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Three women at the protest against violence in Drogheda today. Leah Farrell

'Enough is enough': Thousands take part in rally against violence in Drogheda

The rally was being held after the “hideous and barbaric” murder of 17-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods.

LAST UPDATE | 25 Jan 2020

OVER 1,000 PEOPLE turned out on Drogheda’s West Street to send a message to the Louth town’s drug gangs that their wave of violence will not be tolerated. 

From early this afternoon, locals began to throng the streets, as they awaited the group which marched from the Bridge of Peace to the nearby St Peter’s Church. 

The rally was non-political. We did not hear from any party leaders from the podium. Instead, the town heard from civic leaders, under the guidance of its mayor, councillor Paul Bell, who walked through West Street to rapturous applause. 

The rally was being held after the “hideous and barbaric” murder of 17-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods, whose body parts were scattered across north Dublin. 

The crowd was of a mixed demographic. Teenagers on bikes stood and listened beside pensioners and young families as Paul Bell described the destruction of their town by the warring gangs who have been exchanging tit-for-tat attacks since the summer of 2018. 

All the main party leaders were present for the rally, walking alongside the people of Drogheda. The local gardaí received one of the greatest rounds of applause as addiction service leaders called for more resourcing to the region. 

‘We will not fail’

Louise O’Mahoney was the first to take to the stand. She runs the Red Door outreach services which helps those in addiction. 

She described how she and her team have been inundated since the gangs began to take hold of the area. O’Mahoney described the real fears that parents have for their children, the trepidation they are living with, fearful that their own children could be brought into a bloody feud, which has so far taken three lives. 

Members of the Youth Diversion Programme also called for greater resourcing to those helping people come back from the brink of drug addiction. 

But it was the impassioned plea by a visibly moved Mayor Paul Bell which brought the loudest applause. 

As he brought proceedings to a close, he described how Drogheda was not going to be beaten and how “no force can defeat the spirit” of the town’s inhabitants. 

He said: “We have seen intimidation, attempted murder and the ultimate evil act of murder itself.

The achievement of control of the local drug market and the communities who live in fear of this ongoing war. Our town has over 800 years of history since the Normans constructed gates and walls to protect the citizens from forces eager to dominate and occupy Drogheda.

“No siege and no force can defeat the spirit of what makes Drogheda citizens so special. 

“We will not fail in ridding our communities of those who are convinced that today they are untouchable and free to do what they please.”

Mayor Bell also appealed to those behind Keane Mulready-Woods’ murder to give information to authorities which could locate the teen’s final remains so his “mother, father, brother and sister” can bury their loved one. 

“Today Drogheda speaks – and those of us are proud to live in a society which has at its core values of decency of justice.”

8086 Drogheda Protest Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the rally in Drogheda today. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

8569 Drogheda Protest RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald were all in attendance in at today’s rally. 

McDonald said earlier today that communities are “suffering from the scourge of crime”. 

“They need to be listened to and supported… We have seen a spate of horrific murders and assaults across the State in recent times, including here in Drogheda,” McDonald said today. 
 
“The people responsible for these heinous crimes need to be taken off the streets.”

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    Mute eastsmer
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:14 AM

    FFFG Corruption is rife in our country

    719
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    Mute Packie O'Sullivan
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    Aug 13th 2018, 1:40 AM

    @eastsmer: your one on the card is the spit of Sally from home and away!

    62
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    Mute Jim Ni Suilleabhain
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    Aug 13th 2018, 1:45 AM

    @eastsmer: if they didn’t know they were getting the contract, why would they change their name? Laughably corrupt filth running this country. Serious smoking gun.

    Just like DOB buying Siteserv lol.

    God, they really are both thick, and shameless. FFG Traitors.

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    Mute C_O'S
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    Aug 13th 2018, 7:29 AM

    @Jim Ni Suilleabhain: it’s all down to backscratching in the political field. “What’s in it for me ?”

    97
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    Mute Michael Hennessy
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:22 AM

    “They changed their name from Biometric Card Services for unknown reasons not long after being awarded the multi million euro contract”. Any chance it was because a government claiming that biometric data wasn’t involved insisted that the company receiving the multi million euro contract probably shouldn’t have the word “biometric” in their name?

    I listened to Regina Doherty on the radio one morning trying to explain how data that fit the definition of biometrics perfectly,wasn’t biometric data…it was painful.

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:44 AM

    @Michael Hennessy: well fair play to you for trying!

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    Mute Peter
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    Aug 13th 2018, 6:14 AM

    @Michael Hennessy: BEFORE, not After

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    Mute The Risen
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:40 AM

    @thejournal: Any chance ypu could post one of these stories at one in the afternoon rather than one in the morning??

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    Mute Jim Ni Suilleabhain
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    Aug 13th 2018, 1:46 AM

    @Brinster: is it not a fair question he asks Brinster?

    158
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    Mute Siobhán Ni Mhurchú
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    Aug 13th 2018, 1:51 AM

    @The Risen: it’ll still be here when everyone wakes up in the morning.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 8:07 AM

    @Brinster: The Risen is right.
    Anything to say about this Biometric National ID card? Or are you happy with it?

    58
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    Mute B McQ
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    Aug 13th 2018, 4:26 PM

    @Brinster: Hmmm, I seem to recall that you have been spouting shi… I mean, contributing here, for far longer than 6m, what did you get banned for?

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    Mute Bobby Moore
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:16 AM

    “A great little Country to do business in” – Enda Kenny
    PSC Card, don’t need it or want it. Thank you very much.

    306
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    Mute Gulliver Foyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 7:52 AM

    @Bobby Moore: my take is that it does have it’s uses, but not as an id card. It should be used in any situation where you need an electronically validated PPS number, which would be receiving public benefits (dole, children’s allowance, hospital and gp if you are public, transport pass if you are free). Similarly, it should be an “option” for voting, and applications, but never mandatory. The reason is I do not want items such as my driving licence or passport to be linked to revenue or social welfare, only my contributions. The problem for the government is the issued “mandatory” for the non mandatory services. Otherwise the card, though terribly designed, does have some uses. And people are clueless about what biometric means.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 8:09 AM

    @Gulliver Foyle: Really? What do you understand by biometrics?

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    Mute Ennui Kenny
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:40 AM

    €60 million just to save €2.5 million. No wonder the country is knackered.

    Om another point, will the Journal.ie be looking at who owns the various companies involved and more importantly why two companies have alleged that there was bias in the tendering. I seem to remember a certain other company in the past having having a few problems when it came to who owned what, how they bought it and who got state contracts afterwards.

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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:44 AM

    @Ennui Kenny: christ no man..they’d have to have proper journalists for that and the current shower are only good for copy and paste articles. Look at the slant given to the scam artist in Dublin looking for a free house while getting €55k in benefits.

    213
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    Mute Ennui Kenny
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    Aug 13th 2018, 1:02 AM

    @Jay Coleman: Not to worry, I will get the real story in the Phoenix magazine. They actually investigate stories and reveal nice little insights into how things really went down. If you ever buy a copy just watch the same story reworded in all of the other Irish “news” outlets a few days later. Imitation being the best form of flattery and all of that.

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    Mute Peter
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    Aug 13th 2018, 6:16 AM

    @Ennui Kenny: It would be a lot more if it continued

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    Mute Ian Walsh
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:44 AM

    Will the cesspit ever change?

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:42 AM

    If this isn’t a wake up call for people ( your personal details are been sold to the highest bidder) then I really think we’re doomed!

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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    Aug 13th 2018, 6:41 AM

    @Colette Kearns: it’s actually the lowest bidder in most tender competitions

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 8:04 AM

    I’ve been saying for a long time now that this PSC contains biometric information. I’ve been rubbished, called a liar, a conspiracy theorist. Plus the usual insults.
    This card is a Biometric National Identity Card by the back door. By passing any debate, any constitutional issues any sort of national ID card would give rise to. There is not one bit of legislation to back this card or it’s purpose up. Your private and personal data, subject to EU law and regulation, has none of the protection such data is entitled to. Laws are being ignored.
    This is an intrusive, invasive, method of putting every individual in the country under 24/7 surveillance. The community based CCTV systems are able to identify anyone at any time.
    This is a fascist move by a fascist government.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 9:31 AM

    @Dave Doyle: A photo is biometric data. That is the only biometric data on the card. To say there is more is a lie. The data is not shared with the gardai to say it is would be a lie. You live in a country that requires ID but Ireland you don’t.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 10:12 AM

    @Kal Ipers: Kal, you called me a liar for saying the card contained biometric data. You claimed there was no biometric data contained on the card.
    The Gardai want access to the community based CCTVs being rolled out across the country. Those CCTVs have facial recognition software programmed into them.
    Yes, i do have a Bulgarian ID card. But i know it’s not biometric. I know what info is contained on it. It’s always been the norm here. It is subject to EU law and regulation on data protection. It’s handy i have used it for travel around the EU instead of my passport.
    That any government would force such a card on its citizens without proper debate or legislation is totally sinister.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 10:27 AM

    @Dave Doyle: I have always said the photo is classed as biometric data. To says it is biometric data is overblown but as technically it is true I have never denied it. Your national mandatory id card in Bulgary is biometric too. So no you don’t know what your card is. Tell us what other biometric data is on the PSC other than a photo
    The gardai still do not have access to the PSC data no matter what they do with cctv.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:00 AM

    @Kal Ipers: Kal, my Bulgarian ID contains NO biometric data.
    You seem not to want to join the dots where the PSC is concerned.
    Do you not understand the link between a biometric photo and facial recognition software. Or do you want to dismiss it as a conspiracy.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:29 AM

    @Dave Doyle: Your ID card has a photo, states eye colour, height that is biometric data. That is more than the PSC. You have again not Saud what biometric data besides the photo is in/on PSC.
    I fully understand what biometric data is and facial recognition software. They are mutually exclusive of each and do not require each other.
    You are believing conspiracy theories and really don’t know what you are talking about.
    I know the laws do not allow that data to be accessed by any police force. You want to make claims that are not happening nor legally allowed. You either are making it up yourself or believing another liar.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:41 AM

    @Kal Ipers: You might think you know everything. You’re in for a big surprise.
    Biometric data is unique to an individual person. My height is common, so is my eye colour.
    Try harder Kal.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:53 AM

    @Dave Doyle: Still can’t tell us what biometric data is on the PSC though. Dave Doyle isn’t a unique name either and you don’t seem to want to accept what is biometric data

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:33 PM

    @Kal Ipers: Biometrics uses identifiers unique to an individual. It makes use of people’s unique biological traits as a means to identify that person.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:58 PM

    @Dave Doyle: Again you aren’t saying what is on the PSC that is biometric that offends you.
    You realise a photo qualifies by your definition? It is an incredibly poor definition but eye colour and height qualify too.

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    Mute roscaf
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    Aug 13th 2018, 8:20 AM

    Not mentioned in the article is that the company that won it DLRS is owned by Smurfit Kappa,

    60
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    Mute Gasher
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    Aug 13th 2018, 6:00 AM

    Unfortunately I was made get one in 2011. I was informed that it was for social welfare only.
    To find out now the extent of the corruption around this shambles is disgusting. It’s too late for 3/4 of the population to do anything about it.
    I do think a national identity card for citizens of Ireland is a good idea and would welcome real debate about one and maybe even slip in a referendum so we the customers of Ireland can decide for ourselves.
    Maybe it can be like a dunnes card and we can get points for being good little sheeple if we do what we’re told.

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    Mute Willy Malone
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    Aug 13th 2018, 6:57 AM

    FFG are seriously corrupt…

    127
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    Mute Nick Caffrey
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    Aug 13th 2018, 8:32 AM

    There is not the technical expertise in the department to draft the tender document. So they got the current supplier to do it (someone in the office is pals with someone in the supplier’s office), and the result is a one-horse race. Simples.

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    Mute Gasher
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    Aug 13th 2018, 8:50 AM

    @Nick Caffrey: sounds pretty plausible Nick. And not the first time I’d imagine. Corruption rife in this and all previous governments

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 10:52 AM

    @Nick Caffrey: That is not true in anyway shape or form. The tenders are very secretive and there is no way DEASP would show it to the company before hand. They are very experienced writing tenders. The suggestion one person writes them is ludacrise and that they hand the duty to the company is absolutely absurd. You have to admit you just made up this scenario in your own head without any experience of the process.

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    Mute Cathal Mac Einri
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:56 AM

    @Kal Ipers: the facts that they only got one tender from the existing supplier and that they other companies are complaining shows the process was poorly performed or was corrupt.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:11 PM

    @Cathal Mac Einri: No it doesn’t prove anything. All it means for certain is the other companies couldn’t understand the brief or would accept the risks associated with it. Have you ever been involved with tenders for companies and state bodies? I have and they are all pretty much the same. Common problem with all tenders not unique to any government or department.

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    Mute Cathal Mac Einri
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    Aug 13th 2018, 2:27 PM

    @Kal Ipers: Just because this problem (as you say) is standard across all government agencies does not make it right. It is us the taxpayer that is being ripped off.

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    Mute Angry_Man41
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    Aug 13th 2018, 6:58 PM

    @Nick Caffrey: I imagine it went through the OGP. Enough expertise there to do that

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    Mute Stuart Wootten
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    Aug 13th 2018, 9:04 AM

    Need to be careful what’s said but “follow the money” all might be revealed!

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    Mute John Campbell
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    Aug 13th 2018, 7:24 AM

    Nothing to see here ???

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    Mute Lisa Byrne
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    Aug 13th 2018, 6:01 AM

    Off topic, but it should be law for everyone to have a psc card on them at all times, so when someone dodged a fair, littered, they can be given on the spot fines and nkt get away with giving a false name and if they are on the dole have the fine deducted.

    On point Gelmato make great passports their security features are amazing

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    Mute Gasher
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    Aug 13th 2018, 6:44 AM

    @Lisa Byrne: not a psc card but a real legitimate National Identity card. Issued by the state with the correct data protection in place.

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Aug 13th 2018, 10:07 AM

    @Lisa Byrne: they do that already , if you try to dodge paying on the dart for example, when you give them your details they check your address with the census forms information!

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    Mute Lisa Byrne
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:20 AM

    @Colette Kearns: but by law you don’t have to carry the psc? I could just give a false address and Im away

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 10:45 AM

    I suppose it’s also a conspiracy that NTMA spent more on renting it’s HQ than it would have cost to but it. NTMA have paid 175 million in rent when they could have bought the building for 164 million.
    But we don’t see that scandal spoken about or questioned in MSM or RTE, do we?
    There are other scandals breaking about NTMA that are being kept out of the public domain by a complient MSM who question nothing.
    The same with this PSC.
    The hallmarks of FG since they took power in 2011 are corruption, arrogance, contempt and lies.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:01 AM

    @Dave Doyle: @ Kal Ipers.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:37 AM

    @Dave Doyle: WTF has that to do with the PSC? Bad government police on purchase rules has no relevance. Do you just hate Ireland and love to go on about it from another country. You really don’t know what you are talking about with the PSC. You outright avoid direct answers and spout lies.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:44 AM

    @Kal Ipers: Ohh it’s a lie is it? I like calling out the corruption that is FFG. Social media is the place to go to get the truth MSM refuses to publish. No wonder FFG want to shut it down.
    The truth is out there Kal.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:16 PM

    @Dave Doyle: State what biometric data is on the PSC and prove me wrong.
    You have posted a link from Facebook that was an outright lie before. You don’t care about the truth you just believe everything is corrupt and believe what you hear that agrees

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Aug 13th 2018, 12:35 PM

    @Kal Ipers: You’re getting desperate Kal.

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 1:00 PM

    @Dave Doyle: Desperate? You can’t even tell us what biometric data is and don’t understand when it is pointed out. You just keep on avoiding answering the question and spout lies instead.

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    Mute Anthony Gallagher
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    Aug 13th 2018, 10:50 AM

    Finn gaels great democratic revolution ,same old same old .

    10
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Aug 16th 2018, 10:37 PM

    @Anthony Gallagher: IMF pals of pals???

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    Mute Eugene Conroy
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    Aug 13th 2018, 10:20 AM

    Unfair advantage !!! Never I say NEVER.Would never happen in Ireland

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    Mute John Flood
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    Aug 13th 2018, 9:08 AM

    Isn’t there a challenge process to contract awards?

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    Mute Kal Ipers
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    Aug 13th 2018, 9:33 AM

    Another overblown report. This is a common problem with all tenders. The companies that are complaining are really complaining the tender isn’t detailed enough for them to understand. If you want to go on about a conspiracy the fact the letters are near identical says a lot.

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    Mute Irish big fellow
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    Aug 13th 2018, 11:33 AM

    Most tenders of this value have to be put on a Euro tendering process. What’s the problem with that?
    The PS card is great and cannot understand all the fuss and only the sh*t stirrers seem to have a problem with it.

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    Mute Brian Corr
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    Aug 13th 2018, 8:33 PM

    This is the exact same for HSE and other contracts to even qualify the hoops you have to jump through are ridiculous….unfair on Irish businesses especially local ones that can give better service to the end user.

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