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An empty prison cell corridor inside the Dochas centre.

Report claims pandemic ban on prison visits and lack of psychological supports impacting prisoner health

The annual Irish Penal Reform Trust’s progress in the penal system report was published today.

PRISONER VISITS AFFECTED by Covid-19 lockdowns and a lack of psychological supports for inmates must be a key concern for prison management, the Irish Penal Reform Trust has said. 

The IPRT’s assessment of progress in the penal system, or PIPS report for 2021, said the impact of Covid-19 isolation was being felt among the prison population. 

“Many have said that the crisis that comes after the Covid-19 pandemic will be that of a mental health crisis. 

“The impact of Covid-19 on the mental health of prisoners has yet to be fully understood, however, this is a key concern raised by prisoner family members. 

“During the first three months of the Covid-19 pandemic (12 March 2020 to 29 June 2020), provisional figures show there were 36 reported incidents of self-harm across the estate. Of these 33 were among the male prison population and three among the female prison population,” the report said. 

The IPRT said there is a lack of recognition and support for children and families affected by imprisonment. Physical visits were suspended from December 2020 until July 2021.

It noted that during the Covid-19 crisis alternative methods of contact were arranged including in-cell phones and video calls – but that there was a significant reduction, estimated at 80%, in visits of children to prisoners.

When the visits recommenced rules were set out of one child only being allowed to visit with parents. The IPRT said that this adversely impacted families who then were forced to choose which child.

The report found that at the outset of the pandemic, the Irish Prison Service introduced measures to support the mental health needs of prisoners in the absence of face-to-face psychology supports.

This included tele-psychology, which consisted of 20-minute telephone sessions. A national telephone line was also established to allow prisoners access to some services.

“A total of 550 referrals were received from tele-psychology between 12 March 2020 and 30 June 2020. A total of 891 calls were made to the national helpline to contact chaplaincy, psychology or psychiatry services between 11 April and 30 June, of which 135 were made to prison psychology services.

“There were 180 prisoners seen in a mental health clinic in March 2020, 172 in April 2020 and 203 in May 2020,” the report added. 

The report noted that the Office of the Inspector of Prisons and Maynooth University also called for shorter and longer-term plans to support all people in custody and staff, as prisons and the country transition back to normal post Covid-19.

It added, however, “considering that, for some, reduced restrictions may heighten their anxiety”.

The IPRT called for proposals for a new Task Force on mental health, addictions and imprisonment should be expedited.

“Its programme of work should include a review of gaps in mental health law, including an examination of the classification of personality disorders. It should also identify clear diversion pathways for people with an acute mental health need to access an appropriate service,” the report recommended.

It also called on the Irish Prison Service to publish data on the number of people awaiting transfer to the Central Mental Hospital and the lengths of time awaiting transfer.

While it also asked that prisoners experiencing mental health difficulties should be offered a range of appropriate non-psychiatric responses such as access to psychology, counselling, social care and survivor-led peer support.

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27 Comments
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    Mute lavbeer
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:08 AM

    FF back down now would trigger an internal vote of no confidence in Michael Martin

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    Mute Gerald Kelleher
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:30 AM

    @lavbeer: So the Tanaiste steps aside like Arlene Foster was supposed to do and allow an investigation to remove party strategy from the topic, it serves all parties and the electorate.

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    Mute lavbeer
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:42 AM

    @Gerald Kelleher: the examination of the papers seems to be underway. Hard to find common ground now to allow both to save face. Maybe your suggestion could work – but it shows weakness on both sides but more so for FF as their motion kicked this off.

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    Mute Dot Com
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:26 AM

    @lavbeer: If you believe
    “I don’t remember the email, Ido remember it said no action required”
    Then Santa is in Arnotts next month for you.

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    Mute lavbeer
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:49 AM

    @Dot Com: so an election?

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    Mute LITTLEONE
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:00 AM

    Why any of them backed the commissioner to start with is astounding and the fact that ff and fg think this is about an email is even more astounding.
    This email is not threatening to collapse the government, the orchestrated attempt by the state to frame MauriceMcCabe with child abuse is what is threatening to collapse the government. The fact that they are more concerned about Francis and the email tells it’s own story… Need I have to remind anyone fg did not fire the Garda commissioner. They backed her to the hilt.

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    Mute Donal Hanley
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:57 AM

    @lavbeer:
    Could the President play a role by requesting the parties who wish to move votes of no confidence in Fitzgerald to postpone such votes till the New Year in the national interest or is that prohibited?

    13
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    Mute lavbeer
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:37 PM

    @Donal Hanley: doubt it. The timing is deliberate here.

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    Mute rory conway
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    Nov 26th 2017, 2:41 PM

    @Gerald Kelleher: Gotothe heart of the story. Disclosure or not ? Yes to disclosure. It’s the taxpayers money they are playing with. You pay taxes and get a stupid debate like this, I want to know where my tax euros are going to. I feel it’s my right.

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    Mute Eileen O'Sullivan
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    Nov 26th 2017, 3:15 PM

    @Gerald Kelleher: if you were at the receiving end of injustice perpetrated by arms if the state you’d be crying out for an election. The Taoiseach mislead the house. Leave them off your ballot.

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    Mute Geffrey Kane
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    Nov 26th 2017, 7:57 PM

    @Dot Com: was that an actual quote?

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    Mute Martin Stapleton
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:15 AM

    Look,
    Once again our permanent government is running rings around our ego driven politicians.
    When will someone take this bunch on and sort them out?
    Sinn Fein have done what the do best, start the fire and do nothing, Fianna Fáil are thinking of themselves, the Greens are worried that more trees will be hurt if an election is called, the independents are looking at the jobs columns and getting pension advice and Fine Gail are running around like the turkey next month and all the while the permanent guys are lapping it up. This, like other debacles is a storm created from nothing to rock an already unsteady government at a time when Ireland needs stability, strength and confidence. Cop on up there and just get the job done!

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    Mute Gerald Kelleher
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:20 AM

    @Martin Stapleton: That is about right, obstructionist politics might work up North and be considered master strategy but such is the news cycle these days that any old secondary issue, and it is a secondary issue, gets hyped up.

    35
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    Mute Shaun Gallagher
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:50 AM

    @Martin Stapleton: that sounds about right

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    Mute Desmodromic
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:28 PM

    @ Martin. Spot on there Martin. This protocol that is on place to protect the civil service seems to have become a shield for very poor management leading to ministers being hung out to dry by the gradual revelations of civil service incompetence. I know the buck stops with the minister but if she’s to blame at all it’s because she should have lit a fire under her executives in her department at the time.

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    Mute Dave Doyle
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:59 PM

    @Martin Stapleton: So trying to use an agency of the state to stitch up an innocent man with a charge of child sex abuse is nothing in your book? Every last one of them should resign.

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    Mute lavbeer
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:33 PM

    @Dave Doyle: I know there is a review of this at the minute and you are correct in bringing up what some may well forget. If a head rolls now – the carpet brush might come into play and this cannot be allowed to happen. This is a separate issue and must be kept separate. Fitzgerald I argue is now a pawn. The King and Queen are now fighting this out. Mehole expected Leo to buckle in a first real challenge to him. That ain’t happening so MM must now push ahead with his motion or resign. Interesting times

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    Mute Robin Tobin
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:00 AM

    France’s Fitzgerald whom I dealt with for three years in Justice came across kind caring. She informed us something was wrong , she asked for our records. She recieved perjury files and did nothing. At one of the meetings arranged she could not be present because on the 1 st of February this year she was in the Dail protecting and fighting to keep the Garda commissioner in place. Maurice McCabe done nothing wrong, France’s Fitzgerald job is to protect an Irish citizen. Like our story she lied to Dáil Éireann, like McCabes treatment she lied to the Dail and done nothing. Imagine this if the Garda commissioner treatment at the tribunal that France’s Fitzgerald read in the email, was not halted by the tape recordings produced to the tribunal by Maurice McCabe which exposed the witch-hunt and lies as wholly untruthful. France’s Fitzgerald would have got away with this. She would have stood beside the Garda commissioner who was calling McCabe a disgruntled liar. Minister as I told you often in your brief as minister of justice you should be sacked, I delighted to see I was correct at all times I said this to you. Leo himself has put the not protectio of an Irish citizen aside to keep this incompetent Minster in place. If that ideology in place, then that explains how the hospital crisis , homelessness problems are worse. Fine Gael has to go.

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    Mute Liam Dempsey
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:10 PM

    @Robin Tobin: You spared me the some time here as I am a single digit typist. You are spot on . Maurice McCabe got no due process while all around were trying to bury him.

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    Mute Toon Army
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:28 AM

    It’s lose lose at this point. No one wants an election but if they do a deal at this stage it shows how FF and FG are such bedfellows that their (allbeit empty) principles can just be tossed aside. They’ll be laughing and joking together in the dail bar on Tuesday.

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    Mute Paul Kersey
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:29 AM

    FINE GAEL don’t want an election because they know they are going to lose the election, 70% of FGs own paid up members don’t want leo so imagine what the rest of the country think.

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    Mute Stephen Maher
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:56 AM

    WTF?
    Turn a blind eye;
    When HSE leave record numbers of Sick on trolleys, To Housing where record numbers of people sleep rough, famlies live in hotels, and working couples cant afford a mortgage or rent even if they could find a home, While nama is the largest property managment company in the world and the church and state own thousands of acres of land.To Banks who are costing us billions in interest and evictions every year and caught with their hand in the tracker till. To Insurance companies being investigated for running a cartel.
    We have innocent people being accused in the wrong, beaten, and jailed for standing up against wrongdoings and corporations. They ignore the panama and paradise papers and defend the 13B
    Yet an email is the issue that they act upon??
    Poltical con men.

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    Mute Ian Kavanagh
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:48 AM

    @Stephen Maher: and yet the sheep will give them 60% of the votes. Voting for the same clowns in FFG and then expect things to change … voting for gombeen politicians.

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Nov 26th 2017, 8:59 AM

    The groundless accusations hurled at Fitzgerald typify Irish politics.
    People deliberately ignoring the facts in order to try throw mud.
    Try to get anyone to explain specifically what she did wrong and all you get is silence or ‘but the email!’

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    Mute JimmyMc
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:05 AM

    @alphanautica: she participated in the destruction of a mans life as part of a cover-up, Sure what’s wrong with that…

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    Mute KEV
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:06 AM

    @alphanautica: what facts are they. The facts seem to change as often as the story.

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:06 AM

    @alphanautica: but the email… and the witch hunt against McCabe. They all knew and they ALL should be fired. No cushy retirement pension

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    Mute Martin Critten
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:11 AM

    @alphanautica: she abrogated here responsibilities to a citizen of this country, not least one we all knew was being character assassinated by element of the State. If not making here colleagues aware, or the Taoiseach, she could have gone to Ombudsmen.. But it was a political cover up don’t u know.

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:14 AM

    Great examples of groundless mud there guys, good work.

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    Mute Muiris O'Daltuin
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:18 AM

    @alphanautica: Groundless? She stood by and expressed her full confidence in a Commissioner who was actively involved in a conspiracy to discredit Sgt. Mc Cabe while parroting the “I’m doing all I can to protect whistleblowers” line. She was either involved or she was being played for a fool. Neither of which make her fit for any office, never mind that of the Tainaiste.

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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:21 AM

    @alphanautica:
    People can explain it to you but they can’t make you understand it.

    You have to figure that bit out by yourself.

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:25 AM

    or she didn’t know.
    It is scary how willfully ignorant people can be of facts, timelines, evidence and that people at points in the past can’t see into the future and have universal knowledge.
    You clearly don’t understand the difference between the minister, the department and the commissioner and the gardai.

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:27 AM

    @alphanautica: She met the excuse of a Commissioner the day after that email. Probably too late to organize the meeting as the email was sent at approx 5 pm.
    Flahive and Barratt ‘agreed’ between themselves ( according to the email) that the Minister should not get involved. Why would Flahive have a say?

    Interesting about Flahive and his role throughout the McCabe debacle. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/official-linked-to-garda-scandals-will-keep-job-30479111.html

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:29 AM

    @alphanautica: ‘ignoring the facts’? Go on then, list the facts.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:33 AM

    @JimmyMc: Have you got proof that she participated in the destruction of a mans life, where is your evidence….

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    Mute Muiris O'Daltuin
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:38 AM

    @alphanautica: I understand the relationship perfectly. I also understand that your a Fine Gaeler with a bot account doing your bit for the party. I admire your dedication to the cause. Anyone willing to defend the smearing of Mc Cabe by the Fine Gael/Gardaí/Justice/Tusla cabal (even behind a faceless purposefully set up bot account) must be a loyal member of the club. But I suggest you just let Fitzgerald go. She’s toast. As is everyone else connected to this mess.

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    Mute Chris Finn
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:42 AM

    @Chris Kirk: not acting on that email is the evidence. Seriously what is wrong with you. It’s overwhelmingly and outrageously obvious and equally a huge majority of the people agree you can see from journalists to people in the street here. What if it was your son that the minister for “justice” did not take action on thy Email Jesus christ

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    Mute Father Hody Commody
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:53 AM

    @Chris Finn: The method of ‘discussion ‘ that FG uses is either try to shout down or use a ‘look over there’. And usually an attack on other contributors

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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:03 AM

    @Father Hody Commody:
    Speaking of which the Young Fine Ghoulers should be here as soon as they’ve finished their sugar puffs.

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    Mute Stephen Maher
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:06 AM

    @alphanautica:

    FG have been a disaster for this country.
    For 5 years after the tiger died they blamed FF for wrong doing and people fell for it but since the recovery they have shown a complete lack of governance and poltical bravery.
    They have tumbled along from one crisis to another and consciously decided to improve nothing in the last budget.
    They have turned a blind eye to the serious issies facing this country for far to long. One doesnt need to look far for examples of inabiltiy.
    You are trying to defend the indefensible.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:20 AM

    @Chris Finn: Nothing wrong with me lad, dragging down a government because someone didn’t read an email is bloody daft.

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    Mute JimmyMc
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:30 AM

    @Chris Kirk: If that’s true and she is generously given the benefit of the doubt, her failure to read this email and act on it resulted in grave consequences for a citizen. Negligent at best, she should be fired, or If she had an ounce off integrity, she would resign.

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:54 AM

    what exactly should she have done in response to the email, that would have been either legal and/or appropriate as Minister?

    Are you suggesting that she should have decided for herself that the investigation into McCabe should be dropped because she somehow knew it to be false? How would she know that at the time?

    What sort of process is it where a Minister can reach outside of their role and quosh investigations that they have no knowledge of and are not responsible for?

    The mind boggles as to how some people think government functions and how the separation of powers is meant to operate and why.

    Should Ministers in any department unilaterally decide investigations into any citizen are dropped? Maybe in North Korea or Saudi Arabia.

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    Mute Paul Kersey
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:27 AM

    @alphanautica: why are fg so worried about an election, could it be that even it’s own members don’t support leo the lamb??

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    Mute Ian Kavanagh
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:41 AM

    @alphanautica: I agree. In fact it’s clear the woman sat on her arse and did nothing .. by doing nothing, I conclude she couldn’t have done nothing wrong … she would have to gave done something in her department in the first place.

    The limited dna in FG then ensured a promotion !!! Christ, FF would be proud of this.

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    Mute JJ Sharkey
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:44 AM

    @alphanautica: You wouldn’t happen to be a FG troll would you ?

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    Mute Ian Kavanagh
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:45 AM

    @alphanautica: she didn’t know !!!! Your funny.

    At this stage, McCabe had cost FG a commissioner.. a Minister and head if department. How bloody inept was she to ignore ANY email in relation to McCabe. Clearly out of her depth … in fact when she left the department it was in a worse state than the one she inherited. How was that even possible?

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    Mute Harry Roberts
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:45 AM

    @Chris Kirk: they have no mandate lad. They are an affront to Democracy. They’ll be gone like a hot snot as soon as Mickey Martin grows a pair.

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    Mute Cicero
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:48 AM

    @Paul Kersey: if FG stick to their guns on this issue it will be first time I have seen any political party act with some backbone.
    Asa result, it will also be the first time I vote for them so they will have +1 vote anyway!
    (I am sure that will make all he difference

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    Mute Jack Cass
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:04 PM

    @Ian Kavanagh: Don’t forget a taoiseach as well, Kenny had to leave because of this.

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    Mute Jack Cass
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:08 PM

    @Ian Kavanagh: Kenny also had to stand down because of this, no one seems to remember this.

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    Mute Ian Kavanagh
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:13 PM

    @Cicero: FG and backbone … not sure I ever thought I would see the 2 words in the same sentence.

    But wouldn’t it have been great if FG had shown the same backbone in standing by McCabe … or the same backbone when standing by the promise of “Not another red cent” … funny how a backbone is ONLY shown when one of their own is in trouble … which is why I’ll never note FG again ( I’m sure that will make all the difference )

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:16 PM

    @JJ Sharkey: the only trolls here are those with unsubstantiated claims and leaping to politically motivated conclusions based on their own speculation, using McCabe as a political football for leverage.

    A Minister has no power whatsoever to intervene on an investigation, and for very good reason; except perhaps in a Banana Republic. Fortunately most people see this for the witch-hunt that it is.

    Damaging Fitzgerald has absolutely nothing to do with properly addressing potentially deep Garda corruption in relation to McCabe and his treatment, nor does it help in rooting out the rotten apples in the force that sought to silence him.

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    Mute Patricia Ellis Dunne
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:36 PM

    @alphanautica: everyone who knows of bullying and defamation has a duty to speak up. The “it wasn’t my place ” defence doesn’t cut it. Unlike those who fear to speak she can’t claim she was in a vulnerable position. She is complicit in her silence and cannot under any circumstances be trusted in a senior role

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    Mute alphanautica
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:13 PM

    @Patricia Ellis Dunne: where in the email was there any information about bullying and defamation?

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    Mute Patricia Ellis Dunne
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:27 PM

    @alphanautica: ah here!

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    Mute The Risen
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:41 PM

    @alphanautica: Not doing yourself any favours here chief.

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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Nov 26th 2017, 2:46 PM

    @alphanautica:

    They’re hardly groundless!

    The infamous email stated that a Criminal Case was proceeding against the whistleblower even though the DPP had much earlier ruled that he had no case to answer.

    Why was this significant inaccuracy and downright lie, potentially seriously damaging to Sgt McCabe’s reputation and character, allowed to be bandied about with such casual disregard for the truth within the Department of Justice and other Government Departments

    All the rotters responsible need to be outed quickly and fired from their posts

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    Mute Shayno O'Donnchadha
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    Nov 26th 2017, 4:07 PM

    @alphanautica: do you believe Francis Fitzgerald was right to express confidence in the commissioner? with her knowledge the commissioner publicly supporting him but was also perusing a strategy to attack Maurice McCabe over a charge of sexual assault that was investigated and shown to be discredit and slanderous.

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    Mute Misanthrope
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    Nov 26th 2017, 5:09 PM

    @Chris Kirk: an email relating to the scandalous behaviour of a scandalous force.

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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Nov 27th 2017, 8:00 AM

    @alphanautica: That’s what it is, Bullying and Defamation of a whistle blower.

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:01 PM

    It is not just emails, it is the complicity of the Department of Justice with AGS in adopting an attack dog strategy on Sgt. McCabe based on wholly false and spurious allegations before the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation. The purpose was to mislead and to distract the Commission of Investigation away from the substance of Sgt. MCabe’s assertions and into an examination of Sgt. McCabe’s character and motivation.

    Now look at leadership. Nóirín O’Sullivan was Garda Commissioner. Frances Fitzgerald was Minister for Justice. Then examine the relationship between the leaders. They have had a close association for upwards of 20 years and the Garda Commissioner is legally, politically and constitutionally answerable to the Minister for Justice.

    Only a naive person would accept that in these circumstances, AGS was pursuing a strategy of trying to destroy Sgt McCabe but without any awareness or complicity on the part of the Tanaiste and former Minister for Justice.

    We see that there was a strategy to sabotage the O’Higgins Commission of Investigation, a statutory Commission, to obstruct and to hinder its investigations.

    Then add to that the withholding of relevant and crucially important documentation from the Disclosures Tribunal, chaired by Mr. Justice Charelton, a statutory Tribunal of Inquiry.

    There is no point in having Commissions of Investigation and Tribunals of Inquiry if they are to be obstructed and hindered and if the miscreants are to be allowed sabotage these processes.

    The Tanaiste is unfit. She let her friend and close ally, the Commissioner, free to instruct Colm Smyth SC to do a demolition job on Sgt. McCabe. That was unacceptable.

    The Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner should be subject to the law, not above the law.

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    Mute Deirdre Doherty
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:42 AM

    Which ever.way this goes its only a matter of time before we have an election. Scandal after scandal and finna fail lets this government continue with false promises and cover ups .finna fail should be ashamed of themselves calling themselves oppostion when clearly they know whats going on .at least sinn fein are doing there job asking there questions.

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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Nov 27th 2017, 8:06 AM

    @Deirdre Doherty: Agreeing with you, until you got to SF and are you guys canvassing already?

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    Mute Cathal Leonard
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:53 AM

    I dont really care if she was right or wrong at this stage. No one job is worth the grief. No one.
    Step aside build a bridge and get over it.
    Next time have some courage and moral backbone.
    Live and learn. C ya. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, assuming you can remember where it is.

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    Mute John Mc Donnell
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:22 PM

    I must say I’m totally baffled, we have a worker who points out, that the organisation he is working for, is acting criminally and he is called a whistle- blower.
    The management of the organisation and it would appear some politicians and civil servants, tried to destroy his health and reputation for doing this.
    The most senior member of the organisation retires with her full severance and pension entitlements and the whilst blower continues to suffer.

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    Mute Bob McTanned
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    Nov 26th 2017, 8:58 AM

    Looking like Fianna Fáil back in power

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    Mute Vincent
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:18 AM

    @Bob McTanned: they must have seen the poll from yesterday. Suprised at one point they were as high as 16%.

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    Mute Willy Malone
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:43 AM

    @Bob McTanned: You are a plank

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    Mute Aidan O
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:11 PM

    @Bob McTanned: no chance

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    Mute Deirdre Doherty
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    Nov 26th 2017, 6:15 PM

    @Bob McTanned: i wouldnt vote for finna fail .if people do they have very small memories. They bankrupted the country

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    Mute Neville Patterson
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:09 AM

    That headline……. One wouldn’t get a pass in the leaving cert with english like that. Has proof reading been forgotten?

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    Mute Christy Nolan
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:35 AM

    @Neville Patterson:
    The Mail on Sunday reports that Fitzgerald read the email. A Dept of Justice employee has turned whistleblower.

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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello.
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:26 PM

    @Christy Nolan: It’s certainly a sad state of affairs if we’re taking seriously anything from the Daily Mail family of newspapers.

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    Mute Christy Nolan
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:00 PM

    @Neal Ireland Hello.:
    How much has that answer cost the taxpayer?

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    Mute Randal McNally
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:32 AM

    Dam the whole bloody lot of them !Viradker’s Incompetent money wasting government and opportunist Fianna Fáil led by a Michael Martin who took an active part in destroying Our economy and caused the crash.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:20 AM

    The gombeen parties saw the opinion poll, didn’t look good for either of them, so now probably looking for a way out to avoid election without looking foolish.

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    Mute Adrian
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:21 PM

    These gombeen parties are making a full mockery of our democracy without any help from anybody else. We need new politics with new proper politicians probably in new political parties because FF and FG are toxic now.

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    Mute Thee Orson Welles
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:17 AM

    I think an election is just what we need to start the new year and get off the paralysis politics which has damages us.

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    Mute The Risen
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:55 AM

    I agree. At this point the best thing to do is get the documents at the very minimum to public representatives.

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    Mute Shayno O'Donnchadha
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:27 PM

    Noel Waters quit in the same conversation as notifying Charlie Flanagan about email. Another coincidence.

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:29 AM

    Have we forgotten that the original whistleblowers claim was about incompetence in high places within the garda. It wasn’t about bloody emails…..

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    Mute Paul Maher
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    Nov 26th 2017, 8:58 AM

    This is madness. We’ve lost the plot. Why would anyone want to go into politics?

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    Mute john Appleseed
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:05 AM

    @Paul Maher: ego and pension

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    Mute JimmyMc
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:14 AM

    @Paul Maher: what other profession rewards incompetence so handsomely

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    Mute Paul Maher
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:18 AM

    @john Appleseed: Anonymous

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    Mute Chris Kirk
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:25 AM

    @JimmyMc: The civil service is full of incompetence and in the real business world most of them world they wouldn’t survive a day. They thrive on red-tape and indecision.

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    Mute John Scott
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:00 PM

    Am sure Martin will do what’s right for the country. F/F Always does what’s best for Country. Don’t they

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    Mute Blair Somers
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:01 AM

    That headline hurts my brain…

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    Mute Jon Mackey
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:06 AM

    @Blair Somers: her coffee hasnt kicked in yet.

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    Mute Rear Admiral
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    Nov 26th 2017, 10:00 AM

    does anyone know, has the content of the email been made available?

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    Mute Wieran Kalsh
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:56 AM

    @Rear Admiral: its around somewhere let google be your friend

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    Mute Christopher Dease
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:29 PM

    More misinformation obfuscation and damn lies by all parties.They are all there for the big Salaries,Golden Handshake,and Big pensions

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    Mute Paul Whelan
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    Nov 26th 2017, 3:26 PM

    what about giving Maruice Mc Cabe , the right to the papers? and what about all the senior People in The Department of justice and Guards serving and retired , appearing before a committee of Inquiry. And if found Guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of Justice ….say go to jail ? ……… or we could forget about it and just carry on as normal. Any one any idea how much in damages Maruice Mc Cabe family will get from the state ??

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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Nov 26th 2017, 12:55 PM

    Fitzgerald must go, or martin must go.over to you FF.

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    Mute Randal McNally
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    Nov 26th 2017, 11:43 AM

    2 X Twits plus a Dail full of mini Muppets !

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    Mute James Moore
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    Nov 26th 2017, 3:03 PM

    Lets have that general election ASAP and hopefully get rid of that incompetent FG political party. After all very important decision are going to have to be made very soon for the survival of Ireland north & south

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    Mute Terry Cunningham
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:53 PM

    This move from Leo just proves that FF/FG are the two cheeks of the same arse.
    The more I listen to Leo the more I think he is not talking to me as I am neither privileged or monied.
    A GE will give us a similar result as we have so no real point in having one.If Frances Fitzgerald resigns then we may avoid a GE this side of the new year.

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    Mute Fay Moynihan
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    Nov 26th 2017, 3:43 PM

    You reap what you sow. Decades of back door politics by Fianna fail, FineGael and labour. Cronysm, political favours and corruption has got us here today. No sane member of the electorate could possibly have any faith in the politics of this country.

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    Mute Eileen O'Sullivan
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    Nov 26th 2017, 3:13 PM

    Leave FG and FF off your ballot. Governing seems to be about excluding everyone, including the public, from the truth.

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    Mute James Maloney
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    Nov 26th 2017, 4:35 PM

    What about the Garda/Gosafe strategy for hiding & catching drivers doing 51km in a 50km zone???
    The strategy of Nailing honest tax payers for minor infringements bothers me more

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Nov 26th 2017, 2:47 PM

    Between them they would give the Kinahan’s a run for it

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    Mute Moorooka Mick
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    Nov 26th 2017, 8:37 PM

    When will this Government learn that it first has to rectify the evident injustices done to Sgt McCabe and his family? Squabbling about what politician said what to whom and about whom can be resolved later.

    The McCabe’s are being used as a political football for selfish political ends here; rather than remedying this tragic injustice.

    So how about?: just send an email to your local TD requesting a prompt & fair settlement so that this family can get on with its life.

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    Mute Michael Lane
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    Nov 26th 2017, 4:30 PM

    She could support but not officially
    Endorse the commissioner’s approach.
    They met the day after 15/5/2015 email. Enough said !!!

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    Mute Aidan O
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:12 PM

    Green Party all the way

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    Mute John003
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:33 PM

    @Aidan O: We are all still paying green taxes for their last time in government….Greens are gone but their taxes remain….

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    Mute Bob McTanned
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    Nov 26th 2017, 1:55 PM

    Looking like baldy is heading for the office of An Taoiseach for the next 5, 10 or 15 years

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    Mute Moorooka Mick
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    Nov 27th 2017, 4:51 AM

    An Taoiseach has to take leadership here by issuing an unconditional apology to
    Sgt McCabe and his family with an adequate compensation package in lieu of the
    damage done to Sgt McCabe’s career and the pain, suffering and psychological damage done to his family.

    That’s the decent thing to do and then there’s oodles of time for politicians, Garda
    & the courts to examine processes, apportion blame and provide enduring remedies.

    Until this is properly resolved, the Garda executive is implicitly saying to its rank and file:
    “Dont blow the whistle or we’ll do a ‘McCabe” on you” and, ultimately, the buck stops with
    An Taoiseach.

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    Mute Irish Nellie
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    Nov 26th 2017, 9:00 PM

    Without commenting on what was done or not done, surely the last thing this country needs at this time is a general election?!! How will that help anyone?!! All these politicians are doing is risking the credibility of Ireland during Brexit talks. Surely they can find a better solution other than yet another election? It reminds me of the Father Ted Speed episode, when the priests kept having a mass as they couldn’t think of anything else to do. It was funny on Father Ted, it’s pathetic in reality

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    Mute OCallaghan TP
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    Nov 27th 2017, 9:03 AM

    Leo is turning into a pain in the arse..and is beginning to love the sound of his terribly irritating voice..

    1
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