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Fine Gael Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan

Charlie Flanagan 'shocked by nastiness and vitriol' he received over RIC commemoration

The chair of the Expert Advisory Group also described the planning as ‘a bit of a mess’.

LAST UPDATE | 8 Jan 2020

JUSTICE MINISTER CHARLIE Flanagan has said he was shocked by the “nastiness and vitriol” he received as a result of the planned RIC commemoration.

The government announced yesterday that the commemoration for those who served in the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) planned for 17 January is to be cancelled and held at a later date.

The decision came after days of criticism that the event was not appropriate and was not organised without the right amount of consultation.

Speaking on the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk, Flanagan defended the event but said that it was the right decision to call it off. 

“I didn’t want a situation where there were protests. I mean, Mary Lou McDonald called for public protests,” Flanagan said. 

I didn’t want families of RIC members who have waited you know, up to and including 100 years to have their ancestors and family members honoured. I didn’t want them running at the gauntlet of civil disturbance on the streets of Dublin because that’s the exact opposite of reconciliation.

Flanagan also said that the event was “never a celebration” but the plan was to have “an acknowledgement, to have a commemoration”. 

“I also believe now to defer it, to call it off, was also the right thing to do. There was a particularly hostile atmosphere. There was a lot of division.  And of course, the purpose of events in the context of the Decade of Commemoration was to bring people together. This is about reconciliation,” he said. 

Flanagan also said that he was shocked by some of the responses he received as result of the controversy. 

“Can I just say that I was struck over the last 48 hours at the nastiness, at the vitriol at the emails that I got, the phone calls that I got, you know this is this is far from a programme of reconciliation. I was quite shocked,” he said. 

The minister added th that future commemorations such of those about the Civil War will prove to be very difficult in the context of the last few days. 

“I think it’s going to be extremely challenging and difficult. I do believe that there is a scholarly role to be played her,  in so far as the holding of lectures and seminars in order to have a greater understanding,” he said.

We were all moved in recent years by the visit of Queen Elizabeth. The fact that she bowed, and she laid a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance, acknowledging as she did, those who died fighting for Irish freedom and I think that’s the space that we need to move to.  

officers-and-men-of-the-royal-irish-constabulary-in-the-19th-century-the-armed-police-force-of-the-united-kingdom-in-ireland-until-1922-from-the-century-edition-of-cassells-history-of-england-publ Officers and men of the Royal Irish Constabulary. Ken Welsh / PA Images Ken Welsh / PA Images / PA Images

Speaking earlier on Newstalk Breakfast, the chair of the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) for the government’s Decade of Centenaries has said that the deferment of the RIC commemoration was “a bit of a mess”.

Maurice Manning has said “the execution of what was attempted was wrong” but also defended Flanagan who he said has “behaved with great integrity”.

It is a bit of a mess and it probably could have been avoided. But I think the important thing is to learn from it as we go into this sort of difficult part of the Decades of Centenarians. Which will be the Civil War and even the War of Independence, which we’re going through at the moment.

Manning added that the Decade of Centenaries have so far been conducted with “a sense of tolerance” and he hoped that would continue.

Yesterday, member of the Expert Advisory Group Diarmuid Ferriter told TheJournal.ie that the group did not recommended a commemoration event for the RIC.

Instead, it had recommended that an academic event be established that looked at the policing during the revolutionary period. Ferriter said that the EAG “should not be used by the government as a mudguard” against criticism.

Asked today whether the EAG has been used as a mudguard against criticism, Manning denied that it had.

“I don’t agree with that at all,” he said.

And I think that in all of this, the minister responsible Charlie Flanagan has behaved with great integrity. And I think that probably the execution of what was involved was got wrong.

“There was a statement in our report which said that consideration should be given to the holding of commemoration ceremony.”

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136 Comments
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    Mute Kieron Meehan
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    Mar 29th 2019, 6:43 PM

    The people of the six counties voted to remain. Who represents them?

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    Mute Laura Walsh
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    Mar 29th 2019, 6:51 PM

    @Kieron Meehan: certainly not the DUP

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    Mute Brianán McBride
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:03 PM

    @Kieron Meehan: DUP canvassed to leave now he is saying maybe they should stay. Sinn Féin did feck all canvassing until close to the vote when they canvassed to remain, they came across as clueless.

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    Mute Brianán McBride
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:05 PM

    @Brianán McBride: # Nigel Dodds of DUP

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:20 PM

    @Kieron Meehan: many of those chose not to be represented … By voting for and electing abstentionist Westminster candidates. So what they think or want can have no bearing on the brexit outcome unless their elected representatives choose to take up their seats in Westminster and take part in the debate and vote.

    Everyone can take their own view on this principal and tactic but it is my opinion that the debate and votes in Westminster concern Northern Ireland’s future and maybe taking part in the debate at least would be better than allowing the DUP to represent them and their constituents on this, effectively, constitutional issue.

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    Mute Caped Crusader
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:26 PM

    @Kieron Meehan: and Roscommon voted against same sex marriage but it doesn’t mean they can outlaw it in that county. NI is part of the UK and the vote was UK wide. Unfortunate for the North but that is the way it works. After any vote a large number of people will be left unhappy but majority rules

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    Mute Kieran
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    Mar 29th 2019, 9:09 PM

    @Caped Crusader: ah now, down with that sort of conmon sense around here. You’ll get no thanks for it

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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    Mar 30th 2019, 4:33 AM

    @Kieron Meehan: abstentionists and brexiteers apparently……in other words, nobody.

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    Mute Geoff Dolan
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    Mar 30th 2019, 8:36 AM

    @Caped Crusader:

    However, Northern Ireland. Scotland and Wales aren’t mere counties of England; they are constituent nations of the United Kingdom.

    A UK-wide referendum should have initiated another voting mechanism for an important decision such as Brexit, instead of the people of Northern Ireland and Scotland being hostage to a first-past-the-post system that favours only the interests, and/or whims thereof, of English voters

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    Mute Rory Quinn
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    Mar 30th 2019, 10:30 AM

    @Kieron Meehan: unfortunately for them that idiot Foster and the DUP. Sinn Fein should make an exception and attend parliament in London.

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    Mute iohanx
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    Mar 29th 2019, 6:55 PM

    They need to leave with no deal and let it all unfold. Be done with it.

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    Mute bmul
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:49 PM

    @iohanx: and we get hammered great idea

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    Mute iohanx
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    Mar 29th 2019, 9:39 PM

    @bmul: it’s not an idea.

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    Mute wattsed56
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    Mar 29th 2019, 10:09 PM

    @iohanx: That’s exactly what folks that voted for Brexit wanted all along. Despite BBC, Sky, Ch4 News etc…

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    Mute bmul
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    Mar 30th 2019, 4:10 AM

    @wattsed56: so you speak for 17.4 million

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    Mute iohanx
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    Mar 30th 2019, 5:41 AM

    @bmul: no.

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    Mute Skybloo
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    Mar 29th 2019, 6:59 PM

    The MPs, and the British public have no clue what their EU membership entails.
    At the moment, Conservative MPs are signed up to a crash course on what the EU customs union is before indicative votes on Monday. I kid you not … at 11th hour 59th minute they decide to educate themselves a little bit

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    Mute Devilsavocado
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:09 PM

    How about we just let them do whatever the hell they are going to do and realise that we really don’t have a say in the matter, give it time, they will make a mess of the whole thing and shortly afterScotland will vote to leave the UK and will, and then a majority of people and business in the north will realise the union is not the best place to be and a united Ireland will be a few short years away,,, this Brexit could easily be the death of Great Britain,,,,get the popcorn people,, we could be watching a big moment in history unfold….(maybe) :)

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    Mute David A. Murray
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    Mar 29th 2019, 6:47 PM

    The reason I’d advocate a 2nd referendum (and I accept that the arguments given against doing this in comments here are valid) is to ask the public if they have any confidence in their politicians to sort this absolute mess out. Also, can David Cameron be placed in a glass booth in the House of Commons during Brexit sessions?

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Mar 29th 2019, 6:50 PM

    @David A. Murray: Good suggestion for Cameron. This is ALL his fault.

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Mar 29th 2019, 6:51 PM

    @David A. Murray: or possibly the stocks, outside Parliament?

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    Mute Roy Dowling
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:12 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: actually it’s the 17 odd million who voted yes fault.

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    Mute Niall Ó Cofaigh
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:27 PM

    @David A. Murray: I wonder how a vote now would pan out. Most people under the age of 21 now did not have a vote. That could be over 2 million added to the group of people that tended to vote stay . And some of the older people have passed on and there was a greater tendency for older people to vote go.

    Interesting idea that the outcome could be different even if no one changed their vote but because the electorate changed so much.

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    Mute Barry Somers
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:42 PM

    @sean o’dhubhghaill: easy to blame Cameron.

    The real fault lays square at the feet of UK citizens, they fault in the one job they had…. To education themselves.

    As voters we have one job, research and understand. If you vote based on quick sound bites and daily mail headlines you are a idiot.

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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:48 PM

    @Roy Dowling: I thought the original yes campaign became the remain campaign as the question was changed

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:51 PM

    @David A. Murray: we’ve had 2nd referendums, no problem

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    Mute Barry Somers
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    Mar 29th 2019, 8:07 PM

    @Stevie Doran: indeed we have.

    Two refs with the same name (nice) but we voted on different conditions

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Mar 29th 2019, 8:55 PM

    @Barry Somers: Agreed. Fair Point.

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    Mute Liam Carlin
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    Mar 29th 2019, 8:58 PM

    @Barry Somers: exactly , that’s why democracy doesn’t work , people should have t take a test before they’re allowed to vote

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    Mute Liam Carlin
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    Mar 29th 2019, 9:01 PM

    @Barry Somers: No we didn’t , we voted no to the fires treaty and voted yes to an AMENDED treaty. The uk vote was a simple in or out vote. There’s no way to formulate a wording which doesn’t make a second vote undemocratic

    3
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    Mute Barry Somers
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    Mar 29th 2019, 9:42 PM

    @Liam Carlin: you vote on May’s deal or remain. Very simple.

    Ref outcome in the UK is not legally binding anyway, but at least the vote would finally give a clear direction to the aimless UK government.

    Right now they are a laughing stock of the world

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:05 PM

    Just retire Theresa, you’ll never win. Go on a cruise and become a local MP, enjoy the rest of your life away from the toxic cesspit of British politics.

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    Mute Chemical Brothers
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    Mar 29th 2019, 8:17 PM

    @Stevie Doran: She’s playing a blinder

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    Mute Brian McDonnell
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:12 PM

    I fear I predicted that there would always be a Hard Brexit, that the UK is far too evenly split over remain or leave, with far too many factions in either camp, if Parliament is at dead lock, then that is just a true representation of it’s people.
    Just like the Titanic (which incidentally sank on the 15th April 1912, not the 12th as per the article) the UK’s economy is soon too go down in very chilly waters, and it will be the poorest who will suffer disproportionately.

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    Mute iohanx
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:27 PM

    @Brian McDonnell: Any half wit politician knows the score over there. Sitting on fences because if/when the exit with no deal arrives there will be a new political movement and possible party to Join the EU and they’ll have a referendum in their manefesto knowing full well there are 16 million votes to be had.

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    Mute iohanx
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:30 PM

    manifesto

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    Mute wattsed56
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    Mar 29th 2019, 10:12 PM

    @Brian McDonnell: Why will the poorer suffer?
    Facts? – just after the referendum the country was supposed to be up creek without a paddle.

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    Mute Adam Kelly
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    Mar 29th 2019, 10:52 PM

    @wattsed56: Britain is already losing 1 billion pounds per week in lost economic growth as a result of brexit.
    That’s why.

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    Mute Chris hancock
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    Mar 30th 2019, 11:37 AM

    @Adam Kelly: a speculative metric then. What does it lose in sovereignty per week?

    1
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    Mute Doire
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    Mar 29th 2019, 9:51 PM

    As a northerner we/I have come to accept that the failed project that is Northern Ireland must collapse to its knees in order to achieve a united Ireland. Its well on its way.

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    Mute Oliver Jumelle
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:06 PM

    Titanic hit the Berg at 11:40pm on April 14th. she sank at 2:20am April 15. Do your research!

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    Mute Mick Rooney (TIPM)
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:24 PM

    @Oliver Jumelle: Correct. April 14th (ship’s time). A rather clumsy and foolish mistake to try and be clever. If you are going to make such an allusion in an article – might help to do basic fact-checking.

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    Mute Sean O'C
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    Mar 29th 2019, 8:28 PM

    Its like watching a slow motion car crash combined with sticking your finger in your eye again, and again, and again.

    Jez, you have to hand the members of the House of Commons, they get a gold medal for feckin it up !!

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    Mute John Caplis
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:58 PM

    Let them eat Walkers crisps!

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    Mute ianglen
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:05 PM

    Donald Tusk’s going “tsk tsk”.

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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Mar 29th 2019, 8:09 PM

    @ianglen:

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    Mute THE DUKE
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    Mar 29th 2019, 11:28 PM
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    Mute TheWhitelunalion
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    Mar 29th 2019, 9:01 PM

    The UK MPs are a absolute disgrace they are more worried with lining their pockets than doing what the people want, which is to leave the EU. If there is an election , the people should vote for UKIP. the same as we should vote for Irexit.

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    Mute bmul
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    Mar 29th 2019, 9:21 PM

    @TheWhitelunalion: troll

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    Mute Mary Cull
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    Mar 29th 2019, 9:39 PM

    @bmul: talking to yourself again.?

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    Mute TheWhitelunalion
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    Mar 30th 2019, 11:27 AM

    @bmul: I believe your a Russian bot.

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    Mute wattsed56
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    Mar 29th 2019, 10:17 PM

    Might want to wait until Angela Merkel arrives in Dublin next week. She isn’t coming for a trip around Temple Bar. She doesn’t normally travel a lot btw.. Maybe something to have a chat about Leo

    3
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    Mute John Caplis
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    Mar 29th 2019, 7:58 PM

    Let them eat Walkers crisps!

    3
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    Mute THE DUKE
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    Mar 29th 2019, 10:19 PM

    Getting bored of watching this crazy brexit. Just leave

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    Mute Johnny Conway
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    Mar 30th 2019, 9:37 PM

    Looks like it will drag on for another few years of defeated votes and misery.
    The living dead alright or the walking dead for the media news viewers…

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    Mute sandra clifford
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    Mar 30th 2019, 8:31 PM

    The ppl voted to leave the EU so let them go

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    Mute Nedwerd
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    Mar 30th 2019, 12:33 AM

    That last paragraph should read

    No deal

    A “no-deal scenario on 12 April is now a likely scenario”, the European Commission has said in a statement after the vote…although no one really believes this and it is widely known that this is the EU playing hardball.

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