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File photo of passengers at Dublin Airport Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

People who arrived in Ireland from Britain since 8 December under 'enhanced surveillance'

Dr Colm Henry said NPHET will “be looking at enhanced surveillance of these passengers coming in”.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE travelled from Britain to Ireland since 8 December are likely to be under “enhanced surveillance” due to concerns over a new strain of Covid-19 that has been identified there.

Dr Colm Henry, the HSE’s Chief Clinical Officer, said he is unsure of how many people who have come to Ireland from Britain in recent weeks have since tested positive for the virus.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Henry said NPHET will meet today and will “be looking at enhanced surveillance of these passengers coming in”.

Around 30,000 people have come from Britain to Ireland since 8 December. The HSE yesterday issued updated advice for these people, who are now asked to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of their Covid-19 test result.

Previously, those returning from England, Scotland or Wales were advised that they could stop restricting their movements if they received a negative PCR test result five days or more after their arrival.

More than 20 flights into Ireland from London in the first three weeks of December contained at least one passenger who subsequently tested positive for Covid-19, the Irish Examiner reported today.

Henry said the personal locator forms filled out by people when they enter Ireland will be used to contact them to ensure they are aware of the new guidance and where they can be tested.

“We are actively following up all cases, now what we want to do is make sure all those individuals know this enhanced public health advice that they must self-isolate rather than just restrict movements, in order so we can prevent transmission of this much more transmissible variant,” Henry stated. 

Speaking on Monday, Director of the National Virus Reference Laboratory Dr Cillian De Gascun said there is not yet any “hard evidence” that the new strain circulating in the UK is more infectious than other strains.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has said there is a lack of evidence on the new strain to date but it has an estimated potential to increase the reproductive number (R) by 0.4 or greater, and is estimated to be 70% more transmissible than previous strains.

‘Incredibly harsh advice’ 

Speaking on the same programme, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the new guidance is “very tough advice, but we have to heed what they’re saying, that is coming from our public health officials”.

Ryan said the recent spike in cases in Ireland – 970 cases and 13 deaths were reported yesterday – is “the reason why they’ve give such incredibly harsh and difficult advice for an all those who have come in since 8 December”.

“That’s their best assessment of what needs to be done to manage the situation,” he said, reiterating that passenger locator forms will be used to contact people.

There has previously been criticism of how little these forms have been used for contact-tracing purposes, and the lack of follow-up contact with people entering Ireland from abroad.

The Irish government first introduced a suspension on flights and passenger ferries from Britain on Sunday night for an initial 48-hour period. This has since been extended until at least 31 December.

‘Dire predictions’

The new strain of the virus has not yet been detected in Ireland but Henry said we should act as if it is already here.

He said the recent increase in cases is “unexpected growth beyond the most dire of modelling predictions based on last week”.

“We can speculate as to whether or not this new strain is already here and has contributed to that growth, in a way, it doesn’t matter.

“It’s a message to all of us that now with unmitigated community transmission and growth of this virus, we must buckle down on those measures we know breaks down transmission of this.”

The first Covid-19 vaccines in Ireland will be administered on 30 December, the health minister confirmed yesterday.

About 10,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine are expected to be delivered on St Stephen’s Day.

“This is the one beacon of hope we can offer to people, and there’s no evidence that this new strain is resistant to the vaccine,” Henry said.

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    Mute Tom McBride
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:43 AM

    “Enhanced surveillance”, what a joke

    939
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    Mute Lee Galiezitte
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:08 AM

    @Tom McBride: Assuming it means more than one phone call.

    216
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    Mute Cosmos20202020
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:16 AM

    @Lee Galiezitte: and txt message reminder

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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:20 AM

    @Tom McBride: What this North bloody Korea.

    49
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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:52 AM

    @Lee Galiezitte: yes and if it’s your mobile you could be in Timbuktu for they know..!!

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    Mute John Moylan
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 12:31 PM

    @Tom McBride: indeed, the ‘enhanced’ asssumes that ‘some’ was taking place at all.

    It isn’t. We you know it, you know it – They know it.

    Unless & until we have mandatory testing at entry points, and closed all entry points effectively, it’s a nonsense.

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    Mute Gavin Conran
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 1:07 PM

    @Franny Ando: ??? Because having people coming in quarantine at hotels before being allowed free reign is only something North Korea would do?

    16
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    Mute Pablo
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 2:05 PM

    @Paul Shepherd: not if they were monitoring properly, the mobile would give a great info on your movements …but I doubt they will be doing that as it makes too much sense

    4
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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 3:45 PM

    @Gavin Conran: Ah Gavin take a chill pill. “Enhanced surveillance” watching to many Bond movies

    3
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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 4:32 PM

    @Franny Ando: too

    3
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    Mute LangerDan
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:45 AM

    Sigh. If you’re going to make outlandish CIA style claims about monitoring the public in such a fashion, you’ll at least have to try and back it up.

    405
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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:48 AM

    @LangerDan: yeah it’s laughable!

    196
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    Mute Franny Ando
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:25 AM

    @Joan Featherstone: They couldn’t even notify a hairdresser in Kerry that a customer had tested positive. It took 3 weeks before they were notified via a staff members app. Cost her almost 1000 to get all the staff tested. HSE response when she finally made contact was no need hairdressers were low risk!!, So why the hell are they closing them.

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    Mute Peter B
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:45 AM

    kind of proves the point they shouldn’t have been let in in the first place……

    233
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    Mute Rory Mac Daibhéid
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:30 AM

    @Peter B: the latest 14 day report

    Number of imported cases 17 0.26%

    Travel related then led to 118 infections. 1.79%

    Out of total cases
    6583.

    Not sure if you made a strong point, but the data is probably the only way to manage things and testing.
    If the suggestion of belief is that travel has led to more of the 98% of cases would be important to know.
    As many cases are community transmission and unknown possibly.

    https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/covid-1914-dayepidemiologyreports/

    30
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    Mute Marie Broomfield
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:33 AM

    @Peter B: I don’t know. I kinda like that we still expect that people will do the right thing and exercise personal responisbility rather than needing the govenment to make us like we’re a bunch of toddlers who don’t know any better and need the wooden spoon. I guess some people like that senario though, that way they can complain and strop about like a bunch of teenagers lol, blaming the parents(gov) for their miserable lives :D :D

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    Mute John O'Brien
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:02 AM

    A negative covid test within the past 72 hours, antigen or pcr should be required to enter Ireland. A no brainer. Why do we consistently fall down on the basics? We’ve never carried out proper track & trace either.

    170
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    Mute Dave
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:59 AM

    @John O’Brien: This is Ireland John, a place where our senior most politicians cant tie their own shoelaces without the assistance of an advisor…. And should those shoelaces break or get stuck in a knot, an inquiry will be open where millions will be spent and the outcome will be a new set of shoelaces form the local show shop.

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    Mute Cynical
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 12:06 PM

    @John O’Brien: People will then complain that the government should be paying for it and tests have the possibility to be incorrect, which is why the first pre-tested cruise ship ended up with infections. Quarantining is the only fool-proof method.

    Also where does it say we haven’t carried out proper tracking and tracing? Enhanced T&T is the entire basis of this article.

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    Mute Donal Quirke
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 1:45 PM

    @John O’Brien: I travelled to somaliland last week I had to have a negative covud test 48 hrs before travel . On arrival we were tested and quarantined . 2 days later another test and then we were allowed out . Bear in mind this is a 3rd world country . We still have to wear masks at work and stay in our bubble.

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    Mute Daniel O'Byrne
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 6:14 PM

    @John O’Brien: they had the airport open for months and months and now suddenly (Luke magic!) the UK are banned outright. Just doesn’t add up. At all. Hence why you have so many “conspiracy theorists” who seem to be being proven right.

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    Mute Jim Smith
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:06 AM

    But I thought it wasn’t coming in through our airports?

    We locked down the whole country but kept the flights coming in from around the world throughout. Now because our own citizens are coming home for Christmas it’s a problem.

    They keep changing their minds whenever it suits them and the Irish people always seem to be the ones to blame.

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    Mute Shane McGrath
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 9:44 AM

    Sure they are. Such BS

    161
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    Mute Handsome McWonderful
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:04 AM

    A case of closing the stable door after the whole herd has bolted if ever there was one.

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    Mute Critical Thinker
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:02 AM

    A bit late for people who arrived on 8th. Their period of self isolation ended yesterday. On a different note, of the 41 extra hospital cases, 35 arose out of outbreaks in Galway and Beaumont hospitals. Unclear whether those infected were already inpatients or not.

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    Mute Joan Featherstone
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:40 AM

    @Critical Thinker: most likely they were, in fact I’d bet my bottom dollar they were!

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    Mute Tom Ripley
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:18 AM

    Untrue. My partner arrives back couple of days after this enhanced surveillance. Has confined herself to the granny flat for her isolation and no one made any enquiries if she was actually doing the right thing.

    I’m sure a lot are doing the right thing but anyone arriving in the last week or so isn’t isolating for xmas day. Most selfish thing. If my elderly mother received a dose from returning relative, I think I speak for many when I say they would need to be on first flight out and into witness protection.

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    Mute Gary Garden
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 3:34 PM

    @Tom Ripley: seems to be the luck of the draw I got called 4 times in 2weeks of isolation.

    5
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    Mute Maalouf
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 7:17 PM

    @Tom Ripley: I love it when you talk rough

    1
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    Mute 3isamagicnumber
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:47 AM

    But it’s not spreading from travel or schools…….. It only shows up when a person lifts a pint glass in a bar….. It’s getting very sneaky, this Covid…..

    77
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    Mute Galwaygogo
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:12 AM

    Not the ones that flew into Belfast or Derry ! Then came south.

    72
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    Mute Divad Nayr
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:20 AM

    I’ll believe it when I see it, this is Ireland, laws but zero enforcement.

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    Mute Football Value Trader
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:42 AM

    Like putting on a johnny after the deed is done

    47
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    Mute Munster1
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:12 AM

    Hello there, are you in quarantine? Yes. Ok that’s grand so… ha

    45
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    Mute Dave Murphy
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:29 AM

    Enhanced surveillance……. Ye f’in right

    49
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    Mute Colin Kavanagh
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:55 AM

    Let’s not forget to remind Eamon Ryan that back in October, when Ireland was in Level 5, he told the Irish abroad to come home for Christmas and he would put rapid testing in place. He’s an absolute disaster and needs to take some responsibility for the shambles.

    50
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    Mute Eddie Michael
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:21 AM

    Enhanced??? By whom?? If they arrived 8th they’ve already infected hundreds…

    37
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    Mute Joeohah
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:06 AM

    Go to your Room!

    32
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    Mute Brendan McCarron
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:38 AM

    Does this include people arriving into Belfast City, International and Derry city airports? WHAT a joke.

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    Mute Niall Sheridan
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:31 AM

    Enhanced surveillance!! Elf on the shelf!! Of course!!!

    24
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    Mute SB79
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 5:15 PM

    @Niall Sheridan: ha ha

    3
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    Mute Spartacus Ireland
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:48 AM

    Shhhh all comments in here are now under enhanced surveillance, you will be caught for your opinions

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    Mute MickN
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:04 AM

    I wouldn’t worry we aren’t even close to being capable of that..

    22
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    Mute Dave
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 12:01 PM

    What an utter shambles this has become.

    18
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    Mute Louise Ni Riain
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:08 AM

    Yeh right id anyone believes that

    17
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    Mute Kieran Stafford
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:24 AM

    They should get a team of mother in laws to keep an eye on them

    18
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    Mute Jack Inman
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:07 AM

    Great news for the Car industry. Sales of Black transit vans through the roof

    17
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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:22 AM

    @Jack Inman: Black! White??

    2
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    Mute Tony Humphreys
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 1:46 PM

    @Dave Barrett: doesn’t matter if it’s black or white, beat it

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    Mute Mike Magan
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:22 PM

    @Tony Humphreys: class

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    Mute Ciaran Farrelly
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:56 AM

    That’s the funniest joke I’ve heard in a while.

    14
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    Mute Jason Byrne
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 1:31 PM

    Enhanced surveillance. What a joke. Who is keeping them under surveillance? The General was shot and he was under 24 hour surveillance.

    14
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    Mute Jamo
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 1:39 PM

    @Jason Byrne: Well the Gardai wanted him gone and the Provos too, wouldn’t be surprised if a blind eye was cast here.

    4
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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:12 AM

    They are in their feck

    18
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    Mute Nigel o'Neill
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 11:45 AM

    Yeah right

    10
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    Mute Gerry Murphy
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 10:48 AM

    Enhanced surveillance

    10
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    Mute Martin Laird
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 12:49 PM

    It’s a Joke

    9
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    Mute Mary Morrisey
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 4:59 PM

    Happy Christmas to everyone reading. May your 2021 be full of people you love and who love you in return.

    7
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    Mute Sirius
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 5:25 PM

    “looking at enhanced surveillance”?!?!? THEY SHOULD ALREADY BE UNDER SURVEILLANCE! ACTUALLY, THEY SHOULDN’T BE HERE AT ALL, COMING FROM A TIER 3 COUNTRY.

    5
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    Mute Damian Clarke
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 3:09 PM

    Fire up the DeLorean

    4
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    Mute Gina Carroll
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 7:01 PM

    Bit late now lads.

    3
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    Mute Keith Russell
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    Dec 23rd 2020, 4:54 PM

    Sounds like people pleasing to me…

    2
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