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graph: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

Drinking has gotten dearer in the last year, but walking or getting the bus home is cheaper

Silver linings and all that.

PRICES ACROSS IRELAND rose by 0.2% in March compared with the same time last year, new figures from the CSO have shown.

Compared with February, prices were up 0.7%, the CSO said.

The most significant monthly price changes were increases in clothing and footwear, which climbed 3%, miscellaneous goods, up 2.3% and transport which went up 1.2%. There were decreases in food and non-alcoholic beverages, which fell 0.3% and communications, which dropped 0.2%.

Overall in the last year, there was a 0.2% increase in prices, with education (+4.6%), miscellaneous goods (+4.2%), alcoholic and tobacco (+3.5%) and restaurants and hotels (+2.0%) all climbing.

There were decreases in the costs of clothing and footwear (-4.2%), communications (-3.1%), furnishings, household equipment (-2.8%) and transport (-2.1%).

The CSO says that the local property tax affected miscellaneous services, while the increased cost of restaurants and hotels was a knock on of higher drink prices.

Retailers own sales brought the price of clothing down, the CSO says, while transport fell on the back of cheaper petrol.

Read: Damien Kiberd: If prices are deflating, why are we feeling poorer?

Read: Crime figures show fall in homicides, but rise in kidnappings

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54 Comments
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    Mute Munster1
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:43 AM

    They haven’t got a clue whether its ‘imminent’ or not. It was supposed to start last Wednesday.

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    Mute François Pignon
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:59 AM

    @Munster1: the war started 8 years ago

    399
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    Mute Clay Pigeon
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:59 AM

    @Munster1: it is imminent. Looks like everything has been signed off. However, Putin wants to have an excuse in a form of a false flag operation (like in Georgia, Chechnya, Moldova), giving him reasons for invasion. But it would be difficult to blame Ukraine if they start the invasion on the day flagged by Western intelligence.So Russia keeps postponing, which buys valuable time for Ukraine to get additional supplies and to prepare their defences. Also warmer weather would bring softer ground slowing down tank attacks making tanks easier targets for Ukraine’s defending forces.

    If these dates haven not been announced, Russia would have probably started false flag operation weeks ago, and invaded by now.

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    Mute JohnDoe
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:10 AM

    @Clay Pigeon: what’s being signed off? do you have unique Intel ?

    147
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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:32 AM

    @Clay Pigeon: so your telling us that you believe the reason Russia hasn’t invaded is because Western intelligence keeps flagging the days of the possible invasion? Jesus I’ve heard it all now.

    195
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    Mute Kieran Woods
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:39 AM

    @Roy Dowling: The Russians are waiting for the other side to arm up. They want to make it a fair fight.

    52
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    Mute UK Hurling Bloke
    Favourite UK Hurling Bloke
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:56 AM

    @JohnDoe:
    Read the article mate …it’s what US believe.
    Check yo’self before attempting to be clever

    64
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    Mute Stephen Rogan
    Favourite Stephen Rogan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:47 AM

    @Clay Pigeon: Careful now! You’re sounding too sensible, like you’ve actually thought about this rationally. If you’re feeling dizzy as a consequence, you might need to sit down for a while.

    25
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    Mute Stephen Rogan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:49 AM

    @Roy Dowling: yep, he’s right too. That was the biggest mistake the West made with the Crimea invasion, not announcing everything they knew as they knew it.

    39
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    Mute Fakë Ăvatăř
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    Feb 20th 2022, 1:18 PM

    @Roy Dowling: It’s been dubbed “invasion shaming” and is indeed a real thing.

    38
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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 2:09 PM

    @Fakë Ăvatăř: It’s a pity no one indulged in a little “invasion shaming” to stop the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Vietnam, Palestine etc.. maybe they should try a little ‘theft shaming’ to stop Afghans reserves being stolen, or the theft of Venezuelas gold reserves.. It appears that the ‘shaming’ media industry only works for some people

    84
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    Mute Charles Coughlan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:57 PM

    @François Pignon: And 14,000 Ukrainians have been killed by Soviet backed militia since then.

    5
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    Mute Nigel o'Neill
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    Feb 21st 2022, 10:54 AM

    @François Pignon: us invasions 80 years ago

    1
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    Mute Blind Faith
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:34 AM

    Johnson would love a war as a distraction and he would get the chance to act out his biggest fantasy . . . that of playing his idol Churchill.

    377
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    Mute Kieran Woods
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:48 AM

    @Blind Faith: The hype is enough to enrich his friends in BAE Defense Industries.

    130
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    Mute Jason Walsh
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    Feb 20th 2022, 7:22 PM

    @Blind Faith: him and Biden are gagging for a war

    51
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    Mute Shane Carroll
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:36 AM

    Boris is the big winner here, he was on the ropes at home over the lockdown parties and he’s making hay with this distraction. The clo^wn has absolutely zero credibility considering everything he’s done in the last few years and yet here he is

    253
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    Mute Mjhint
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:35 PM

    @Shane Carroll: not just Boris but the pro brexit camp. This could be the moment they become relevant I’m Europe again.

    38
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    Mute Barbara Coleman
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    Feb 20th 2022, 1:37 PM

    @Shane Carroll: same as Maggie Thatcher was….bottom of the poles…Falklands War saved her !

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:29 PM

    @Barbara Coleman: George Bush, John Howard (Australia PM) and successive conservative hard of thinking twits all won elections from 9/11 and the manufactured xenophobia

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    Mute Ciarán Oglesby
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:32 AM

    I wish the best of luck to the Ukranians against their fight with Russia and hope they prevail as long as possible. I would like to see Ireland help defend Ukraine but unfortunately we are a nation of cowards hiding behind neutrality. We always have and always will be the nation that will never assist a friend but expect them to assist us if we ever got in trouble. Talking to my Polish, Czech, and Lithuanian friends, they are all concerned Russia will come for them next after Ukraine. All live in countries that would help Ireland in any event without question but unfortunately we would never in a million years help them against Russia. We are too weak minded. We were too weak minded against hitler and will be the same against any European aggressor including Putin. We believe we are too small to make a difference, to put up a fight. Without a spine comes to mind. Just my point of strongly held view.

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    Mute DERRY1973
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:35 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: your view couldn’t be further from the truth.

    537
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    Mute Colleen
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:36 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: over you go so, Ciarán. Personally I don’t want my sons over there fighting in a war that they have sweet fa to do with.

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    Mute Kieran Woods
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:46 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: Warmongers argue that we must protect Ukraine because it is a “democracy.” Ukraine isn’t a democracy. A coup in 2014 ended that. To hold onto power, Ukraine’s president shut down the 3 TV stations that criticized him, and imprisoned the head of the opposition political party which came in 2nd place in the election, and arrested and jailed its leaders (exactly what Putin has been accused of doing).
    You would have nothing to say about the genocide in Yemen however because your anti Russian Polish, Czech and Lithuanian friends most likely support the Saudi regime.

    199
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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:51 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: a nation of cowards? Can you tell us what’s the reason you haven’t flown to Ukraine and joined the army to fight the Russians?

    300
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    Mute Football in the Groin
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:54 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: So when are you heading over buddy?

    244
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    Mute Ciarán Oglesby
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:07 AM

    @Football in the Groin: you’re not my buddy. In any case, the replies to my point just prove to me how Irish are cowards. European solidarity is a one way street for Irish people.

    63
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    Mute UK Hurling Bloke
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:08 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: show us all how much your “strongly held views” mean to you and how brave you are mate.

    Give up your job.
    Head over there yourself and get military training .
    Go on mate. Don’t be a coward.
    Will you ? – No.

    239
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    Mute Mark Walsh
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:08 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby:
    Total BS ‘ your comments seem to come from a disillusioned snowflake that doesn’t know his history of not on the Irish but European in general
    Kbon head comes to mind

    158
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    Mute Henry O'Sullivan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:14 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby:

    3
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    Mute Henry O'Sullivan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:14 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby:

    3
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    Mute Henry O'Sullivan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:14 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: wow

    25
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    Mute Gerrard
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:15 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: 250k men fought in the two world wars from Ireland that’s a lot considering our small population and who I’m Europe helped Ireland for 800 years nobody in Europe especially Eastern Europe

    218
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    Mute Larry Ryan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:15 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: Why should Ireland fight a foreign war when we are still occupied and nobody is fighting England on our behalf? Who came to our aid in 1916?

    193
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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:16 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: what time is your flight to Ukraine buddy? I’ll give you a lift the to airport and you can show all us “cow ards” what a brave man you are.

    184
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    Mute Mick Murphy
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:36 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: So are you calling yourself a coward Ciaràn? Just be clear. If not it’s hypocritical of your comment to ask Irish to fight when you’re not willing to. Also we have a defence force that works internationally with the UN. We are a neutral nation and operate in a peace keeping capacity. I spent 11 years in that defence force before my current job. Have you always worked for shopify or have you ever served your country? Surely it’s not a case where you expect all others to fight but you’re so very important you surely couldn’t be expected to? Or is it a case that in fact you are the coward you accuse others of being. In my conversations with my Polish and Latvian friends none have expressed what you say. Maybe it’s the quality of your friends. Perhaps they’re shopify gurus too

    162
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    Mute Stephen Rogan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:55 AM

    @Gerrard: Well, there was the Spanish Armada. And the French and German helped Irish rebels too over the years.
    As for the World Wars, my great grandfather’s brothers fought in WW1. They were from Carlow. Their English absentee landlord told their family they’d be evicted and homeless if at least one son didn’t enlist. So, I don’t know whether that kind of participation counts as us aiding other European nations.

    56
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    Mute Gregory Pym
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:57 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: Agree 100%

    19
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    Mute Dave
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:16 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: Have you flown over to show your support, or have you put up a few flags outside your home? Also who is we?

    81
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    Mute Gerrard
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:38 AM

    @Stephen Rogan: the Spanish Armada wasn’t to help Ireland

    28
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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:46 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: hey. I like neutrality. Call me a coward if you like, but I’ve enough going on atm, without worrying about being blown to bits too. Go join the British army if you want to play soldiers

    91
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    Mute Zmeevo Libe
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:46 AM

    @Gerrard: Sorry on behalf of Eastern Europe, we were busy with the Turks. Who in Europe helped for 500 years, nobody. Oh, sorry, Russia did.

    29
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    Mute David Saunders
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:16 PM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: tool

    47
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    Mute Barbara Coleman
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    Feb 20th 2022, 1:40 PM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: when Russia put the missiles in Cuba.. on US doorstep….it was nearly WW3 !
    So now what’s the difference with NATO putting missiles in Ukraine in Russia’s doorstep. ?

    56
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    Mute Ron Kingston
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    Feb 20th 2022, 2:09 PM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: absolute gowl

    41
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 20th 2022, 3:08 PM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: hindsight is wonderful but you do realise that in 1939 we had fought the British for independence and still part of Ireland was in the UK. In 1939 there were people who considered that we should get German assistance to “free” NI and we had just fought a civil war on the issue of the division of Ireland, hence neutrality was forced upon us. Remember too that the US was also neutral and “without a spine” until they were forced into a war by the Japanese so every word about Ireland and it’s neutral stance also.applies to the USA as it does to Sweden and Switzerland and any other country that remained “cowardly” neutral. Our neutral state has seen Ireland play vital peacekeeping roles around the world under the flag of the United Nations and certainly have shown bravery

    58
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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    Feb 20th 2022, 3:34 PM

    @Colleen: ….but you’d happily accept peoples sons from other countries riding to our rescue presumably?

    13
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 20th 2022, 3:38 PM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: your friends home countries are all part of NATO so should feel safe that the USA is guaranteeing and guarding their borders. They should fear Russia any more that any other NATO member. From the start of this conflict I have said that the United Nations and not NATO should be involved in the talks and peace keeping efforts and if the UN is involved I am 100% sure that Ireland will take up whatever roll it is asked to just as they have in Mali, and these brave peacekeepers staying behind when France has withdrawn says as must for the braveness of the Irish as the troops in the Lebanon or the Congo or other areas where requested and our non alligned neutral stance has helped our troops be accepted by both sides. Do you want two massive superpowers or 200 neutral states?

    21
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    Mute v39e84kK
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    Feb 20th 2022, 5:41 PM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: when in history has Poland, Lithuania, Czech Republic helped Ireland militarily? Never. I’m sure your friends are lovely and all but I think the small island nation of 5 million with no real military ought to stay out of wars hundreds of miles away.

    31
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    Mute Jonathan Kennedy
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    Feb 20th 2022, 7:47 PM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: I’m sure if you get yourself a flight, they will greet you with open arms. You should take care of yourself. War serves no man!

    9
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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:22 PM

    @Ciarán Oglesby:

    your opinion is not really supported by the facts though

    In all, about 210,000 Irishmen served in the British forces during World War One. Since there was no conscription, about 140,000 of these joined during the war as volunteers.

    In spite of neutrality, as we have already seen, about 70,000 southern Irish volunteers joined the British armed forces during the Second World War.

    7
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    Mute E.J. Murray
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    Feb 21st 2022, 1:01 AM

    @Ciarán Oglesby: — You’re talking nonsense, Irish people have been fighting in European wars for centuries, and not all of them on the side of the English.

    2
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    Mute Mike Ruddy
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:32 AM

    Very hard to know exactly what is going on between the Ukraine and Russia. The media are all singing from the same hymn sheet. Could this be the start of the formation of a EU army? As we have seen in the past – propaganda has been used to start wars. Who remembers “Weapons of mass destruction?” Unfortunately, media bias is something that is far too common nowadays. It’s very difficult to get the truth as there always seems to be an agenda behind it!

    117
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    Mute Dominik Michalik
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:55 AM

    Putin is looking for a pretext to start a war.

    The same way Germany used the pretext of the false flag incident at the Gliwice radio station to invade Poland in 1939.

    Or the way Stalin used a pretext to invade Finland in 1939 by blaming for the Shelling of Mainila.

    So let’s not repeat the mistakes of Munich 1938, we need to play tough with Russia.

    120
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    Mute alan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 7:43 PM

    @Dominik Michalik: ‘we’? Why do people use this ‘we’, speaking on everybody’s behalf. Count me out of your imaginary ‘we’

    39
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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:47 PM

    @Dominik Michalik: but is it also true that the USA’s goal for the past few years has been to reduce or cut off Russian gas supplies to Europe and is it also possible that the USA is looking for a pretext to start a war and blame Russia and close the gas pipelines by anti war sanctions when peaceful means have failed?
    Ironically the winner in any war is not Russia or Ukraine or Europe but rather the USA with it’s increased sales of US gas to Europe to replace the Russian supplies blocked by USA led sanctions. The US is not an honest or independent broken having a vested interest in there.being a war. USA drones and spy planes operating 10 miles from the Russian and Belarus borders with Ukraine and in Ukraine airspace may not be the best way forward. Can we listen to the Ukrainians please?

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    Mute Nikolina Fiume
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    Feb 21st 2022, 2:56 PM

    @Niall Ó Cofaigh: Finally, someone sees it. It’s just the matter of gas and free market only when it suits them so USA starting bul$hit again, while they sit in their comfy sofas watching it on TV. Nobody wants this war except USA.

    1
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    Mute CarlitosWay
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    Feb 21st 2022, 9:16 PM

    @Nikolina Fiume: whatever you are smoking, you better put it away for today

    1
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    Mute Rory Stafford
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:00 AM

    But then again, does anyone take anything Bojo says seriously anymore?

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    Mute Ferg
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:31 PM

    @Rory Stafford: Boso will harp merrily on about Ukraine to distract from himself and the issues in England.

    44
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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:44 AM

    The number of articles devoted to dire predictions by Johnson, Buden, Truss, Ned Price and numerous anonymous officials is staggering – non-stop dire predictions. Johnsons track record as a pathological liar does not reflect well on the other making similar claims – in reality there has been no invasion, no bullet has been fired. But we’re still getting a diet of Russian agression stories to demonise one side – the cold war is over, it would be nice to have a little balance or objectivity.

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:53 AM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: tell that to the 2 Ukrainian soldiers killed. There has been conflict at the border for at least 8 years

    80
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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:00 AM

    @Dave Harris: Yes, and it’s the Russian majority region of Donbass that is being shelled, not Kiev. Deescalation is required – the non stop drumbeat for war from Western media is shameful.

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    Mute Stephen Rogan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:00 AM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: You’re asking for balance and objectivity?? That’s a bit like the cat calling the dog “hairy ar-se”!!

    27
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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:11 AM

    @Stephen Rogan: You’re the master of the ad hominem attack Stephen. Do you really think our media have given equal airtime to the crazy predictions of Russian politicians and anonymous military sources – have you stopped to consider what inpartiality might actually look like?

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:16 AM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: you’re going to have egg on your face if your Ru$$ian bosses invade given the amount of times you said they would not

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    Mute Dave
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:20 AM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: No bulletts fired, this has been going on for years. What news sources are you using, because the journal are certainly not reporting whats actually happening on the ground….

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:26 AM

    @Ro-your-nan: How about the egg on the face of all our media, politicians and experts who have incorrectly predicted non stop invasions and been wrong every time? We’re giving non stop publicity to proven liars. As Rumsfeld said during the Iraq war – they are so powerful, they can create reality: e.g. mass media control of the narrative dictates reality over actual events. This situation is no different – it’s not what happens it’s how they spin it

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:33 AM

    @Dave: Hi Dave – I’m aware of the civil war situation in Donbass. The story spun here is about a Russian invasion which has not happened despite the hysterical coverage. I guess it’s going to be embarrasing if Russia do not invade, they will now say the 8 year old civil war is the same as a Russian invasion

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:04 PM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: I rest my case

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:17 PM

    @Ro-your-nan: So, Russia has still not invaded – despite all if the lunatic predictions and you think you’ve made a point here? Where is the permanant egg on the face of Biden & Co. for insisting an invasion would happen on the 16th – are you cool with regurgitating lies, $hilling for the arms industry as you might put it yourself

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:27 PM

    @Dave: Hi Dave, if your trying to paint a picture of Russian agression in Donbass. Yesterday, two civilians were killed by Ukranian mortar attacks in Donbass – video below. This is Ukraine bombing their minority population, not the other way around: There are attacks on both sides but only reporting on one side is farcical. https://twitter.com/DeanoBeano1/status/1495364580318527491?t=3LM0Nux_Z7rZOd1VmAMpag&s=19

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    Mute Jonathan O'Riordan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:49 PM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: evacuating your residents so that one can shell it without death, that suits the plan well. Short term pain, long term gain

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 1:08 PM

    @Jonathan O’Riordan: You’re losing me here Jonathan – who’s bombing where now? I posted the aftermath of a Ukraine mortar attack in Donbass above – there are international observers there to confirm it. Russia is not doing the bombing.

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 1:45 PM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: well let’s see what happens over the next few days – I predict you’ll have to be rebranded as ‘poached-egg-faced Kerrill the Kremlin sympathiser’

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 2:02 PM

    @Ro-your-nan: Cool, I like a side bet – what’s you new name gonna be if there is no invasion in the next few days – “Raytheon arms rep & genocide facilitator”

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:32 PM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: UKRAINE AND RUSSIA both called today for intensified diplomatic efforts to avert all-out war, but blamed each other for a sharp escalation in shelling on the frontline separating Kyiv’s forces from Moscow-backed separatists.

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:09 PM

    @Dave Harris: Both sides are going to blame each other for escalating, but ultimately it’s the Ukranian army trying to retake Donbass – but I expect both want to negotiate a settlement (e.g. Minsk agreement). Given the tactics for regime change ops in Syria & Libya – it’s hard not to conclude that Western armed Mercenaries (or Azov batallion) will instigate trouble on the battle front, the arms industry loves prolonged chaos.

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:43 PM

    @Dave Harris: You maybfind this interesting: The people behind Blackwater (Iraq atrocity infamy) are working with the Azov batallion in East Ukraine: https://www.struggle-la-lucha.org/2022/02/04/blackwater-is-in-the-donbass-with-the-azov-battalion/

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:55 PM

    When the dust settle on all of this: Remember that Palestine is still illegally occupied & ethnically cleansed, the people of Afghanistan wont get get their $7bn back; Cuba, Venezuela, Afghan and 30+ other countries have their economies and human conditions destroyed by Western sanctions – while the West cozies up to dictators all over the world. Corporate media does not care about the Ukraine or any other small country, they represent the interests of powerful oligarchs and the Corporate/ military establishment – not your interests

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 5:22 PM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: While I’m at it: “The crisis between Russia and Ukraine is a manufactured crisis to sabotage ties between Russia and Germany, particularly the new Nord Stream II gas pipeline. Isolate Russia, stop it from building ties with Europe, and paint it as out of control to justify NATO presence.”

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    Mute Jonathan O'Riordan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 6:50 PM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: maybe but Germany should never have gone ahead with this pipeline. They sold Europe and Ukraine out. For once the USA were correct. China and Russia are not friends of the west and becoming beholden to them ends up with situations like potential invasions of Ukraine and Taiwan

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    Mute Jonathan O'Riordan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 6:52 PM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: when the dust settle on all of this- what do you mean? When Russia takes control of Ukraine?

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:15 PM

    @Jonathan O’Riordan: If I was a betting man, the Minsk agreement will be honoured, there will be no invasion, Germany will finish the pipeline, Russia will be integrated into a peaceful European economy – ultimately forming part of a peaceful eurasian trading block with China via the BRI. The propoganda war machine will turn their attention to Colombia, Ethiopia, Xinjiang or any other location that generates enough fear to keep arms industry share prices high.

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    Mute Ian Richmond
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    Feb 21st 2022, 6:55 AM

    @Kerrill Thornhill: Haojiubujian tongzhi….Now if i were betting..i’d say the new deal between Russia and China for a colossal 30 year supply means that Putin can and will turn off the tap from the Ukraine and western Europe along with reinforcing control over the already occupied zones which are handy for extracting the huge reserves of shale gases and oil underneath them!..I’d say the invasion is a big green go-go.Russia and China unleashing a full cyber war on the E.U in partnership might make this somewhat unpredictable as a ‘conventional’ war(‘its going to be interesting times’ to mangle Kongzi).Cut off electricity to the Ukrainians and see how long they can put up a strong resistance and organize without technology.Russia gets to boot in the E.U’s door and China gets to buy up more of it at a discount price.The U.S hasn’t too much in this one i think.

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 21st 2022, 9:05 AM

    @Ian Richmond: Booting in someones door is not a great way to start off a business relationship – Russia and Germany have strong shared interests, they will make deals without a fuss or agression. China also does business quietly – the only people that kick front doors live on another landmass, and they are desperate to stop the BRI making Eurasia a massive trading bloc. Ukraine being invaded makes no sense in your scenario.

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    Mute Ian Richmond
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    Feb 21st 2022, 12:37 PM

    rrill Thornhill: Well lets see how the betting plays out.I think the NATO protests by Russia are the rags to ignite it and the U.S lacks leverage over eventsthe ….Germany and Russia in harmony is a great idea like…. China and Japan..deep seated trust easily brought out in big smiles on both sides once all that nasty history is put aside,

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    Mute jp tobin
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:15 AM

    Almost a mirror image of Europe 1938 to 39.then it was a totalitarian state run by one man, first grabbed the rhineland, then annexed Austria, then went after sudetenland, the allies at this point had a meeting and waved their fingers at Mr H . Result Chamberlain’s peace in our time comment’s….a few months later Poland was invaded and we know the rest…

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:41 AM

    @jp tobin: there is a belief that Chamberlan could ent go to war because he did not have a army of any quality so it was a delaying tactic and by the time he did have a army trained he was out of power and Churchill got the glory I don’t know if that’s a fact but it does have a logic to it

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:51 AM

    @FlopFlipU: also the people of that time had lived through world war 1 and really really wanted to avoid another one

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    Mute TheWhitelunalion
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:13 AM

    Boris has forgotten about the Croatian war of independence and Bosnian war and Kosovo war, so he is telling porky pies , there have been numerous war in Europe since the Second World War. Some have lasted for months and others years .

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    Mute Diarmuid O'Braonáin
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:02 AM

    And people think the something like WW1 or WW2 would never happen again….. see all the people on here baying for war believing everything NATO is saying.. once the can of worms is open it cannot be put back.

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    Mute Mjhint
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:41 PM

    @Diarmuid O’Braonáin: very true but the same can be said of those who want to avoid war. If Russia invades Ukraine there has to be a war unless you have another idea of how to stop putin.

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    Mute Ray Dunne
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:43 AM

    Johnson just dying to play Churchill

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    Mute Dave Harris
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:33 PM

    @Ray Dunne: Boris is just wanting to cling to power

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:37 AM

    boris brings in WW2 so he gets the Little Englanders all excited and he can play the new Churchill. Maggie had the Falklands which saved her career and Boris needs anything he can find to distract from his constant mistakes.
    Biggest war since WW2, only he could say that and believe it.
    Laughable part he idolises Churchill but is more like Chamberlin in reality. Oven Ready Deal = Peace in our times are identical.

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    Mute v39e84kK
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:50 AM

    Putin should tell Boris it isn’t an invasion just an unannounced long term visit. Like the “work event” with BYOB in suitcases.

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    Mute Patrick O Connell
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:26 AM

    If all the so called leaders that oppose the invasion planned a rotated weeks stay in the Ukraine, Putin would have to hold off an attack. Russia wouldn’t invade a country with a G7 head of state visiting the Ukraine

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    Mute Raymond Barry
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    Feb 20th 2022, 2:48 PM

    Covney playing European statesman, don’t forget Zappone and the “makey uppy” job.

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    Mute
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:21 AM

    Bla bla bla bla what a load of old tosh. This constant coverage of possible war in Ukraine is a major pain in the hoop. Biden says Boris does Putin denies. I wonder if Paddy Power have odds on a war starting there at all or not.

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    Mute Joe Mac
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:18 AM

    Not a word from Boris about custom checks on the bangers and mash to NI

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:39 AM

    @Joe Mac: try stay on topic Joe – you got this – you can do it.

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    Mute Diarmuid O'Braonáin
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    Feb 20th 2022, 4:20 PM

    @Mjhint: so like WW1 there is a massive build up of weapons in Ukraine shipped in from all other NATO countries. Everyone is armed to the teeth. Let’s look at one of the scenarios.

    Ukraine attacks the ethnic Russians in Donbass or Crimea. Russia comes to the aid of these people. NATO launch strikes into Russian territory. Russia then launches an attack on the Ukrainian military. NATO launches more strikes into Russia. Russia responds with strikes where? Poland? Romania? Germany? UK?

    A couple of nuclear bombs dropped and where are we?? Its easy to go to war. Peace is hard. All the politicians should be given guns and told to sort it out themselves as they are the ones who’ll hide away and do no fighting..

    Harry Patch was the last surviving British soldier from WW1. “I felt then, as I feel now, that the politicians who took us to war should have been given the guns and told to settle their differences themselves, instead of organizing nothing better than legalized mass murder.”

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    Mute Jonathan O'Riordan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 10:37 AM

    The debate over our neutrality is still a valid one and one that needs to be looked at again

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    Mute JohnDoe
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    Feb 20th 2022, 12:14 PM

    Well least media have stopped talking about covid

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    Mute Kerrill Thornhill
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    Feb 20th 2022, 3:10 PM

    OK…. So they’ve removed the lunatic ramblings from Johnson from the article and changed it to a less lunatic sounding quotes from Simon Coveny.. but kept all the comments BTL. Doing a little A/B testing? switch article content around to do sentiment analysis and see how it goes down. Get a couple of AI, M/L engineers and you’ve got a great startup idea

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    Mute RJ.Fallon
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    Feb 20th 2022, 6:08 PM

    imagine the amount of benefit the mountains of billions being wasted by psychopaths would be to societies worldwide.. hunger, decease , poverty , could be wiped out in a very short time. .

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:42 AM

    Quite worrying stuff…..

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    Mute Billy Davies
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:21 AM

    Yes, i suppose it would be…

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    Mute Tom Kelly
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    Feb 20th 2022, 4:51 PM

    We the average joe will never know the truth.. so that said if the West didn’t put pressure or spin on Russia.. what would Putin do if he had free rein? Is it a catch 22 for the West!!

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    Mute Fergus Quinlan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:40 PM

    NATO is goading Russia….to distract from so many different problems……it cannot stand the fact that Russia will not bow to allowing its plunder by the free capital of the west ….. meanwhile Edward Snowden is free in Moscow….Julian Assange rots in Belmarsh Prision…. that says loads…

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    Mute motojack
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    Feb 20th 2022, 6:22 PM

    Is the US trying to poke the bear or give Putin way out? Russia can turn around and not invade to spite US ‘reports’ of imminent invasion. Making putin save face and avoid a conflict?

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    Mute JohnDoe
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    Feb 20th 2022, 7:02 PM
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    Mute Scott Coulter
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    Feb 20th 2022, 6:20 PM

    Putin is not getting what he wants.

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    Mute Dan Ryan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:55 PM

    I have €5 with Paddy Power on Putin invading at 10-27am ( Irish time) next Tuesday at 4/1
    I feel it in my water

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    Mute Dennis Farrelly
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    Feb 20th 2022, 7:54 PM

    *Yawn*

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    Mute james kelly
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    Feb 20th 2022, 7:48 PM

    I feel like its the same top story every day now.

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    Mute JohnDoe
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    Feb 20th 2022, 7:59 PM

    @james kelly: yes but now Olympics are over … if the talks fail this week its a proxy war..

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    Mute Ryszard Ewiak
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:04 PM

    Since 1945 (Operation Unthinkable) Heaven is holding back the wind of the WW3. And so it will be until the appointed time. In the Book of Daniel, we read, “And both these kings [Great Britain and Russia], their hearts (will be) to do mischief, and at one table (they) will speak a lie; but it will not succeed. Indeed yet (the) completion to (the) appointed time [it's mentioned in Daniel 11:29]. And [the king of the north] will go back (to) his land with great wealth [1945. This detail indicated that after the previous victories Hitler will attack the Soviet Union and will fight to the bitter end]; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant [Soviet Union introduced state atheism and believers were repressed]; and will act [it means a lot of activity in the international arena]; and go back to his own land [1991-1993. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. The troops from the Soviet military bases returned to their country]. At the appointed time [he] will return back [Russia will regain the influence, which it lost after the break-up of the Soviet Union. It also means the break-up of the EU and NATO. Many countries of the former Eastern block will return to a military alliance with Russia, but not everyone], and will enter into the south [because of ethnic conflict to the south of Russia's borders (Matthew 24:7)], but it will not be as the former [Georgia - 2008] or as the latter [Ukraine], for the dwellers of coastlands of Kittim [the distant West, to be precise - Americans] will come against him, and (he) will broke down [mentally], and will go back.” (11:29, 30a) This will be a mutual slaughter. This time it will be a world war not only by name. “The great power sword” will also be used. (Revelation 6:4) Jesus characterized him in this way: “A frightening things both and extraordinary (related to unusual phenomena) from sky powerful will be.” For that reason there will be significant tremors along the length and breadth of the regions [of strategic importance] and famines, and pestilences. Some ancient manuscripts contain the words “and frosts”. The Aramaic Peshitta: “and will be great frosts”. (Luke 21:11) We call this today “nuclear winter”. In Mark 13:8 there are also words of Jesus: “and disorders” (in the sense of confusion and chaos). The Aramaic Peshitta: “and confusion” (on the state of public order). This extremely detailed sign fits only one war. Jesus stated: “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.” (Matthew 24:8) This will be a sign that the “day of the Lord” (the day of judgment) has indeed begun. (Revelation 1:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:2)

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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Feb 20th 2022, 8:18 PM

    @Ryszard Ewiak: I stopped believing in god when I realised it was just dog spelt backwards. (Inbetweeners movie. Neil Sutherland)

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    Mute Pat Barry
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    Feb 20th 2022, 9:50 PM

    @Roy Dowling: More like a lyric from Religion by Pil from 1978.

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    Mute JohnDoe
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    Feb 20th 2022, 6:35 PM

    they can’t read Putin .. he’s showing them up each time they say it. I feel very sorry for the Ukrainians but all this madia talk is hysteria like covid19.
    US intelligence has being good when it came to the war on terror but they are dealing with a whole different level.Who ever controls the sky over Ukraine will win the war.
    Putin waiting till end of Olympics to decide if its a good day to go to war

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    Mute Fred Conlan
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    Feb 20th 2022, 3:12 PM

    The Russians are waiting for the winter mud to harden sufficiently in order to allow their tank divisions move more quickly. Wake up Simon, with an attitude like that nó wonder he is stumbling from one crisis to another.

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    Mute John Mcananey
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    Feb 20th 2022, 11:32 PM

    What, again?

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    Mute Ian Richmond
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    Feb 21st 2022, 7:07 AM

    With the signing of a 30 year deal for supply from Russia to China-i’d say the Russians don’t need the western markets anymore.So it’s open season.a war would have the effect of disruption of the E.U’s economy allowing China to buy up more of it at a discount. Russia gets to take control of the Donbas shale reserves under its already occupied zones (along with the shale beds under the Crimea.If they cut the electricity off in the Ukraine it won’t have any tech and also China and Russia can engage together in a full on cyberwar on the E.U…dangerous times.

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    Mute Declan Gilsenan
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    Feb 21st 2022, 1:36 PM

    U

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