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AP/Press Association Images

'Yes, I mourn for Paris. But, I do so while weeping for the invisible victims in our global world'

‘When we see the bloodshed in Paris, we should open our borders to refugees, not close them’, writes Mairead Healy.

WE ARE ALL Parisian this week — with hashtags, Facebook profiles and famous landmarks draped in the blue, white, and red of the French flag.

This in tandem with endless commentary from politicians and the media all keen to get their sympathy in, for those most innocent and deserving of victims. Yes, I mourn for Paris. But I do so while weeping for the invisible victims in our global world. You see, I also mourn for those killed mere hours before Paris, in Beirut.

I mourn the hundreds of thousands displaced and killed in Syria, those torture victims in Darfur or in Iraq and the countless others whom humanity has forgotten because violence just happens there.

Mideast Lebanon Iraq Islamic State Double Standard Woman hold hand of child wounded in suicide bombings in southern Beirut. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

If many on the left have tried to blame terror attacks on Western foreign policy, many on the right have tried to use recent events in Paris to ramp up rhetoric against migrants and refugees. Had France (and Europe) maintained tighter border controls, the attacks could have been avoided. There will be deafening calls to close the western world to refugees. Already in the midst of a refugee crisis, the Member States may give in to anger and fear and shut their doors for good. But we should do just the opposite. When we see attacks like the bloodshed in Paris, we should open our borders to refugees, not close them.

‘These horrors are what refugees are fleeing from’

Let us hope refugees are not punished for the actions of others. For racism born of fear will only allow our governments to introduce fast and undemocratic security measures that in the short term feel like a protective solution to keep terrorists out, but in reality just prevents genuine refugees from receiving the protection they need. Let us be clear, border checks will not deter terrorists’ intent on succeeding with their deadly missions.

The refugees who have arrived in Europe are trying to escape these extremists and their repressive regimes. The failure of leadership from the EU to address the issue has created major political conflicts between the Member States, fuelled public hostility towards migrants and refugees, and given ammunition to far right nationalists.

It is not right to blame the victims of violence for the existence of violence. The refugees are victims of extreme ideologies, and they are trying to get to a safer place. Terrorist attacks in Europe should make us more sympathetic to refugees fleeing Syria, as these horrors are a daily reality of the bloody wars they are fleeing from.

Greece Migrants An exhausted boy is helped by his mother at a beach, after their arrival on a dinghy from the Turkish coast on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

I saw first-hand this reality. Having recently returned from volunteering as part of an aid convoy in one such camp- I saw weary men, women and unaccompanied minors with nothing but the clothes on their backs, fleeing from terror not running towards it.

The Calais ‘jungle’ where I was based, is divided by country as nationals huddle around the familiarity of their fellow countrymen, with every one of the worlds warzones represented. We walked through little ‘Iraq’, ‘Afghanistan’, ‘Darfur’ ‘Syria’ and ‘Sudan,’ mainly living peacefully alongside each other. This represented a deeper significance for me – it was abundantly clear that these people, fleeing war and persecution, want anything but conflict.

‘They can’t go back, but they can’t go forward’

I sat for ages in the Syrian camp. Of all the nations, they were the one that I felt most at home with- the incessant chatter, tea drinking and sense of fun of the men, drew me to their circle immediately and I felt a strong bond with them. When I suggested I had overstayed my welcome, they told me “You are our guest”, as we sat for more hours on crates outside their tents on the muddy camp terrain sharing stories.

One medical doctor amongst them, told me that he can survive living in the freezing cold, without adequate food, shelter or access to clean showers or toilets, but he just permanently feels the pain of his lost family the most unbearable. He was forced to flee because he refused to join ISIS and would have been killed by them for this refusal. They can’t go back, but they can’t go forward, they are stuck in limbo, with no worldly possessions but just a child-like hope that it will all turn out ok, that humanity will somehow come to their rescue.

Greece Migrants A Syrian man kisses his daughter shortly after disembarking from a dinghy at a beach on the Greek island of Lesbos after crossing the Aegean sea from the Turkish coast AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

So many others had similar tales, of lost lives, hopes and unimaginable heartache. Their sad eyes gave them away, despite their persistent attempts to be cheerful and upbeat for us. I thought about their lives existing in the camp- the inhumane conditions they were surviving in.

Just imagine living in your basic two man festival tent-only for months on end in the middle of a bitterly cold winter, with no heating, no sanitation on camp, one meal a day if they were lucky, and a daily scrum to get a coveted six minute shower token. Animals are treated better than this, and all of this happening as Europe turns a blind eye to their suffering as it mourns the ‘rightful’ victims in Paris.

Paris Terror Attack Philip Toscano Philip Toscano

So what will happen next? What will be Europe’s response? Responding to suicidal fanatics’ violence with even more violence is unlikely to solve anything and will instead lead to an escalation. Equally, protecting the borders of a country is nearly impossible as in the 21st century, nothing can be contained geographically. Directly targeting refugees by closing the gates of Europe only seeks to punish the innocent and the defenceless even more than they already have been. Their already dead eyes will only become even sadder.

The solution to both threats of terrorism and unending flows of refugees is a more equitable global distribution of humanity, dignity and decency, not barbed-wire fences and surveillance.

Let us remember that the majority of these refugees are heroes. Their stories show more determination, strength and resilience than anything I have ever heard. So deep and moving were their stories of unimaginable trauma, that I felt unable to verbalise them when I came back from my trip- until now. But we must talk about the unspeakable which has happened to them as these are stories also of incredible courage- and it is our duty to give them a voice. For they are an inspiration to us all.

Mairead Healy is a campaigner and is the CEO of Future Voices Ireland. She was a member of a recent Irish aid convoy to Calais with Ireland Refugee Solidarity and plans to return again in the coming weeks.

Read: ‘To kill so many people, so deliberately, in such a short time shows determination and training’>

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    Mute Peter Gavin
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:28 AM

    Mairead. I’d love to know how you can believe those camped out in Calais are STILL fleeing war and persecution. Is France not a safe country? If they are not economic migrants welfare shopping for the higher benefits in the UK why don’t they claim asylum in France? Why are they risking their lives to leave France? Their unjustified and illegal activity gives genuine refugees a bad name and you should be ashamed of your role in supporting them.

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    Mute Chris Burnby
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    Nov 20th 2015, 6:11 PM

    yes she should be ashamed to write such a stupid article without at least knowing the facts. Very gullable and naive. Stephen has her weighed up it seems as well.

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    Mute Al Ca
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:36 AM

    Mairead…..I’m sure most have no problem giving refugees from Syria shelter….the problem is that this open border policy by Merkel without the need for documentation has allowed the EU to be swamped by all who can get to the North African coast, the majority of whom are not refugees. If they can keep a hold of their Koran on the journey, it should not be beyond their ability to keep their identification intact.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:40 AM

    Just how is Germany supposed to assimilate some 1,500,000 people and have a cohesive society? Its an impossible task.

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    Mute Peter Gavin
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:47 AM

    That’s just the start and just this year. German minister estimated it will be 6 million once they exercise their right to bring their family over to Europe. Merkel will go down in infamy for this one

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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:08 AM

    What about Obama ?

    16
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    Mute B-Egan
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:34 AM

    Look lads Peter Sutherland is the UN envoy in charge of Refugee crisis his regard fof human life very questionable considering his key role with GS and in the Bilderberg Group. Authorities will create stories or even let some through without identification in front of journalists. When attack happens after influx of refugee they non screening panic insues the authorities who have let the refugee crisis happen deliberately will claim they could not control refugees coming through borders so the narrative will be their already in we need to watch them like hawks upgrade our cyber security spend billions on militirisation of army police force the EU concept will a rise the loss of freedom of civil liberties will come with that all for our protection . Then will all these protective measures are in place the through nature of the beast will show its face object to that go on id dare te . Ye will be in a stazi like detainment camp so fast ye wont remember what yere family looks like. Hamsters in a wheel made run around like idiots falling for every trick in the book forgetting the same tactics were used time and time again. By time ye cop on and have facilitated yere own oppression the people who would have stuck up for ye will have gone off line. Gone quiet ye full of rage against the new reality all alone no one to talk to . Still though unaccountable for stupidity .

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 11:57 AM

    Im not convinced Obama needs Asylum just yet dingle…. And anyway..he will process his claim through diplomatic channels…I think you might concentrate on the needs of the poor Syrians for now.

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    Mute Bridget Whitehead
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    Nov 22nd 2015, 10:48 AM

    a pity your rant is not easier to understand. using better spelling and punctuation might help.

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    Mute Tom Kenny
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:35 AM

    Most people have sympathy for the ordinary people of Syria. The problem is telling them apart from the blood thirsty Isis members. It can’t be done. If you are taking in tens of thousands then it stands to reason there will be lots who are at least sympathizers of Isis. Then there is the whole cultural aspect, Irelands culture is very different to the migrants, the more you take in, the less likely they will integrate. They will come together as all migrants do in groups or small communities. In the years ahead Instability in areas liked these will follow as we have seen in other countries. I am not a racist, but I am a realist.

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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:23 AM

    I am not a racist, but …………………………………
    “Irelands culture is very different to the migrants, the more you take in, the less likely they will integrate.

    41
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    Mute Aaron O'Leary
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:40 AM

    “I’m not racist. but” says the racist.

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    Mute Johnny Joe
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    Nov 19th 2015, 12:34 PM

    Aaron you leftist puppet, where’s your flag for Syria, Lebanon, Kenya and all the other countries affected by terror? What an imbecile.

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    Mute Tom Kenny
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    Nov 19th 2015, 3:10 PM

    That’s not racist you idiot Dingle. I respect a person, regardless of skin type, ethnic background etc etc. Doesn’t mean I think we should welcome with open arms people whom we can’t vet, or in numbers that won’t be integrated into communities

    39
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    Mute Eddie Nugent
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    Nov 20th 2015, 11:14 AM

    Get your order in for Ballincollig then Aaron; I am sure you will be swilling pints down in Tracy’s with all your new immigrant friends in no time

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    Mute John Campbell
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:27 AM

    Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all recent terrorists appear to be Muslim.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:30 AM

    “Islamic fundamentalism wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the fundamentals if Islam” – Sam Harris

    112
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    Mute Kellyanne Ross
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:51 AM

    What about that guy in Norway white or the mass shooting in America do they not count or are they only terrorists when it’s done it the name of Islam . It what about America and their friends going into a illegal war in Iraq they to are terrorists .

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    Mute Celtic Fern
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:59 AM

    A radical muslim wants to behead you , a moderate muslim wants a radical muslim to behead you , there is no difference between them , it’s not a religion , it’s an ideology.

    108
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:04 AM

    so a radical Irish Republican wants to kill , a moderate l Irish Republican wants a radical Republican to kill you , there is no difference between them , it’s not a religion , it’s an ideology.
    ,,,
    very logical :)
    “, it’s not a religion , it’s an ideology. – 100 % correct in relation to terrorism

    26
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    Mute Joe Arthur
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:05 AM

    Not all caucasians in WW2 were holocaust offenders, but all holocaust offenders in WW2 were caucasians.

    By that logic, it kind of makes it the Jews’ fault.

    30
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    Mute Chris Barr
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:08 AM

    my thoughts go back to the bad old days when the IRA was bombing the UK, just think back to a lot of brits every irish person was a terrorist which aas we all know wasn’t true but when people get scared they don’t think clearly

    34
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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:48 AM

    Joe….absurdly false.

    27
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    Mute Deirdriú Ní Riagáin
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:18 AM

    Not all Irish were terrorists in the UK in the 70′s but all terrorists were Irish… hmm how did that work out for the Birmingham Six and other Irish people wrongly convicted.

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    Mute Joe Arthur
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:24 AM

    Joachin, yes what I said is false in terms of I was pointing how the logic is ridiculous.

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:39 AM

    OK Joe….I was wrongly anticipating an attempt to finger the Zionists again..

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    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:53 PM

    @Joe, don’t bother with Joachin, he’s one of those nutcases who believes the holocaust didn’t happen

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    Mute Maire Ui Riain
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:23 PM

    The terrorists are Sunni extremists called Wahhabi…majority of people fleeing these nutters are Shia….but you obviously never ever Rafa book you plugs…when we’re not…don’t tell me the early 90′s…

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    Mute Eddie Nugent
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    Nov 20th 2015, 12:28 PM

    Larissa -Today is national transgender remembrance day- what’s that about, is it an international event or did you just make it up, as you do with most of the stuff you post

    1
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    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
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    Nov 20th 2015, 12:42 PM

    @Eddie, Google is your friend, go educate yourself

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:02 AM

    Mairead, do you think its right that genuine refugees have to flee to all corners of Europe to find food, shelter and security, with all the risk that such a journey entails?
    Wouldn’t it be better to establish fully funded secure camps closer to home where people can access proper medical care, food etc., with a view to returning them home as soon as its safe to do so?

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    Mute Sertorius
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    Nov 19th 2015, 11:44 AM

    Mairead doesn’t even realise this battle has already being lost. Muslim immigration to Europe from integrational perspective has been an unmitigated disaster. Why does she think letting in millions more will be any different? Leftists about how these people come from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds. Well newsflash Mairead these people are not going to end up in Killiney, they’re going to end up in sink estates like Darndale.

    The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 11:54 AM

    Sertorius..yeah one has to wonder what motivates her to peddle this outdated,transparent agenda…and put her name to it!!

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    Mute Sertorius
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    Nov 19th 2015, 12:10 PM

    The fact that she’s even mentioned the Calais fiasco would indicate her opinion is one that is not worth listening to.

    62
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    Mute Amy Pond (Ní Neill)
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    Nov 24th 2015, 12:14 AM

    Avina. Refugee camps work for a while but they become overcrowded very fast and this is not a short term fight you cannot expect these people to live in tents for years. Trying to raise children. No jobs. No proper education facilities. Even if they managed to pump enough money into the camps for proper medicine and education and food you cant expect people to live without a proper home. Regardless of whether the camp itself is properly secure you cant expect those people, particularly parents to feel safe and secure. The way these people have been forced to travel to Europe is obviously horrible and provisions should be made to improve this but once they are homed here doesnt mean they cannot go home if the violence in their countries first stop and a proper government is established.

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    Mute Emmet Purcell
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:02 AM

    2.8 billion people live on less than $2 a day. You can’t destroy the concept of sovereign borders and allow everyone in, just because you feel bad about being born into a privileged society. The rest of us generally favour controlled immigration, encouraging assimilation and offering sanctuary to genuine refugees fleeing war zones (ie, not attempting to flee France).

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    Mute Stephen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:50 AM

    Translation – I need more money to inflate my NGO salary. Open up the borders to the “future voices of Ireland” (that ironically will not be speaking Irish or English as their primary language) and boost the funds to my pathetic organisation.

    168
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:06 AM

    not be speaking Irish ///
    Hmm Stevie Boy can you speak Irish ?

    14
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    Mute Celtic Fern
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:08 AM

    100% spot on Stephen , perhaps Ms Healy would be better served commenting on what’s actually going on in these EU tax-payer funded shelters , perhaps on stories like the following

    European “Open Borders” Activist Gang-Raped by Migrants at Camp – Told to Keep Quiet

    http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2015/10/european-open-borders-activist-gang-raped-by-migrants-at-camp-told-to-keep-quiet/

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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:17 AM

    Hmm Celtic Fsern why do you dudes get your info from nutty websites
    Today The Gateway Punditis consistently ranked as one of the top political blogs in the nation. TGP has been cited by Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, The Drudge Report, The Blaze, Mark Levin, FOX Nation and by several international news organizations.

    Jim Hoft was awarded the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award in 2013. Jim Hoft received the Breitbart Award for Excellence in Online Journalism from the Americans for Prosperity Foundation in May 2016.

    Jim Hoft is active in the Tea Party and was the associate producer of Hating Breitbart. He has a devotion to growing democracy and freedom movements everywhere, . His dedication is to a free America.

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    Mute Celtic Fern
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:23 AM

    You’re correct Dingle , couldn’t have happened , as we all know muslim men have nothing but the highest regard for women

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    Mute Brian Deane
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:26 AM

    Agree. There are an estimated 3 million ‘refugees’ expected to arrive in Europe next year many of them with fake or no passports. If even 1 in every million is a terrorist (fairly optimistic) it is not a risk any country or continent should have to expose its citizens to. This is the NGO lobby industry talking – they’re the vested interests you hear on radio not the poor taxpayers who are funding them. Speaking of – not a word from Euro fatcat Peter Sutherland in the last few days, must be rewriting his prompt cards to take account of the Paris massacres.

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    Mute Stephen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:26 AM

    No I can’t but I actually have been trying to learn it in my own time. Do you offer lessons? Irish and English are the languages of Ireland. It should remain that way. We can’t teach our own people to speak their native tongue, do you really think we will be able to teach an inevitably ghettoised foreign culture to putting aside Arabic or Farsi in favour of English or Irish as their day to day language within their community? I wouldn’t hold my breath too long.

    65
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:27 AM

    deflection from what I posted ….
    are you a Tea Party fan ? are you a fan of Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh etc and will you fight to free America ?
    and you are a tolerant person LOL

    5
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    Mute Scarr
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:29 AM

    Dingle – are you saying that rape did d not happen?

    62
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:29 AM

    You cannot speak Irish !! Shame on you ..
    God knows what you think about other foreigners living in Ireland be they Polish…

    4
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:31 AM

    Dingle – are you saying that rape did d not happen?

    Yep no such thing as any rapes in Ireland .. Go back 20 years no such thing !!!

    3
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    Mute Stephen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:50 AM

    Dingle, for the purposes of my education in our language could you please respond as Gaeilge. I’m interested in learning from a true master of the language.

    39
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:03 AM

    Stevie Boy (yawn) nope ..
    you were the one that introduced the red herring .. :)
    anyway loads of Summer / Night schools for you to go to – and be 100 % Irish

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    Mute Stephen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:07 AM

    Ah so you don’t really speak it either. That’s grand so, you could have just said so instead of going around the merry-go-round.

    42
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:11 AM

    read English
    “you were the one that introduced the red herring .. :)”
    From the wises lips of Stevie
    “We can’t teach our own people to speak their native tongue” – so says a non Irish speaker .. bad education I guess
    “No I can’t but I actually have been trying to learn it in my own time. ” summer school and less Internet for you …

    1
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:12 AM

    What is your full name in Irish ? LOL

    2
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    Mute Stephen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 11:52 AM

    Yeah, I did really have a terrible education from an Irish language point of view. I don’t think that I am alone in that experience though. Before I started learning it in my own time a couple of months ago, my whole vocabulary was based of primary school level pretty much so.

    If you have your way Dingle will be nicely enriched in a couple of years with Arabic speakers. I can help you learn that if you like in exchange for some top quality Irish lessons that I am sure you a capable of giving.

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    Mute Aidan Humphries
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:17 AM

    Good one Mairead

    They’re all such wonderful people why don’t you go there & see how they treat you. Sure give them all a hug that will solve everything

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    Mute Red Marauder
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:24 AM

    They are people in despair , occupied with survival , don’t think they have time to worry about how their PR image to the outside world , or when you’re being attacked by a shark will you hold a live interview with CNN

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    Mute Aidan Humphries
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:34 AM

    You’ve been there have you oh wise one?

    You have in your hole and you’re just spouting populist PC bullsh@@ now. Jog on, you’re clearly a moron who knows nothing

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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:10 AM

    “You have in your hole …
    but you like MIck ?
    Aidan Humphries Retweeted
    Mick Wallace ‏@wallacemick Nov 13

    Mick Wallace Retweeted Fran Blandy

    So terrible for the victims, but when is France going to stop it’s role in the militarisation of the planet?

    9
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    Mute Duff
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:53 AM

    When the inevitable happens and the first violent crimes are carried out by these immigrants, will Mairead be there to pick up the pieces for the victims? Will she be at the morgue/ hospital/ rape crisis center? Will she come out and say that she publicly campaigned for this and is one of the people responsible for the victims pain?

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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:15 AM

    @Duffed99′s Tweets are protected.

    Only confirmed followers have access to @Duffed99′s Tweets and complete profile. Click the “Follow” button to send a follow request.and he will send you twits concerning rapes / murder by non Irish in Ireland ..

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    Mute Aidan Humphries
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:00 PM

    Just what’s needed this moronic troll Dingle

    I retweeted that tweet from that idiot Mick Wallace because the more that see it the more realise what he is.

    Thanks for stalking me though you pathetic moron

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    Mute Duff
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    Nov 19th 2015, 2:57 PM

    I wonder if being the CEO of Future Voices of Ireland, whether Mairead has much to gain out of the refugee business

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    Mute Red Marauder
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    Nov 19th 2015, 6:14 PM

    Moron hee, what an adult response ,surely education has been waisted on you , well it takes one to see one is what they say

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    Mute Maire Ui Riain
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:19 PM

    X they look malnourished, poor people

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    Mute Ronan Gallagher
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    Nov 20th 2015, 7:14 PM

    Ss

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    Mute Darragh O'Connell
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:59 AM

    Why would they be fleeing Calais?

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:44 AM

    I spent 2 weeks in France this year,not far from Calais,I hated leaving to come home….

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    Mute Myk_Oval_Balls_nRyt
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:02 PM

    The Nuns Darragh!!! their fleeing the ruler wielding nuns.

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    Mute Gus Sheridan
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:34 AM

    Mairead are you crazy?

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    Mute TheJeff
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:33 AM

    ‘They can’t go back, but they can’t go forward’ draft all men of fighting age, form them into a Army & send them back to fight for their country !.. just like the FreeFrench, FreePole’s etc in WW2. Let them sort out the problem’s in their land rather than sitting on social welfare in Europe waiting for us to do it for them.

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    Mute Jho Harris
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    Nov 19th 2015, 5:30 PM

    @ Thejeff, one of the reasons that the migrants are made up of young men is because they are not running from ISIS, they are running away from conscription, the chance to be trained and armed in order to fight ISIS. As for opening borders, I have yet to hear a less logical call. Lock the borders solid and bring proper refugees in from Syria etc. Not the ones who can afford to pay the traffickers. The ones who push psst our border guards, ignore European migration laws and leave a trail of filth between Greece and Germany.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:36 AM

    Articles like this should make a clear distinction as to what is a refugee, in the authors opinion at least. Only 25% of the current migrant body are Syrian, the rest have claims to asylum ranging from justified to bogus asylum shopping. And crossing through multiple safe countries, fighting with authorities, destroying a graveyard (Croatia), making demands, complaining about the cold and slow broadband, when the broad image of the gen public of ppl of that region is fairly negative – us not making for great social cohesion

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    Mute Alesis
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    Nov 19th 2015, 2:41 PM

    Social cohesion doesn’t matter to liberals. They take the view that you must act now regardless of consequences down the line. That’s assuming there’s any room in there at all for considering the consequences down the line. It’s all so short-sighted and we never hear of the end consequences. We are simply expected to feel bad and act. You can still feel bad about their plight and weigh up the consequences and still save them. What you can’t do is undo the damage of open borders and mass immigration of a culture and religion profoundly incompatible with our own.

    The author will be nowhere to be found if there’s an attack here down the line. The potential consequences are somehow worth it. Seemingly, we should throw caution to the wind and accept this at face value, or take her word for it? Has the fact we have a homelessness crisis gone over her head? 42,000 alone on Dublin’s waiting list.We are trying to build glorified prefabs to keep homeless off the streets this winter. What planet does she live on? Cos it ain’t planet reality.

    The Parisian attacks may well me the end of Europe as we know it. Bavaria has already said it will act independently of Merkel and close and protect its own borders. France is demanding Schengen (free movement within the EU) be shut down immediately and be re-evaluated. The German coalition is in trouble as we speak. The UK is threatening to pull out of the EU and may well do come voting day. Immigration is a key player in that.

    EU countries don’t want this happening. It’s about time NO was given as a firm answer.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:38 AM

    Also, a call to ‘open our borders’ when at least 2 murderers in Fridays tragedy, made their way into Europe on that very pretence is pretty ignorant in my opinion.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:55 AM

    scarr that hasn’t been established yet in fact latest news is that the passports found are almost certainly fake.

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    Mute Emmet Purcell
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:05 AM

    Dermot, even if the passports are fake, that just means the terrorists weren’t Syrian. They still used a tactic that was effective and could be replicated by anyone who can get their hands on a fake Syrian passport.

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:10 AM

    Dermot, what makes you think terrorists wouldn’t be travelling on fake passports??
    And at least one was identified by fingerprints as having travelled through Greece, so yes, in his case it is proven.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:28 AM

    Passports are thought to be fake, yes; but their travelling into europe amongst migrants is not AFAIK.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:17 AM

    avina I didn’t say they wouldn’t travel on fake passports, I said the passports found after Paris were almost certainly fake according to latest reports.when talking about the Paris atrocity lets stick to facts, there enough false information out there already

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:19 AM

    scare I never said anything about others coming to Europe etc, I was referring solely to the Paris murders

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:20 AM

    Scarr I mean, sorry for autocorrect

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    Mute Terence Truant
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    Nov 19th 2015, 5:32 PM
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    Mute Cal Cryton
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:16 AM

    Incredibly nieve column. Only a small fraction of these migrants have anything to do with fleeing war. Some groups of migrants were found to be composed of less than 20% Syrians. A large percentage are from the Balkans, hitching a ride. Last i checked there was no war in the Balkans. 20% are from Africa. And the vast majority were young, able bodied men. No, these are economic migrants, the way Ireland used to send plenty of young, able-bodied men to the UK in the 1950′s to work on building sites.

    Then there’s the very real concern of letting millions of young Muslim men into Europe without having a clue who they are. At least one of the terrorists came into Europe posing as a refugee. Anyone for open borders needs to hounded out, shamed, and ideally arrested for economic treason. Merkel would be first on the list.

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    Mute Melino3
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:12 AM

    Wow, more biased rhetoric being pumped out by the pro-immigrant media working hand in hand with the BBC and Sky news to continue the false narrative we’ve been fed for years. It’s almost as if you’re incapable of understanding whats been happening for the past 20 years around Europe in Muslim no-go ghettos where extremism flourishes untouched.

    There are plenty of examples around Europe where native citizens’ communities have been destroyed and integration proved a disaster, demonstrating what a disgusting failure your naive utopian “no borders” policy has been and will continue to be. Especially in the case of importing a backwards, anti-critical thinking, oppressive and downright disgusting ideology en masse while co-operating with Saudis to construct even more mosques around Europe.

    The exact same areas and communities that are being scrutinized by anti-terror police forces around Europe today, are the same ones that will be set up and established in 10 years by these undocumented, incompatible military-aged economic migrants flooding mainland Europe. It was known months, if not years in advance that there was a growing extremist threat emanating from Belgium because of it’s huge importation of Muslims over the years, yet it couldn’t have been prevented.

    The incompetence of Europe’s nefarious leaders led by the Malevolent Merkel have only made this “refugee” crisis worse and those who are still supporting mass immigration for the future have blood on their hands. Not to fear though, the hyper-liberal agenda of diversity is all clear now and already we are seeing a huge rise in citizens opposed to this failed multicultural experiment around Europe through the rising popularity of right wing parties.

    The pro-immigrant narrative has been bolstered and endorsed by biased state media publications and liberal do-gooders like Mairead for years now, continually pumping out tear jerking rubbish hoping to keep the uninformed public brainwashed. You’ll very rarely see an in depth article covering the number of vicious assaults, rape of women, molestation of children or large percentage of welfare recipients that occur throughout immigrant communities.

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:47 AM

    Melino3..very true.France Muslim population 7% of population….France prison population – 70% Muslim..I’m not certain,but I suspect mairead would blame the oppressive,Islamaphobic policies of the “Nazi” French state/police for those awful percentages.but…I could be wrong.

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    Mute Terence Truant
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    Nov 19th 2015, 5:21 PM

    Thunderbolt comment, Melino. Please present as many links as possible, from respected sources, about politicians and NGOs profiteering from this refugee opportunity, in future comments. Also, exposure of Islam as a hoax religion, by recognised historians. I posted earlier about how Italy doesn’t recognise Islam as a valid religion, due to its principles being at odds with Italian way of life, but it hasn’t gotten through the comment filters.

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    Mute stephen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:17 AM

    Feet up, relax. This should be good.

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    Mute IrishGravyTrain
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:20 AM

    These comment sections are on repeat viewing by now. Don’t expect any difference here.

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:27 AM

    I’m not Parisian…I’m Irish.

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    Mute Tomasz Kuchnik
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:47 AM
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    Mute Owen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:07 AM

    Says Tomasz Kuchnik.

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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:40 AM

    Hey Tomasz Kuchnik quoting from Pamela Geller’s website .. I know people like you think she is sexy and cool but many others think she is a loon

    “Pamela Geller said in a column published Monday at World Net Daily that public schools had produced “goose-steppers like the Hitler Youth” who were violently imposing their “leftist/Islamic agenda.”

    “Intellectually, young Americans are the most docile conformists, no matter how vocally and self-righteously they declare themselves free,” Gellar said.

    She said American culture was “ugly as poo,” filled with gory television shows and violent, misogynist music – except for Pharrell’s upbeat hit, “Happy,” which she complained was used to protest police brutality during an Oscars performance.”
    http://www.loonwatch.com/2015/03/raw-story-muslim-hating-activist-names-jon-stewart-most-disgusting-jew-on-the-planet/

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    Mute Tomasz Kuchnik
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    Nov 19th 2015, 11:53 AM

    Owen, in attempt in trying to be open minded, not racist and welcoming to refugees you seemingly make a mocking remark to my foreign name. Double standard much ? Or lack of facts to respond with?
    Perhaps both!

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    Mute Owen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 12:25 PM

    Wait who’s being open minded, I know I certainly am. Did you move to Ireland? Your the one being a smart arse with your picture. Can you back up the picture with facts please?

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    Mute Myk_Oval_Balls_nRyt
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    Nov 19th 2015, 12:56 PM

    Erm owen, usually pictures speak for themselves…. Usually that is

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    Mute Owen
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    Nov 19th 2015, 6:37 PM

    And what is this picture saying?

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    Mute Owen
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    Nov 20th 2015, 2:34 PM

    No reply, copy out.

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    Mute Cal Cryton
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:19 AM

    I also think there’s a very clear gender divide on this issue. Almost every woman i spoke to on this seems to have their heart strings pulled by media images of women and children (despite the fact that 85% of migrants are young men.). While most men i speak to are more concerned with practical issues like security concerns and integrating millions of people of another faith and culture, as well as the unfairness of just letting them in to find work while millions of others wait in line.

    I think we all know which gender is actually correct on this.

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:40 AM

    Future voices Ireland..never heard of them,have now!!another Quango who know what’s best for Ireland,who know that despite our protestations they will advocate and campaign for issues that the majority of the citizenry feel are contrary to the common good..all while funded by state money!!

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:43 AM

    Amazing how she interpreted the segregation of the nationalities/tribes/sects/religions in the jungle….

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    Mute Joachin Peiper
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    Nov 19th 2015, 11:23 AM

    I think this feature is simply to test the waters for a future groundbreaking,”cutting edge” expose on the trials and tribulations of a contemporary Jihadi..the untold story so to speak,about an unfairly maligned and poorly understood and marginalised “community” who are torn between duty and just wanting to “kick back” sometimes…oh and there’s gonna be some boho style tips for the image conscious jihadi who wants to be noticed on the atrocity catwalk!!!

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    Mute Bill ORourke
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    Nov 19th 2015, 10:35 AM

    a little ditty..

    Tis crazy out in Calais
    Quango Quango
    Tis crazy out in Calais
    Quango Quango-You

    See all the little chilldren – childr… ahem.. able bodied men
    Quango Quango
    Come ashore and cause mayhem
    Quango Quango-You

    But if you give us some more money
    Quango Quango
    We’ll.. ahem… earn some more money
    Quango Quango-You

    Yes you’re being rightly quangoed
    Quango Quango
    Bangoed and Mangoed
    Quango Quango-You

    etc

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    Mute Mairéad Healy
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:27 AM

    Authors note: the images used in this article of refugees were not submitted by myself for this article. Using such images is not something I personally agree with, without the express consent of refugees- particularly as publication may affect their asylum status in a particular country.

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    Mute Dave Meagher
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:34 AM

    So it’s a fake picture basically aka staged .

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    Mute TheJeff
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:39 AM

    @Mairéad Healy

    Funny that you show pictures of kids as been representatives of refugees when 90% are young fit males. #spin

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    Mute Peter Gavin
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:50 AM

    Don’t you agree though that it’s rather manipulative of the Journal photo editor who did select pics to accompany your article that they are ALL of children when anyone who knows the reality will tell you these migrants are 80% adult men

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    Mute B-Egan
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:56 AM

    Can ye idiots read ..do you understand the basic paragraph the woman wrote just there . Jesus H

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    Mute Gavin Carton
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:13 AM

    80%, 90%. Which is it lads? And where you getting these figures from or are you pulling from a very dark place on your persons?!!?

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    Mute Terence Truant
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    Nov 19th 2015, 5:45 PM

    Obama Spin Laden

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    Mute Live Long
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    Nov 19th 2015, 11:11 AM

    Another fart sniffer telling us what to do and how their ‘right on!’ view is the only solution. Pardon me but jog on! We’re already playing ‘Spot the Irishman’ in Dublin, no need to make it worse thanks.

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    Mute Ros Aodha
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:38 AM

    Its not the refugees that are fleeing violence, its the lack of a plan by europe, lack of stop – process – intel gathering – papers – identification – biometric and photographic then dissemination throughout the union OR returning to source. If that was happening at our borders then there wouldn’t be a correlation between refugees and terrorists. Its convenient for us all to point at waves of migrants and say terrorist but if you read into the reports, it turns out that the Paris attackers were EUROPEANS but only ONE has been identified as NOT european. They were either French or French Algerian or French living in Belgium. We need to target radicals within our OWN population both in Ireland and the EU and we need to create controls and to enforce processing / acceptance / deportation of refugees.

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    Mute Johnny Joe
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    Nov 19th 2015, 12:14 PM

    This is worth watching for those of you crying about how privileged you are and that your country should have an open border policy to share the wealth. This is what your country will become.

    http://buzzpo.com/this-is-the-most-disturbing-muslim-refugee-video-you-will-ever-see/

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    Mute Eddie Nugent
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    Nov 20th 2015, 12:12 PM

    Johnny Joe scarey stuff

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    Mute Johnny Joe
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    Nov 19th 2015, 12:08 PM

    Just open the borders and let them in ffs, sure what could possibly go wrong?? Stupid liberals won’t be happy until Europe and this country are a cesspit of hate and violence.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfeCvrT0uaY

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    Mute Castalla Villas
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:34 AM

    You can’t blame the people fleeing to Europe for safe haven but we can’t trust the government’s to weed out the terrorists

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    Mute Scarr
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    Nov 19th 2015, 8:42 AM

    They’re fleeing Calais, Slovenia, turkey, greece too

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    Mute Bunny
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:09 AM
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    Mute Dingle Holiday
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    Nov 19th 2015, 9:11 AM

    about lunatics
    “Now, the Dark Age of Kali Yuga has come.

    Plant the Naam, the Name of the One Lord.

    It is not the season to plant other seeds.

    Do not wander lost in doubt and delusion.”

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    Mute Michael Sands
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    Nov 19th 2015, 1:12 PM

    ISIS ARE PLAYING GAMES AS THEY HATE THE REFUGEES AND WILL TRY TO TURN EVERYONE AGAINST THEM AS WELL AS MUSLIMS IN GENERAL, Isis wants to create racism, fear, hatred and cause more Muslims to join them… To justify their own existence as well as attack those refugees.

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    Mute Paddy Whack
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    Nov 20th 2015, 1:03 PM

    I recall the boat load of mainly Muslim refugees that threw the few non-muslims that happened to be amongst them overboard to their death. One man’s refugee is another man’s aggressor!

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