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Garda Representative Association via Facebook

GRA 'distances itself' from 1985 comment that garda's pregnancy 'not appropriate behaviour'

President Jim Mulligan said he wanted to express the GRA’s admiration for the “dignity and bravery” of the former garda.

THE GARDA REPRESENTATIVE ASSOCIATION (GRA) said it wants to distance itself from any criticism of a garda who was subject to a disciplinary investigation in the 80s after she became pregnant. 

Majella Moynihan almost lost her job because she had pre-marital sex with another garda and gave birth to a child outside marriage. She has said she felt pressured by the force into giving her baby David up for adoption.

Her story was featured in RTÉ’s Documentary on One on Saturday. 

The documentary also included audio from radio programme Day by Day in 1985 on the day Moynihan’s story (without her name) was covered in the newspapers. 

Jack Marrinan, then general secretary of the Garda Representative Association (GRA), was interviewed by the programme. He was critical of Moynihan, who, as a rank-and-file officer, was represented by his association:

“The Association wouldn’t like it to go out, I wouldn’t like it to go out – because I am a father of young ladies myself and there are other young ladies who may be listening from time to time – I would not like anybody to think that this would be regarded as the normal condition or appropriate behaviour,” he said. 

The Garda Siochana has within it a relatively small number of bangardaí, only a few hundred, and by and large they are an extremely highly moral group of ladies.

“I see the Garda Siochana as people who should be giving a lead and I think the rules which our society – up until now anyway – expect us to obey should generally speaking be obeyed by gardaí as well.”

The Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice have both issued apologies for the way Majella Moynihan was treated. RTÉ RTÉ

In a statement to TheJournal.ie, current GRA President Jim Mulligan said the GRA of today “distances itself from any implication that Majella had done anything wrong”.

He said the GRA wanted to express its “highest admiration for the dignity and bravery” of Moynihan in speaking out about her treatment.

“In speaking publicly about her ordeal as a pregnant single woman, Majella laid bare a litany of shocking and disgraceful behaviours on the part of the Garda Siochána – including some of her colleagues,” he said.

Majella’s experience was a product of a time in which people in a position of power were influenced by social values which had profound disregard for women.

Mulligan said the GRA is seeking a full recording of the 1985 Day by Day interview with Jack Marrinan that was broadcast as part of the documentary.

“The GRA of today distances itself from any implication that Majella had done anything wrong and would robustly defend any attempt to victimise a woman on the grounds that led to the disciplinary hearing against her.

“We also note the child’s father was subject to a disciplinary hearing in which Majella was called as a witness, which is another disgraceful aspect of this shocking episode,” Mulligan said.

This morning Moynihan told RTE’s Today with Seán O’Rourke that she was “shunned by a lot of other members of the force” at the time. However she said many of her garda colleagues have apologised to her since the documentary came out. 

“What I’d like to say to them is that they were the best they could. I hold every one of them in the height of esteem. It was the system. It was the officers. From inspector rank upwards,” she said. 

The Garda Commissioner, who issued a public apology to Moynihan over the weekend, has now sought a meeting with her so he can personally apologise for how she was treated by the organisation. 

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38 Comments
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    Mute Charlie Mountney
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:43 AM

    So we can comment on this but comments are blocked on the allegations about “prince” Andrews involvement in a paedophile ring.

    Running scared of the royal lawyers Journal?

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:05 AM

    I made tahat point the other day and told thry wont leave people comment on ongoing cases yet here we are commenting on a case strange that is huh!

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:15 AM

    All the evidence in the world to say he wasn’t responsible and still on trail this is a joke set up big time poor bloke probably still doesn’t know what happened it was a false flag mission set up to look like a terrorist attack so the world will condone Americas war of terror I mean war on terror

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    Mute The Doctor
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:19 AM

    You’re right. Instead of having a public trial they should take the word of a few Internet headers and free him. Sure you guys have all the evidence and are always right. Right?

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    Mute Aidan Ryan
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:19 AM

    Get the boat wud ye!!

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:36 AM

    No one is always right but if you do a bit of research and not just believe main stream media you might be able to form your own opinion and not just go with what your told have you even followed the story if so you would see all the inconsistencies and also the fbi following them all day and the fact that the backpack wasnt theirs just do some research before commenting on whats happening

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    Mute Sean Brennan
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:37 AM

    The ‘Zio-States’ have perfected the art of the false flag operation, those lads were set up from the start. They have the media and they have the soft-power propaganda machine of Hollywood in their pocket to create the narrative. Interesting coincidence that this trial of a russian national for terrrorist offences comes at a time of intense Russia-bashing, setting the mindset with the programmed public for ramping up the aggression towards the Russians. Get ready for the fascist new world order folks, they have the resources, the time and the intent.

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:38 AM

    “All the information that can refute the allegations against my sons is on the internet”.
    And there’s the problem right there. If it has any substance it will be admissible as evidence in court, if not its just more meaningless online drivel from bloggers and nutters.

    32
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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:42 AM

    I hope for you and your family he is set free! Also very sorry for your loss

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    Mute Jimminy BillyBob
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:43 AM

    Sean – Can you give me one shred of evidence to back up anything you just said? Just one piece of hard evidence. Surely some must exist.

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    Mute Sean Brennan
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:09 AM

    Call it a hunch @BillyBob. Unfortunately I don’t have the time or the resources, but a hear Google can be of help if you want to do a bit of free-lance research..

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:14 AM

    Sean we both know hes a dick with no ground to stand on he just repeats wat main stream media tells him hes probably beleives Iraq had wmds

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    Mute Avina Laaf
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:40 AM

    Sean, Tsarnaev is a Chechen muslim – you may have missed it but Russia has been fighting them for the past couple of decades. If the US wanted a show trial to whip up anti-Russian feeling, putting one of their enemies on trial is a strange way to do it.

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    Mute Sean Brennan
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    Jan 6th 2015, 2:27 PM

    @Avina.. Correct me if I’m wrong but is it not the case that the current middle-east mayhem is the direct result of US political elite selling the lie through their fear mongering media that Saddam Hussein had WMD’s and that an attack on the US was imminent? He was no angel but they blatantly falsely associated him with the heinous 911 attacks to justify regime change. The corporate ‘news’ media over there will no doubt find some tenuous link between the Tsarnaevs and Putin to justify pushing regime change in another country that isn’t yet under its influence.. False flag, it’s a means to an end for these psychos..

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    Mute Darren Turner
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:18 AM

    Bit confused, what are the protests about?

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    Mute Reg
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:59 AM

    Just Frank and a few of his friends!

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    Mute Darren Turner
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:03 AM

    Had a bit of a research myself, the whole thing does look a bit shady, especially with the man who allegedly lost his leg. Google it.

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:07 AM

    Good man darren nothing like research to help find the facts could you link it to billybob he has some trouble doing thing for himself the numpty!

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    Mute Frank
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:48 AM

    Reg_ You should know by now that I would not be allowed into the United States unless Declan Noonan could pull a few ropes.

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    Mute Darren Turner
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    Jan 6th 2015, 12:11 PM

    http://www.tomatobubble.com/boston_bomb_hoax.html Here you go Shane. Personally I Hate conspiracies but it looks very fake, especially the blood that is clearly paint.

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 12:23 PM

    I see it before myself its billybob that needs the help I recommend any1 who thinks they did it to look at it casted isn’t the word

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    Mute Frank
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    Jan 6th 2015, 12:25 PM

    Darren Turner_ here is another mistake picked up on Euronews.

    It shows a guy from the props department emptying a bag of special effects dust powder over the crowd 20 seconds in.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvOyyoCoV6A

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 12:34 PM

    All the evidence of a set up is there but people believe what their told

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    Mute Robert Callaghan
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    Jan 6th 2015, 12:34 PM

    Darren,

    The pesky US Government, making fun of us all by even getting Spielberg to direct and have a cameo roll.

    That’s the best one I’ve seen yet.

    You think with stakes as high as a false flag operation, they could have written that little cameo appearance out of the script, asking to be found out so they were.

    How do you suppose they keep all these ‘actors’ quiet, there seems to be loads of them.

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    Mute Darren Turner
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    Jan 6th 2015, 12:38 PM

    Oh that Speilberg part was absolutely ridiculous alright. Some of it was interesting enough though.

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 12:50 PM

    Money promises of power and they also set up the actors for something and if they dont comply jail or death its control and most people in movies would sell their soul for money and fame so don’t be to surprised by anything they do self interest is a great motivator!

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    Mute Pedro
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    Jan 6th 2015, 2:11 PM

    Sorry Darren, that website is laughable. I can pick a dozen holes in all its points. The blood clearly looks like paint? As someone who has witnessed, first hand, an accident which involved the loss of a limb, I can confirm that is what blood looks like when spread out on the concrete. Regardless of that however, if this was a conspiracy why in gods name would they use red paint or fake blood??? There’s plenty of ways to obtain the real thing!

    “Where is the rest of his leg?” It asks. Check the bottom left corner of the photo I say.

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    Mute Robert Callaghan
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    Jan 6th 2015, 3:07 PM

    Something I always wonder with these theories of staged events with actors etc…

    Why would they need actors if there actually was an explosion. Or was that a fake explosion as well?

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    Mute QE ornotQE
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    Jan 6th 2015, 5:27 PM

    Watch this video in its entirety, please.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q_QXt9EasY

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    Mute QE ornotQE
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    Jan 6th 2015, 5:35 PM

    Watch this video in its entirety, please. This guy has some great videos deconstructing the event.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Q_QXt9EasY

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    Mute Joanna
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:37 AM

    “Shaggy-haired”? Are you trying to make a terrorist sound endearing?

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    Mute Jimminy BillyBob
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:22 AM

    It’s amazing that so many commenters will defend a tried and tested terrorist

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:28 AM

    Tried and tested? Where do u get your info? The American government? The same people that did 911 blamed Iraq invaded their country raped their resources and then went to Libya and did the same there and have released numerous declassified documents to state they ingage in false flag missions all over the world? Wake up to yourself

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    Mute Jimminy BillyBob
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:42 AM

    Where are you getting your info? Alex Jones? Do you even realise how laughable you conspiracy nuts are? Lol, you actually believe the illuminati is out to get you.

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:58 AM

    Here billybob do you no wat conspiracy means? When theirs facts involved conspiracy gos out the window the only conspiracy was the 1 the American government set up to run a false flag mission and set up innocent people for it! If its not in the journal its not true is it? Ignorance is bliss as they say

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    Mute Frank
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:51 AM

    Jimminy BillyBob_ a tried a tested Nothing.

    There is more holes and dependencies in the Boston Bombing than a lump of Swiss Cheese.

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    Mute David Sutcliffe
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:58 AM

    Theres something very dogey about this case Nothing is as it seems. U cant trust the American government

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:23 AM

    Probably the fact it was an inside job and this poor bloke is the fall guy he should be dead remember all the bullets they pumped into the boat he was hiding in and the look on the fbi faces when he got out unharmed and with no weapon think about it it was set up

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    Mute Jimminy BillyBob
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:44 AM

    Don’t think too hard, Shane. The illuminati can read your thoughts, reemember?

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 10:53 AM

    Your looking for evidence just look it up instead of getting people to do it for you you think im wrong fair enough but ive given u enough info such as the backpack bn followed by the fbi the fact they tried to kill him and u still want proof what happened to reasonable doubt? Your a dick and ignorant to all facts and make your mind up solely on main stream media grow up be a man and have your own views after looking at what facts are available! Now you prove me wrong here all day

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    Mute Trea Lynch
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:37 AM

    No bullets were pumped into the boat. Stun grenades were used and the suspect climbed out with injuries he had sustained in the firefight his brother was killed in. NEXT!

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:51 AM

    Haha did u c the boat? Nice of the feds to release a statement confirming how his injuries were sustained and the bullet holes in the boat were there all the time ventilation ya know

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 11:55 AM

    Oh and u said firefight which would imply the brothers shot at them to where were the weapons and was any1 hurt in the ‘firefight’ besides the brother that died?

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    Mute Trea Lynch
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    Jan 6th 2015, 1:55 PM

    The gun, which one of the brothers is photographed pointing at the police from behind the SUV, was recovered.

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 2:12 PM

    Oh amazing they got that picture cameras everywhere and we only c the 1s they want u to c not to sure about that 1 will check it out though

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 2:14 PM

    Pointing r shooting? Do u no if theres an allegations of photoshoping the pic?

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 2:29 PM

    Just look up a bit of that first they had 3 guns 200 rounds of ammo and 1 of the guns was a machine gun and then it went to they had a gun each and the brother in the boat shot at police first then he had no gun and only the other brother had 1 only hes not here to deny it they killed him I smell a set up still

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    Mute Trea Lynch
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    Jan 6th 2015, 3:47 PM

    It’s called sensationalist reporting in chaotic situations. Media tend to report every rumour as fact as the situation is occurring without much effort being applied to sort fact from fiction. There was never any machines guns or arsenal to speak of. What happened was that every officer from multiple jurisdictions all converged on the scene from multiple directions and started firing. Individual officers when speaking to reporters after said it seemed like machine gun fire but really it was friendly fire. Sounds like your gripe should be with lazy reporters not government agendas.

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    Mute shane murphy
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    Jan 6th 2015, 4:45 PM

    Then how come in a proper podium press conference the lead fbi said they had heavy weapons and the guy in the boat shot first with no weapon thats amazing so keep reading main stream media and believe it its easier and less scary to believe sure the planes knocked down the twin towers???????

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    Mute Trea Lynch
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    Jan 6th 2015, 7:09 PM

    Heavy weapons such as homemade grenades and pressure cooker bombs? Yep they had those.
    But once again you are dealing with a very confusing situation where press and public are constantly demanding info and press updates. You do realise that you had 4 or 5 different police forces involved on the scene (Cambridge police, MIT police, Watertown police, state police, SWAT), all trying to be the hero and answering to different commanders…it was chaos. I would say that it would be stranger if in all the confusing no misinformation was delivered to the press.
    How you go from this to government conspiracy is really all about you and your conformation bias.

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