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TheJournal.ie/Daragh Brophy

Shatter: Ireland has taken in fifty refugees from Syria crisis

More than two million people have become refugees since the start of the conflict in March 2011.

JUSTICE MINISTER ALAN Shatter has confirmed that Ireland has taken in “approximately fifty” refugees displaced as a result of the Syrian crisis since the start of the conflict in March 2011.

He said decisions still needed to be made regarding another five cases but that so far the country hadn’t “turned away anyone who sought political asylum” since the violence began.

It was announced by the United Nations this morning that the number of Syrian refugees had passed the two million mark. The figure is a nearly ten-fold increase on this time last year; around half of the total are children.

The majority of those displaced have been registered in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey – with large numbers also seeking refuge in Iraq and Egypt.

Speaking in Rathmines this afternoon after an inspection of the Irish troops being dispatched to the Golan Heights area of Syria, Shatter said that the situation in the country was an “enormous human catastrophe” and that he expected the two million figure would be “substantially exceeded” in the course of the conflict.

It was announced earlier today that the State will provide another €1 million in humanitarian aid for refugees fleeing from the crisis. The contribution brings Ireland’s total support for those affected in Syria and neighbouring countries by the crisis to almost €11 million.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore will discuss the situation at a meeting of EU foreign ministers beginning on Friday in Lithuania. US Secretary of State John Kerry will also attend.

A statement from the Department says that “Ireland fully supports efforts to reach a political solution”.

(Youtube: TheJournalVideo)

Read: number of Syrian refugees passes 2 million mark >

Also: Only regime could have carried out chemical attack, French intel report says>

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70 Comments
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    Mute Babsy Ryan
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:55 PM

    Kick out the spongers who really do NOT need Asylum & let as many of those poor Syrians in we can take!

    56
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    Mute Niall H
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:09 PM

    Please tell us what asylum seekers are spongers? I suspect you will be accusing these Syrians of being spongers in time

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    Mute Jazz O'Gorman
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:51 PM

    They’re all spongers, haven’t you heard about Ireland’s Huge Benefits Umbrella, or have you been in a coma for the last 3 decades.

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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:18 PM

    GIVE ASYLUM TO THE 50 SYRIANS AND DEPORT SHATTER TO SYRIA

    47
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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:03 PM

    Send Shatter home to Israel and pray to Jesus he stays there.

    23
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    Mute Sexy Taoiseach
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:59 PM

    50 future social welfare families great.

    31
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    Mute We Differ
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:59 PM

    Better its them that really need it than the scroungers who are on it years here when the Celtic tiger was alive!!

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    Mute Red Ed
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:11 PM

    So that’s 50 people that cannot work because of their status but can claim welfare support. How about take 50 Irish people off the street and help them?

    29
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    Mute Kevin Elliott
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:45 PM

    How about asking those same 50 Irish people if they would prefer to be on the streets of Dublin or Aleppo?

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    Mute Bernard Cantillon
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:46 PM

    Actually if they are granted refugee status quickly, there is no obstacle to their then being able to work, as refugees under the Geneva Convention, refugees must be treated no different to citizens. There is no reason to believe they would end up welfare dependent

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    Mute Sexy Taoiseach
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:50 PM

    Seriously the chances are they speak feck all English and are not well educated so lets call a spade a spade they will end up on the social.

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    Mute Niall H
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:55 PM

    I’d be happy for my €€ to be spent on them rather than the “long term unemployed” Irish people I see hanging out in the smoking area of my local seven days a week!

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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:01 PM

    Niall what are you doing in your local 7 days a week, you waster! They should cancel your Social Welfare and give to some more deserving person

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    Mute We Differ
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:01 PM

    Well said Niall. Exactly my thoughts.

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    Mute Niall H
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:04 PM

    @bobby. Smoking area can be seen from the street where the rest of us work. Nice try :)

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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:10 PM

    The street is not a smoking area as smoking areas are defined Niall. A smoking area is designated within the property of the bar usually at the rear but never on the street. You fu…..cked up Niall with that stupid comment!

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    Mute Niall H
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:24 PM

    “Can be seen” Maybe you should have been more attentive in school Bobby

    10
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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:35 PM

    “Seven days a week”? Do you do any work or are you just wasting your employers spying on the bar “seven days a week.” Come on Niall you made a stupid comment its ok, it’s just that we here got a good laugh at you comment. You rascal!

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    Mute Muriel Gowing
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:41 PM

    Years ago I worked with a Syrian who was doing his PhD here. He spoke and wrote better English than many native Irish. He went back to Syria after his PhD. I hope he and his family are all right but if they are not they should get some help.

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    Mute Muriel Gowing
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:45 PM

    Sorry, I meant that as a reply to Sexy Taoiseach below. I don’t know how it ended up here.

    1
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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:48 PM

    @Muriel, did you find it necessary to kick the Irish while you were lavishing praise on your Syrian friends, Jesus what is wrong with people like you, isn’t that racism?

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    Mute Niall H
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:56 PM

    Bobby “King Troll” Murray is on fire tonight :)

    8
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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 10:06 PM

    No stopping me now Niall ;-)
    It’s all out war against a corrupt government and those of you who like to trash our people

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    Mute Patricia Mc Cann
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 10:48 PM

    Why would they not be well educated ?

    2
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    Mute Mohamed Musa Tayib
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    Sep 7th 2013, 11:06 PM

    I used to live in Syria and education is VERY important there. Without the valuable education I earned in Damascus, I doubt I’d be studying in Trinity College now!

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    Mute Brendan
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:31 PM

    Lebanon has a population of around 4.5 million people and they have 716,000 Syrian refugees and counting. 50 is nothing compared to that……

    I have no problem with Syrian refugees, these people are genuine.

    28
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    Mute Goebong
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 10:17 PM

    50 wealthy Russian Orthodox Jews I believe makes sense get them out of harms way before America invades

    14
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    Mute Kate Ellen Egan
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 10:25 PM

    We should be making sure we take care of genuine refugees !

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 10:26 PM

    Why only 50 ?????. There is plenty of room for these people.
    Give these people refuge and somewhere safe for them.

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    Mute Kevin.N
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 11:43 PM

    50 only applied….Should we force them to come?

    11
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    Mute Matthew Donoghue
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:41 PM

    50 out of 2 million, good one Shatter.

    28
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    Mute Daddy De La Noche
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:48 PM

    It’s appalling, I hope more can come over, though I’m not sure if they’ll be treated with respect over here :(

    30
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    Mute Joey JoeJoe Shabadoo
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:00 PM

    I hope for the war to end, Syria can rebuild and they can return home

    44
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    Mute Daddy De La Noche
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:06 PM

    That would be the best possible scenario, however the war stopping won’t stop the unease in the country, the government needs to be tolerant of their people and respect their religious differences, that being said without the religion the world would be a better place, most of the conflicts over the last hundred years wouldn’t have happened if there was no religion, I wonder how many thumbs down this is gonna get lol, the truth hurts lol

    17
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    Mute Joey JoeJoe Shabadoo
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:10 PM

    If you think religion is the reason for wars (as opposed to religion being used as a smokescreen for power & greed).

    Then… Yes you are mis-informed.

    33
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    Mute Daddy De La Noche
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:14 PM

    Religion is a front for corruption AND full of hate and violence, so no, I AM NOT mis-informed, maybe you are, if you don’t like what I have to say then don’t reply to me, easy

    18
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    Mute Richie Rodgers
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:57 PM

    Matthew
    If you cannot say something useful it would be better to remain silent!

    5
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    Mute Bronagh Butler
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 10:24 PM

    G’wan, Mr Lennon.

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    Mute Louthmouth
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:34 PM

    only fifty? bet turkey wish they could say the same lol

    25
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    Mute Antonov Merinov
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:49 PM

    Such a sweet man!
    Enough said!

    14
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    Mute Antonov Merinov
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:52 PM

    Have met Shatter in a legal matter.
    My impression of him was that anything for a promotion of his career goes.

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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Sep 4th 2013, 2:08 AM

    Haha , it’s really important to get Shatter to sort out tye Syria crisis now that everything has been fixed here…

    5
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    Mute Tim Higgins
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:58 PM

    How many has your spiritual home Israel, taken in Mr Shatter? Not one I’d wager!

    22
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    Mute Richard Keogh
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    Sep 4th 2013, 1:16 AM

    Israel has set up field hospitals along the border treating Syrians injured in the fighting. More seriously injured Syriians have been taken to it’s more advanced hospitals, just like Israel has treated the brother-in-law of Haniyeh, the terrorist Hamas’s prime minister of Gaza. It’s not Israel’s fault if most refugees are heading to other arab countries. But the truth never stops Pallywood, and it’s Western supporters, from spinning lies about Israel.

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    Mute AlanH -AFC
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:44 PM

    How did they get here !

    19
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    Mute Usawadee Wannapho
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:48 PM

    They came in on the government jet.

    9
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    Mute We Differ
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:58 PM

    Same way your ancestors got to America Alan!!

    9
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    Mute Paddy Lyons
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:12 PM

    Ireland of the welcomes. There are some disgraceful comments posted here. You children should be ashamed of yourselves.

    18
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    Mute Bobby Murray
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:21 PM

    Paddy Lyons/David Thompson will we send them up to the Loyalist East Belfast they would be welcome there wouldn’t they?

    14
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    Mute RP McMurphy
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:34 PM

    Where are they being accommodated? And in what conditions?

    16
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    Mute Adrian Mc Sweeney
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:39 PM

    I have an honest question that I would appreciate informed responses to because I am a bit confused: So Obama is going to attack Syria because of the seriousness of the situation there which has been going on since 2011.. Fair enough Barrack and on the surface of it he must surely be admired for his readiness to help these people out and probably “bring democracy and freedom” to them,…. But why Syria and why so soon?? Why not intervene in the Somalian conflict which is far worse than Syria and going on since 1991 , or the conflict in Sudan which is also just as bad and going on since 2009?? Its just a bit confusing. Why Syria?

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    Mute Alan Burke
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:43 PM

    Ahh well you see we can’t tell you can we

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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:57 PM

    The US actually withdrew from Somalia. They were in there as part of a UN mandated mission which didn’t exactly go so well. Yes Somalia is so bad even the US would rather leave than stay there.

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    Mute Erich King 
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:03 PM

    If we told you the answer, the N.S.A woukd have to kill you.

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    Mute Gearóid Ó Murchadha
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 11:51 PM

    Because their ally, Saudi Arabia, is very involved in Syria. As is their enemy, Iran.

    1
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    Mute Richard Keogh
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    Sep 4th 2013, 1:18 AM

    Why Syria? Because they have used Chemical Weapons. They are not intervening in the war just punishing the use of CW.

    3
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    Mute Usawadee Wannapho
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:50 PM

    That’s terrible, Ireland should take in at least 50,000, Angela’s paying.

    14
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    Mute Janice Sullivan
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 11:08 PM

    I feel sorry for them and i dont blame them for fleeing thier own country,we would do the same in thier postition,my concern is how in the name of god can we support them?When our own country and people are in recession and on the brink of poverty.

    14
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    Mute Rachel Byrne
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    Sep 4th 2013, 12:11 AM

    Probably squeeze it out of us in the next budget Janice:-\

    9
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    Mute dave
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 7:39 PM

    I wouldn’t be surprised if they were all chained to shatters radiator.

    12
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    Mute Nidgeweasel
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:12 PM

    Do they get free socks?

    10
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    Mute dave
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:38 PM

    Free Adidas socks.

    7
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    Mute Derrie
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:40 PM

    More trash

    10
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    Mute Sandra Webster
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 9:03 PM

    Big difference with fleeing to safety in fear on ones life to just coming to Ireland to “sponge” off the state!

    10
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    Mute Ciaran McCann
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 10:57 PM

    With us being the First port, Why not!

    5
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    Mute Iam D Best
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    Sep 4th 2013, 3:24 AM

    to be quite brutally honest with you, they can put the gun to my head right now and pull the trigger but all i think about is my Mother. Thats how bad it is here right now, some of us have enough, no matter what part of the world you’re in. All hope has been lost. Money to survive and live for what? This life? this ain’t life, this planet is HELL.

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    Mute Hugh Corrigan
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    Sep 4th 2013, 1:19 AM

    This minister is a joke.

    4
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    Mute DesBod
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 8:43 PM

    Something negative about the govt, regardless of the story

    4
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    Mute Taxi Bill
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    Sep 4th 2013, 1:41 AM

    “The contribution brings Ireland’s total support for those affected in Syria and neighbouring countries by the crisis to almost €11 million.”

    If the oil rich gulf states opened their wallets (and borders) it might help but I supose building water parks,ski slopes and half million dollar police cars is more important.

    3
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    Mute ronan griffin
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    Sep 3rd 2013, 10:55 PM

    How about a swap for the finegael and labour politicians

    2
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