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illegal African immigrants and suspected mercenaries stand at a barred door in a prison in Gherian, Libya last February Manu Brabo/AP/Press Association Images

Amnesty fact-finding mission to Libya uncovers torture, killings

Staff said they found evidence of electric shocks and beatings with bars, chains and cables.

AS MANY AS 20 prisoners may have been tortured to death in Libya over the past 11 months, according to Amnesty International.

Staff on a fact-finding mission to 15 detention centres across the country suggested militias are repeating the same abuses of the Gaddafi regime against the former leader’s supporters and mercenary fighters.

It is estimated that some 4,000 people are being held in official prisons and detention centres run by armed militias and semi-official security and military bodies.

The report published this morning, Libya: rule of law or rule of militias?, shows that many of these prisoners have been tortured. Others who have escaped prison have been forced from their homes.

During the visits throughout May and June, the mission found evidence of beatings and other abuse in 12 of the 15 detention centres. Common methods of torture reported included electric shocks, suspension in contorted positions and prolonged beatings with metal bars, chains, electric cables, sticks, plastic hoses, water pipes and rifle-butts.

The group also has detailed information about 20 deaths in custody as a result of torture by militias since last August.

According to Amnesty, many of those responsible for unlawful killings have not been brought to justice, “casting a shadow over the country’s first national elections since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi”.

As the central government in Tripoli continues to grapple for control, hundreds of militia men are refusing to disarm or to join the national army or police force. The Ministry of the Interior told the organisation that it has only been able to dismantle four groups in the capital.

“It is deeply depressing that after so many months, the authorities have failed to break the stranglehold of the militias on Libyan security,” said Colm O’Gorman, executive director of the Ireland branch of Amnesty. “Ordinary Libyans are the ones paying the price.”

Hasna’s story

Amnesty International’s latest report published Hasna’s story in full. TheJournal.ie reproduces it here:

Hasna Sheeb, aged 31, was accused of being an Gaddafi loyalist. She was detained in October last year. During her detention she was given electric shocks, beaten, whipped until she lost consciousness and had urine poured over her. The guards threatened to rape her mother if she did not confess.

Hasna was released without charge after three days and has since submitted complaints through a range of channels. She was examined by a forensic pathologist, whose report corroborated her testimony.

No meaningful action appears to have been taken to investigate her complaint. Instead she has received a string of anonymous threatening phones calls, as well as a call in June from the person who arrested her. In March, her flat was fired on by unknown attackers in the middle of the night.

(via AmnestyInternational/Youtube)

More: International Criminal Court staff released by Libyan authorities

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9 Comments
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    Mute 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

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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
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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?

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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. :)

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    Mute 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
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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.

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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
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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.

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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    Mar 10th 2022, 12:00 PM

    Nothing for Yemen no ? OK so

    51
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    Mute 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
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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
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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
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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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