accountable due to the fact that they are implementing our laws im not publicly implementing our laws I don’t get paid for that service

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    Mute Patrick
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:31 PM

    Excluding this , Gardai just interested in revenue generating at this stage. I would love to see the figures for road safety back in the day when it was acceptable to drink and drive.

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    Mute Emily Elephant
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 7:14 PM

    Go and look them up then. Come and tell us if it was safer back then. Btw I’m fairly sure the gardai don’t get to keep the fines.

    11
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    Mute johnny
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 7:58 PM

    Patrick check for yourself. The figures are on the internet for all to see. 6 or 700 a year before drink driving laws. Considering there was also less than half the amount of cars then its scary to think of the amount of people killed by drunk drivers

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    Mute Billy Kavanagh
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 4:57 PM

    I’ll drink to that!

    18
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    Mute Ogochukwu Gowan
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 3:58 PM

    This is what neknominations is doing ..lol just a game officer ..lol

    8
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    Mute Ciaran McCann
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    Feb 3rd 2014, 9:46 PM

    I think check points should be set up in the mornings to catch “L” plate drivers dropping their un belted children to school !!!!

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    Mute Joshua Walsh
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    Feb 2nd 2014, 8:01 PM

    If they wanted to catch a bust of people why not do this at Christmas? Jan/Feb must be quietist drinking time if year.

    1
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