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"Such a small little thing can make such a big difference" - introducing 'Quiet Hour' in Irish supermarkets

The practice is put in place to cater for those with autism or a disability, but can end up catering for so much more, including the business itself.

shutterstock_413041936 Shutterstock / Siriporn Pimpo Shutterstock / Siriporn Pimpo / Siriporn Pimpo

THIS WEEK, ASDA, a British supermarket chain, has made the headlines with the news that it will be introducing a weekly ‘quiet hour’ in one of its outlets in Manchester to cater for autistic and disabled shoppers.

The idea is a simple one – for the designated period each Saturday the supermarket will operate with dimmed lighting, no tannoy, no music, and with escalators turned off to create an atmosphere of total silence.

However, the idea isn’t a completely novel one – one Irish supermarket has been operating a similar scheme since late last year. And other supermarkets here are starting to take note.

For Adam Harris, head of autism action group AsIAm, such approaches should really be the norm, not the exception.

“Without doubt there should be more of them,” he says of ‘quiet hours’. “They make sense for all concerned.”

We estimate that autism alone affects in the region of a quarter of a million people in Ireland, between those living with the condition and their extended family.

Serving those people’s needs isn’t just a nice thing to do, it serves the business as well.

Harris makes the point that those with autism are known for their loyalty, so cultivating their custom is a win-win situation for retailers. But there’s more to the idea than just that.

“A quiet hour suits those with autism, but it also suits those who suffer from headaches, someone who’s had a hard day at work, or people who just like peace and quiet. It’s really good for business,” says Harris.

But just how prevalent is the idea of catering to groups such as those with autism or disabilities becoming in Irish supermarkets? TheJournal.ie asked them all in order to find out:

Note: this query was put to Dunnes Stores also, however a reply was not forthcoming

Super Valu

clonak Scally's Super Valu, Clonakilty Google Maps Google Maps

Without doubt, the Irish retailer is leading the charge when it comes to inclusive initiatives like quiet hours.

Late last year Eugene Scally, owner of Super Valu in Clonakilty, Cork, introduced a two-hour period of full quiet each Tuesday evening. Why did he do so? Simple. Someone asked him to.

“I was asked by a mature student who was studying autism whether I’d be willing to facilitate a quiet store for a night’s shopping,” Scally says. “Well I don’t have to have a meeting to discuss that, why shouldn’t we?”

Now every Tuesday between 7pm and 9pm his store operates with dimmed lights and no tannoy in an atmosphere of silence. And according to Scally it’s being “very well received” indeed.

“You don’t have any idea how such a small little thing can make such a difference to people’s lives,” he says.

Tuesday night is a fine night to have it because we’re not that busy. But I have to say, since word of this got around, things are becoming quite brisk on Tuesdays now.

People are coming from Bantry, from Skibbereen, Dunmanway – it’s gotten big in a way I wouldn’t have expected.

But a quiet hour caters for other groups than just the autistic. Scally has seen his initiative be a hit with epileptics, with people sporting hearing aids, and with the general public too.

“It’s no big deal for us to do this,” he says. “But I’ve had phone calls from the length and breadth of Ireland about this. “

It really sums up what Super Valu is all about – about being local, understanding local people and catering to their needs.

Something of a self-confessed Luddite, Scally doesn’t use the internet, Facebook, Twitter – he doesn’t even have a mobile phone. But that hasn’t stopped him doing something genuinely innovative. And the idea is starting to take off. Now another Super Valu in Greystones, Co Wicklow, is rising to the challenge and scheduling in a quiet hour of its own.

This has really mushroomed,” says Scally. “It’s about making a constructive effort to make life better for the community”.

Tesco

439516532_44263aed56_o Gordon Joly Gordon Joly

The British giant has been number two in the supermarket wars for most of the last year – however it has some ideas of its own when it comes to catering for those with conditions like autism. Oddly enough, these practices have been put in place in stores in Co Cork also.

Tesco’s stores in Ballincollig and Douglas support My Canine Companion, a charity which provides service dogs to people with disabilities, particularly autism. What this amounts to is those stores are used for training assistance dogs.

On top of this, the store in Ballincollig is also looking at a potential ‘quiet hour’ – which would see the dimming of lights and turning off of tannoy announcements at a scheduled time of day. However, a Tesco spokesperson explained to us that this ‘trial’ has yet to go live. Assuming it does, might the experience be extended nationwide?

“We’ll keep it under review,” the spokesperson said.

We would always review such matters to see how we can improve the shopping experience for our customers.

Aldi

aldi Aldi, Rathmines, Dublin Google Maps Google Maps

German retailers Aldi and Lidl are quite unique from Ireland’s other supermarket experiences in that neither of them play music in their stores, while there is no tannoy messaging system – all staff interaction is done via radio.

In this way both retailers are already operating from a relatively ‘autism-friendly’ platform.

When questioned regarding the possibility of a quiet hour being introduced in Aldi stores, a spokesperson told us that the company is “constantly looking at new initiatives that will further improve the shopping experience for customers.”

We do not play music in our stores and the majority of our stores do not have a public address system, helping to keep noise in our stores to a minimum.
Our stores are fully accessible for all customers, with each store following a simple layout ensuring product categories are always easy to find.

Lidl

16779293318_66ec98a97f_o DennisM2 DennisM2

The other big German retailer here is, of course, Lidl. When questioned regarding their own initiatives regarding those with autism or disabilities, a spokesperson said that “a number of initiatives have been or are currently being implemented in order to offer a superior shopping experience for all customers”.

“With no in-store announcements or intercom music, the only noise that should be audible on the Lidl shop floor, other than the atmosphere created by customers and staff, is a till bell,” they said.

In fact Lidl is now phasing out their till bells, to be replaced by an electronic till management system which will only be heard by customers at the till area or by the checkouts.

“The recent introduction of headsets into stores also allows colleagues to communicate with each other to solve customer queries without having to call over an intercom system for a member of management,” the spokesperson added.

Lidl stores are also typically smaller in size when compared to other retailers and thus easier to navigate, which also speeds up the shopping experience. With this in mind, Lidl offers customers a mostly pleasant, quiet place to shop.

Read: Irish Water is easily the country’s least reputable brand

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53 Comments
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    Mute Keith Hoare
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:21 PM

    FF really have lost it.

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    Mute alan
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:15 PM

    proving once again why FF have found their natural home in opposition

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    Mute Richard O'Callaghan
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:21 PM

    Was Fleming drunk in charge of a TD’s brain?

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    Mute Reg
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:44 PM

    Fleming doesn’t have a brain.

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    Mute Billy Grennan
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:59 PM

    He doesn’t have much of a brain and less ethics but FF have to clutch to any straw now

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    Mute Ross
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:02 PM

    One can see that the Fleming Calf learnt well from the Fleming Bull. Sure he had no chance I suppose.

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    Mute Richard O'Callaghan
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:26 PM

    From Wikipedia

    “Seán Fleming (born 1 February 1958) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Laois–Offaly constituency.

    An accountant, educated at University College Dublin, Fleming was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1997 general election and retained his seat at the 2002 and 2007 general elections. He was formerly Financial Director of Fianna Fáil at national level.”

    Would he have been a Financial Director of Fianna Fail at the same time that Mr Gallagher was a celebrity fundraiser for Fianna Fail?

    By Fleming’s logic he probably should not have been asking the questions!!!

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    Mute Ross
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:54 PM

    So Sean F. was a financial director of FF. God I’d say he has seen some quare things in his time in that job. I once worked with a man from New York, that worked as a book keeper in a Hells Angels club, he had some great stories.

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    Mute Geraldine O'Connor
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    Mar 8th 2012, 7:03 PM

    FF TDs from Offaly with financial background – sounds familiar

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    Mute Bilbo Baggins
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    Mar 8th 2012, 9:07 PM

    He’s from Laois Geraldine, and Cowen (to whom i assume you mean) was a solicitor.

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    Mute Geraldine O'Connor
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    Mar 8th 2012, 9:22 PM

    TD for Laois/Offaly. Minister for fin (unfortunately).

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    Mute Alan McEvoy
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:21 PM

    Gallagher would not have won anyway. The tweet is a nice diversion from that fact.

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    Mute Michael Buckley
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:37 PM

    Higgins non stop work since the election !

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    Mute John Manahan
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:31 PM

    FF clutching at straws, as usual. Is this kind of nonsense what they meant by ‘renewal’ at their conference last weekend ??!!

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    Mute John McCormack
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:18 PM

    ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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    Mute limofax
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:02 PM

    FF sink to a new low.

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    Mute Ross
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:14 PM

    Don’t say that, they’ll only accept it as a challenge.

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    Mute Alan McBride
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:54 PM

    I dont really understand what all the fuss is over this tweet. If it had been untrue then yes but it wasn’t.

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    Mute Mark Power
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:53 PM

    Are you telling me Rabbitte wouldn’t have done this from the opposition benches I am delighted he was made to feel uncomfortable after his disgraceful attack on Pat Carey

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    Mute Ross
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:59 PM

    How was the attack on Pat Carey disgraceful. Most people felt that is he had called him a traitor, that it would still have been justifiable. I can guarantee that that was the word going through the minds of most houses in Ireland, as they watched, Carey, Lenihan, Cowen and the rest of the party faithful that weekend.

    For people, not familiar with the context it is the weekend that Biffo and Bozo Lenihan and the rest of FF hand over the keys of the state to the IMF. Naturally Pat Rabbitte was sickened to have to sit beside one of the men who made it so.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2sioK9Fcek

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    Mute Ross
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:12 PM

    I just watched that video once more. Carey couldn’t have cared less that the country was bankrupt and the IMF in charge, he didn’t bat an eye at it. How can people like him, have so little concern for or pride in their country, how can people defend men like him. Desperate excuse for an Irish man, though it sickens me to state that he is an Irishman.

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    Mute GR
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    Mar 8th 2012, 7:05 PM

    TWAS THE ENVELOPE THAT DID IT

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    Mute conor hickey
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:19 PM

    Caught in the headlights on this one.

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    Mute Brian Daly
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:30 PM

    Does Flemming know what’s going on at all around him? The investigation was by the BAI (and I presume RTE as well). Rabitte had little else to do with it other than read the report like the rest of us. He really needs to read up on this stuff before he addresses the Dail.

    The nature of the event i.e. bad editorial/researching by RTE wouldn’t merit anything more than a BAI investigation which reached the correct outcome. RTE were wrong and are to apologise. They were very wrong. However, Gallaghers response on the night was what probably cost him the election. While the text was unfair, he dug his own hole.

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    Mute Mark Neville
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    Mar 8th 2012, 7:01 PM

    Ah yes. FF trying their best to help out the “independent, FF many many moons ago but not now!” candidate. The Old Boys Brigade out in force again.

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    Mute Hugh O Connell
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    Mar 8th 2012, 5:59 PM

    Who framed Roger Rabbitte !!!!!!!!

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    Mute Mark Neville
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    Mar 8th 2012, 11:15 PM

    I’m sick to my back teeth of FF whinging about “Ooooh the nasty media arecout to get us”. If Gallagher had been up front about his activities in FF and the extent to which he was linked to the FF party then he wouldn’t have had to try to dodge awkward questions all through the campaign. It was another case of FF cute hoorism in trying to get their man through the back door by portrying him as an independent and when the public realised the extent of his involvement and the shady nature of his typical FF style campaign they gave him the two fingers like they did to the party in the general election. He was about as independent as Wales.

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    Mute DubInNaas
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    Mar 8th 2012, 11:52 PM

    Now thats a good comment !!

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    Mute Mark Power
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    Mar 8th 2012, 7:33 PM

    There was no need to tweet this lie with all the ink they have they could have sent every voter a letter

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    Mute Réada Quinn
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    Mar 8th 2012, 8:11 PM

    I think your FF brain is a little confused Mark. This is a scrap between Fianna Fail and Labour party. Lol

    26
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    Mute Dearbhla Carmody
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:19 PM

    Sean fleming has been studying footage of rabbitte in opposition. :-)

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    Mute Ross
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:24 PM

    I’m not a fan of Rabbitte but lets just say I’d still prefer to live further away from the Flemings, and I’m 35 miles away.

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    Mute Robert Duggan
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    Mar 8th 2012, 7:27 PM

    Was the election valid if the major vote swing was based on a lie?

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    Mute Ross
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    Mar 8th 2012, 8:08 PM

    How was it a lie??. Gallagher was up to his neck in FF Fundraising and his business and accounting practices reeked of FF as well.

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    Mute Rommel Burke
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    Mar 8th 2012, 9:52 PM

    Was the election result valid due to a major vote swing based on the exposure of a liar?

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    Mute Mark Power
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:36 PM

    I suppose this is coming from his “so called ” red background controlling the media is one of their favourite pastimes ….

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    Mute foggy_lad
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:55 PM

    Better a red than a deadbeat fianna failure of a politician!

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    Mute Julian King
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    Mar 8th 2012, 10:35 PM

    Pat Rabitte is one of the few politicians I actually like.

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    Mute Declan Flanagan
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:34 PM

    Pat rabbitte minister for communications RTE deficit 34million do something you dope,Fleming your an idiot just like the rest up there in that hole dail eireann,Ireland is sinking and fast coincidentally enda Kenny seeks 5,000 new jobs on the same day AIB ruin the lives of 2,500 others the whole of Dail eireann should go up and watch the Northern lights tonight

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    Mute Dearbhla Carmody
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:23 PM

    Fleming has been studying footage of rabbitte in opposition. Pair of idiots.

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    Mute DubInNaas
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    Mar 8th 2012, 9:47 PM

    I think you mean MINISTER Rabbitte…

    Please understand that there are standards in journalism that apply to ‘the journal’ as they do to others

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    Mute XaTylH9A
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    Mar 8th 2012, 10:07 PM

    Are you saying his title should precede his name the whole way through?

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    Mute DubInNaas
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    Mar 8th 2012, 10:46 PM

    I can’t decide if your response is one of incredulity or enquiry.

    For casual joirnalism, use a first name at the very least, although the title is preferred

    If you look at your report, Minister Rabbitte himself refers to to his colleague as ‘Deputy’

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    Mute John Cleary
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    Mar 9th 2012, 12:18 AM

    I think you’ll find there are standards that apply to constructing a sentence, but that hasn’t stopped you from ignoring them.

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    Mute DubInNaas
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    Mar 9th 2012, 6:52 AM

    John,
    An obscure comment ?

    Perhaps you could elaborate …

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    Mute Mark Power
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    Mar 8th 2012, 10:01 PM

    The whole reason for this so called scrap was a bogus shinner tweet … So yes they are part of this

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    Mute Tom Godfrey
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    Mar 8th 2012, 10:39 PM

    Sounds like a story he picked up from the Dail bar and then went out to tell Rabbite to royal him up.

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    Mute Paul Connolly
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    Mar 9th 2012, 7:30 AM

    Someone should just put FF out of their misery

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    Mute William Grogan
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    Mar 8th 2012, 10:51 PM

    RTE is a socialist entity so I am a bit suspicious about this matter and its implications.

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    Mute Dearbhla Carmody
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    Mar 8th 2012, 6:26 PM

    Oops posted twice!

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    Mute Gwyn Morgan
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    Mar 9th 2012, 7:22 AM

    I had thought the innuendo was going to be probe related on reading the headline. Very disappointing

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