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'We all have to get up on the 26th and live together again': On the trail with the 'Yes' and 'No' TDs of Fianna Fáil

More than half of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party are backing a No vote next week.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, 31 Fianna Fáil parliamentary party members gathered in Dublin’s Merrion Square holding ‘Vote No’ posters.

That’s more than half of the party, but Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin maintains that while there are different opinions among members, it poses no challenge to future cohesion within the party. 

In an interview with TheJournal.ie, Martin said that unlike some parties, he has given his deputies the choice to vote with their conscience, and has respected everyone’s views.

In Fine Gael (whose deputies have also been given a free vote on the upcoming legislation) those that are against repealing the Eighth Amendment “are keeping quieter”, said Martin. That is not the case in his party.

Martin said Fianna Fáil are “together” and batted aside any suggestion that the issue has caused a divide in the ranks.

He acknowledged there are “differing perspectives on this issue” but said the party is “getting on fine”.

“I see this as a maturing of Irish democracy,” said Martin, adding that he knows his own deputies have struggled on the issue, as he has.

“In an issue likes this, you can’t be absolutist. There is a lot more grey than black and white in life and I have learned that.

“Even people who vote No in the party, TDs voting No in the party… people are voting No with reservations, it is not as if they don’t see the other side or the Yes side, they do, it’s not like they don’t understand the complexities. They do. And they know how difficult this is for everybody,” he said.

Martin’s own county has an interesting mix of politicians from both the No and Yes side, with some Cork TDs from his own party having differing viewpoints.

While Martin will be voting Yes in the upcoming referendum, his constituency colleague and party finance spokesperson Michael McGrath is a No voter.

Cork Fianna Fáil TDs

The day TheJournal.ie pays a visit to Cork City, it’s buzzing. Ed Sheeran is due to play and the city is awash with youngsters excited to see their idol play Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Referendum posters are dotted along the River Lee, and with the referendum just a short time away, campaigners are out and about.

One of the leading ‘Yes men’ in the Fianna Fáil party is Cork North–Central’s Billy Kelleher. As the former health spokesperson for the party for close on seven years, he also sat on the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment.

When we caught up with him, he was attending the launch of a pop-up Yes campaign shop close to UCC. It sells merchandise for the Yes-side such as badges, t-shirts and hoodies.

IMG_1223 Fianna Fáil's Billy Kelleher with Yes campaign activists at the launch of a pop-up shop in Cork. TheJournal.ie TheJournal.ie

“There is huge volunteerism, and a huge cohort of young people,” added Kelleher, who said it is the younger generation who want the issue dealt with.

The numbers out campaigning for Yes have been increasing week on week, said Kelleher, who believes people are realising “the more people who actively campaign, the better a chance of a change”.

Throughout the last few months, Kelleher said as health spokesperson for the party he tried to “de-politicise” the issue.

He said Fianna Fáil has a free vote and Fine Gael has a free vote which is important as it prevents parties from being at loggerheads on the issue and takes it out of the “partisan party political system”.

I think it has allowed space for those on either side to have their view heard, respectfully, but at the same time as you get nearer people are going to get more intense with their discussions. As long as they can keep to a certain decorum, respectfulness, it is personal issue for many people. People don’t want to see distasteful language, intimidatory tactics, on either side, and they just want to be informed and be allowed the space to make their decision.

Kelleher acknowledged it is a “divisive issue” and there are strong feelings among people, even within his own party.

He said he is glad it is nearing the end with polling day, stating that the longer it goes on “the more entrenched people become”.

“We all have to get up on the 26th and live together again. I hope and plead we get a Yes vote. If it doesn’t happen, I have to respect the choice of the electorate just like everyone else does,” said Kelleher.

Another Cork Fianna Fáil TD, Margaret Murphy O’Mahony is on the opposite side of the fence. She is actively canvassing for a No vote in her Cork South-West constituency next week.

As it gets closer to polling day, people are trying to make up their mind and while she said confusion is the wrong word to use, she believes members of the public she has encountered appear to be “torn emotionally”.

She thinks this might affect the turn out next Friday.

“Both sides have put forward plausible arguments,” she said, commending the No activists who have come out and stayed out throughout the campaign.

I think it will be very close – it is all to play for.

On the issue of the Fianna Fáil party, she believes it will continue to remain united after the referendum.

“We’ll stay that way. We are all very close and are personal friends. We may differ on it, but that’s not an issue.”

“There is no question about the leadership,” she said, adding that there is no “hassle” within the party over Martin’s view, despite reports.

“Some people have different views to the leader – but it has definitely presented no hassle with anyone,” she added.

An interview with Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin will be published at midnight on tonight.  

 

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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mr Jerry Curtin
    Favourite Mr Jerry Curtin
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:15 AM

    While they are at it. Can they change pembrook Road where the Israeli embassy is to “Free Palestine Road”.

    Thanks

    503
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    Mute Ciaran O'Mara
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    Mar 10th 2022, 2:04 PM

    @Mr Jerry Curtin: the Israelis have left there and moved to Shelbourne Road.

    22
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    Mute john smith iv
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    Mar 10th 2022, 6:07 PM

    @Ciaran O’Mara: oh there’s no changing that.

    9
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    Mute Mary Conneely
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:10 AM

    That should drop the price of houses by a lot of zeros, can’t see the residents agreeing to that.

    363
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    Mute Tricia G ☘️
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:18 AM

    @Mary Conneely: You think a road name would drop those house prices? Nonsense.

    156
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    Mute Liam Ó hAodha
    Favourite Liam Ó hAodha
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:03 AM

    @Tricia G ☘️: Yes, of course street names matter to households
    Why do you think the people of Ballymun Avenue changed their street name to Glasnevin avenue?

    327
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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:24 AM

    @Tricia G ☘️: have you ever tried to buy a house on Aylesbury or Shrewsbury roads when playing Monopoly Ireland edition? Even Hasbro understands the significance of the road names in Dublin. :)

    101
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    Mute ProtectKyiv
    Favourite ProtectKyiv
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    Mar 10th 2022, 11:29 AM

    @Mary Conneely: ughhh dead toddlers Vs house prices? I need a shower

    44
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 10th 2022, 11:53 AM

    @Tricia G ☘️: Yes it does as does a postal address. Thats the reality of it.

    39
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    Mute Genera L Consensus
    Favourite Genera L Consensus
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:09 PM

    @Mary Conneely: the terrorist embassy being there is already bringing down the value of the road

    45
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    Mute TomTraubert
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:39 AM

    Ok, this is starting to go too far. There’s a smidge of virtue signaling about this. Can’t see the residents being too happy about it either.

    325
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    Mute john smith iv
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    Mar 10th 2022, 6:10 PM

    @TomTraubert: it’s childish pseudo politics. College politics after graduation. Russia is wrong in this conflict but this is literally jingoism.

    48
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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Mar 12th 2022, 2:40 PM

    @TomTraubert: If reidents vote in favour, I’d say good for them – they’re invited to vote here, not to take their cue from one random comment against the proposal. It’s entirely up to them to cast votes, since we live in a democracy and that’s how it works.

    How do you make it a thing that’s allegedly ‘going too far’ when your own opinion is that it signals virtue? Is it better in your opinion to signal vice or are you thinking at all?

    1
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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:11 AM

    Iran done this years ago when they changed the name of the road where the entrance to the British Embassy was to Bobby Sands Rd and it made the embassy change its entrance to other road as they didn’t want to receive postage addressed to Bobby Sands Rd

    299
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    Mute Stanley Marsh
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    Mar 10th 2022, 11:52 AM

    @Shaun Gallagher: I would have thought the fact that the embassy is already on a street called Orwell Road is enough.

    125
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    Mute Ciaran O'Mara
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    Mar 10th 2022, 2:05 PM

    @Shaun Gallagher: Iran did

    9
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    Mute larry bird
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:01 AM

    Seriously, Are you sure Mannix Flynn isn’t behind this idea because it sounds like one of his.

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    Mute Justin Gillespie
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:54 AM

    @larry bird: I’d say Putin will be seriously impressed by this bit of virtue signaling.

    160
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    Mute Here's How Podcast
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:09 AM

    @larry bird: Wrong council

    26
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    Mute TomTraubert
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    Mar 10th 2022, 11:25 AM

    @Here’s How Podcast: nope, the road is in two local authority areas.

    1
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 10th 2022, 11:55 AM

    @larry bird: Cllr Flynn is a member of the Dublin City Council, not the DLRC. It is stated in the article that it is a motion from the local area committee in DLRC as that is where the embassy is situated.
    Read the article rather than having a pop at Mannix.

    16
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    Mute TomTraubert
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:08 PM

    @Gary Kearney: Dermot lacey in newstalk this morning said it was discussed between both local authorities.

    9
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    Mute FiannaFáilness FineGaelness
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    Mar 10th 2022, 6:20 PM

    The Iranians named the street that the British Embassy is on after Bobby Sands so the Brits made a new entrance on an adjoining street to change the address.

    6
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    Mute Pól Ó'hAodha
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:04 AM

    This is pure cringe

    310
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    Mute GrumpyAulFella
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:12 AM

    I’m not so sure that the well-heeled residents of Orwell Rd who paid ridiculously over-inflated prices for their little strip of D6 will be overjoyed with the new name. Will be interesting to see if they agree to the change.

    245
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    Mute Gavin Linden
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:54 AM

    Oh My Good Lord!!
    Really? 1st of April is a bit away yet.

    114
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    Mute Paul Keenan
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:03 AM

    Great idea, and let’s get it changed

    111
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    Mute Declan Mckenna
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:11 AM

    I’m glad we pay theses geniuses so much. I’d say the Russians are quaking in their boots

    152
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    Mute E.J. Murray
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:50 PM

    @Declan Mckenna: — Your new address will be Vlad Bot Road.

    33
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    Mute David Dineen
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:15 AM

    Lets all send a postcard to the russain embassy, independent Ukraine Road, Dublin, if a few hundred got sent it might send a message to those inside.. Words matter

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Mar 12th 2022, 2:43 PM

    @David Dineen: They do. It seems that words do matter. (I was one of many who sent a postcard to Windscale, since renamed Sellafield.)

    1
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    Mute Tricia G ☘️
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:18 AM

    In 1986, Glasgow changed the name of St George’s Place to Nelson Mandela Place. The South African consulate-general was based in a building on Nelson Mandela Place.

    Each incremental drip becomes a wave.

    88
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    Mute Brian Ó Murchú
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:33 AM

    This is the craziest idea they have come up with so far Even crazier than their decision to hoist the breakaway Spanish regions flag over the council buildings.

    133
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    Mute Hugh Mc Donnell
    Favourite Hugh Mc Donnell
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:13 AM

    It’s great to see this solidarity but please don’t forget about the Palestinian people can we name a street in Dublin for them also.

    86
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    Mute Michael Rossney
    Favourite Michael Rossney
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:23 AM

    We can help

    Offer Accommodation https://registerofpledges.redcross.ie/#/pledging/room

    Volunteering sort Donations etc iamukrainian dot ie

    Facebook Groups to offer Support for people arriving https://www.facebook.com/groups/379406900679082/?ref=share

    Donate power banks, mobile phones and medical supplies

    Have 2 pin (round pins) into Irish plug adaptors for people arriving

    Offer a job – even something casual a solo parent can do like doing a bag of ironing.

    Offer child support so people can work remotely or go to work a job

    Support Ukrainian owned businesses like The Art of Coffee (I’m not affiliated. Please share others if you know of any)

    77
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    Mute Roger Bond
    Favourite Roger Bond
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:54 PM

    Ireland as a country don’t have any enemies but we are as sure as hell trying to make an enemy of Russia.
    Is this really in our interests.
    These local councillors are just being populist.

    77
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    Mute Richard Williamson
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    Mar 10th 2022, 3:30 PM

    @Roger Bond: do you get paid to be for your work here. Why do you like Vlad so much?

    10
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    Mute Jonathan O'Riordan
    Favourite Jonathan O'Riordan
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    Mar 10th 2022, 6:12 PM

    @Richard Williamson: think he lives in a fantasy land as some combination of Roger Moore and James Bond

    5
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    Mute Mickelodian Ranks
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    Mar 11th 2022, 3:09 AM

    @Roger Bond: You are assuming Roger that there is even going to BE a Russian federation in a few weeks time to be an enemy of! Even Putin and Dmitry Medvedev wrote and said things that would lead you to believe their main concerns over the last 10 years was stopping their Federation dissolving into 46 Oblasts! Its on the cards even without all this Ukraine and Sanctions thing…

    1
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    Mute David Van-Standen
    Favourite David Van-Standen
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    Mar 10th 2022, 1:12 PM

    Its pointless virtue signalling and bandwagon jumping by these councillors to be honest.

    73
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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Mar 12th 2022, 2:48 PM

    @David Van-Standen: Luckily we have a system where residents will then be asked to vote for or against the idea. If it makes no difference to you, fair enough. The important issue here is that they’ll have the choice and the support of their local government either way.

    1
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    Mute Nick Murphy
    Favourite Nick Murphy
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:00 PM

    Nothing for Yemen no ? OK so

    51
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    Mute George Demo
    Favourite George Demo
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:19 PM

    Not a hope in hell of this happening, as an alternative I Would suggest putting Ukrainian flags on every lamppost along the road

    55
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    Mute Ger O'Reilly
    Favourite Ger O'Reilly
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    Mar 10th 2022, 1:17 PM

    What a moranic suggestion. If you want to do something paint a Ukrainian flag 100 metres long on the road outside the Russian embassy.

    34
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    Mute Gary Mullen
    Favourite Gary Mullen
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    Mar 10th 2022, 3:41 PM

    @Ger O’Reilly: go bigger, paint every house on the road blue & yellow

    12
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    Mute Eamonn Tierney
    Favourite Eamonn Tierney
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:18 AM

    This on its own will not Stop This War but will send a message to the Russians on our support for the people of Ukraine

    38
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    Mute Michael Rossney
    Favourite Michael Rossney
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    Mar 10th 2022, 9:24 AM

    We can help

    Offer Accommodation https://registerofpledges.redcross.ie/#/pledging/room

    Volunteering sort Donations etc iamukrainian dot ie

    Facebook Groups to offer Support for people arriving https://www.facebook.com/groups/379406900679082/?ref=share

    Donate power banks, mobile phones and medical supplies

    Have 2 pin (round pins) into Irish plug adaptors for people arriving

    Offer a job – even something casual a solo parent can do like doing a bag of ironing.

    Offer child support so people can work remotely or go to work a job

    Support Ukrainian owned businesses like The Art of Coffee (I’m not affiliated. Please share others if you know of any)

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Kearney
    Favourite Gary Kearney
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    Mar 10th 2022, 11:56 AM

    Its a show of solidarity and its good to see all the councillors supporting it.

    18
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    Mute Míleata Watch Co
    Favourite Míleata Watch Co
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    Mar 10th 2022, 1:39 PM

    Should change it to… Lying Invaders.

    So the address would read
    Russian embassy
    Lying Invaders
    Dublin 6

    19
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    Mute Genera L Consensus
    Favourite Genera L Consensus
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:08 PM

    The local Des & Barbara’s won’t like any of this

    13
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    Mute Joe Kelly
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:19 PM

    Road is so common the locals might be persuaded by Boulevard.
    My own preference would be FFF Lane,

    11
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    Mute Ronan O Connor
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    Mar 10th 2022, 10:55 AM

    Can the appropriate councils give consideration to a number of other locations while their at it i.e. Elgin Road, Merrion Road etc.? A smorgasbord of suggestions come to mind.

    11
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    Mute Jonathan O'Riordan
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    Mar 10th 2022, 5:27 PM

    I like the idea of all poles along the road to have Ukrainian flags flying for Herr Filatov and his cronies

    10
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    Mute Pat Murray
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    Mar 10th 2022, 1:25 PM

    Peace Road

    8
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    Mute Mickelodian Ranks
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    Mar 11th 2022, 3:02 AM

    I have a much better address that annoys nobody… and blows the suggested name out of the water.

    Embassy of the Russian Federation
    Zelenskyy Place,
    186 Orwell Rd,
    Rathmines Great,
    Dublin 14

    Eircode: UKRAINE (not sure if this eircode could be done but I’d say so)

    4
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    Mute Mickelodian Ranks
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    Mar 11th 2022, 3:01 AM

    I have a much better address that annoys nobody… and blows the suggested name out of the water.

    Embassy of the Russian Federation
    Zelenskyy Place,
    186 Orwell Rd,
    Rathmines Great,
    Dublin

    Eircode: UKRAINE (not sure if this eircode could be done but I’d say so)

    1
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