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Brendan O'Carroll will give 2,500 families their Christmas Day dinner

He has donated vouchers for turkey and ham to the St Vincent de Paul.

16/2/2015 Brendan O Carroll is Grand Marshal Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland Leah Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

COMEDIAN BRENDAN O’CARROLL has put his hand in his pocket to help needy families in Dublin this Christmas Day.

He has joined forces with Society of St Vincent de Paul (SVP) to ensure that over 2,500 families in the greater Dublin area will have their turkey and ham on Christmas Day this year.

SVP said that the creator of Mrs Brown’s Boys has donated vouchers for turkey and ham to the East Region of the SVP for distribution to families supported by the society.

The charity said:

As a result many families who might have missed out on this traditional Christmas meal will not be disappointed.

O’Carroll has made a “substantial donation” to SVP for a number of years to provide people with Christmas dinners.

Liam Casey, President of the SVP East Region said:

The continuous generosity of Brendan is unbelievable. It is an imaginative yet practical way to help many families in need. Our volunteers know that the families who benefit from his generosity not only appreciate his action but take extra pleasure in knowing that it comes with the compliments of Mrs Brown, an iconic and internationally famous Dublin mother.

The SVP in the East Region is continuing to receive a record number of calls for support, it said.

This year the Region will have dealt with over 65,000 calls for help before the year is over.

Casey said that as a result, its resources are fully stretched.

SVP welcomes all donations, “whether financial or in the form of goods which can either be distributed directly to those in need or sold in our Vincent shops”.

“The Irish public have been extremely generous to the SVP in the past and we are dependent on them to continue their support into the future,” said Casey.

Read: St Vincent de Paul appeals for money and toys as donations fall>

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65 Comments
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    Mute LesBehan
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:02 PM

    I wouldn’t be a fan of his work but I’m a huge fan of his humanity. Fair play Brendan.

    618
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    Mute Carm(Little Vampire)
    Favourite Carm(Little Vampire)
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:58 PM

    I’m exactly the same.

    126
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    Mute Stephen Foster
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 11:21 PM

    Yea me also. Just don’t get the humour in Mrs Browns Boys, but what an amazing, altruistic gesture.

    111
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    Mute Snowball
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:57 PM

    Top man, the true spirit of Christmas right there

    410
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    Mute billy dunne
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:04 PM

    Fair play to him I know SVP helped his family out as a kid nice to someone with a few bob giving something back

    404
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    Mute Derek Fleming
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:07 PM

    He didn’t know any better , he thought it was his uncle Peter And uncle paul that just came around every week helping hi Ma .

    137
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    Mute Gold for nothing
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:20 PM

    What about his uncle Vincent?

    68
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    Mute Derek Fleming
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:31 PM

    Ha ha ha sorry I got confused. Peter was out fishing , Vincent is the man

    65
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    Mute Kaz Kork
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:54 PM

    Those 2 little dickybirds

    18
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    Mute Very angry sales rep
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:56 PM

    Good man Brendan, keep up the great work

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:55 PM

    Real respect and true admiration.

    260
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    Mute Derek Fleming
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:00 PM

    It always warms your heart that it’s the joe soap salt of the earth people who came from nothing, always give the most. Take a bow Ms Brown

    239
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    Mute Sinead Hanley
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:37 PM

    Spot on Derek. Brendan hasn’t forgot where he came from and who helped him.

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    Mute Darach Malone
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:59 PM

    He’s always doing stuff like this. Never forgotten his roots. Top man.

    193
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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:01 PM

    Hi mother would be proud of him. But she’d be disgusted with Labour her former party.

    102
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    Mute Suzie Sunshine
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:57 PM

    Fair play to him , I hope they go to the families who really do need them .

    188
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    Mute Dan The Man
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:59 PM

    One generous man a credit to his parents considering his tough childhood well done Brendan

    150
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    Mute Elizabeth A. Meacham
    Favourite Elizabeth A. Meacham
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:01 PM

    It is great that he has done this but also very sad that so many families need help affording Christmas dinner

    110
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    Mute Smartvote
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:58 PM

    Fair play to you Mammy

    103
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    Mute Finnhorgan
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:06 PM

    Well done to you Mrs Brown. . In fairness to you …you always said that u would never forget your uncles Vincent and Paul. . . .

    100
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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:57 PM

    I wonder when Enda and his merry cabinet will put their hand in their pockets…..

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    Mute Gerry Ryan
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:09 PM

    Never, they keep putting their hands in our pockets!

    88
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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:10 PM

    Enda and his government will only put their hands in our pockets

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    Mute Gold for nothing
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:21 PM

    Give it a rest, must everything be politicised?

    75
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    Mute Christine Hanway
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:32 PM

    Spot on Gerry… can I nominate that for comment of the week!!!!!

    13
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    Mute John Scott
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 9:16 PM

    Wont cost tem they have a thing called Expenses .

    1
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    Mute Old Gabby Johnson
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 8:59 PM

    Hate Mrs Browne boys.. Awful viewing but if it means the man can keep doing this kudos to him and wish him every success.

    79
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    Mute Tomas Lyne
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:06 PM

    Fair play. I remember his stand up where he says his clothes were all hand me downs from his uncle Vincint and his uncle Paul

    76
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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:00 PM

    Well done Brendan .

    72
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    Mute SMcB
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:38 PM

    I have the utmost respect for BOC, a self made man who came from very modest surroundings. These are the sort of people we should be celebrating.

    66
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    Mute TommyRyder
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:03 PM

    Bravo.
    The true spirit of Christmas.

    64
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    Mute Conor Graham
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:07 PM

    You criticised Mark Zukerberg yesterday for donating $45 billion. But Brendan O’ Carroll is a hero for donating some turkeys. Explain yourself.

    63
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:17 PM

    Woah there Conor. No one has to ‘explain themselves’, everyone is entitled to their opinions, whether or not they’re agreeable, and no one has to justify those opinions to anyone else.

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    Mute Conor Graham
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:18 PM

    You don’t see a slight inconsistency there Brendan, from the Journal’s resident troll?

    33
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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:24 PM

    Does it really matter?

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    Mute David Murphey
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:08 PM

    Yes, it really matters.

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    Mute orl
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 11:02 PM

    @Jay I am a VdeP volunteer (St Bernadette’s conference) and I know that Brendan O’Carroll wanted to keep it private but Head Office said that giving it publicity would encourage others to be generous. Clearly you were not the target audience.

    62
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    Mute Alkaline
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:36 PM

    Not my kind of comedy at all, but he’s a class act in every other way. I salute you sir.

    60
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    Mute Tony Hartigan
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:06 PM

    What a legend.

    57
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    Mute PaulOD
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:03 PM

    Fair play to him

    54
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    Mute Francid Dooley
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:59 PM

    I never liked this man..I was so wrong.

    50
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    Mute fuve
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 12:23 AM

    How could you not like him? Shocked. He is one of the nicest most generous honest caring people ever. He never never gets airs or graces about his success and always stops for chat with strangers. He is really funny in his stand up shows to.
    Pure gold salt of earth Brendan fair play to you!

    32
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    Mute Aaron Kavanagh
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:03 PM

    I don’t like his work, but I think you’d have to be very cynical to not appreciate his philanthropy.

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    Mute marcusmckenna
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:30 PM

    Fair play to him, if you have the money why not….

    37
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    Mute Feargal A Hickey
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:01 PM

    Fair play Brendan, a genuine heart of gold .

    34
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    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 11:17 PM

    A hard worker who never forgot the help he was given. It’s nice to see him repay Vinnie’s help in kind.

    29
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    Mute Jonathan O'Keeffe
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:43 PM

    Good man Brendan, never forget his roots

    25
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    Mute David Murphey
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:07 PM

    Well done, Brendan.

    When Mark Zucherburg donates money he is criticised for not giving enough or for a publicity stunt, but when Brendan O’Carroll does it………

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    Mute wiklagirl
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 5:51 AM

    I’m not a fan of Brendan O’Carroll but this is an interesting read about Mr Zuckerbergs ‘charitable’ donation http://says.com/my/news/what-no-one-is-telling-you-about-mark-zuckerberg-donating-99-of-his-fortune-to-charity

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    Mute C_O'S
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:19 PM

    This is a true gentleman that has risen to the top in his career in the last few years and who is still very grounded. My hat off to you for your generosity to the SVP.

    23
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    Mute Maggie
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 11:08 PM

    Pure decent

    21
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    Mute Jay
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 10:26 PM

    Humility is giving without fanfare. It’s a PR dream to coincide with his gig at the 3 Arena. Fickle midget.

    18
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    Mute Ken Pepper
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 1:05 AM

    Always putting his hand in his pocket , and his glasses on his head ….

    13
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    Mute Eugene Walsh
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:01 PM

    Oh yes, another face making good for his career from the less fortunate.

    13
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    Mute TheBull
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 9:38 PM

    He has a long history of helping others. He’s just a nice man. You should try it sometime.

    86
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    Mute Noel Falkhall
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 1:28 AM

    He does it and thats what matters and I’m not sure what return he gets or expects from it and I hope if you are in a position to do the same that you actually do it as thats what matters because we actully need more Brendans in Ireland who step up…..if you do it I’m sure the Journal will write a great article on you as it appears you might need the attention that you think Brendan is seeking

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    Mute Kevin Maguire
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 11:20 PM

    A star on stage and off

    12
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    Mute Conor Doran
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 11:14 PM

    I’d rather him stop making that sh^te Mrs Brown to be honest, he’d make a whole lot more people happy

    11
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    Mute Robbie Toner
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 7:10 AM

    Never ceases to amaze me the amount of begrudgers in this country. BBC gives something back to a community and idiots want to slag him off.It really is a pity that such gestures cannot just be accepted for what they are.I personally salute you Brenda well done,but I would not expect anything else from this kind soul.

    7
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    Mute Kevin Slater
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 8:14 AM

    I get Mrs browns boys. And I also get Brendan o’carrolls generosity. He’s giving something back and seeking no reward. So called Christians and governments take note. Stop wringing your hands and provide housing with no conditions attached, you have €343m spare

    7
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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 9:46 AM

    This guy is seriously irritating at best..can’t stand the guy

    7
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    Mute Chris
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 2:45 AM

    He is a top man with a good heart and has never forgot where he came from well done

    7
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    Mute Richie C
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    Dec 2nd 2015, 11:19 PM

    What a waste. They’ll spend the vast majority of that money campaigning to keep the 8th Amendment.

    4
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    Mute Noel Falkhall
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 1:22 AM

    2500 Vouchers which I hope cannot be used in any other fashion than passing them on to needy families. Fair play to Brendan who not so long ago was struggling not knowing whether the “live” show could play the next city or town. Fantastic gesture.

    15
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    Mute Anastasia
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    Dec 3rd 2015, 4:31 PM

    Well done Brendan any chance of you going for election you would be good in politics

    1
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