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What are pretensioner seatbelts and are they better than normal seatbelts?

Got a motoring question or looking for some advice? We’re here to help.

Got a question? Need advice? Submit your queries to melanie@thejournal.ie.

THIS WEEK, A reader asks:

My car is fitted with a seatbelt pretension system and load limiters. What exactly do they do and are they more effective than seatbelts without these?

Belting up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. Fact. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) Volvo’s three-point seatbelt design, created in 1959, has saved over one million lives worldwide.

Newspress Newspress

A pretensioner, around since the 1950s, is a device designed to make seatbelts even more effective by removing the slack from a seatbelt as soon as an accident is detected or if the system senses excessive seatbelt tension on the driver or passenger’s seatbelt.

On standard seatbelts the locking system stops the seatbelt from extending any farther, but a pretensioner actively pulls in on the belt.  This ‘pre’ tensioning of the belt pulls the wearer back firmly into their seat and into a better position to get the full protection of the front airbags. By reducing the movement of the body, it also reduces the risk of injury.

Load limiters are often installed to minimise seatbelt-inflicted injury by releasing a little more excess belt webbing.

You know that extra fold of fabric on your seatbelt? That is a load limiter – and the stitching on that fold is designed to rip and release the extra fabric when excess force is applied. More advanced load limiters use a torsion bar in the retractor mechanism.

But are they any safer than conventional seat belts?

Well, according to one US study, by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they are better:

In passenger cars, CUVs, and minivans, a belted driver or right-front passenger has an estimated 12.8 percent lower fatality risk if the belt is equipped with a pretensioner

And a follow up study showed that

a combination of pretensioners and load limiters significantly reduces HIC, chest acceleration, and chest deflection scores on 35 mph frontal NCAP tests.

Want to know more about how a pretensioner and force limiter works? This video will explain more.

ToyotaNZ / YouTube

READ: How to destress and stay relaxed whilst driving >

READ: Dear Driver: Which is the safest seat in my MPV? >

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    Mute Mark Murphy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:41 PM

    Can’t wait to see the comments on how some people will find something wrong with this

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    Mute Brendan Cooney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:57 PM

    @Mark Murphy: they have all ready started in the previous article, not in my town, Africa doing it faster, wrong colour……..

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    Mute Marc Johns
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:58 PM

    @Mark Murphy: oh you mean don’t mention the fact that it’s at least 2 months late and that one can draw a direct line from that delay to the number of deaths. Fine, well you can continue with your fanboy status, I’ll speak the truth and hold the government to account

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:13 PM

    @Marc Johns: Hold the government to account for problems in the global supply chain of vaccines ? Speaking whatever tripe pops into your head is not the same as speaking the truth.

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    Mute Keith Murray
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:14 PM

    @Marc Johns: we didn’t have the vaccine 2 months ago and did you want front line workers and care home residents brought to a hurling field to get their shot?!?

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    Mute Ger
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:14 PM

    @Marc Johns: except that that’s not accurate at all. It’s not late. Ireland, like every other country, can only operate within the limits of the amount of vaccines its received. For example we got a shipment of just over 5k in the first batch. Are you seriously suggesting all these vaccination centres should have been open when we were only getting small amounts of Pfizer vaccines at the start? As the shipments increased so the numbers of people being able to be vaccinated has increased. That’s why these centres are now needed. Common sense. Also there is no correlation between your idea of a delay and deaths increasing. The vaccine wasn’t approved until late December. Deaths increased because the new strain hit the country when we opened at Christmas.

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    Mute Johnny
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:15 PM

    @Marc Johns: eh, no, it’s not “late”, as there isn’t enough supply of vaccines to warrant opening them yet.
    If they opened 2 months ago, you’d be complaining about why everyone was standing around doing nothing in them, as they don’t have enough vaccines to go round.
    There was no point opening them before now, and there still won’t be any point for a couple of months yet, until we get enough vaccines being produced and delivered to us.

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    Mute Mark Murphy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:19 PM

    @Marc Johns: marc go to bed , what are ya talking about fan boy status for, you haven’t a scoobie doo what your talking about..get off the page man

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    Mute Sarah Cullen
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:22 PM

    @Ger: and who permitted the reopening and the travel??

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    Mute Marc Johns
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:27 PM

    @Tommy Roche: yes exactly. We are one of the richest countries in the world. We should have been in the ranks of Israel and the UAE on this topic. Every. Single. Day. Counts.

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    Mute Ger
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:30 PM

    @Sarah Cullen: what’s that got to do with anything? We had been in lockdown for 6 weeks before. People were advised to avail of late shopping hours, no one listened, shops and streets were as busy as any other year. People were given guidance on social distancing and mask wearing if they visited family, also reducing numbers. People clearly didn’t listen to that either. No one forced people to shop in crowed shops or walk in crowded streets. People went into town, saw the crowds and decided to take the risk. Its on us. If the government had ordered a lockdown over Christmas do you honestly think these people would have listened?

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    Mute Sarah Cullen
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:55 PM

    @Ger: “on us” being a very loose term, I did none of the items described above. It is on the government, even MM has said he made the wrong decision to not listen to nphet advise. While I take your point on the supply of the vaccine, (totally ignoring other countries within the EU getting their own supplies elsewhere), I do not accept that enough was done to avoid the situation of last month where as a nation from the top down we failed all of the people who died. Also it was entirely predictable that it would go one way and one way only. But no I am not accepting your “on us” on any level, I kept my kids away from other kids, I didnt go out shopping, even to the supermarket, I had xmas dinner just those who live in the house, I didnt party, I havent been in a pub in a year etc. I even emailed MM and Varadkar before xmas advising of how it would go (exactly as it did) if they kept schools open til 22nd and allowed intergenerational mixing thereafter….. Its not on me.

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    Mute Ger
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:03 PM

    @Sarah Cullen: when I say “on us” I mean the people in general. Like you, I followed all the advice as did my family and we were able to have a safe if limited Christmas and no one got infected. The people who ignored the advice would have ignored the restrictions. You know it and I know it. It happened in the UK. The UK had tight restrictions over Christmas and their deaths went through the roof in January also. At an even higher rate than ours actually. 3 to 1 per head of population for most of the month. The UK varient hitting us as we relaxed restrictions was the perfect storm sadly.

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    Mute JG
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:06 PM

    @Marc Johns: you speak gibberish and you won’t be holding anything or anyone to account.

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    Mute
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:13 PM

    @Mark Murphy: I’m not one for whinging but I won’t be traveling to Enniscorthy for a vaccine which for me is 23km away plus Enniscorthy is at the centre of high cases in Co Wexford right now. Why can’t a centre be sought in Wexford town also say Clonard Community Centre or or Wexford County Council building or Wexford library Talbot Hotel or others.

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    Mute Brendan Greene
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:18 PM

    @Marc Johns: look Is really paid several times what we are paying and as an extra sweetener for Pfizer agreed to give them almost real time data on the vaccinated population. They are in a position to do that sas they have the most advanced health service IT system in the world.
    Lithuania tried to source vaccines independently and were priced out of it by bigger competitors.

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    Mute M
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:26 PM

    @Marc Johns: You need a break from the Journal lad. Get out and get some fresh air for yourself or watch a 6 season TV show. Anybody who doesn’t agree with your perennially negative nonsense is derided as being a ‘fanboy’. It must be painful being that pessimistic. “I’m gonna wake up this morning and go on the Journal to complain about the Government. Again.” You think you’re ‘holding them to account?’ You realise that none of them read this?

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:36 PM

    @Mark Murphy: people are entitled to their opinions. You’re not the only person with an opinion that’s valid

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    Mute Keith Murray
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:09 PM

    @Marc Power: You’re entitled to an opinion Marc, but don’t be offended if that opinion is found to be utter horsesh*t.

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    Mute Keith Murray
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:10 PM

    @Marc Power: You’re entitled to an opinion Marc, but don’t be offended if that opinion is found to be utter rubbish.

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    Mute Keith Murray
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:10 PM

    @Marc Power: You’re entitled to an opinion Marc, but don’t be offended if that opinion is found to be nonsense.

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:39 PM

    @Mark Murphy: he’s telling the truth unlike you and your sheep like posting

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    Mute Mark Murphy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:43 PM

    @Marc Power: good man marc. Head on back inside and finish your colouring in book, fresh air got to ya.

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    Mute Dorothy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 4:26 PM

    @Mark Murphy: Whingefest already on Liveline.

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    Mute Malachi Shanks
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    Feb 15th 2021, 6:23 PM

    @Tommy Roche: 26,000 doses of AstraZeneca arrived in this country two and half weeks ago and last I heard they had administered 700 doses. Supply is an issue but it’s not the whole story. Utterly ridiculous.

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    Mute Leonard Barry
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    Feb 15th 2021, 6:39 PM

    @Marc Johns: If Ireland is one of the richest nations in the world as you suggest then why in 2009 did we have to get the Bank Of England to give Ireland a loan to bail us out.

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    Mute Hear me now
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:07 PM

    @Mark Murphy: 37…not enough…delayed aswell…not good enough …15 million vaccinated in England to our 200,000 plus, not good enough..
    Well you did ask.

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    Mute Misty Eyed Mutton
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:36 PM

    @Mark Murphy: How about the GAA having its over active snout in the trough as usual?

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:04 PM

    @Marc Johns: The fatalities were caused by people spreading the virus at Christmas. Cant vaccinate if you dont have them and we dont have them.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:06 PM

    @Marc Johns: Money makes only a small difference in this issue and not enough to change anything for us.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:10 PM

    @: They need a venue with certain facilities and this is the best one. It is not they figured lets pick there I always liked that town. Separate entrances and exits with complete segregation etc. are required

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:13 PM

    @Marc Power: So everybody is wrong bar the Marc’s, you certainly are that a right pair of marks.

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    Mute
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:45 PM

    @Gary Kearney: Wexford town has such facilities Talbot hotel Whites Hotel Clonard Community Centre Wexford Co Co building Talbot is currently used by IBTS every 3 months and it works Clonard Community Centre has multiple entrances and exits and toilet facilities Scoil Mhuire National School another St Joseph’s Centre Loreto Secondary school. Or rent a large marquee place that marquee on a football pitch with car park facilities. Lots of options. Enniscorthy is not a problem for me but for some who can’t travel have to find a way to get there.

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:41 PM

    Great news. Now why wasn’t this sorted before now?

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    Mute Mark Murphy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:42 PM

    @Marc Power: and the first one with something wrong….

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    Mute GFunkEire
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:43 PM

    @Marc Power: emmm…supply?

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    Mute James Lyons
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:44 PM

    @Marc Power: we’re a small fish when it comes to supply, whether we like it or not

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    Mute Johnny
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:44 PM

    @Marc Power: Because there was no need for them. And there still isn’t. When supplies from drug companies increase, then they’ll be needed.
    We’re currently using everything we get.
    We have more than enough capacity and capability, but not enough supplies of vaccines coming, this will increase in the next few months.
    This is outlined in the article if you bother to read it.

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    Mute Seanie Bourke
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:45 PM

    @Mark Murphy: they are making a valid point tho so its not a criticism. Look at the vaccine roll out here compared to NI for example. We are dragging our feet whilst small business owners are struggling

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    Mute Marg FitzGerald
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:57 PM

    @Marc Power: we didnt have the vaccine supply

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    Mute Thomas Foy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:00 PM

    @Marc Power: has the limited supply justified sorting this before now?

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    Mute Ger
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:15 PM

    @Marc Power: it wasn’t needed before now.

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    Mute Ger
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:16 PM

    @James Lyons: we’re not actually. We’re getting the same amount as every other EU nation per head of population and are still in the top 3 in the EU for numbers with shots in arms.

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    Mute Ger
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:23 PM

    @Seanie Bourke: define “dragging our feet”. Every single vile of vaccine we have is being used. If we were dragging our feet there would be loads being dumped every day because they’re not being used. The UK approved the vaccines before the EU did, that’s why NI is ahead. If the EU rushed to approve them people would be complaining about that too. We can only work with what we have and we are ramping up week on week. Just like every other country in the world

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    Mute J
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:31 PM

    @Marc Power: I’d they were built and not being used you’d complain about wasting tax payers money

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    Mute Marc Johns
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:35 PM

    @Mark Murphy: what the article contains is an ‘announcement’ about a rollout of vaccination centers. The rollout before the rollout. That’s where we are. Let’s see when these centers appear. The government is filling voids with announcements and hype and blah blah.
    Planning for this should have begun in March with their announcements ready to report as soon as the vaccine was approved in December.

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:35 PM

    @J: nothing wrong with expecting more from a bunch of cl*wns who are more interested in rolling out depressing numbers every day rather than sourcing vaccines or planning ahead for when they are sourced. Bet your one of the I’m al right Jack types not financially affected by this government’s reaction to this pandemic? I am. So the feet dragging and acceptance of incompetence by people like you is part of the problem.

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:37 PM

    @GFunkEire: supply doesn’t seem to be an issue elsewhere. Why does it have to be here?

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    Mute Marc Power
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:45 PM

    @GFunkEire: supply sourcing doesn’t seem to be a problem for other countries including Hungary… an EU country. Why does it have to be am issue here?

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:44 PM

    @Marc Power: maybe because you weren’t in charge?

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    Mute GFunkEire
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:12 PM

    @Marc Power: do you fancy rolling the dice with a Russian vaccine? Honest question. I’d rather mine was vetted according to EU standards.

    3
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:14 PM

    @Seanie Bourke: We are not dragging our feet we have some of the best figure in the world and we are not taking the wild risks they are in the UK either.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:43 PM

    Longford Slashers GAA – what a name

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    Mute Sean Leonard
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:29 PM

    @Adrian: well appropriate to what’s living there boss!

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    Mute Adam O'Sullivan
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:42 PM

    No vaccination centre in Limerick, it’s in Co.Clare!

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    Mute Niall Lee
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:49 PM

    @Adam O’Sullivan: radisson is in limerick

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    Mute Patrick J. Keating
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:00 PM

    @Niall Lee: It’s in County Clare. Check your boundaries.

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:01 PM

    @Niall Lee: Raddison is in Clare, that said it’s only 1.3 km from the county border with Limerick.

    https://goo.gl/maps/aT6tQjtcDhMBmKhh9

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    Mute Niall Lee
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:36 PM

    @Patrick J. Keating: where’s the boundary pal

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    Mute Patrick J. Keating
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:00 PM

    @Niall Lee: It’s at the “Welcome To County Clare” sign between Sheils Lansdowne and the Coonagh Roundabout. You’ll find that Sheils is also in County Clare as is The Two Mile Inn Hotel which is now a Care Home Facility.

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    Mute Mr_Bumkee
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:28 PM

    @Adam O’Sullivan: Ah will you stop Adam. Seriously. Its clearly the limerick vaccine center.

    “eM wElL aCtUaLlY iTs AcRoSs ThR bOrDeR”

    It makes literally no difference that its 1500m further out the road. There will likely be shuttle services put on in addition to the 343 intercity bus that stops there regularly. 20min bus ride.

    Half of UL is in Clare for god sake.

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:11 PM

    @Niall Lee: no its not, do your homework, its county clare

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    Mute Chris Tobin
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:12 PM

    @David Jordan: obviously no hotels in limerick city

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    Mute Kieran Considine
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    Feb 15th 2021, 4:24 PM

    It’s in the Banner Co…Meelick parish ..

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    Mute Sean O Callaghan
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:35 PM

    @Niall Lee: Radisson is in Clare

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    Mute daniel roche
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    Feb 15th 2021, 6:57 PM

    @Mr_Bumkee: your not allowed make sense on the journal, the moaners won’t be happy.

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:13 PM

    @Adam O’Sullivan: It’s a very poor location for a Limerick centre. Surely Ballysimon, Castletroy or even Limerick Racecourse would have been more suitable for city and county dwellers alike. The Dock, Condell and Ennis roads are always busy and the Radisson is at the wrong side of the city for most people living across the county.

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    Mute Ben L
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:13 PM

    @Mr_Bumkee: it doesn’t change its in Clare and inaccessible for a large amount of limerick

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    Mute Lager Lout
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:53 PM

    @Patrick J. Keating: A City can span a county boundary you half-wit.

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    Mute Joe Price
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:43 PM

    Anybody selling a ticket?

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    Mute Fred spins kdb
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:46 PM

    @Joe Price: assume there’ll be a few Dublin lads outside with headscarves and programmes that will sort you out.

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    Mute Mark Murphy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:41 PM

    Can’t wait to see the comments on how some people will find something wrong with this

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    Mute JustBEERbarry
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:45 PM

    @Mark Murphy: ya one centre in Galway. Situated in one of the most problematic areas for traffic on the east. Nothing on the west. Hmmm. No issues at all, nothing to see.

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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:58 PM

    @JustBEERbarry: Same as donegal. For such a big county like Galway, mayo there should be more than one

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    Mute JustBEERbarry
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:06 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: why so many test centres to begin with but so few vaccine centres?

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    Mute Mike Keane
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:19 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: Sure half of Mayo live in Galway.

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    Mute Padraig Mac Aodha
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:31 PM

    @Mark Murphy: Poke poke poke. Grow up and find something meaningful to be right about.

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    Mute Mirabelle Stonegate
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:32 PM

    @JustBEERbarry: Are there many test centers? I only know of one in Cork, and even that’s a guess tbh. I genuinely couldn’t tell you where the test centers are here in Cork.

    And the spread of vaccination places in Cork is very bad. I’m in North East Cork. None are anywhere reasonably close to me. 3 are clustered in the city.. Clonmel in Tipp would nearly be more convenient for me…

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    Mute Austin Shields
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:27 PM

    @JustBEERbarry: because….. there are limited supplies of vaccine… there wasn’t limits on testing… no point in opening 60 or 70 vaccine centres and ppl sat around doing very little, much more sense that each centre is busy

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    Mute Declan Sweeney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:53 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher:

    Agree huge counties like Galway and Mayo while small counties like Kerry and Westmeath has 2, what was the criteria for how many in each county,

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    Mute Peter McGlynn
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    Feb 15th 2021, 6:46 PM

    @Mark Murphy: 2 in Kerry with a smaller population than donegal.

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:41 PM

    @JustBEERbarry: Same with Limerick. One centre situated inside the Clare border with three very busy bottlenecks to access it. Makes no sense given how suitable Ballysimon, Castletroy or the Racecourse would have been for city and county dwellers alike.

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    Mute Frank Lowry
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:46 PM

    Who said Pairc Ui Chaoimh was a waste of money.

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    Mute Anthony Gogarty
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:03 PM

    Anyone else frustrated that we live on an island and we can’t close the country off
    And we can’t even manage to vaccinate a small population and getting a hit for tax what ever the cost of the vaccine it would have to be cheaper than paying people to stay at home

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    Mute Ger
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:34 PM

    @Anthony Gogarty: oh to live in your magical world where there is an endless supply of vaccines and there aren’t actually two countries sharing our island with different ideas about how how to deal with stuff like travel.

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    Mute Frank Brennan
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:14 PM

    According to the one o’clock news the centres are not ready just yet, but will be available as soon as possible?? Dublin will have four centres. Most other counties will only have one centre in use four the whole county!!How are people to get to these centres? Are we being told more lies? This rollout of vaccinations for the elderly is a farce, totally disorganised.

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    Mute Johnny
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:19 PM

    @Frank Brennan: u wot m8? Engage your brain.
    Dublin has 4 because it has a much higher amount of the population than any other county.
    People get to the centres by driving, public transport, etc, the same way they get around now. These will not be the only places doing them.
    The centres are not ready yet because they are for giving vaccines when we get down through the groups and into the later groups, which are basically all people between the ages of 18-60 with no underlying health conditions or requirements. That will be done in the summer, not now.
    Maybe try read the article and the other articles on this before furiously mashing the keyboard.

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    Mute Sarah Cullen
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:26 PM

    @Johnny: so to be clear you are okay with the plan outlined in your comment??

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    Mute Sarah Cullen
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:36 PM

    @Johnny: also johnny, I have just looked up the Mayo centre (singular) its 7.1km away from any public transport depots….assuming everyone can access a bus to castlebar from Mayo… belmullet to breaffy house is 2 hours and 39 minutes using public transport….each way. I think you may have overlooked the size of the counties….remember we actively want people to take the vaccine.

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    Mute phil82
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:07 PM

    @Frank Brennan: cork will have 5

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    Mute SandraMeyler
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:12 PM

    @Johnny: Cork has 5 vaccination centres with 40% of Dublin population

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    Mute Johnny
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:16 PM

    @Sarah Cullen: the vaccine will also be given in GP practices, pharmacies, and probably dentists too. It isn’t just these 37 places. Belmullet to Breaffy House is irrelevant. There will be many places to get the vaccine.

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    Mute JC
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:18 PM

    Only one center in Louth! Always Dundalk. There should be one in Drogheda also.

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    Mute Sean Dalton
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:41 PM

    @JC: Mon the Town!!

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    Mute Gerard Carthy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:36 PM

    I think everyone is taking the wrong message from the U.K. success. In 28 days or so the U.K. and NO should be effectively post pandemic.
    With over 50% vaccinated or infected the circulation of the virus will stop.
    Variants are irrelevant it seems, and seasonality of coronavirus explains our numbers as much as a Kent variation.
    So, we have a successful vaccine programme rolling out on less than a year that has a 94% efficacy rate.
    There not much to moan about here. And can we drop this travel nonsense. NZ have tried and failed, as has Victoria.
    Vaccination not solitary confinement is the answer now.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:15 PM

    @Gerard Carthy: They will not be vaccinated, they will be half way vaccinated

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    Mute Shane Freeney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:22 PM

    Great… Wexford one centre at the end of a Cul de sac… Lol you couldn’t make it up… Traffic is bad enough there on a good day..
    The Maldron Hotel is on the ring road of Wexford Town next to a main route roundabout. .. But no that might make sense to put the centre on a large road with access to all sides of the County from a large roundabout…

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    Mute Johnny
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:17 PM

    @Shane Freeney: there are many GP practices, pharmacies, dentists in Wexford where people can get it too, if they care that much about the traffic to this particular centre.

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    Mute Gerard Carthy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 1:38 PM

    I wonder how long it will take before people start giving out about how much the hotels used are being paid….

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    Mute Sharon Ní Ríada
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:12 PM

    Limerick doesn’t have any centre. The radisson is in Clare. They’ve also got the one at the west county in Ennis. Where are South and west Limerick people supposed to go to?

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    Mute Johnny
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:17 PM

    @Sharon Ní Ríada: they go to the GP practices, pharmacies and dentists where the vaccine is being administered currently, or will be soon.

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    Mute Gwen Langford
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:01 PM

    Only one for county Kildare. In the middle of nowhere. Great for those of us who don’t drive, not.

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    Mute Benny McHale
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:54 PM

    @Gwen Langford: Was only thinking that myself. Most Kildare people haven’t a clue where Punchestown is, let alone have the means to get there, Newbridge or Naas would have been far more suitable.

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    Mute Anne Busher Collins
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:04 PM

    Why not churches? One almost in every village and town. Oh yeah probably paying GAA and hotels.

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    Mute Sean Treacy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:11 PM

    @Anne Busher Collins: the church of Ireland in my own area have offered the use of their hall for this

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    Mute Sean Leonard
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    Feb 15th 2021, 2:34 PM

    @Sean Treacy: seemingly a lot of churches offered…. And weren’t taken up.. No idea why?

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    Mute Neil Farrell
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:26 PM

    @Sean Leonard: Because some people won’t step inside a church, myself included…

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    Mute John McCann
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:45 PM

    @Neil Farrell: is that because you’re only 12? It’s for a vaccine not mass, plonker

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    Mute Jo H
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:42 PM

    *Meath – Simonstown GAA Club, home to Simonstown Gaels, not Simmons or gales!

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    Mute ismiijill
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:47 PM

    Why is there an asterisk next to Offaly? Don’t see a corresponding explanation

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    Mute Mark C
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:49 PM

    @ismiijill: I was just about to ask but they updated the article to include an explanation at the bottom.

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    Mute Robin Pickering
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:50 PM

    @ismiijill: look again

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    Mute Mark C
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:52 PM

    @ismiijill: probably something to do with Darby pushing Tommy Doyle before the goal in ’82.

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    Mute Lizzie McCarthy
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    Feb 15th 2021, 12:52 PM

    @ismiijill: contracts are to be finalised. Says it at the bottom of the article.

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    Mute Ulick Magee
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:17 PM

    What, no special priority sites for undocumented immigrants before citizens like in Connecticut, or for prison inmates before the public like in New Jersey? I am appalled.

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    Mute Trish Forde-Brennan
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    Feb 15th 2021, 4:51 PM

    Only 1 centre for Limerick City and County?

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    Mute Brendan Fogarty
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:21 PM

    @Trish Forde-Brennan: and thats not even in Limerick

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    Mute Irish Sean
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    Feb 15th 2021, 4:31 PM

    Surely the point of these centres is to cut down on travel. I live in kildare. We’ve a population of over 220,000 and yet there’s only one centre. Are they expecting people to travel to bordering counties for vaccine?

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    Mute Trish Forde-Brennan
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    Feb 15th 2021, 4:47 PM

    Only one centre for Limerick City and County?

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    Mute John Kenny
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    Feb 15th 2021, 3:02 PM

    I wonder are there any costs involved re rent of premises or centres or as they are mostly funded by our taxes ,there would only be basis operational costs.?

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    Mute The Irish Bull
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    Feb 15th 2021, 4:48 PM

    Interesting to see what contracts are like.

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    Mute Olive Nugent
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    Feb 15th 2021, 6:05 PM

    Just talking to a friend last week and we both agreed that churches or community halls should be considered for the roll out of the vaccine. Good news that venues have been named, Pg we’ll get vaccinated soon

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    Mute Mislav Smok
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    Feb 15th 2021, 6:35 PM

    @Olive Nugent: why?? Why we pay millions taxes where is government plans?? Oh yeah we building social housing for “ homeless “ , no we give more social welfare for addicts. Stop doing this that is my money and maybe when government take 50% taxes from me maybe I except vaccine in government facilities or free crèche for my baby. No we give more for lazy social people

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:19 PM

    @Mislav Smok: You can take that attitude and go away with it. I am not lazy far from it but I am on social welfare for the rest of my life which is under the poverty level.
    Noting lazy about pensioners who worked all their lives or people like me who became not allowed to work due to disabilities.
    So cop on or get lost

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    Mute Craig Barry
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:12 PM

    Be more concerned about getting the vaccine that where the bloody centres are

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    Mute Anne Busher Collins
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:37 PM

    @Craig Barry: No concerned about getting the vaccine at all. Give it to me ASAP.

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    Mute Leo O' Leary
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    Feb 15th 2021, 4:25 PM

    Only thing gathered in those centres will be cobwebs, sure we have fxx all vaccines, what a load of tripe ppl are being fed to hide the incompetance of this crowd.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:20 PM

    @Leo O’ Leary: Ah Leo, always the same ray of sunshine, the vaccines are coming on schedule so relax

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    Mute finbarr walsh
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    Feb 15th 2021, 6:41 PM

    Not very geographical laid out. I would guess youghal must be at least 60km from any centre

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    Mute gavin o brien
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:38 PM

    The aviva had to get it as croke park had the testing contract

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    Mute Gary McNamara
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:05 PM

    Massive waste of money and resources for which we will have austerity imposed on us for years to come, enabling more funds snap up everything for half price. Its now the great neoliberal plan ever and Pharma make a fortune on top.
    Ivermectin is much much cheaper, it looks like its more effective and is definitely safer.(much longer safety history)
    They could keep a handful of vaccination centres for the groups that actually need it like the elderly and those with underlying conditions and scrap the rest.
    Lets look at the epidemiological data for Ivermectin efficacy and free free to try to discount it AFTER READING IT. https://covid19criticalcare.com/i-mask-prophylaxis-treatment-protocol/epidemiologic-analyses-on-covid19-and-ivermectin/

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    Mute Gary McNamara
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    Feb 15th 2021, 5:07 PM

    @Gary McNamara: 21 countries now using Ivermectin including the latest Japan. Are they all wrong? or are our little corrupt gombeen politicians right? You decide!

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    Mute Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin
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    Feb 15th 2021, 7:45 PM

    @Gary McNamara: It’s more important to invest in stopping people getting infected and transmitting the virus in the first place than spending money treating those already infected with it. Prevention is better than cure!

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    Mute Gary McNamara
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    Feb 15th 2021, 8:14 PM

    @Sorcha Ní Shúilleabháin: Thanks for the response, however please read the link, Ivermectin is a very good prophpylaxus for covid 19. It will stop people getting the virus and can be taken as such. My Strategy is that if I ever become symptomatic I will test with my rapid antigen tests that I have here and then take my Ivermectin that I also have here. Pandemic over.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:22 PM

    @Gary McNamara: It works as part of the overall package, you have this idea it is a wonder cure and it is not, it helps.
    As regards the global conspiracy, we all know about that, we are all in on it bar you.

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    Mute Gary McNamara
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    Feb 15th 2021, 10:24 PM

    @Gary Kearney: have you looked at the evidence of its use Gary from latin America to Africa to India, you clearly havent. Have you watched the documentaries on it, you havent, have you followed Professor Paul Marik and Dr Pierre Kory since December campaiging for it I dont think you have. Why else would it not be used when it improves outcomes by 80% Surely everything available should be in use to prevent death. Its not even being discussed in Ireland. Explain that to me please. Start your education with this documentary. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-crkxcWyWEc&feature=youtu.be

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    Mute Gary McNamara
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    Feb 15th 2021, 10:28 PM

    @Gary Kearney: At least you are now conceding that it helps, last week I was an antilockdown spacer…check out Utter Pradesh in India too 230 million peopleand no deaths all attributable to Ivermectin, not vaccines (only 600k vaccinated) that means it works alone without your magic ” package” …..please more evidence if you need it, just ask

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    Mute Gary McNamara
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    Feb 15th 2021, 10:33 PM

    @Gary Kearney: Part 2 of that documentary especially for you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g5QWO_3A64&feature=youtu.be

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    Mute Pat Andrews
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:04 PM

    Well done to the soccer clubs

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    Mute Eddie Michael
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    Feb 15th 2021, 8:11 PM

    The one in greystones is not confirmed due to issues with the owners of the golf club…well done Donnelly. Jumping ahead of yourself again

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    Mute Alan Maher
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    Feb 15th 2021, 9:50 PM

    @Eddie Michael:
    Well the golf club closed permanently last year as far as I know… Wouldn’t be a bad location, but don’t let me stop your rant..

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    Mute MacEoin.T
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    Feb 16th 2021, 12:55 PM

    The simple fact is that the Irish government relied on the EU/European Commission (along with every other EU member state) to secure the required amount of Pfizer Biontech vaccine to vaccinate the entire population, however the EU initially turned their nose up at the costs required during the Summer (to secure the required amounts of pfizer/biontech) and instead hedged their bets on Moderna and Oxford AZ vaccines, which were in turn delayed. Only in November did the EU do a deal with pfizer to start securing vaccine doses, by which time it was too late and UK/US had secured huge bulk orders for the first round of doses manufactured. Irish government could have circmuvented EU regulations and dealt with pfizer/biontech themselves but didn’t bother at the time (as I’d imagine most though the worst was over). It’s all in this article: (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/19/eus-covid-vaccination-debacle-is-down-to-institutional-inflexibility)

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    Mute Mislav Smok
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    Feb 15th 2021, 6:31 PM

    Can i get one shot

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    Mute MacEoin.T
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    Feb 16th 2021, 12:54 PM

    The simple fact is that the Irish government relied on the EU/European Commission (along with every other EU member state) to secure the required amount of Pfizer Biontech vaccine to vaccinate the entire population, however the EU initially turned their nose up at the costs required during the Summer (to secure the required amounts of pfizer/biontech) and instead hedged their bets on Moderna and Oxford AZ vaccines, which were in turn delayed. Only in November did the EU do a deal with pfizer to start securing vaccine doses, by which time it was too late and UK/US had secured huge bulk orders for the first round of doses manufactured. Irish government could have circmuvented EU regulations and dealt with pfizer/biontech themselves but didn’t bother at the time (as I’d imagine most though the worst was over). It’s all in this article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/19/eus-covid-vaccination-debacle-is-down-to-institutional-inflexibility

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    Mute Gary McNamara
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    Feb 15th 2021, 11:09 PM

    @Gary Kearney:Finally I did say the following earlier “They could keep a handful of vaccination centres for the groups that actually need it like the elderly and those with underlying conditions and scrap the rest” so vaccinations may play a smaller role too

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