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'World's fattest woman' loses 32 stone, buys her first bikini

Catrina Raiford once weighed half a tonne.

CATRINA RAIFORD HAS lost more than 32 stone in the last 12 years.

The 38-year-old Florida woman once weighed 955 lbs – over 68 stone – and was previously dubbed the world’s fattest woman.

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Raiford, who is five foot two inches, has been documenting her weight loss on Instagram.

She said she turned to food as a comfort after being sexually abused when she was a child.

Raiford was bed-bound for years and the side of her home had to be bulldozed so she could go to the hospital after developing breathing difficulties. She suffered from sleep apnea, cellulitis and congestive heart failure.

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After this, Raiford went on a strict diet and had gastric bypass surgery. She has lost more than 36 stone. She enjoys swimming and recently shared her happiness at buying her first bikini.

bikini Instagram Instagram

The horrific experience of having rescue workers tear down the wall in my home was not only significant because the workers were there to save my life, it was symbolic of me breaking away from my past.
The demolition of that wall was the beginning of me breaking away from being a prisoner in my own home, me breaking away from obesity-related medical conditions, breaking away from immobility, and breaking away from the death grip that the fat had held on my life for so many years.

Since losing the weight, Raiford has been able to attend college and get a job.

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All images: GoFundMe

She has started a GoFundMe page to help raise €10,000 so she can have her excess skin removed.

“My walking, bending, standing and sedentary movement is compromised by the extra skin hanging from my body. The extra skin that is restricting my mobility is also restricting my ability to continue reaching my weight loss goal. I am unable maximize (sic) workouts and must limit my movement and mobility,” she wrote.

Read: There are just two weight management clinics in Ireland. This is a problem, say doctors

Read: Scottish people are getting too big to be cremated

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A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

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26 Comments
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    Mute ThatLJD
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:29 PM

    Sure nothing much important to do – Holiday for the lads! Don’t forget the travel scrabble and to turn the lights off in the Leinster house bar.

    385
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    Mute Devilsavocado
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:35 PM

    @ThatLJD: very cynical of you,, sure those trips are all about getting trade agreements,, we have been told that multiple times,, it’s non stop work for the boys who were “unlucky enough” to be picked to go abroad….

    122
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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:38 PM

    @Devilsavocado: first and only time I agree with you Avocado man

    38
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    Mute Devilsavocado
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:41 PM

    @Toby Fish: ooohhh Toby, Toby, Toby, I’ll get you around to my way of thinking,, we will be thunder buddies for life, don’t fight it….:)

    9
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    Mute Socky Varadkar
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:06 PM

    @ThatLJD: Have it packed! The bar will be opened for the others working there while we travel to other places to work hard and party even harder! Your correct again that there is nothing important to do..I’m extremely efficient!

    14
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    Mute Martin Scaldbag
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:10 PM

    @ThatLJD: can,t blame them for getting out of the country and away from what is regarded as a cringe fest of paddywhackery back home…lucky sods

    6
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    Mute Stephen Duffy
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:16 PM

    @ThatLJD: Is Harris not staying at home this year to fix the Health Service like he did last year? Like that really worked, didn’t it..!!!

    18
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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:46 PM

    @Devilsavocado: No

    3
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    Mute Paul Linehan
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 1:12 AM

    @Devilsavocado: bollix

    3
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    Mute Sean Thornton
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 1:49 PM

    @ThatLJD: I think your comment is incredibly short sighted and negative. No one is perfect but staying at home achieves nothing. I trust that the majority of Td’s are not swindlers and will get out there trying to attract business into the country. This I hope might give you a better standard of living in the future.

    1
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    Mute Milk The Drones
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:31 PM

    Nothing gets in the way of an all expenses paid jolly. Not even Brexit.

    242
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    Mute Scorpionvenomm
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:34 PM

    @Milk The Drones: let’s see how much they claim in expenses for this trip

    164
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    Mute Milk The Drones
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:34 PM

    @Scorpionvenomm:
    Eoghan Murphys will be interesting.
    Speedos
    Sunglasses
    Factor 20
    Hipster beard conditioner
    I love Bueno Aires fridge magnet (gift for Mumsie and Dudsie)

    85
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:57 PM

    @Milk The Drones: it really is a joke, brexit starting to fall apart for the gov, they’d be wise to stay at home this year. I wonder what would it take for them to cancel their junkets if brexit isn’t important enough.

    24
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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:37 PM

    Only back from Christmas break and planning the next trip. It’s a good life

    197
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    Mute Dave.
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:04 PM

    @Toby Fish: They are literally work dodgers. It’s unreal. I can’t wait come voting time. Not one of this idiots around my way be getting it. I am gonna spoil the vote. At least I will sleep knowning I voted for none of this codlogy.

    97
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    Mute revdenisd@gmail.com
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 9:28 PM

    @Toby Fish: those white collar criminals are more interested in the gravy train to increase there bank accounts than looking after the homeless crisis, the health service and the people in emergency accommodation along with our elderly. People paying private landlords that were taking off the housing lists over 1,000 euros a month for rented accommodation while we give housing to migrant families and give them an open cheque book for cars and household goods

    1
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    Mute David Van-Standen
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:37 PM

    Can we send twice as many, but just buy them one way tickets?

    164
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    Mute Derek Moean
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:45 PM

    What about the Carbon footprint that thay are all talking about…

    159
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    Mute Toby Fish
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:41 PM

    @Derek Moean: thats only for poor people

    93
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    Mute Drive for show & putt for dough
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:38 PM

    The Spin doctors world tour !

    101
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    Mute dick dastardly
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:37 PM

    Only back from their holidays and they off again in a few weeks for the paddy’s day junket,sure then after that the summer holidays will be up for them to take,what a joke

    126
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    Mute Dave.
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:05 PM

    @dick dastardly: Don’t forget the Easter Break then the Summer Break.

    72
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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:11 PM

    If it is a celebration of being Irish, why are they all leaving the country? I don’t see the French President leaving France on Bastile Day or the US President on the 4th of July.

    Do you really think that the American’s want to see Leo or the British want to see Pascal D.?

    105
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:16 PM

    @George Vladisavljevic: You have never been abroad to see the Irish celebrate St Patrick’s day? No country can compare to what this little Island can celebrate worldwide. Greatest marketing tool ever, name a country who has a day celebrated so widely, and even by people not from it???

    55
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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:24 PM

    @GerryCummins: I am actualy from Canada and agree with you about the celebration’s and the parades. I have seen them there and in the US. I am just saying that I am sure that the fun could be had without these people travelling to the far corners of the world at the tax payers expense. Would they go if they had to dip their hands into their pockets? Highly doubtful.

    We spend millions in attracting visitors here to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day but our leaders are nowhere to be found to celebrate with the people that they represent.

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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:44 PM

    @George Vladisavljevic: George, do you really think the Irish people would care to see a politician on St Patrick’s day?. The fact is they don’t go abroad alone, hundreds of business deals are signed on these trips (and on all official Ministerial & Presidential trips), they reap far more than they cost…I have recieved the incoming and been on those incoming trips, make you proud how far above our weight our small island punches. But the begrudgers think they could run Ireland from their keyboards….. as for any internal issues Ireland has, they are the same if not less than most countries….and have always existed….

    11
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    Mute Nuala Mc Namara
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:24 PM

    @GerryCummins: I actually see the value of Ireland been highlighted abroad on St Patrick’s Day especially taking POTENTIAL serious effects of Brexit into account,it makes sense to utilize the unique opportunity St Patrick Day allows!
    However it should be of TOP priority to Government to EFFECTIVELY and URGENTLY deal with the National emergencies we have in Ireland NOW in homelessness,housing and health, especially taking nto account population is estimated to grow over 1.8m+ over next 33 years.!With any new businesses developed or increased in Ireland,their workers will need affordable accommodation/adequate housing stock.The negative effects of Brexit not helped by failing to stop these crisis developing into National emergencies.

    5
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    Mute Alternative for Ireland
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:23 PM

    What is effectively our national day and the entirety of the government leaves the country. Says a lot really.

    66
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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:04 PM

    @Alternative for Ireland: They’ve been doing it since Dev was in nappies

    7
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    Mute gerard buckley
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:22 PM

    Ah come on, St Patrick always ran the snakes out of Ireland !!!!!!!!!

    22
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    Mute Liam Neeson
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:20 PM

    No problems with carbon footprints or climate change when their is an all expenses paid junket on offer.

    63
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    Mute Bernard Kavanagh
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:04 PM

    It is time to reform the Oireachtas.

    Begin with the Dáil by addressing the democratic deficit of the ‘whip’ system. The role is used to bully public representatives into conforming to the diktat of their party ‘leader’ rather than to the views of the people who elected them.
    Upon election, the electorate becomes irrelevant and TDs become pawns of political parties. Muzzled and disallowed from expressing the views of the electorate, they sit (maybe) in the back seats of the Dáil awaiting the instruction of the party leader, and under threat of the party whip, as to how they should vote on any issue. If they are appointed a minister, they are under constant threat of replacement.

    Bullying in the workplace is illegal — so why is it allowed in the Dáil.

    44
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    Mute Michael J Campbell
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 1:58 PM

    @Bernard Kavanagh: But they only make the law, they don’t have to keep it

    1
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    Mute BaaB
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:41 PM

    I hope they all only bring back the allocated personal amount of duty free.
    Imagine the shame if they had to set up another meaningless tribunal to sort that out.

    38
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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:04 PM

    I’m sure there are many countries looking to attract FDI, tourism etc that would give their back teeth for the access to so many governments & businesses that St.Patricks day affords our country. You mightn’t like the politicians going but don’t overlook the huge benefits of these trips.

    41
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:13 PM

    @Clifford Brennan: don’t be talking sense, it doesn’t go down well here. Nothing about the large delegations of Irish business people that travel and sign bilateral agreements on foot of these trips…..but facts don’t suit some….

    33
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    Mute tommytukamomo
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:36 PM

    @Clifford Brennan: ah the old “look at the access they get” shite…
    You do realise that Enterprise Ireland have been working very hard to get contracts and then the ffg halfwits and their eauntarage turn up looking like there is a village somewhere missing them.
    These people are workshy parasites that only have one skill, to embarrass a nation.

    20
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    Mute trebloc01
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:56 PM

    They can bring FF with them

    29
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    Mute niall
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:35 PM

    And then they shite on about climate action and them flying all around the place.

    119
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:16 PM

    @niall: should they swim, take a long boat?

    18
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    Mute Sean O' Donovan
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:26 PM

    @GerryCummins: They can Skype away from the Dáil bar

    39
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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:37 PM

    @Sean O’ Donovan: and the massive trade delegations that work annually to close deals during these visits??

    4
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    Mute Sean O' Donovan
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:46 PM

    @GerryCummins: They can “buy” them a pint too.

    9
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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:07 PM

    They have this done,but not the legislation for a no deal Brexit,aren’t they great.

    24
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    Mute Cathal
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:23 PM

    @@mdmak33: shutting down the week before Brexit

    29
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:48 PM

    Don’t forget the “special bonus expense system” lads!

    24
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    Mute Adrian
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:52 PM

    Also, I didn’t realise we had so many ministers, tax money spongers, the lot of them.

    28
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    Mute wattsed56
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:12 PM

    First, Business or Coach – or do we only find out when they post a selfie on Twitter?

    22
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    Mute MK76
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:34 PM

    Let the annual (and pointless) of teeth and faux outrage begin.

    33
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    Mute tommytukamomo
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:37 PM

    @MK76: faux off muppet.

    11
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    Mute bings
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:50 PM

    Why didn’t you just write who is staying at home.

    18
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    Mute Graham Murphy
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 6:57 PM

    Lord Ross got a nice one. …is the toxicomoter thing a ma jig done away with?

    19
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    Mute Thomas Linehan
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:34 PM

    With brexit a week after they should be going nowhere

    14
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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:09 PM

    @Thomas Linehan: Looks like Helen McEntee has drawn the short one and will take on Brexit all on her lonesome. Is she out of a job on March 30th?

    7
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    Mute Ger Byrne
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:13 PM

    No mention of poor Paul Kehoe. He will be sulking in the corner.
    Oh, wait, he’s just back from his junket to Mali

    18
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:57 PM

    It’s called a holiday at the expense of the tax payers and they must be laughing at us…

    12
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    Mute Declan Murtagh Sr.
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 11:57 PM

    Any idea the cost to the tax payer

    10
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    Mute Matthew Gorman
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:51 PM

    So no one is coming to see me.

    7
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    Mute Simon Carroll
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:25 PM

    Varadkar heading to meet the Potus fair enough, but the other senior members should be here and send representatives on their behalf instead incase anything Brexit related requires urgent attention, wouldn’t put it past the Brexit brigade to use the timing as effectively as they can

    7
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    Mute Eddie Mc Keown
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 8:55 PM

    I’m still dealing with Christmas…..
    My tax money well spent.

    6
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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 11:34 PM

    Fianna Fáil got, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Iran, Venezuela and Michigan, Mars was cancelled.

    5
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    Mute tommytukamomo
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:24 PM

    St Patrick’s day is the day that Ireland gets rid of its useless bastwards .
    Bit of luck they stay away because they are as useful as tit’s on a bull here.

    14
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    Mute Michael Maher
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 11:46 AM

    This has to stop ,

    2
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    Mute Seeking Truth
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 9:06 PM

    Already?????
    Is it not October? Where has the time gone????

    2
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    Mute Marianne
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 7:57 PM

    Our goverment should support TRANSGENDER PEOPLE and bycott the US PADDYSDAY PARADE

    2
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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:12 PM

    @Marianne: Half way there with Leo W@nker.

    11
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    Mute Rory Mahon
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 9:59 AM

    Send Shane Ross to North Korea and leave him there

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    Mute Brian Flavin
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    Jan 22nd 2019, 10:57 PM

    P***K All TD go Overseas/hotel for st Patrick day. Expenses by your taxpayers

    6
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    Mute Jim Hartnett
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    Jan 26th 2019, 9:41 PM

    I wonder will they be able to take a leaf from Tom Nevilles book and claim the extra monies available to them, without any kind of receipt.

    1
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    Mute Terry Cahill
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    Jan 23rd 2019, 8:10 AM

    Terrible nonsense… I mean the comments ! Any eejit can see why it’s a have to do thing. Betcha most of them would rather not be going .. lot of people still think work is something that produces results there and then… promoting the country doesn’t deliver instant results .. but it has to be done.

    1
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