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Top comments of the week

Did you make the cut?

EVERY SATURDAY MORNING we take a look at all the best comments left on the site by our readers over the past seven days.

This week there was talk about the Eighth Amendment, sexting, the Leaving Cert and Muhammad Ali.

Sixties At 50 Becoming Ali Muhammad Ali standing over fallen challenger Sonny Liston in May 1965. AP / Press Association Images AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

The 5 most popular comments this week:

1. A flight to Germany was diverted to Dublin after a medical emergency on board. However there were not enough hotel rooms available for everyone due to Bank Holiday Monday so the flight had to carry on to Frankfurt that evening. Evais Doves commented to say:

Headline should read “Cheaper for plane to fly back to Germany than pay over the top hotel prices in Dublin”

That comment got 1,300 likes.

2. A man was sentenced to four and a half years for sexually abusing his four daughters. Stephen kavanagh said it was an “unbelievably light sentence”.

His comment got 1,232 green thumbs.

3. Republic of Ireland coach Martin O’Neill apologised for offensive comments he made on Today FM during the week. Jon Walters commented on the article to say:

It’s a sad day when the Irish can’t take jokes anymore

His comment got 1,229 green thumbs.

4. Last weekend hundreds turned out for Celebrate the 8th - an anti-abortion event held in Dublin city centre. James Dunphy added his thoughts on the controversial matter:

Whether you agree with abortion or not. Whether your religion allows it or not. Women should be able to make the decision themselves.

1,082 others appeared to agree.

5. French extremist was arrested carrying an arsenal of weapons and allegedly planning to attack the Euro 2016 football championships in France. Timmay Timeo replied to a commenter who questioned the man’s need for 20 balaclavas.

Not necessarily, probably an Aldi special offer, buy 1 get 19 free

That comment got 1,066 likes.

The top 5 articles which received the most comments this week

1. UN: Ireland must compensate woman forced to travel abroad for abortion (This article got 605 comments)

2. Hundreds turn out for ‘Celebrate the 8th’ anti-abortion event in Dublin (This article got 508 comments)

3. People are divided on the Eighth Amendment, but half want it repealed (This article got 366 comments)

4. We asked every TD if they want to repeal the Eighth Amendment – here’s what they said (This article got 363 comments)

5. Poll: Would you baptise your child just to get them into a school? (This article got 330 comments)

Standout comments

With the passing of boxing legend Muhammad Ali last week Sloop John G paid tribute to the man – and proved his reach went further than boxing:

I was never much of a boxing fan but I was in awe of Muhammad Ali. As a kid I used to love watching his fights and always looked forward to the interviews afterwards. Not only was he the greatest boxer of all time but he was so intelligent and witty he could have been a great writer had he not been struck down by Parkinson’s. I do not think it’s an exaggeration to say that he was the greatest sportsman of the 20th Century. He was certainly the most famous. Rest in Peace Ali, you will always be the greatest in my eyes.

When a boy in Japan was found alive, nearly a week after his parents left him in a forest as punishment, the father said his son had forgiven them. Shane Freeney believes the boy will remember it later in life:

Just wait till this boy has to choose a Nursing home for his Dad !

shutterstock_425815789 Shutterstock / nito Shutterstock / nito / nito

poll during the week asked readers if they ever “sext”? Cal McLaughlin commented to share their experience:

‘What are you doing’?
I’m in bed eating cereal.
‘What would you be doing if I was there with you’?
I’d be eating my cereal.
‘No, I mean – if there was no cereal’
I’d get out of bed and get some cereal.

See any good comments? Send them to orla@thejournal.ie 

More: Top comments from previous weeks >

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    Mute John Roche
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:57 AM

    Dr Hadden was elected to Wexford Corporation where he served for many years. He also founded the Wexford Male Voice Choir which is still going strong. I , like many of my generation, knew Dr Hadden as he was extremely well known in town. Summer or Winter he never wore an overcoat or socks and only wore very lightweight shoes. He was indeed a great walker and walked miles every day , for many years with his little dog at his side. When his dog was killed by a car it made the newspapers.As far as I can remember he was made a Freeman of the Borough.It was an honour to have known such a man.

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    Mute vv7k7Z3c
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:19 AM

    Thanks for that great info, John!

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    Mute L-Plate
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 12:53 PM

    Was he actually 7ft?

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    Mute Anne Marie O'Connor
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 4:25 PM

    No he wasn’t. He was tall, 6ft six maybe.

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    Mute Adam Murphy
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:19 AM

    The Pretenders don’t look so impressive now huh?

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    Mute Conor Dunne
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:56 AM

    Classic Adam. I tip my hat to you sir

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    Mute Hipster Enda
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:06 AM

    The Proclaimers ?

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    Mute Boganity
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 3:58 PM

    Da lat da (Da lat da), da lat da (Da lat da)
    Da-da-da dun-diddle un-diddle un-diddle uh da-da

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    Mute John Roche
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:09 AM

    Just to confirm that Dr Hadden was made an Freeman of Wexford in 1972. He never sought to serve as Mayor but probably would have succeeded had he done so. He also founded the Old Wexford Society now known as the Wexford Historical Society.

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    Mute Captain kirk
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:55 AM

    Was he 7ft tall?

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    Mute John Roche
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 11:39 AM

    No he was about 6’1″ when he was in his later years so probably about 6’3″in his prime.

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    Mute Robespierre
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:23 AM

    Great story – some man for one man.

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    Mute John Roche
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 11:53 AM

    Incidentally his wife Helen lived beyond 100 yrs and died in the early 1980′s. During his time back in Wexford from approx 1940 to his death in 1973 he never practiced as a doctor. He spent his time organising the bodies he had founded and started to conduct tours around town for tourists a practice which is commonplace today. In appearance he had a Chinese type long white beard down beyond his chest and walked very fast ( even when old) usually with his hands clasped behind his back.

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    Mute the flying picket
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:24 AM

    If only he had facebook !

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    Mute Noel Quinn
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:18 AM

    Some men would walk 10000 miles in the opposite direction !!!!

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    Mute bob®
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:24 AM

    Wexford always had great Walkers

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    Mute damien kierans
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 10:43 AM

    Movie please

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    Mute Qwerty
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 11:36 AM

    There already are films where it’s just people walking and nothing else happens. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy!

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    Mute Owen Lynch
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:38 AM

    The present Wexford hurling could do with a few (15) like him.

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    Mute Dave Field
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:47 AM

    Some tall tale…

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:25 AM

    I wonder if he sang any Proclaimers songs to keep himself amused along the way…
    da da-da da duh. da da-da da duh …..

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    Mute Alan Lawlor
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 9:27 AM

    Now I see Adam got in ahead of me!

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    Mute Dylan Ryan
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    Aug 2nd 2014, 5:45 PM

    He woulda spotted her miles away with that hat on her….

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    Mute ZeeFeb
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    Mar 20th 2017, 6:44 PM

    @Dylan Ryan: actually that is my great great grandmother. Don’t make fun of her hat. It was the early 1900s

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    Mute ZeeFeb
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    Mar 20th 2017, 6:46 PM

    actually the story is real. I should know. That man is my great great grandfather.

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