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A pro-life protest in 2015. RollingNews.ie

Second Dublin hotel cancels pro-life meeting after alleged death threats against staff

Two venues have cancelled the event in the last week.

A PRO-LIFE group is to hold a demonstration outside a Dublin hotel after it became the second venue to cancel an event in the space of a week.

The Spencer Hotel yesterday contacted Unbroken – a group which supports those who gave birth or were born as a result of rape – to tell its members that it had to cancel the event because of threats made to staff.

The Gibson Hotel similarly cancelled Unbroken’s planned meeting last week.

It has been alleged that staff members received death threats online after it emerged the Spencer Hotel was to host the event after The Gibson cancelled. A complaint has not yet been made to gardaí over the incident but TheJournal.ie has been made aware of the specific nature of the threats.

Unbroken spokeswoman Ciara Murphy told TheJournal.ie that she was “disgusted” when she heard about the cancellation.

“They have cancelled it because of threats… Yesterday, the hotel got in touch and said that they have to put the safety of its staff first. Last week, the Gibson cancelled.

But we are organising a demonstration outside the Spencer Hotel tonight where these women will speak about their experiences. These ladies can’t be silenced.

Laura Ní Chonghaile of Unbroken Ireland, who is a rape survivor, added that she is “tired of being silenced”.

“There is no place in a democratic debate for this extremism, and for shouting down women who have been raped,” Ní Chonghaile said.

Three women, who are all from the US, were due to speak at the hotel about how they gave birth after being raped or how they were conceived through rape. The organisers said the group’s intent is to break down the stigma of being a child or a mother of rape.

In a statement issued yesterday, Clíona Saidléar of the Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) said it is “critical” that rape survivors are represented respectfully, factually and without judgement given their diversity and the “potential pain this topic causes”.

She noted that rape survivors have “always featured disproportionately in the public debates on abortion access in Ireland”. She said that “we have limited facts about the approximately 5% of all female rape victims who become pregnant”.

For some years RCNI has released data on the pregnancy outcomes for rape survivors attending rape crisis centres. It is critical to always note that these facts do not tell us about the options, intentions, choices and the feelings of rape survivors.

Her statement came in light of two events planned this week. As well as Unbroken’s meeting, the Abortion Rights Campaign held a press conference yesterday ahead of the March for Choice this weekend.

Activist and rape survivor Dominique Meehan, whose rapist was jailed for 12 years in June, attended. She spoke about how the “thought of an unwanted pregnancy” is something all victims deal with, even if they are not pregnant.

“I told my parents that if I’m pregnant we’re going to England. How is that fair for anyone in my situation, knowing that my own government would look at me as a criminal because I couldn’t carry my rapist’s child?” she said.

A referendum on the Eighth Amendment is pencilled in for June or July of next year.

The exact wording of the question to be posed to the electorate has not yet been finalised. Currently, the Committee on the Eighth Amendment is holding weekly meetings to examine the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly. It will provide the Oireachtas with a report in December with a view to informing legislation options.

Earlier this year, the Citizen’s Assembly recommended that the Eighth Amendment should be replaced or amended and that abortion should be legal without restriction up to 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Both the Gibson and Spencer hotels have been contacted for comment. 

Read: A referendum on the Eighth will be shaped by these 22 politicians. Here are their views on abortion >

Read: ‘The assembly has the advantage of not having to address constituents’: Politicians discuss abortion >

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    Mute David Dineen
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:03 PM

    Easy answer, it would, look complete.

    228
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    Mute Dan Duggan
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    Mar 12th 2021, 7:44 PM

    @David Dineen: Agreed.

    Also,imo, new name for the country, new flag, new anthem, move the parliament to belfast and rotate with Dublin, a new constitution, etc

    But keep Proportional Representation. Thats a red line

    41
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    Mute John Hetherton
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    Mar 12th 2021, 7:52 PM

    @Dan Duggan: No new name, no change in anthem those are red lines

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Mar 12th 2021, 7:52 PM

    @Dan Duggan:

    It’s bad enough having that ridiculous Ireland’s call at away Rugby games and other sporting events like Cricket, Hockey. I will definitely vote No to a United Ireland if it meant any changes in our constitution, flag and anthem

    59
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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 12th 2021, 7:58 PM

    @Dan Duggan: Compromise. Make Cork the capital. Keep the anthem.

    45
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    Mute Fachtna Roe
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    Mar 12th 2021, 8:44 PM

    @John Hetherton: The only red lines with which we should concern ourselves, are on the Butcher’s Apron; if they’re gone all else is peace.

    36
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    Mute John Hetherton
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    Mar 12th 2021, 8:56 PM

    @Fachtna Roe: you are entitled to your opinion, we do after all currently live in a democracy. However I won’t be changing my opinion

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    Mute MrHammey12
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    Mar 12th 2021, 9:53 PM

    @Vonvonic: haha what a compromise – ‘The Young Offenders’ sitting in the Dail. Ya all right Boy!

    3
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    Mute Cian
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    Mar 12th 2021, 10:18 PM

    @Dan Duggan: keep the name they already the same name with northern in front of it . New anthem: a nation once again. Flag an orange harp on a green background. Parliament can stay in Dublin and the constitution to be altered.

    25
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    Mute Mary Fitzsimons
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    Mar 13th 2021, 8:24 AM

    @John Hetherton: are they? Not for me, we could go back to a starry plough. And the anthem is a French song. We could find something from OCarolan or write something new.

    3
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Mar 13th 2021, 8:46 AM

    @David Dineen: after the civil war, maybe.

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Mar 13th 2021, 8:50 AM

    @Just Some Guy: ‘shovin Connie around the field’ has served us well so far.

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    Mute Gearoid De Nogla
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    Mar 17th 2021, 8:39 AM

    @Just Some Guy: What a patriot.

    1
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    Mute Caoimhín Ó Seanáin
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:17 PM

    The two countries on this island? Gimme a break!

    101
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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:41 PM

    @Caoimhín Ó Seanáin: One country.

    91
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    Mute reginald
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:41 PM

    @Caoimhín Ó Seanáin: northern ireland is not a country

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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:45 PM

    @reginald: There are people who will take you up on that; but you are right. It is not a country by any real definition.

    49
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    Mute Muiris
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    Mar 12th 2021, 8:39 PM

    @Vonvonic: two countries, Cork is definitely a country

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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 12th 2021, 8:49 PM

    @Muiris: Oh Jesus. I nearly forgot. Two countries.

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    Mute Fachtna Roe
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    Mar 12th 2021, 8:49 PM

    @Muiris: OK, so 3 countries. Of which 1 isn’t a country. Cork is, but we can count backwards from there… ;)

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    Mute John Mc Donagh
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    Mar 12th 2021, 11:27 PM

    @Muiris: Go back to school, sure everybody knows that Ireland ends at the Red Cow!

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    Mute Peter B
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:33 PM

    Down town Aleppo with UN peacekeepers.

    76
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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:27 PM

    It would look like a job that is finished.

    68
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    Mute The only INFP in Ireland
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:27 PM

    Well, we in the south wouldn’t be able to travel up north for reasonably priced dental care..

    48
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    Mute Willie Penwright
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    Mar 14th 2021, 7:10 AM

    @The only INFP in Ireland:
    Southerners would get vaccinated. (Latest figures: NI 35.46%; RoI 11.46%).

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    Mute Dylan Byrne
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:06 PM

    Depends on if we do something about the pigs in the big house first :)

    63
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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:32 PM

    @Dylan Byrne: Good answer. That’s pretty much what Connolly said over 100 years ago.

    47
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    Mute Ray Hunt
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:45 PM

    They should look at the Spanish model and have four providence’s with their own governments and a small central government.

    43
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    Mute Lad
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    Mar 12th 2021, 7:26 PM

    @Ray Hunt: interesting. Does the budget for each province get distributed equally I wonder?

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    Mute Declan Edward
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    Mar 12th 2021, 7:26 PM

    @Ray Hunt: bring back the Republic of Connaught!

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    Mute Fachtna Roe
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    Mar 12th 2021, 9:03 PM

    @Ray Hunt: Catalonia wants out, and the people of the Basque Country never wanted in. Plus, that’s a monarchy. In the great scheme of things Spain – don’t get me wrong, great bunch o’ lads and all that – might not be an optimal model in all ways. But the federation idea is good. Switzerland may be a better model. It’s been discussed before, and in some unexpected places ( https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/state-papers-uvf-and-ira-held-talks-on-federal-ireland-in-1988-37661381.html )

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    Mute TonyB
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    Mar 13th 2021, 4:41 AM

    Hard to believe the government doesn’t already have a plan for this. They should have been planning it for years and have put in place whatever was needed. If you want NI to join the republic you better make it attractive for them, e.g. make the health system on par with the NHS for a start. No one is going to join if any of their living standards decline.

    It’s a sales job…..make the people of NI want to buy!

    35
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    Mute jkcdub
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    Mar 12th 2021, 7:15 PM

    The answer is simple. I will be the high king of Ireland. I will be a loved but cruel king.

    Now worship and fear me.

    42
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    Mute Fachtna Roe
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    Mar 12th 2021, 9:10 PM

    @jkcdub: No problem. But can we have Wednesdays off as well as weekends? :)

    12
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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Mar 12th 2021, 10:07 PM

    @jkcdub: can I jump the vaccine queue your majesty lol

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    Mute Special_Ed
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:10 PM
    17
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    Mute David Duffy
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:13 PM

    @Special_Ed: it is though. Through your link, and on the app.

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    Mute Special_Ed
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:46 PM

    @David Duffy: Thanks David…. must just have been nuked on the desktop website platform so.

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    Mute Anna Carr
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    Mar 12th 2021, 10:04 PM

    If they even attempted to put a union jack anywhere on the Irish flag, I’m changing my nationality to Papua new Guinean lol. A nation once again and my 4 green fields blooming once again sounds good though

    18
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    Mute Vonvonic
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    Mar 12th 2021, 6:31 PM

    Good answer. That’s pretty much what Connolly said over 100 years ago.

    13
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    Mute Mickety Dee
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    Mar 12th 2021, 7:42 PM

    @Vonvonic: Connolly did love his dental care

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    Mute leartius
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    Mar 12th 2021, 8:35 PM

    The biggest debate will not be about anything logical or financial. Issues such as commonwealth membership and Britain citizenship would be difficult to overcome.
    The one thing that would unite those who want a closer union between north and south is getting the British army off our shores. Its the power behind another type of unionism.
    Would you vote to remove the British army from this Island? Would that future be something we all could share and unite behind?

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    Mute Sean Lucas
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    Mar 12th 2021, 10:30 PM

    I think it’s great in theory. However when people from the north realize how much more they will have to pay in tax I would imagine less will want to join the republic lol

    12
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    Mute Austin Shields
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    Mar 13th 2021, 8:01 AM

    @Sean Lucas: Firstly, Disposable income in Republic is higher, we pay more tax but our wages higher, so that’s more attractive. Secondly, earlier comment re getting the British army to leave…. they actually have already…thirdly, I was born and raised a nationalist in South Armagh, so I think my opinion is worth something in this discussion… I have Protestant friends and a National Anthem is something we should all be proud to sing and has meaning. If we are to have a United/New Ireland, I want my Protestant friends to sing it proudly too, so it would have to be a new anthem.Regardless of what gone before with our differences, people who say don’t change things are making things more difficult…John Hume was and always will be my hero, and that’s how he seen peaceful living together

    31
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    Mute Derek Moran
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    Mar 13th 2021, 8:57 AM

    Take the churches out of the schools and hospitals. Get rid of the two tier health system and have one for everyone. Make the twelfth of July a national holiday. There you go, unionists have nothing to complain about.

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    Mute Fifty Shades of Sé
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    Mar 13th 2021, 12:25 PM

    @Derek Moran: Apart from giving up the NHS for the HSE…Goodbye Free GP Visits, Hello Kafkaesque bureaucracy.

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    Mute Rob Duggan
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    Mar 12th 2021, 9:48 PM

    Good article and topic that needs careful steps..

    9
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    Mute Austin Shields
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    Mar 13th 2021, 8:04 AM

    Firstly, Disposable income in Republic is higher, we pay more tax but our wages higher, so that’s more attractive. Secondly, earlier comment re getting the British army to leave…. they actually have already…thirdly, I was born and raised a nationalist in South Armagh, so I think my opinion is worth something in this discussion… I have Protestant friends and a National Anthem is something we should all be proud to sing and has meaning. If we are to have a United/New Ireland, I want my Protestant friends to sing it proudly too, so it would have to be a new anthem.Regardless of what gone before with our differences, people who say don’t change things are making things more difficult…John Hume was and always will be my hero, and that’s how he seen peaceful living together

    9
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    Mute Willie Penwright
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    Mar 13th 2021, 5:13 PM

    Keep RTE and the Angelus so the real god will know our side won.

    5
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    Mute Declan Lee
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    Mar 13th 2021, 9:50 AM

    Unite the Clans

    4
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    Mute Ronan Murphy
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    Mar 14th 2021, 9:38 AM

    Well we could turn the unionist/loyalist model on its head and ensure inequality for that community. They would understand it’s ‘their turn’. Or we could turn the RoI model on its head and ensure inequality for the neo-liberal catholic political party members. They would understand as well that it’s ‘their turn’. Or we could discount inequality altogether and build a proper socialist republic.

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    Mute Alan Curley
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    Mar 14th 2021, 8:31 PM

    A United ireland would have to include unionists as well as republicans.
    Simply stating that they get in line or else is not going to lead to a united ireland.
    If we want a united Ireland Unionists have to be part of it, especuially if we want a peaceul united Ireland.
    If this is the case, we need to ask what is the cost in a real united Ireland.
    Unionists would be giving up exactly what they wnat and getting what in return?
    Would you still allow the Union Jack to fly over official buildings in the north?
    Would we have a new National Anthem?
    Would we have a new flag (I think the tricolour would be even more apt in a united ireland but would it be accepted?)
    Would we let unionists still have Orange day parades?
    If this is to happen, it will require Sacrifice and Comprimise on BOTH sides. The question is how much comprimise is too much, what is it worth and how much do we want a united Ireland.

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    Mute Ronan Murphy
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    Mar 14th 2021, 9:44 AM

    Also Stormont is not a place to have government buildings.. It is so far removed physically from the public and appears to look down on those below. It’s a horrible place

    3
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    Mute Irene Donegan
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    Mar 13th 2021, 12:16 PM

    Where’s the All Ireland Bill of Rights promised in the GFA?

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    Mute Gerry Ryan
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    Mar 14th 2021, 7:36 AM

    It’s all pie in the sky until the Brits let it be known how much redundancy they’re paying

    1
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