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23 Olympic Summer Games scandals

Gender confusion, politics, violence, boycotts, doped atheletes, a doped horse – oh, and a race with only one competitor: some of the most striking moments of the past 100 years of Olympic Games.

THE EXCITEMENT IS already building for the London Olympics later this summer. The organisers will probably be hoping for tension and drama – but from photofinish sprints and the breaking of records, not from scandals such as these which dogged the Olympic Games in the past.

The slideshow of photos comes from Press Association and Associated Press, whose photographers have been on hand to chronicle events for over a century:

1908 - Bible protest
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  • 1908 - Bible protest

    USA's Forrest Smithson carried a bible while posing for a picture after winning gold in 110m hurdles - in protest at having to race on a Sunday.
  • 1908 - 400m final re-run

    Great Britain's Wyndham Halswelle winning gold in the re-run of the 400m in London. He was the only runner - the other three were all Americans who pulled out when one of them was ruled to have blocked Halswelle in the original final.
  • 1912 - Jim Thorpe loses gold medals

    USA's Jim Thorpe on his way to winning a gold medal in both the decathon and pentathlon - he was stripped of them when it was found he had played two seasons of semi-pro basketball. In 1983, his medals were posthumously restored.
  • 1932 - Gender controversy

    Stella Walsh, left, (here with Mildred 'Babe' Didrikson) won gold for Poland in the 100m sprint in 1932. A post-mortem on her death in 1980 found she had genitals of 'indeterminate' gender and controversy remains over retaining records she set.
  • 2009 - Gender controversy

    Caster Semenya of South Africa had her gender questioned after winning gold in the 2009 World Championships in the 800m. The handling of the case by the IAAF attracted huge criticism. She has since been cleared to compete in the 2012 Olympics.
  • 1936 - Jesse Owens takes gold in Berlin

    America's Jesse Owens, centre, taking gold for the long jump. Nazi Germany's Lutz Long, right, took silver. Adolf Hitler decided to skip his medal presentations (Owens went on to win four gold in total in 1936).
  • 1956 - Hungarian revolution spills over

    Hungary's Ervin Zadar has a bloodied face after his team and that of the Soviet Union clashed violently in the water polo semi-finals. The Soviet Union had invaded Hungary a few weeks earlier and it was the year of the Hungarian Revolution.
  • 1968 - Mexico City massacre

    Student and civilian protestors were massacred in Mexico City by government-directed snipers ten days before the Olympics there. It has been claimed that some of the forces were used as security guards at the Games.
  • 1968 - Black Power salute

    USA athletes Tommie Smith, centre, and John Carlos stare downward during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner and give the Black Power salute with gloved hands as a civil rights protest.
  • 1972 - Munich's Black September

    A hooded member of the Palestinian terrorist group which held members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage in the Munich Olympic village - they killed 11 athletes and coaches.
  • 1972 - Basketball gold medal controversy

    USA basketball team players enjoy a brief moment of elation when they thought they had beaten the Soviets, but the referee reset the clock by three seconds and the Soviet Union scored a final goal to win the game 51-50.
  • 1980 - Mass boycott of Moscow Olympics

    Soviet athlete Sergei Belov in the opening ceremony. A number of teams boycotted the ceremony to protest Soviet intervention into Afghanistan - and many boycotted the Games themselves.
  • 1980 - The 'bras d'honneur'

    Poland's Wladyslaw Kozakiewicz gave the booing and jeering Soviet crowds the 'bras d'honneur' (equivalent to giving them the finger) when he won gold in the pole vault. The Polish government later claimed his gesture was an involuntary muscle spasm.
  • 1984 - Mary Decker and Zola Budd collide

    This sequence shows USA's Mary Decker falling as UK's Zola Budd (No.151) looks at her in the 3,000m in LA. An inquiry found Budd not responsible for the fall and Decker later confirmed that the case.
  • 1988 - Boxing gold controversy in S. Korea

    Korea's Park Si-hun, left, won gold in the light middleweight against USA's Roy Jones in the Seoul Olympics. It turned out Jones had landed 86 punches to Park's 32 and two of the three judges at the bout were later banned for life.
  • 1996 - Atlanta Olympics bombing

    Lone terrorist Eric Robert Rudolph killed 2 people in a bombing at the Centennial Olympic Park which he hoped would embarrass the US government. He was protesting about the provision of abortion in the USA.
  • 1996 - Ireland's 'golden girl'

    Michelle Smith won three gold swimming medals and a bronze at Atlanta - immediately after a US swimmer accused Smith of doping. Smith passed drug tests at the time but received a four-year ban for tampering with a urine sample in a random test in 1998.
  • 2000 - Marion Jones's contested five golds

    USA athlete Marion Jones won 5 golds at the Olympics including with the 4 x 400m relay team. She admitted taking performance-enhancing drugs after a long inquiry and was stripped of her medals in 2007. Some of her relay team-mates also lost theirs.
  • 2004 - Athens marathon runner disrupted by Irish 'priest'

    Defrocked Irish priest Cornelius Horan grabs Vanderlei de Lima of Brazil three miles from the end of the men's marathon event. De Lima had been leading and finished third.
  • 2004 - The doped-up horse

    Waterford Crystal, the horse of Ireland's Cian O'Connor, tested positive for banned drugs and their Athens gold medal for showjumping was taken back by the IOC.
  • 2008 - Clearing up for Beijing Olympics

    China was accused of clearing out poor, homeless and migrant people to make way for construction of their Olympic venues.
  • 2008 - Wrestler rejects bronze

    Sweden's Ara Abrahamian was so incensed by a judging decision in his Greco-Roman wrestling final that he left his bronze medal on the mat in the awards ceremony. He was stripped of his rejected medal by the IOC.
  • 2008 - Referee attacked

    Cuba's Angel Valodia Matos, left, kicked and punched match referee Chakir Chelbat after he lost his bronze medal match in taekwondo.

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    Mute James Beattie
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    Jul 19th 2021, 12:52 PM

    ‘We want the same rules and to be treated the same as the rest of the UK citizens by the Uk government ONLY when it suits

    When it does not suit, the UK government should mind its own business’

    I think I have it now

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    Mute Seán Ryan
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    Jul 19th 2021, 12:53 PM

    @James Beattie: now they want a border down the Irish Sea!!

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    Mute Angela McCarthy
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:23 PM

    @James Beattie: God knows what constituency Jefferey is pandering to, but he and the DUP are definitely losing a larger constituency that will leave them behind.

    This was always going to be a big test for Jeffreys leadership. I think he has just shot himself in the foot before he could leave the blocks. Music to the ears of the Alliance Party!

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    Mute frank griffin
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:44 PM

    @James Beattie: time up Jeffrey reality hitting home brits don’t care

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    Mute Elrond Rivendell
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    Jul 19th 2021, 5:57 PM

    @James Beattie: Yup. And as for SF, it’s “London should stay out of Northern politics and affairs until it suits us”. Both sides are hypocritical basket cases. We’re well shot of them.

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    Mute Padraig O Muirthile
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    Jul 19th 2021, 12:46 PM

    A la carte Unionism.

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    Mute Padraig O Muirthile
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    Jul 19th 2021, 12:51 PM

    @Padraig O Muirthile: let’s move the border to encompass just the uteri (uteruses) of good loyalist women.

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    Mute Padraig O Muirthile
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:30 PM

    @Padraig O Muirthile: I would like to flag myself as being offensive. I just fenegled myself into insulting and being offensive to a large cohort of our population. And then, mentioned utureses, a clear case of misogyny. But its OK. Its fine to be offensive to Unionism. And unionist womens’ bits.

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    Mute Padraig O Muirthile
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:30 PM

    @Padraig O Muirthile: generic faux outrage comment.

    16
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    Mute Padraig O Muirthile
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:30 PM

    @Padraig O Muirthile: generic inoffensive retort.

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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:58 PM

    @Padraig O Muirthile: do you enjoy talking to yourself?

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    Mute Padraig O Muirthile
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:06 PM

    @Roy Dowling: sometimes I get unreasonable and I’m the only one who knows me well enough to talk me down.

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    Mute Noel Doherty
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    Jul 19th 2021, 3:28 PM

    @Padraig O Muirthile: Hahahah

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    Mute Elrond Rivendell
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    Jul 19th 2021, 5:58 PM

    @Padraig O Muirthile: A la carte Republicanism too it seems.

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    Mute Padraig O Muirthile
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    Jul 19th 2021, 6:57 PM

    @Elrond Rivendell: absolutely. Interesting also to note that there were 50% more abortions in Ireland last year than deaths by covid. Just interesting to note.

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    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
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    Jul 19th 2021, 9:58 PM

    @Padraig O Muirthile: It’s not interesting at all.

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    Mute Padraig O Muirthile
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    Jul 19th 2021, 11:13 PM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: No interest in over 6000 avoidable deaths?

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:09 PM

    Unionism in Northern Ireland is a complete basket case of an ideology at this stage, they can’t even agree on who they are or what they stand for.

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    Mute Brian Mc Cabe
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:16 PM

    @Rochelle: it usually involves No.

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    Mute OnlyHereForTheComments
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:45 PM

    @Rochelle: If there wasn’t (perceived) animosity between the UK and Ireland, the loyalists wouldn’t give a fiddlers about the union. Its nothing more than a mechanism for their bigotry and hatred. Truth is, nobody wants them and they know it.

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    Mute frank griffin
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:45 PM

    @Rochelle:

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    Mute frank griffin
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:45 PM

    @Rochelle:

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    Mute frank griffin
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:45 PM

    @Rochelle:

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    Mute Noel Doherty
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    Jul 19th 2021, 3:29 PM

    @frank griffin: we are still waiting Frank….

    44
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    Mute Chief Buck Cat
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:25 PM

    Unionism/Loyalism is like a little Jack Russell who used to tag along with an English Bull Terrier and, by association with the fiercer dog, get it’s way. Now the English Bull Terrier, sick of the constant needy whinging, has wandered off leaving little Jack alone and yapping at shadows.

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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:44 PM

    @Chief Buck Cat: nice analogy, especially coming from a cat.

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    Mute This time its personable!
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    Jul 19th 2021, 12:58 PM

    Is he saying the locally elected MPs who sit in London have no real job or input into Northern Ireland then either. Maybe he should just recall all the MPs, I’m sure they’d be delighted. Then again they are part of the ‘Union’ so have a right to be there, but then they have no right to direct what they do in Northern Ireland, but they have a right to be it’s sovereign ruler… perfect sense really when you drill into the detail, it doesn’t muddy the waters at all further!

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    Mute speedy
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:31 PM

    Even the eccentric Boris has washed his hands with this looney lot from the north.they are nothing but a headache for both Westminster and dublin

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    Mute Welk wrangler
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:37 PM

    They are so out of touch with the electorate. I’m quite happy sitting back and watching these bible bashing puritan bigots implode as they go the way of the dodo.

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:47 PM

    Local people voted AGAINST Brexit? Does that count for anything?

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    Mute Dan Looney
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:39 PM

    “It’s not right that some impose their views on others”. I wonder did someone write that statement for Mr. Donaldson or did he actually say it of his own volition, and does he actually believe that.

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    Mute Colm OS
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    Jul 19th 2021, 5:35 PM

    @Dan Looney: whoever wrote it obviously doesn’t have a sense of irony

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    Mute Valentine Kane
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    Jul 19th 2021, 12:58 PM

    He won’t listen to anyone, rude and ignorance is the order of the day, never change just plough on with the same old nonsense. Never budge

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    Mute Rebecca BarrettNp
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:08 PM

    The DUP and Far-Right anti-choice ‘patriots’ in the 26 counties gravitating closer and closer.

    46
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    Mute Longlin
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    Jul 19th 2021, 5:35 PM

    @Rebecca BarrettNp: Yea, everyone that has reservations about abortion is far right… Luckily enough, the actual far right in this country has miniscule numbers as seen by their election results. Some people like yourself would love if it was greater, but most people are fairly centralist in their outlook with some leaning slightly to the left or right of the political spectrum.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jul 19th 2021, 5:43 PM

    @Longlin: That’s their choice. It’s high time that women had a choice also.

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    Mute Rebecca BarrettNp
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    Jul 19th 2021, 7:46 PM

    @Longlin: I narrowed my description down, never said anything about ‘everyone that has reservations about abortion is far-right’, quite an insecure reply.

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    Mute Valthebear
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    Jul 20th 2021, 8:50 AM

    @Longlin: indeed. There are some people who fantasise we are surrounded by far right extremists. Truth is, as election shows they thankfully have miniscule support here. I suspect though this disappoints some as they love to tell us how wonderful they are in fighting this imaginary threat…

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:15 PM

    Why don’t they just let women do what they want. They’re going to anyway. It’ll be on their conscience for the rest of their lives. So let them have at it. There can be another mardigra in Belfast like there was in Dublin when it was voted in. I wash my hands of the whole sorry situation.

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    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:32 PM

    @Anna Carr: Celebrating freedom from oppressive archaic ideology and laws should never be done, it’s disgusting.

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:34 PM

    @Diarmuid Hunt: that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. But not surprising.

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    Mute Diarmuid Hunt
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:37 PM

    @Anna Carr: You’re welcome.

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Jul 19th 2021, 1:49 PM

    @Diarmuid Hunt: lol

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    Mute Michael Burke
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    Jul 19th 2021, 2:46 PM

    @Anna Carr: you aren’t out in society much?

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Jul 19th 2021, 3:26 PM

    @Michael Burke: actually no, not at the moment but what’s that got to do with the price of tea?

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Jul 19th 2021, 5:42 PM

    @Michael Burke: Is anyone?!

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    Mute Pauline Gallagher
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    Jul 19th 2021, 7:24 PM

    @Anna Carr: Well first of all, its Mardi Gras, and second of all, women need that choice. It doesnt mean they are going to make it lightly, but in certain instances, they need to have it. So unless you have ever been in what you describe ‘the whole sorry situation’ then you dont really get to be haughty about it

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Jul 19th 2021, 9:13 PM

    @Pauline Gallagher: I’m terribly sorry but oh yes I do. OK, I can’t spell, but I do have a conscience and nothing in this wide world will convince me that abortion is right in any way, shape or form and don’t bring rape or incest into it, as these only represent a small percentage. Mostly the unborn is unwanted or in the way. I’ll be as haughty as I like as a woman with 2 children one of whom is disabled. Had this been known before his birth I wouldn’t have done it any differently. I don’t care what choices you make, you have to live with the consequences but don’t tell me what I do and don’t get to be, woman to woman.

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    Mute David F. Dwyer
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    Jul 20th 2021, 2:02 AM
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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Jul 20th 2021, 7:51 AM

    @David F. Dwyer: hahaha. Yeah pretty much. I’m very passionate about certain things. But I’m an otherwise nice person lol.

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    Mute Bill Spill
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    Jul 20th 2021, 8:20 AM

    @Anna Carr: “Don’t bring rape or incest into it”. Uh-huh. So I think you would find it difficult to oppose an abortion in those situations. Then how to justify supporting some abortions is the problem. But you have it- just pretend that the majority of abortions are flippantly done because the pregnancy is in the way. Maybe… just mind your own business on this one anna? And don’t lean in to the haughty-ness. Person to person.

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Jul 20th 2021, 8:47 AM

    @Bill Spill: thank you so much. Have a great day :)

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Jul 19th 2021, 5:37 PM

    Sinn Fein want UK intervention in NI and the Unionists want the UK to keep their noses out. World’s gone mad.

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    Mute Philip Howlin
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    Jul 19th 2021, 5:38 PM

    Big change in SF looking to British Government to intervene having “waged a war” to get them out.

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    Mute Steven C. Schulz
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    Jul 19th 2021, 6:05 PM

    Issue aside, the irony of Sinn Fein asking the British government to legislate over any part of Ireland is too good. What’s next, they’ll take their seats in Westminster, but only vote on NI issues?

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    Mute Jack Johnson
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    Jul 19th 2021, 6:39 PM

    Wait… SF are now pro-choice up north? Having been pro life for years, even when the crowd down south jumped to pro choice.

    Or are they just “anything the DUP don’t want” now?

    27
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    Mute Barrycelona
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    Jul 19th 2021, 4:17 PM

    What is going to happen the DUP when they have no more toys to throw out of their pram. A United Ireland??

    28
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    Mute Dan Duggan
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    Jul 19th 2021, 7:11 PM

    She wants the British government to intervenein Northern Ireland one day, then not intervene the next.

    Make up yer minds, Shinners

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    Mute Micheál
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    Jul 19th 2021, 7:42 PM

    The point is this; any given measure by anyone is either inherently good or bad. She should be applauded. Opportunistic comments remain opportunistic, that is reprehensible

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