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Alba Casey and Robert Dunne

All-rounders with a thirst for knowledge: Ireland's highest achievers in the 2015 Leaving Cert

They all scooped over 800 points in the Leaving Cert, but their principals say they’re proud of every one of their students.

IRELAND’S TOP ACHIEVERS in the 2015 Leaving Cert all have many things in common.

The 800+ pointers (one of whom achieved 900 points and got an A1 in self-taught Japanese) – that’s at least 200 points more than the 600 points maximum – were nearly all described by their principals as all-rounders, students who chose the maths and sciences, but who also had plenty of extra-curricular activities like music and sports to keep them occupied.

But the principals were also keen to point out that it’s not just the super high achievers who are important in a school – it’s those who worked to their potential and got their points, be they 300 or 400 or anywhere on the spectrum.

There were eight students who achieved 800 points or more, and we spoke to some of their principals about how they did so well.

9 A1s: David Glynn

David Glynn from St Gerald’s College in Castlebar was the top Leaving Cert student in Ireland this year, gathering a whopping 900 points across nine subjects. That included an A1 in Japanese, which he taught himself.

His principal, Daniel Hyland, told TheJournal.ie that Glynn is thrilled, but modest – “very coy about the whole thing”. Hyland said that Glynn “always had great potential” and his teachers always knew the hardworking student was going to do well.

Glynn’s parents were “delighted – so proud of him”, said Hyland. “He worked with his strengths, which are the sciences and maths.”

The student wants to go on to study maths in Trinity College in Dublin.

St Gerald’s College isn’t unaccustomed to seeing high results – thanks to its strong academic tradition and culture, 20% of this year’s Leaving Certs achieved over 500 points.

But, said Hyland:

There are some of our students who get Cs and Bs and they worked very well for those. It’s not just about one student, it’s about all our students.

He said that a culture of working hard, coupled with good teaching and parental support was needed to ensure students achieved their potential.

8 A1s: Alba Casey

IMG_0915 (1) Alba Casey and Robert Dunne

Hard work must run in Alba Casey of Loreto Abbey in Dalkey’s blood – she achieved 825 (625) points in total and her twin sister achieved 595 points.

The Monkstown teenager was described by her principal Robert Dunne as “a very humble kid”, who studied the sciences, music, and French.

She wants to study science in Trinity.

This year, Loreto Abbey has had some students scoring very highly.

Dunne said that Casey is not just a great musician but a great traditional Irish musician, a “very well-rounded individual”.

“We are extremely proud of her, her diligence and her consistency throughout her time here,” said Dunne. “From first year she has always worked consistently and thoroughly. She deserved the results she got.”

He said that her teachers worked hard with Casey, and they are as proud of her “as much as we would [be of] the kids in their success at the other end”.

8 A1s: Lola Hourihan

At Jesus and Mary College in Goatstown, they are celebrating Lola Hourihan’s great result.

Her deputy principal, Colm Dooley, described her as “a superb individual”.

“She was totally focused and put all of the time and effort into trying to achieve it,” he said of her incredible performance.

She is taking some time out now and going to travel to the east coast of the US, where she hopes to attend college.

“It’s very impressive. We’re so delighted for her,” said Dooley. “We’re also delighted for the staff who have helped her every step of the way.”

This is the first time a student at Our Lady’s Grove achieved 8A1s.

8 A1s: Conall Ó hAiniféin

IMG_4945 (1)

At Ennis Community College/Gaelcholáiste an Chláir in Clare, student Conall Ó hAiniféin was another person to enter the 800 points club.

Principal John Cooke said “we are absolutely thrilled. I think we probably felt more than he did that he was going to get it. He is one of those sorts of students, he was a true all-rounder.”

Ó hAiniféin is not just a great student but an excellent sportsman, and a musician who played in the school’s céilí band.

After getting 10 or 11 A1s at Junior Cert level, it was clear he was set for a great Leaving Cert.

Out of 38 students, eight scored over 500 points at the school this year.

Ó hAiniféin is looking to study in the maths/sciences area. Like other top scorers, he did the sciences in his Leaving Cert, as well as applied maths, music and French.

There’s been “so much excitement” in the school since the results emerged, said Cooke.

8A1s: Lucy Prendeville

IMG_0671 (1)

At Sacred Heart Secondary School in Tullamore, Co Offaly, the teachers are “stunned” with Lucy Prendeville’s incredible result, said her principal Pauline McKenna.

In addition, they are thrilled with the “phenomenal result” of just over 55% of their pupils achieving in excess of 400 points this year.

“We also noticed a huge jump of students at 400 plus, students who would usually be 350 points,” said McKenna. “We’ve seen a marked raise in that group.”

Of Prendeville, McKenna said:

What we would say is very important about Lucy is she is in many ways a phenomenal student. She would be in our choir, our orchestra… for five years she put our end of year graduation shows together. She has been a huge part of the school.

She wasn’t a “lone soldier”, but “part of the fabric of the school”, said Lucy Prendeville’s proud principal.

Prendeville hopes to go on to study nanoscience in Trinity College, and studied the sciences for her Leaving Cert.

After a dip in their results last year, a tracking system was put in place for the students at Sacred Heart.

When students went “off centre”, teachers were able to spot this early, and chat to them about any issues.

“It brought about an awareness of sixth year that they really needed,” said McKenna.

She added:

The Leaving Cert is a strategic year and I’d say if you were to ask Lucy that’s what she would say. She knew from fifth year what to do and when to do it. She was the best analyser of her own weaknesses.

She was obviously great at spotting her strengths too, as her result shows.

8A1s: Kate Henry and Meabh Allen

DSC00984 Kate Henry

There were double the celebrations at Mount Mercy College in Cork today as two students, Kate Henry and Meabh Allen, both got 8A1s.

Their principal, Padriagín Uí Riordain, told TheJournal.ie:

“It was marvellous, wonderful to get a call from the Department of Education that we had two of the best results in the country. From time to time now over the last 10 to 11 years we’ve had students who came in the top bracket. You’re always very pleased.”

Henry and Allen are both hoping to go on and study medicine. “They have both worked hard and consistently over their time here,” said Uí Riordáin, adding that the two students studied the sciences and languages.

Allen, Meabh Meabh Allen

While Henry is in Ireland, Allen is in Germany right now and had to find out her results online.

Their proud principal added:

I was pleased for all of our students this year, not just Maebh and Kate. I’d like to pay tribute to my teachers here in Mount Mercy. It is important to remember the teachers who worked hard and put in long hours with the students.

Poll: Were you happy with your Leaving Cert results?

Read: Here’s how students got on in the Leaving Cert>

Read: In numbers: The Leaving Cert results>

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73 Comments
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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    Nov 8th 2021, 8:55 AM

    ….and prosecuted?

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    Mute D. Memery
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:27 AM

    @Paul Shepherd: the article says they would have to be convicted, so I’d imagine a prosecution would be required to get to that stage.

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    Mute
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    Nov 8th 2021, 11:26 AM

    @Paul Shepherd: They could only punish them once they’ve been prosecuted, so yes obviously.

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    Mute Brian O'Grady
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:00 AM

    Permanent ban on selling tobacco products if caught selling to minors.

    460
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    Mute Declan Doherty
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:01 AM

    What about alcohol being sold to underage kids ? It’s a far more dangerous and toxic drug and can easily kill in minutes through overdose ? Cigarettes are bad but they’re not an immediate concern. And if we’re so keen to keep dangerous drugs away from kids, why do we preserve and protect the black market that has no problem selling untested and unregulated products to anyone of any age ? It makes zero sense and as toxic as they are, Cigarettes should be the least of our concerns when it comes to drugs and children.

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    Mute Mick Dunne
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:21 AM

    @Declan Doherty: so is cigarettes

    22
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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:54 AM

    @Declan Doherty: The same laws apply where alcohol is concerned. In fact I’ve never heard of a shop being banned from selling tobacco after being caught selling to minors, but know of at least 3 pubs locally that have been ordered to close for a number of weeks for serving underage people.

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    Mute Pam
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:05 AM

    No, but they should have to pay huge fines. If they’re banned where will elderly locals who smoke go to buy their cigarettes?

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    Mute Contrary Mary
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:14 AM

    @Pam: To another store, where they will buy other things. All the more reason to not sell to minors.

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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Nov 8th 2021, 12:08 PM

    @Pam: I actually think incurring the wrath of the elderly locals would be at least as much of a deterrent as the financial impact of not being able to sell them. Win win.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Nov 8th 2021, 7:15 PM

    @Pam: I agree, I don’t see why local adults should be inconvenienced simply because aome staff member failed to ask someone completely different for ID.

    5
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    Mute Serge the llama
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:02 AM

    Heard one in the local shop the other day. Young lad asked for ID for scratch card. Well his mother came in roaring dogs abuse at the cashier for requesting ID when his 18. Why isn’t everyone asked for ID. Pointing at the long line of customers.

    Queues were building up. Everyone was looking because the customer was so loud and obnoxious. Poor cashier went bright red but didn’t back down refused to sell the scratch card and quoted the regulations in an extremely loud voice.

    Requiring a valid photo ID for anyone who is under 21. A physical driver’s license, passport or Garda age card, not the photo of one on a phone that could be photoshopped.

    On a side note most supermarkets ask for ID if someone looks under 25.

    101
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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Nov 8th 2021, 1:18 PM

    @Serge the llama: I bought a bottle of something recently and they did not even blink an eye or ask for proof of age. A sign that I am well past that age cohort to be asked for ID LOL

    13
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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Nov 8th 2021, 5:21 PM

    @Serge the llama: I saw a boy in school uniform ask for cigarettes. He was asked for ID, he didn’t have it. He left and his mother came in roaring about being in a hurry and that it was disgraceful that the shop had asked him for ID and made her get out of her car!

    14
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    Mute DERRY1973
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:24 AM

    5 weeks off the cigarettes today, way too expensive a habit now, mind you I don’t know where all the money I saved went.

    72
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    Mute Padraic McDonagh
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:33 AM

    @DERRY1973: food! Or it least in my case I replaced one bad habit with another.

    25
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    Mute Thomas Armstrong
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    Nov 8th 2021, 2:01 PM

    @DERRY1973: Hope y stay off them. I’m 4 years now but the test is if you like the pub the drink & the cig go hand in hand in the smoking area.

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    Mute James Clifford
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    Nov 8th 2021, 6:10 PM

    @DERRY1973: congratulations and well done

    14
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    Mute Watchful Axe
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:29 PM

    @DERRY1973: All the best, I used to take out the calculator app on the phone every so often and work out the money saved as a bit of a motivator.
    It also motivates when you look back and figure you’ve smoked the price of a new car over the years, no point starting on a second car.

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    Mute Mark Howard
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:20 AM

    Or in other words persecute (yes – persecute) shopkeepers for making the odd mistake instead of the parents of these brats who are roaming the streets causing trouble. How quickly people forget they were singing the praises of retailers during the lockdown. We’re a great country for blaming the wrong person

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    Mute Jo H
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:23 AM

    @Mark Howard: it is a big jump from a teen kid taking up/trying cigarette smoking to them being br*ts who are roaming the streets to cause trouble! Have all the people you know who smoke, or are ex smokers, been that type of person?? For the record, I don’t think shops should have a their licence suspended unless a repeat offender

    34
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    Mute NoPlanetB
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:09 AM

    The way this works is they find some lad who is 6’6″ with a beard who looks 30 but is actually a teenager. They get him to ask for cigarettes in a string of shops at a busy time and when the teenager working behind the counter fails to ask for an ID the shop is nabbed.
    It is a form of entrapment. The only safe approach for shopkeepers is to get the ID from everyone, including the 60 year old granny who smokes the Superkings.

    30
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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Nov 8th 2021, 5:19 PM

    @NoPlanetB: the very fact that he looks 30 would be a mitigating factor. I work in the industry, they aren’t trying to trick people. They’ll usually send in an older looking person but in their school uniform or an older person that looks far younger. There is room for a genuine mistake being made within the regulations

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    Mute TomTraubert
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    Nov 8th 2021, 11:00 AM

    So, Hayley is having us vote on her own offence/punishment combination?

    Another journal poll fail

    Remember Hayley’s ‘do you prefer rain or sun poll’

    I reckon we should have a poll asking should Hayley be allowed to make polls

    ;-)

    24
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    Mute Rob Hunt
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    Nov 8th 2021, 12:11 PM

    @TomTraubert: Even setting aside that this is a commercial site with an editorial team and a content marketing strategy, it’s a bit nasty having a go the individual author.

    16
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    Mute TomTraubert
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    Nov 9th 2021, 11:13 AM

    @Rob Hunt: dial it down a bit there Rob fgs.

    1
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    Mute Mike Dunne
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:28 AM

    I’ll carry on buying mine on the black market.

    23
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    Mute Tracktrack
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    Nov 8th 2021, 12:43 PM

    @Mike Dunne: Very foolish idea. Not only is it breaking the law, but those cigarettes could be counterfeit, have mould or other contamination to make them even more deadly.

    18
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    Mute Paul Cunningham
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    Nov 8th 2021, 4:00 PM

    @Tracktrack: Thats why its easier on smokers to just fly out of the country, bring back a carton or two and pocket the savings. Can you blame them doing that when the prices are so high the black market thrives?

    7
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    Mute Liam Mc Meel
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:52 AM

    I go to the shop on a regular basis for me da with a note asking for John player blue and a lighter as me da can’t walk very far

    19
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:21 AM

    It’s a while since I heard such a ridiculous plan. Retailers should be fined €10,000 and possibly be also imprisoned for supplying a dangerous drug to children.
    A suspension is unbelievable for such a serious offence.

    29
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    Mute Mark Howard
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:43 AM

    @John Mulligan: Sounds like you could do with a smoke yourself . . .

    75
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    Mute Mick Dunne
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:19 AM

    They should be banned for good

    24
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    Mute Ballybough Marcus
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:09 AM

    Common sense says yes.

    13
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    Mute JillyBean
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:38 AM

    I think there should be an award as to which teenagers are most convicing. The award would be a packet of Benson’s finest

    11
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    Mute ed w
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:38 AM

    banned from selling them to minors for a few days or cigarettes for a few days ?

    12
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    Mute Michael Carolan
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    Nov 8th 2021, 12:04 PM

    May be it’s about time the purchase of cigarettes should be as restrictive as possible…..e.g. available on prescription from a GP and only purchased from a pharmacy. In that way, the support and advise for giving them up is immediately available. But hey, it’s easy as a non smoker to say this.

    8
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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Nov 8th 2021, 1:03 PM

    Many shops in US won’t sell cigs to customers of any age unless they have some form of ID.

    5
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    Mute ChronicAnxiety
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:43 AM

    These are drugs, treat them as if thay had been dealing grass.

    6
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    Mute Declan Doherty
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    Nov 8th 2021, 9:49 AM

    @ChronicAnxiety: Why ? Weed is harmless when compared to cigarettes and alcohol. Alcohol can kill a child in minutes. Neither weed nor cigarettes are going to do them any harm in the short term. Why would you treat them all the same when the risk is radically different.

    33
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    Mute Willie Penwright
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:50 AM

    @ChronicAnxiety: Dealing grass is a monopoly of the the crime lords and so is beyond the reach of this government.

    10
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    Mute Willie Penwright
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    Nov 8th 2021, 10:48 AM

    Great idea, practical and it would work and so cannot be tried.

    3
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    Mute Garreth Byrne
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    Nov 8th 2021, 5:45 PM

    yes, no and don’t know do not amount to a sufficient number of possible responses. This online opinion poll has no scientific validity.

    3
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    Mute Mikey
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    Nov 8th 2021, 12:36 PM

    No, what harm are they doing.

    2
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    Mute Mick Curran
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    Nov 8th 2021, 6:23 PM

    A few days???
    Permanent ban, followed by prosecution and stiff penalties.

    2
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