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Apollo House Occupation: Hozier, Glen Hansard and friends perform live at Dublin homeless hostel

The building in Dublin city centre has been taken over by homelessness activists.

TheJournal.ie / YouTube

GLEN HANSARD WAS joined by Hozier, Chris Dignam, Kodaline, and others for an impromptu performance at Apollo House.

The building in Dublin city centre has been taken over by activists Home Sweet Home and re-purposed as a homeless hostel.

The receivers to Apollo House have launched a High Court action aimed at regaining possession of the property.

Volunteers working to kit-out the disused building say they have been overwhelmed with support from the public, and intend to maintain their presence at the site to draw attention to the problem of homelessness.

Around 30 people are now staying in the former Department of Social Protection Building near Tara Street Dart station each night, according to Home Sweet Home organiser and union activist Brendan Ogle.

With reporting by Cormac Fitzgerald

Read: Receivers to Apollo House launch court action to regain possession of building >

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    Mute Dan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:44 PM

    Keep it down lads, ye don’t want Bono to arrive on!

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:48 PM

    @Dan: chuckling. Certainly not Bono’s kind of gig. Bono does not do authenticity.

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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:52 PM

    Expect him to decend on a cloud any day now…

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:12 PM

    @Dan: it would be counter productive if Bono got involved. It would look wrong if the establishment hijacked this movement.

    103
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    Mute LITTLEONE
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:16 PM

    Watched a live stream of it. Wonderful to watch. Hopefully start of something good.

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    Mute LITTLEONE
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:18 PM

    Making headlines. BBC news.
    Apollo House: Irish stars join homeless shelter protest
    Irish celebrities have lent support to a campaign against homelessness after activists took over an ex-government building and turned it into a shelter.
    Well-known Irish musicians, including Oscar-winner Glen Hansard, Dublin band Kodaline and Hozier, led campaigners in song outside the Dublin building.
    Apollo House, a former government office block, is empty but there are plans to demolish and redevelop it.
    Receivers are now taking legal action to end the ‘”illegal occupation”..BBC news..
    https://t.co/IaVWvf4uNT

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:29 PM

    @LITTLEONE: Politicians will look at this issue in terms of political popularity.

    I have identified 2 people commenting negatively on the Apollo House articles who are trying to discredit the direct action. This campaign to discredit HSH will now escalate and huge resources will be deployed, not just in legal action, to quash this nascent direct action.

    Politicians are ruthless. They will do their best to annihilate this initiative but determined solidarity will protect the occupiers.

    The fate of the occupation of Apollo House is truly in the hands of the people. The people will decide the outcome.

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    Mute LITTLEONE
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:34 PM

    @Micheal OLainn: that they may but word has gotten out. Social media wonderful tool. Been trending top on Twitter all day. Facebook videos . People using Facebook live at the event today.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:38 PM

    @LITTLEONE: thank you for that. It’s positive news.

    The likes of DOB media would prefer a media black out on this.

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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:28 PM

    The funny thing is every Christmas Eve Glen Hansard and Bono do busking on Grafton St to raise money for Dublin Simon.. Yet Bono hasn’t bothered himself with this…

    60
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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:42 PM

    @Brendan McGill: Bono is part of the establishment. Bono preaches. Bono does not do.

    63
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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:50 PM

    @Micheal OLainn: Bono pay no Irish taxes, Bono never donates to charity, Bono not welcome

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:52 PM

    Sounds threatening

    11
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:54 PM

    Probably because it is primarily a piece of politicking by eirigi and ogle and won’t have much impact.

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:58 PM

    @John Mulligan:

    Jog along.

    38
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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:01 PM

    @John Mulligan: it’s about triggering action of homelessness. This is above politics. It’s about solidarity and humanity.

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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:31 PM

    @Micheal OLainn: it alright I just emailed this article to the following politicians Enda Kenny, France’s Fitzgerald, Mary Lou macdonald, Clare Daly, Richard Burton, Michael martin, etc.. Asking them to grant most Irish people their Christmas wish a general election in early 2017 to remove the fuddy duddy politicians who have broken the Irish economy and have not been up to the standards in attitudes and actions for the Irish people as the people who took a stand for human right in Ireland by occupying Appollo house.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:40 PM

    @Robin Tobin: real respect to you.

    TV3 just featured the issue a few minutes ago on Expose of all programmes.

    Hazier was considered and profound.

    We injure the homeless and we injure ourselves as a society when we tolerate homelessness.

    I see a list of all the email addresses of all TDs.

    I note that political response is extremely muted even before legal action was initiated.

    26
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    Mute DPentony
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:49 PM

    @Robin Tobin Don’t worry, stuff like this gives me the believe that we are all set for a Sinn Fein/AAA/PBP coalition if there is a general election soon & the evil government led by Enda “Hitler” Kenny will be destroyed. The celebrities have shown the people the way.

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 9:55 PM

    I agree with that element of it, but these rough sleepers need professional assistance.

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    Mute gavexile
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    Dec 20th 2016, 10:17 PM

    @Brendan McGill: why does it always have to be about bono and showing how much hatred for him…if he turns up then he’s only hogging the limeliigt and tax yadda yadda ,if he doesn’t turn up hes not bothered ..can’t win either way…he does more than enough in the background..and for the record ,the Xmas eve busk was always Glens.. started with him and ricer on fleet street ,only had the gaggle of musicians join 4 or 5 years ago

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    Mute Glenser Haller
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    Dec 20th 2016, 11:36 PM

    @Robin Tobin: To true at all! same Als Irish begrudgingly would you stop!

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    Mute Patrick Gough
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    Dec 20th 2016, 11:50 PM

    Robin you asked the politicians to get rid of themselves. good luck with that

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 21st 2016, 12:33 AM

    Interestingly the politicians are being extremely wary about expressing any criticism. There seems to be a degree of political embarrassment over the occupation.

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    Mute Sean Kelly
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:51 PM

    Have you noticed coming up to every xmas there is a big media circus about homelessness. Few years back it was that tragic gentleman Mr Corrie now its this fiasco. Come January, the rough sleepers are quickly forgotten about again..

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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:53 PM

    @Sean Kelly: Yes there is a media circus, but there has also been a very healthy, and enormous attitude change among the general public towards the plight of homelessness in recent years. It’s a very recent and welcome shift in attitudes IMO.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:54 PM

    @Sean Kelly: I am willing to allow myself think that this occupation may prove to be the agent of change. It is a noble and idealistic gesture and it may well bring about popular support for real change.

    The atmosphere and moral just outside and inside Apollo House is one of great determination and optimism.

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    Mute Linda Nolan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:09 PM

    @Mr Snuffleupagus: Well said.

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    Mute lavbeer
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:29 PM

    @Sean Kelly: You may well be right there Sean. But things are slowly changing and people are starting to sit up and take notice of the politicos. Bad for them of course. Irish Water was the start of it. More good will come and in ways we probably won’t expect. We do need to see everyone contributing and getting services for that contribution. I hate the way they bring Mr Corrie into it as he had issues beyond homelessness

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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:32 PM

    It comes up at Christmas because late November is the start of the hardest weather for homeless people to have to deal with and about 32 generally die from the elements in Ireland as a result.

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:02 PM

    Social media. If the government could censor t’internet……

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:32 PM

    @Frank Cauldhame: it has to roll out loads of FG trolls on The Journal.ie because it can’t quell dissenting views.

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    Mute Eyepopper
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:47 PM

    Hmmm, I hope this doesn’t turn into a spectacle of which celeb can be the most right on.

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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:49 PM

    @Eyepopper: Too late. Once you start singing on rooftops, it’s all over. It was cool when the Beatles did it, a carbon copy clone when U2 did it, and a little sad now that Hozier did it

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:50 PM

    @Eyepopper: music and celebrities may help to attract solidarity. It was a pre-planned move if legal proceedings were to be served. It’s a peaceful show of solidarity against oppression. These genuine people can help to deter heavy handed action and enforcement against the occupiers.

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    Mute Eyepopper
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:53 PM

    @Micheal OLainn: Maybe I’m just an old cynic, and I hope your right, its just that we have a tendency to lose concentration very quickly on some causes, once something new comes along.

    Anyway, I hope HSH is a success, having people sleeping in door ways of empty buildings is just morally bankrupt.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:58 PM

    @Eyepopper: I realised that you are being realistic in light of previous experience and not hostile to the objectives. It is no harm at all and actually positive to question hard what can be achieved. This can’t just be about good intentions. There is a formidable coalition of commercial and political interests which are determined to quash this outbreak of direct action. Challenging power and privilege usually ends badly but the choice of doing nothing is not acceptable.

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    Mute andrew
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:12 PM

    Photo OP. Only one with even the slightest bit of cred there is Christy Dignam. The rest of them are ‘lets do our annual bit for the poor’ sickeners. Hansard has spent his whole career being authentic. Thats how fake he is.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:43 PM

    @andrew: I disagree with you.

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:57 PM
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:55 PM

    Good on them. We need more of this to drown out the noise and spin starting to mount in relation to the legal action. Best I heard so far was the owners climing they want to kick the residents out into the freezing cold “in the best interests of those currently in occupation”.

    And wheres the teasock in relation to this? He lapped up the photo-op given to him last April on foot of the occuparion of the GPO in 1916. Any comment on this occupation, enda, or are you going to stay in hiding until someone els resolves it for you?

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:00 PM

    @For Connolly: I well remember the Taoiseach’s perambulation around Grafton Street talking himself up fir busting the homeless.

    Empty political gestures carefully stage managed by Government spin doctors will not resolve the homeless crisis.

    45
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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:59 PM

    @Micheal OLainn: in 2007 when I asked all my family to buy a Christmas globe in support of focus Ireland instead of giving me a present. The all donated monies. Things were not really that bad then you very seldom saw a person sleeping rough in town. Last year 2015 on the 22 of December I was invited to dinner in a restaurant on dame street. Between the Pearse station and the restaurant there was over thirty young males sleeping in doorways and most were outside the Kilkenny shop. I gave each person I could a few Euro,s . If I saw that so did Mr Enda Kenny and his Fine Gael politicians. They have broken the economy and made this worse. I salute and admire those who stand up for human rights. I have been involved with another human right issue and can assure everyone Mr Kenny will not darken the door of Appollo house or any of his government. Time to take charge and reach out and help those the government has left behind through their immoral decisions and actions.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:04 PM

    @Robin Tobin: well and truly said.

    I was out on Friday night last and saw 17 homeless people in show entrances etc. Simon and Father McVerry say that Coventry is wrong and that there are certainly not enough beds.

    In harder times and much poorer times, we could build social housing and prevent homelessness. It was because we had a sense of solidarity and community.

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    Mute Maurice Slater
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:57 PM

    cant wait to fin work in two day time, worked my bollix of all year, and at the end of this month when i get my wages and-payed my dues, and whats left is just about enough to get by this Christmas,now if you want me to feel some compassion for a single girl who has three kids and one on the way, and others who were turfed out of there last home for antisocial behavior, sorry but iv nothing left to give so sorry glen and the gang. I do have empathy for those families who have contribute to society all there lives and now fine not just them selves but there family homeless because of bank repossession ect.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:07 PM

    @Maurice Slater: the issue is broader than you. These are difficult times but in difficult times we need to look out for and look after each other to the extent that we can.

    There are many who are put to the pin of their collar to survive and clearly they can’t help even though many of them would if they could.

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    Mute Maurice Slater
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:11 PM

    broader then myself, well i guess there are people out there who feel the same as I, if you feel the need to look after are care for people who have fu@ked up there lives all by themselves with no help from the government, and not just once but my guess is a number of times well off you go,besides im getting a bit jaded with the self-righteous self -involved do-gooders who in fact do feck all.

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    Mute Christine Hanway
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:47 PM

    @Maurice please don’t tar all with the one brush. It’s attitudes like this that is wrong in today’s society. Don’t get me wrong I 100% agree with you esp the “entitled to/I’m homeless with 4 kids an one on the way/I never worked” brigade.. However please realise this is not the case with all.. you see family after family, person after person who are genuinely in dier straits, they’ve worked, paid their taxes, lived like you or me (that is just as an ordinary joe soap) through no fault of their own, business goes bust, or a job is lost, or an illness occurs, mortgage defaults, bills aren’t paid, debt builds and builds and there’s no way out.. just look at the suicide figures the last 8 years in this country. This is so much more than what your thinking so I ask of ya please do not turn on genuine people because of the system that is letting you down paying out money like it’s free to those who have never contributed and free load…

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    Mute Maurice Slater
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:55 PM

    @Christine Hanway: hi ya, as I said in my post I do have empathy for those families who have contribute to society all there lives and now fine not just them selves but there family homeless because of bank repossession ect

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    Mute Chris Hennessy
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    Dec 21st 2016, 12:04 AM

    @Maurice Slater:it is easy to talk about people who have never ‘contribute’d ‘to society, but I would argue that second and third generation politicians have lived off the tax payer all their privileged lives , never known a days hunger , had education and healthcare all at our expense (and costing a damn sight more than 188 a week and a medical card ) These are the people who have made the decisions, passed the legislation, and pocketed the cash.
    What you are seeing now is the result of those policies, maybe we would all be better off to vent our anger at that end of the spectrum, rather than the vulnerable people who are left on the wayside

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    Mute Patrick Gough
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    Dec 21st 2016, 12:13 AM

    Maurice. those people are in hotels not the stteet

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 21st 2016, 12:35 AM

    @Patrick Gough: but not in homes with the stability and security of a home and a home life.

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    Mute Cheryl Mellett
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:47 PM

    Great to see high profile names rally support!

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:51 PM

    @Cheryl Mellett: it really is but these are are all sincere and genuine high profile people who have already contributed much effort to this cause.

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    Mute Cheryl Mellett
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:25 PM

    Yes Michael I agree but public appearances keep the crisis in the spotlight and the media.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:30 PM

    @Cheryl Mellett: exactly so Cheryl and good point.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:41 PM

    @Cheryl Mellett: Littleone has shown how this occupation is gaining international attention.

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    Mute Sharon Barry
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:16 PM

    The Dail should be the next occupation .After all noting gets done in their anyway they just like lining their pockets .

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:05 PM

    @Sharon Barry: my worry is that it is rat infested.

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    Mute mursim
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:07 PM

    Well it won’t be forgotten this time because in January the building will still be occupied.

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    Mute Gearoid Mag Leannáin
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:58 PM

    The only real option here for opponents is to storm the building and remove the occupants!

    Picture that! Gardai throwing activists and homeless on to the street under full view of cameras…

    That would be very damaging for this Government and the ultra conservative forces behind it.

    This is a small snowball soon to be big.

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    Mute canuckandgo
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:24 PM

    Nothing wrong with that Gearoid, they are there illegally. I wonder how you’d like it if some “activists” illegally entered your property and decided not to leave.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:46 PM

    @canuckandgo: it was a civil trespass at most.

    An Garda Siochana acknowledges that it is a civil, not a criminal matter.

    It was a vacant and increasingly derelict building at risk of arson and vandalism. It is now being protected by the occupants.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:43 PM

    @canuckandgo: I support peaceful civil disobedience when politicians are inert and disengaged.

    I don’t regard a mere civil trespass as illegal.

    I support accommodating homeless people. The temperature last night in Tara Street was below freezing.

    Human life and welfare should take priority.

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    Mute Chris Hennessy
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    Dec 20th 2016, 10:29 PM

    @canuckandgo: It seems to me that legality is interpreted in different ways depending on who you are . Lowry, O’Brien et al seem to act illegally with complete impunity no matter what it costs the ordinary tax payer , yet civil disobedience by the working class is punished by dawn raids.

    Nobody in Jobstown was arrested by prior appointment

    I believe our problem , as a nation , has been civil obedience, the elites have literally gotten away with murder

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    Mute canuckandgo
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    Dec 21st 2016, 7:00 AM

    Chris, Lowry’s case is totally wrong but as the saying goes two wrongs doesn’t make a right. If you support these chaps then all you’re doing is supporting Lowry also.

    Also, who has murdered someone? Perhaps you’re commenting on a different thread and got mixed up?

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    Mute Chris Hennessy
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    Dec 21st 2016, 7:49 AM

    @canuckandgo: not mixed up at all, as far as I am concerned , the austerity that has been forced on the most vulnerable (disproportionately too, I might add) , which has been prolonged by various governments, and has literally forced people to feel that they have no option other than to take their own lives , is tantamount to murder.

    There is a difference between something being illegal and something being wrong. It is more than possible for something that is morally wrong to be totally legal. Likewise something that is good, and positive can be illegal. Just because something is passed into legislation doesn’t mean it is right or just .

    Thousands of people around our country have been forced into poverty due to the totally legal and equally immoral actions of our elected representatives

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    Mute ARIS
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:12 PM

    A wise old neighbour once said to us. Tis easy to criticise but hard to do better. Well done HSH. The situation is completely out of control and if your actions push the government to work faster ie much much faster then your actions are worth it. It really is an applying vista to see hundreds of people sleeping rough on streets now and we know that that is just th IP of the iceberg

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:32 PM

    @ARIS: it is worth trying.

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    Mute Neuville-Kepler62F
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:04 PM

    A Referendum is necessary to amend the Irish Constitution (like German Constitution) to legally redefined Family Homes outside the general definition of property. Otherwise recurring housing crises for your kids and grandkids and their great gradnkids. Current proposals are only fiddling around the edges. Adults urgently needed.

    https://www.change.org/p/referendum-on-right2home-in-ireland

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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:52 PM

    What minister has responsibility for this building? On which door should people be knocking?

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 4:54 PM

    @Mr Snuffleupagus: Minister for Finance.

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    Mute Mr Snuffleupagus
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:00 PM

    @Micheal OLainn: Thanks. With the power to direct NAMA to direct the solicitors to back off I assume?

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    Mute Dave cullen
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:02 PM

    Minister for vulture funds Noonan more like!!

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:07 PM

    @Mr Snuffleupagus: strictly speaking, NAMA and its appointed Receiver are legally independent but politically speaking NAMA and the Receuver will do as they are politically directed.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:47 PM

    A question. Are there any commenters who would be willing to firm a peaceful and passive cordon of resistance to any attempt to enforce an injunction against the occupants? I’m over 60, a clean record and it would be a first offence.

    The rationale is that people who are not part of the occupation could be the first line of defence and independent of HSH.

    I suggest that it should be people without dependents or commitments who can accept the risk of a short period of imprisonment.

    I emphasise that this would be about a peaceful and passive protest in a calm and controlled way. No agitators or provocateurs .

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:09 PM

    @Micheal OLainn: I wouldn’t be to happy being “peaceful”. Not if they send in the usual masked thugs they normally use at evictions.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:50 PM

    @Dave Doyle: I don’t blame you but the moral high ground would be achieved through a peaceful protest even if there is priocative violence. Let the thuggery of the repossessors be recorded on video. Violent repossession would expose the government and vested interests.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:24 PM

    @Micheal OLainn: Micheal, i don’t disagree with you. But i’m sure i wouldn’t be alone feeling that way about it.
    They’ll provoke trouble anyway, simply to demonise the supporters of HSH.
    100,000s marched in very peaceful protest against the water tax. They were ignored, rubbished, slandered and the numbers minimised in MSM and RTE.
    Even though the protests achieved a huge amount, it hasn’t stopped the government doing all it can to privatise the water, it hasn’t stopped the meters being forced on people’s homes.
    It seems the only real option is a general strike, shut down the country, if they force the issue. But we lack the leaders.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:28 PM

    @Dave Doyle: you view is more realistic than mine, I suspect. I wish that I could disagree with you but each point that you make is true and justified.

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    Mute Turlough O' Connor
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:37 PM

    This is where Joe Duffy should be presenting his Christmas Eve show from

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:52 PM

    @Turlough O’ Connor: chuckling. Joe will be the first to condemn the action. He has become immensely reactionary and conservative.

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    Mute Philo
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:01 PM

    They’ve done something special. Well done. Thes pet won’t be moved on until alternative suitable accommodation is provided.

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    Mute Alan Kennedy
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:13 PM

    Hozier and Hansard both look like they could do with a bath and a bed themselves.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:51 PM

    @Alan Kennedy: there is no amount of soap and water that could clean the dirty Bankers and their allies.

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    Mute Johnnie Sexton
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:41 PM

    Great PR stunt, it won’t change a dam thing. This shambles of a government need to get building safe and adequate houses. Can’t see it happening in fairness.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:50 PM

    @Johnnie Sexton: this action of occupation is a method of attracting public attention and support. In itself it is a modest measure but it has the potential to force the hand of government but only if there is enough popular support.

    The movement for real solutions has to start because political indifference and apathy are in the way.

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    Mute Patrick Gough
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    Dec 21st 2016, 12:02 AM

    michael so the homeless in apollo are just being used?

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 21st 2016, 12:18 AM

    @Patrick Gough: willingly involved with HSH and assisting in highlight the terrible plight of the homeless as a consequence of failed policies. People who would otherwise be in doorways and other places of minimal she,term are in warm, dry, safe and healthy surroundings which are competently managed.

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:04 PM

    funny how those people only turned up for a free concert. All a Publicity stunt it is

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:10 PM

    @Just Some Guy: it is using decent and popular musicians and performers to attract public awareness and public support. Without these musicians, there would have been minimal publicity. The on,y way that this initiative will succeed if if popular support is encouraged through the involvement of high profile people who are sincere and idealistically motivated.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:40 PM

    @Just Some Guy: the comments of Littleone show that this matter is trending on international media. Publicity attracts notoriety and this may encourage politicians to back off.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:41 PM

    @Just Some Guy: You’re totally against this HSH action. Nothing good to say about it.
    What’s your solution?
    Don’t offer private rented houses or apartments, or the private sector to build more homes. People dont have the money for either. Rents are unaffordable as it stands, and two people, in a relationship, both working, can’t get a mortgage.
    So let’s hear you solution?

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:15 PM

    @Dave Doyle:

    If I knew how to solve the homelessness problem I would be a very rich man by now.

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    Mute Spammer
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:24 PM

    @Just Some Guy Are you a member of Fine Gael by any chance?!?

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:30 PM

    @Just Some Guy: Then please don’t be so negative about people trying to do something.
    There’s a select few people making a lot of money out of this homeless problem. So much so, that the government has tied its hands to acting in any humane manner, in case they upset that select few.
    Even the homeless charities who get 10s of millions in government funding between them, see most of it going in salaries. Most CEOs are on 90,000 or more a year in salary.
    People power is all that is left to force the government’s hand.

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 9:56 PM

    That’s a simplistic exaggeration, dave.

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    Mute joe o hare
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:45 PM

    Great work, but I get a bit of sick in my mouth every time I hear Brendan ogle. Must be the gravy.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:51 PM

    @joe o hare: issues count. Personalities are trivial.

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    Mute Stephen Finn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:08 PM

    if you where to house all the homeless, how many would go back on the streets, how many would want to work? as the state cant keep pumping money into them, they get money every week some of them piss it up against the wall others spend it on drugs, the genuine ones should be looked after, i see them every day and some are a waste of space, non irish should be sent back to their own countries to look after them, and before i get told off i have given to genuine people but when i see so called celebs too me they are massaging their egos!!

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    Mute New Day Rising
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:15 PM

    Fact check please journal

    It has been said that there are now more homeless people in Ireland than there where during the period known as the famine

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 5:18 PM

    @New Day Rising: red herring from you.

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    Mute Desmodromic
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:01 PM

    I’ve mixed feelings about this. If the same personalities got behind the long suffering individuals and agencies who’ve been toiling at this great work over the past years it might have a long term effect. I fear it’s a genuinely well meant effort that will evaporate when the spirit of the season has passed. On the other hand it has been so successful in getting media attention that perhaps it’s the only way to get the media excited and maybe things will move along. Btw 15 empty beds in Dublin hostels last night is probably due to the new ‘facility’ being open.

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:43 PM

    They wouldn’t do that; unlike these publicity hounds, the people toiling at this for years don’t need instant fame and political advancement. Homelessness isn’t the issue here, it’s rough sleepers. This amateur stuff only provides beds, it doesn’t deal with people and prepare them to move on to stable living.

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Dec 20th 2016, 9:26 PM

    @John Mulligan: Good to see the homeless industry alive and well.

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:47 PM

    As if these people hadn’t suffered enough… disgraceful making them listen to that shite.

    In seriousness, fair play to all involved. Hopefully they keep standing up when the eviction comes.

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:51 PM

    It’s not a homeless hostel.

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:53 PM

    @John Mulligan: it is an obsolescent office building currently in use as a hostel and a refuge for about 35 homeless people.

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    Mute Darren Bates
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:22 PM

    “…according to Home Sweet Home organiser and union activist Brendan Ogle.”

    Please don’t let this man and his ilk hijack this great thing. Let the honest, hardworking activists take this one.

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:37 PM

    As if these poor people hadn’t suffered enough… making them listen to that shite.

    In seriousness, great effort hope they put up a proper stand when the eviction comes.

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    Mute Revolting Peasant
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:57 PM

    @Joe Bloggs: It’ll be up to all of us to make a proper stand.

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    Mute Jimmy jones
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    Dec 20th 2016, 9:04 PM

    I applaud this effort . Glad that a few people get a bed and a roof. The government is a disgrace for letting so many sleep rough.

    Makes me sad to see that Brendan Ogle is getting the credit though. He is an overpaid self serving, heartless , glory hunter. I hope someone is making sure he donates some of his own huge salary to the effort. I bet he isn’t

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    Mute Gerard Ryan
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:02 PM

    Is Glen himself homeless?

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:11 PM

    @Gerard Ryan:

    No he isnt. He goes home to his warm house every night just like all the other musicians.

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    Mute Brendan McGill
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:33 PM

    Pathetic of both of ye!

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    Mute Turlough O' Connor
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:40 PM

    @just some guy., ah look folks..a baby troll..bless him

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Dec 20th 2016, 6:56 PM

    @Turlough O’ Connor:

    Thats right I’m a troll who spends 24 hrs a day on here posting negative comments on every article

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    Mute Micheal OLainn
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:10 PM

    @Just Some Guy: certainly you are doing a good impression of it.

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    Mute lar keogh
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:16 PM

    Super work folks. Amazing how the planning came through so quickly, applied in July 2016, I wonder if others that applied for planning will notice and take action, strange.

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    Mute Paddy Downey
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    Dec 20th 2016, 8:50 PM

    New record set for the most peaceful peaceful-protest

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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Dec 20th 2016, 7:51 PM

    I see even RT has it as it’s lead story at the moment.

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