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TWO FAMILIES WERE assaulted by a group of men last night at a home in Finglas.
The incident occurred at around 10.30pm on Heathfield Way and saw four men enter the building carrying a shotgun and a knife.
Gardaí believe that the incident was due to a belief that the occupants of the house, who are originally from the Philippines, were wealthy restaurant owners.
On entering the premises the men threatened and assaulted the two families present.
These two families were made up of two men and two women – who formed two couples and were all believed to be in their thirties – along with two children, a girl under the age of ten and a boy believed to be 13.
All were tied up and the four men left with a small sum of cash.
It is believed that one of the men was seen by a neighbour leaving the house wearing a Garda stab vest.
Those who carried out the robbery were seen leaving the scene in a dark coloured Opel Insignia.
The two male occupants of the house were taken to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown for minor injuries they sustained during the incident.
Gardaí are currently investigating the matter.
Members of the public with any information regarding the incident are asked to contact Finglas Garda Station at 01-6667500.
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Vote Quimby
Love that one Onion.
Because he’d vote for you if you were running!!
After the recent poll results in the UK general election, I am given to wonder if pre-election polls are just media trying to sell newspapers and fooling us inro believing that they actually know something when quite obviously they do not. As in the UK the exit poll on the day of the vote proved to be much more reliable.
Another words polls mean f^ck all only used to change the mind of sheep
Polls are not without their own agenda. ……
Vote yes to marriage equality
Okay, this tells me that Opinion polls are fascinating and interesting but trivial because they are less than accurately predictive and often wrong as to the result.
I’m going to do an Eamon Dunphy on the outcome. Whichever side scores the most votes in the 22nd May will win. You heard it here!
They are when they’re far off from the vote. This close to it they’re usually indicative, even if they’re off by a few points.
We need everyone to get out and vote, please! If you value equality, diversity, inclusivity! Make your vote count! #voteyes
@Liberte,
Do you include all the No voters in that call for action?
The YES campaign do not take anything for granted. We know every single yes vote counts, it must go into the ballot box. It’s looking good but we will work tirelessly for the next week. I beseech all YES campaigners to keep working hard, to keep smiling and being nice people and win this vote through the compassion, love,
open mindedness and the ability of the Irish electorate to do what’s right. Love matters, it’s the only thing really worth fighting for. Don’t see much of it in the no campaign.
Here here. We’re so close and we’re certainly not going to slow down now!
Lots of love in the dozens of no posters that have been vandalised out my way. Yes is the only reasonable vote but by god, the yes campaign making themselves look every bit as bad as the no campaign.
You cannot condemn an entire campaign on the actions of a few, last week in Dublin 68 people turned up to canvas one park, they were upbeat, polite and respectful at every door no matter what way the occupant was voting. It was an overwhelming positive and heartwarming sight. Yes side understands that not all no voters are responsible for that “sounds of sodomy” leaflet or the horrible Gary glitter posters put up around cork and I think you’ll find it was a yes campaigner who challenged and videod the people taking down no posters. Mud slinging is pointless for both sides, it doesn’t change hearts and minds it only makes everyone look like an a**hole
The problem is not the campaign. The problem is supporters.
Campaigners will care enough to know better. Supporters are the ones in danger of saying things like “sure its raining and it’s going to pass anyway so why bother”
Maybe some of the people who vandalized then felt victimized by the no posters? Maybe it made them feel bad that others were agreeing with the posters? There’s a lot in my town, I really hate this town before hand but I hate it even more now.
All the YES posters have been removed on Seapoint Avenue in Dún Laoghaire and every poll has two or three vote NO posters. Big bucks; where are the no side getting the funding. All the no groups are just a collection of three or four individuals coming together to oppose equality.
There was a rather large yes banner removed by a three man team the day before yesterday on North Main st Cork..It was kindly returned after the two business owners advised the thieves their pictures would be handed to the guards.
This referendum has the potential for the greatest even margin between the result and pre casting polls.
It has been so divisive and repressive of any point of view not in favour that the actual poll might be the only time people truly voice their opinion.
Today’s poll in the Irish Times has it 70:30 for Yes. It will be closer, but it’s hard to see the No side winning at this stage.
I certainly hope the YES side will win, equality for everyone!
Only way for No to win is to get out their core vote while the core vote of the Yes campaign stays at home, in a college exam or goes on holiday. The only way to win is get out and vote, get your friends and family to the polls and vote Yes
Keith Mills is such a passionate No voter that he will miss the vote because he will be attending the Eurovision Song Contest.
I think he has changed his flights, or booked a flight home to vote. That’s what he said on twitter. I’m no fan of his, just wanted to be accurate.
Interesting that he has changed his arrangements. It was extraordinary that his original arrangement was to miss the vote. Thank you for the correction.
Anthony
Hes paying €350 for the privilege of flying back to vote.I kid you not
C’mon the town!!
Les, is he being funded?
Larissa N. Look how many red thumbs down you got for your comment. A few months ago a comment like that would have got 80-90% green thumbs up. The polls are narrowing. A lot of people are nervous of change and ‘no’ will be their default option in various referendums.
I couldn’t help thinking that when I saw the poster saying “two men can’t replace a mother’s love” that maybe two women might replace it twice over
Like many people, I can’t wait for this to be over. The drama behind this referendum from both sides would give the American elections a run for their money. I expected a certain level of crassness from the no side but the removal and destruction of no posters and the somewhat bullying nature of some yes campainers is just cringey
It shouldnt happen but if you’re outside the traditional mother-father family setup you are bound to find them offensive.
They’ve just about offended everyone with those posters
U know when they roll out Daniel O Donnell calling for a yes vote things must be bad,I’m voting NO.
And rolling out John Waters was a ….. ?
Where’s the big gun Norris why isn’t being wheeled out? Strange only saw him on cblive debate, the other night when he was talking to that famous actors brother, what’s his name. ……
I would imagine Norris is keeping a measured distance because there are already those on the no side happy to throw out the arguments used against him in the presidential election as though they have any relevance here. The man knows an ad hominem won’t be beneath those already using children as weapons. Indeed, some commenters here have already done so.
Would nt worry if the NO side won…we ‘ll just have the referendum again until we get a YES majority…another nice cushy payday for senior civil servants whom always seem to be at the polling booths supervising… And hundreds of thousands out of work who could do with a days pay….Equality my foot.
Surely it’s time for another divorce referendum? We used to have them often back in the day.
True Rory,
It might not be a bad thing if it failed, and certainly not the end of the world resulting in mass suicide as suggested by the Yes side.
It could give more time to consider it better and have all the issues clarified in law and in place before the next vote.
For example finalise Surrogacy, and lets see what the relevance or not a “married” legal position has on that legislation.
Then have a fully informed mature vote, with all this misinformation muddying the waters from both sides.
Here’s the thing though, this doesn’t prove anything. History doesn’t always repeat. Of course you’d be foolish to ignore the statistics, but they’re certainly not something you should bet your house on.
Not according to the last paddy power thread. Lots of people bet their houses based on statistics. Hence paddy being worth so much money.
What are Paddys offering on their being an appeal from Iona even if the Vote is carried by more than 10% I wonder.
History doesn’t always repeat,
However those who fail to learn from it are doomed to repeat it.
The final poll will be very interesting to see, and the post voting analysis as well
Vote Mr No
Win or lose I find it disturbing and surprising so many still take orders from a disgraced Church.
Isn’t it very sad that we as a people can’t let a person be who they are and obviously from Ursula Halligan’s announcement and others recently they live in fear of the rest of us finding out sometimes all their life. We won’t let them feel equal to the rest of us and we judge them severely for wanting to feel normal. Diarmaid Martin recently joined in to judge and he from the Catholic Church who is supposed to preach love and compassion, but he probably also forgets what Jesus tried to preach which was love and compassion to everyone. I wonder how Jesus would have voted this week?
Teresa, you have heart, empathy and understanding.,
He wouldn’t be voting. He’d be in a direct provision refugee centre, on his 3rd appeal against his deportation. Claiming that if he was sent back to Palestine his life would be in danger from the Israelis. (And possibly some Italians!!)
No no no
Oh yes yes yes !!!!
How would jesus have voted? Wow thats a powder keg loaded question that could explode either way.
Do you really want to bring religion into this?
I think the no vote will win, simply because this is Ireland… Catholic church still runs the community still controls the thought of many an irish person
I think the yes will win. Simply because thus is ireland and whilst the communitys are still mainly religious they have evolved from the all clawing claustrophobic mentality of catholicism. I like a bit of jesus on my toast please, but not so much he affects my figure.
To be honest I couldn’t really be arsed with it just putting out my opinion on it, bit sick of it actually in your face every where ya go roll on the 23rd
Catholic church power in Irish society died a long time ago
Of course the polls a way out from polling were correct.
I mean a week out from polling.
To use a tired phrase, a week is long time in politics.
For the week is long and full of terrors…!
No.
The reasoning why gay couples shouldn’t be given the same privileges and lifestyle as straight married couples, is because its the same reason that you cannot have the privileges and lifestyle as a judge or a surgeon.
The thing really is what data best fits the meaning of marriage and that would be straight couples. And that isn’t by chance that the data points one way.
Illogical, incomprehensible and idiotic!
Liberte, if thats your reasoning, logical, rebuttal. It needs more work.
You think?
Liberte. Give it your best shot
@Liberte,
The constitution guarantees equality before the law, but recognises that that does not mean differences do not exist between people, and allows for that.
“All citizens in Ireland shall be held equal before the law. This means that the State cannot unjustly, unreasonably or arbitrarily discriminate between citizens. You cannot be treated as inferior or superior to any other person in society simply because of your human attributes or your ethnic, racial, social or religious background.
However, when the state is making laws, it may consider differences of capacity and of social function between individuals in society.”
This is entirely reasonable, and an argument that all differences must be ignored to enable equality is dumb
Except all laws related to female reproduction or termination sit within article 40, which is personal rights. Marriage sits within article 41, family – but the courts ruled that children are not a legal right as a result of said marriage. A couple wanted conjugal visits, they argued they had the right to beget children while in prison, the judge set them straight – the two of them were family for the purposes of the constitution. They had no automatic right to procreate. Meaning marriage officially does not automatically include children.
Any and all arguments about children are only relevant if the couple already has them or plans to. This doesn’t apply to all couples. It doesn’t even apply to all heterosexual couples. Hence discriminating between couples on their capacity to procreate implies that procreation is required to satisfy the definition of family in the constitution, when it clearly does not.
The rules on adoption and surrogacy won’t be changing as a result of the referendum. The adoption laws already did and the surrogacy laws are pending. If a fertile heterosexual couple don’t have an automatic right to beget children, then there is no case to be made for an infertile or gas couple to claim they have a right.
Besides which, the child holds all the rights, nit the parents.
Of course, this has been explained to you numerous times.. You just refuse to accept the law as it is.
A couple wanted conjugal visits, they argued they had the right to beget children while in prison, the judge set them straight – the two of them were family for the purposes of the constitution. They had no automatic right to procreate. Meaning marriage officially does not automatically include children.
The judge made ruling based on that particular case.
Its can be contested. It’s an opinion his opinion.
Marriage officially does not automatically include children.
Thats official what does that mean Shanti,
Just because the judge made a judgement that does not automatically make him correct.
@Shanti,
Yes the issue has been discussed, but not set straight or settled like you suggest.
I heard just the other day several debates on RTE, where the Yes side had to back down on a number of claims.
1. Marriage is a human right – was proved false, as the European Court of Human Rights ruled only recently.
2. Children was accepted to be part of marriage in many ways, and while adoption for example was a non issue, the creation of new family types including children, and the parental rights within those families was relevant. It was not denied on air and accepted that blanket statements of “children are irrelevant to this referendum” was not true.
3. right to procreate – it does exist in effect and has been held up in court judgements.
The example you cite is the exception, where this right was refused to a couple in prison. The result of that discussion is not denying a right to procreate is included in marriage. Just that that right can have mitigating factors, in this case jail. The couple could not provide a fit environment to bring the child into the world, and it would be irresponsible to allow it in those circumstances.
As you know exceptions prove the rule.
The question of a right to procreation within marriage is not settled as you would suggest.
Discriminating under law is permitted in our constitution which declares equality of all citizens “However, when the state is making laws, it may consider differences of capacity and of social function between individuals in society.”
Agreed?
It means that the right to have children has limits.
That couple were in prison – they couldn’t just procreate. A gay couple aren’t biologically compatible to make a child so how would they argue a right to children?
If marriage confers a right to children then IVF should be state funded, after all – they’re just exercising their right to have children!!
The point of the matter is that the placement within family does not automatically lead to children. Justice Costello stated that a married couple with or without children constitutes family as per article 41. So the definition of family applies equally to a childless couple as they do to a couple with a child – naturally the rights and responsibilities of the couple with the child differ, but there’s no reason to conclude that a childless couple, or indeed one who cannot procreate, do not fit this description.
Very worrying information emerging about an American surrogacy clinic funding yes campaign. Very strange.
No, it was an anti SSM voter who presented that report and it has been denied by the clinic and the American Medical Journal. He’s now in jail on corruption charges too!
Where is the details on this, it sounds dodgy, I would be inclined to agree with Liberte, but i would like to review the information myself.
Where is it? Links please
The op doesn’t do links, just accusations, I’m guessing you’re our only hope Liberte.
No links no credibility……..
I know.
We were just remarking the other day how great it was to rid ourselves of the Seanad and now a new Labour government in Britain.
The world is such a better place as a result.
The polls were fully accurate but the voters were not.
Hos is it possible to estimate how many Yes supporters will actually get out and vote?
Crazy thought, maybe the polls are correct but the results are rigged? There’s one for the conspiracy theorists!
60% Yes 40% No
58% to 42% for yes but could slip to 51% for No and 49% for yes, if the Yes supporters don’t get out and actually vote.
It’s good to point out the previous trends and how opinion can easily reverse. But the article fails to note a key recurrent trend within those changes. At this point in the campaign of those referendums, large shifts in opinion were already clearly visible. From the final few days to voting day, even when changes in opinion reversed the expected result, they were still only small changes because polls were already close.
Of course it’s always possible that the 70:30 as reported in the Irish Times today could turn into 49:51 on the day. But however you choose to support such a theory, previous trends can’t do it.
I think it will be close. A lot of people are saying yes in public but are planning on voting no. I know many young people who are ranting on social media about equality and voting yes…but to my frustration are not even registered to vote!!!
Ready yourself for a lot of emotional outbursts in the final days for the yes camp. Replacing reasoned arguments with appeals to emotion
I expect the No side will try and stick to facts (and what they may consider facts, many of which are nonsense, however many do in fact have substance).
I have a suggestion for the Journal.
Let the Journal keep a running tab of all of us who post in that we have voted Yes or voted No through the day. No comments.
It would be an online exit Poll. It would be far from perfect. It would involve no comments. Of course people could try to game it or manipulate it, but it would be interesting.
And just look at how bias and destructive divorce is now, some women get everything in the divorce, even the children… What an ugly mess divorces is now and they call for equality for women and yet women get everything in divorces now, tell me how that is equality?
Good point, equality is a hollow term to use, as all law is the balancing of rights and indemnification of differences with which to make judgements on.
People will use any type of language to get what they want, to tell people what to think, do and believe when the reality says the opposite?
Thats true,
Each side want to influence the majority (who are somewhere between the stupidest and the brightest in society). The average being IQ 100 which always frightens me !! :)
The end justifies the means – seems to be the attitude of both sides.
Just don’t believe the Red C poll if you use it in the same way as the vote before the Seanad referendum?
Vote NO!
On The 1st Day God Created Earth, Space, Time and Light
On The 2nd Day God Created Atmosphere
On The 3rd Day God Created Land and Plants
On The 4th Day God Created The Sun, Moon and Stars
On The 5th Day God Created Sea and Flying Creatures.
On The 6th Day God Created Adam and Steve and Amanda and Eve
On The 7th Day God Took a Rest
On The 8th Day Everyone Lived Happy Lives Free from Fear, Oppression and Prejudice.
Then there was a big long never-ending Fabulous Party!
Amen.
have your say