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Dr Mike Ryan, the executive director of the World Health Organisation's (WHO) Health Emergencies Programme Alamy Stock Photo

Irishman Mike Ryan among World Health Organisation staff leaving following US funding cuts

Washington never paid its 2024 dues and is not expected to pay in 2025.

THE HEAD OF the World Health Organization told staff today that the UN agency was reducing its management team by nearly half due to dramatic US funding cuts.

One of the WHO’s senior staff members departing is Irishman Mike Ryan. 

In a short email to WHO staff, seen by the AFP news organisation, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the new “composition of the executive management team” at the agency’s Geneva headquarters, with six members – down from 11.

The new team takes over from 16 June, he said.

Two big figures from WHO’s work leading the global battle against Covid-19 will be leaving: emergencies director Mike Ryan of Ireland and Canadian Bruce Aylward, who heads work towards universal health coverage.

“Mike planned to leave over two years ago but stayed on at my request, and I am very thankful for that,” Tedros wrote in a second email to staff.

Ryan’s “steady presence has been instrumental during our toughest times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic”, he added.

Ryan recently made an impassioned call for the world to intervene to prevent Israel from “breaking the bodies and the minds of the children of Gaza”. 

“We are starving the children of Gaza,” he said, attributing blame to anyone who stands by while those in the Palestinian territory suffer the ongoing effects of the war. 

He called the situation in Gaza “an abomination”. 

Five existing members will remain, including Jeremy Farrar, a British medical researcher and former head of London-based health charity The Wellcome Trust.

He will become the WHO’s assistant director-general in charge of health promotion and disease prevention and control, handing over his current position as chief scientist to French physician Sylvie Briand, current head of the agency’s Pandemic and Epidemic Diseases Department.

Tedros told member states last month the agency would need to slash operations and jobs as US funding cuts had left the organisation with a budget hole of several hundred million dollars.

The United Nations health agency has been bracing for President Donald Trump’s planned full withdrawal of the United States – by far its largest donor – next January.

The United States gave the WHO $1.3 billion for its 2022-2023 budget, mainly through voluntary contributions for specific projects rather than fixed membership fees.

But Washington never paid its 2024 dues and is not expected to pay in 2025.

Tedros said in April the WHO was facing a “salary gap” of $560 million to $650 million for 2026-2027.

He did not say how many jobs would be lost, but insisted the most significant impact would likely be felt at the organisation’s headquarters in Geneva, starting with senior management.

While further cuts are not expected immediately, the issue is likely to be on delegates’ minds as countries gather for the WHO’s annual decision-making assembly next week.

With reporting from David Mac Redmond

- © AFP 2025

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    Mute Ciaran Mcguinness
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    May 14th 2025, 10:47 PM

    Children literally starving to death in Gaza and the world still sits back and does nothing.
    And we all got our knickers in a twist over Kneecap.

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    Mute joe moody
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    May 15th 2025, 6:13 AM

    @John doe: demonic little zio nazi

    51
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    Mute BarryH
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    May 15th 2025, 12:17 PM

    @H Woo: As much as I disagree with Hamas, they are not the ones committing gen0cide. People who have suffered gen0cide should have a greater understanding of it and be more reluctant to commit it (2 months without humanitarian aid).
    It could be argued that by Israel releasing the top people in Hamas back to ‘Gaza’, it was just another nonsensical reason to continue the gen0cide.
    If we take Irish History as an example,what the Israelis are doing now will come back to haunt them and there will be many more 0ct the 7th. And all for the sake of keeping for Netanyahoo in Power.
    The Media make us believe that if we criticise gen0cide, we support Hamas. Such rubbish!! We can have sympathy with an Ideology without fully supporting it.

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    Mute Daniel Roche
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    May 15th 2025, 2:16 PM

    @H Woo: And what about the West Bank,hamas doesn’t run the west bank.

    3
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    Mute Kevin O Brien
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    May 14th 2025, 9:55 PM

    Game over when you condemn isr hell and the systematic Elimination of Pal estins

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    Mute Larry Betts
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    May 14th 2025, 10:02 PM

    @Kevin O Brien: Go to sleep. This nothing to do with Israel (which you can’t even spell ) and Palestine

    57
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    Mute Darth O'Leary
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    May 14th 2025, 10:46 PM

    @Larry Betts: Mike Ryan publicly commented on the ethnic cleansing operation so he’s persona non grata with our new Zionist overlords. Hence it’s perfectly relevant. More relevant than some of those hackneyed puns you trot out old pal

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    Mute Basildon Joe
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    May 15th 2025, 5:25 AM

    @Darth O’Leary: how dare you insult Larry who brings laughter to the hearts of millions

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    Mute Michael Collins
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    May 15th 2025, 6:23 AM

    Think I have most of the Doe/Rian/Joe and their prime mates muted.
    Reply here if I missed any.

    65
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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    May 15th 2025, 7:09 AM

    @Larry Betts: it has though Larry. The Zionists are very much behind this.
    AIPAC are a very powerful lobby.

    72
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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    May 15th 2025, 7:10 AM

    @Michael Collins: how did you do it? I keep muting but he keeps reappearing.

    63
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    Mute You Cant Be Serious
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    May 15th 2025, 8:04 AM

    @Larry Betts: has everything to to with israel and you know it

    64
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    Mute Jerry LeFrog
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    May 15th 2025, 9:19 AM

    @Fergus O’Donnell: I muted most too and the comment section looks much healthier, but some keep reappearing also. New accounts created via a bot I’d say. Trolls gonna trollin’

    38
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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    May 14th 2025, 9:27 PM

    Sad to hear that. He was a beacon of hope during Covid!!
    Enjoy your future Mike!!

    331
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    Mute John Darker
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    May 14th 2025, 10:04 PM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: beacon of COVID as he backed €9 meals and stopped people saying goodbye to their loved ones, that’s a great legacy to have, beacon my bollox

    217
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    Mute Lulu
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    May 14th 2025, 10:10 PM

    @John Darker: Only one bollox and that’s not Ryan !

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    Mute mickey mac
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    May 14th 2025, 10:13 PM

    @Lulu: ryan was a shill. Glad to see the back of him. His denial of the source of Covid forever undermined his credibility

    80
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    Mute Jack Dermody
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    May 14th 2025, 10:35 PM

    @mickey mac:
    Please us the evidence of what he hid… no speculation, facts please

    71
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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    May 14th 2025, 10:55 PM

    @John Darker: nothing wrong with €9 meals, you sick individual!!

    24
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    Mute Gerard Smith
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    May 14th 2025, 10:55 PM

    @Jack Dermody: you’ll probably get a YouTube link

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    Mute Derek Fehily
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    May 15th 2025, 12:04 AM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: he will be running for Fianna Fáil next

    116
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    Mute Derek Fehily
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    May 15th 2025, 12:04 AM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: he will be running for Fianna Fáil next

    5
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    Mute John Darker
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    May 15th 2025, 12:24 AM

    @Ollie Fitzpatrick: Ollie reckons that a toasted cheese sandwich or a basket of chicken wings to go with a pint in a pub… staved off COVID…get in the bin ya clown

    27
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    Mute Aidan Mcguire
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    May 15th 2025, 12:33 AM

    @John Darker: Very well said Sir…He is an obnoxious individual…

    26
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    Mute Jack Hayes
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    May 15th 2025, 7:23 AM

    @John Darker: Are you really this dense?

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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    May 15th 2025, 7:35 AM

    @Derek Fehily: Are you a parrot by any chance?.

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    Mute 087 bed
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    May 15th 2025, 8:03 AM

    If you’re still in the dark about Convid at this stage, it’s probably time for a booster jab.

    13
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    Mute Ollie Fitzpatrick
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    May 15th 2025, 9:04 AM

    @Jack Hayes: He is!!! As dense as a forest and not half as useful!!

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    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    May 14th 2025, 11:23 PM

    All the anti vaxxer nutjobs being triggered is Hillarous

    427
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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    May 14th 2025, 11:37 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: I didn’t check today but was the definition of vaccine changed today? A vaccine is a vaccine. An failed experimental concoction is not a vaccine. And before you say it, it was the science that shelved it.

    71
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    Mute brendan C5
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    May 15th 2025, 12:37 AM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: they are not anti Vax just that experimental mrnr one. But you’re a good sheep.

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    Mute Dave F Sov
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    May 15th 2025, 5:37 AM

    @brendan C5: MRNA dipsh!t

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    May 15th 2025, 6:51 AM

    @Dave F Sov: They don’t understand, and don’t want to or know that the MNRA system of delivering messages to the cells within the body to fight disease is 30 years old and is now being used is a host of treatments.

    14
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    Mute Jack Hayes
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    May 15th 2025, 7:24 AM

    @Oh Mammy: So you’re one of those lads.

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    Mute Ian
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    May 15th 2025, 10:44 AM

    @Oh Mammy: What the fk are you on about? The mrna vaccines are still being used. Geebag.

    4
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    Mute Tony Nolan
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    May 14th 2025, 11:34 PM

    Thank you Mike Ryan for your honesty, humility and humanity. The world needs more people like you.

    247
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    Mute Eoghan O Sullivan
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    May 14th 2025, 11:56 PM

    I feel sorry for the israelie population who have no ability to stop Ben.N and his cronies from what they are doing. He drags their reputation into the gutter, putting their lives at risk intentionally. Generations of people will never forget or forgive them. Disgusting what’s happening. They simply can’t stand up.

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    Mute dominic spillane
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    May 15th 2025, 1:10 AM

    @Eoghan O Sullivan: they have voted him in many times…war criminal, you should feel sorry for the Palestinians in Gaza and WB..who are being starved to death…

    314
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    Mute Pat Farrelly
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    May 15th 2025, 2:58 AM

    @dominic spillane: The Nazis voted for Hitler so what is your point? The Israeli Prime Minister is an indicted war criminal and is also wanted by the Israeli courts on corruption charges. He is dodging both. The man behind the curtain in the Wizard of Oz is a good comparison. That should tell you all you need to know regarding the Israeli PM but it obviously doesn’t.

    185
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    Mute Buster Lawless
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    May 14th 2025, 9:31 PM

    THANKS MIKE RYAN………not all heroes wear capes.

    163
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    Mute Jack Dermody
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    May 14th 2025, 10:37 PM

    @Buster Lawless: Met him after COVID, really nice, very knowledgeable humble guy. Great company.

    63
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    Mute John Darker
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    May 14th 2025, 10:02 PM

    Imagine being the WHO leader whose dependent on a single country for funding exposes the whole rotten structure of what’s known as the western world towards everyone else…

    .

    121
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    Mute John Roberts
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    May 14th 2025, 11:36 PM

    Any chance we could make up some of this shortfall and stop this happening. Irish soft power has been so important and a positive thing for us.

    91
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    Mute frank dowling
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    May 14th 2025, 9:28 PM

    Why does the USA have to pay for the WHO when they have so many people living in dire poverty in their own country ?

    88
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    Mute Me Me
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    May 14th 2025, 9:46 PM

    @frank dowling: By that logic nobody would contribute and the WHO wouldn’t exist.

    173
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    Mute Paul Hedderman
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    May 14th 2025, 9:53 PM

    @frank dowling: it’s part and parcel of being a first world nation!!! Every other country has issues and still contributes….. Maybe they should cut their defense and military spending to sort out their poverty issues…. Or maybe even taxing the wealthy! That would be a fair one!!!!

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    Mute Andhesaid
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    May 14th 2025, 9:53 PM

    @frank dowling: 100% agree

    Every country should have their own version of DOGE. Then use the miss used funds they find to uplift themselves or fund initiatives.

    USA tax payers were milked for years… I’m glad it was exposed.

    35
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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    May 14th 2025, 10:35 PM

    @frank dowling: you act like they would use that Money to help those living in poverty. They wouldn’t.

    50
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    Mute Jack Dermody
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    May 14th 2025, 10:42 PM

    @frank dowling: Everyone pays for defence. In just US term, COVID killed more US citizens than every war US has been in bar Confederation losses in civil war.
    It is narrow thinking that says enemy has to be another army. This virus attacked harder and took more casualties than most major wars. WHO is our NATO against them…

    23
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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    May 14th 2025, 11:08 PM

    @Jack Dermody: NATO? The defensive military that’s been the aggressor every time it went to war?

    12
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    Mute Jimmy Kiely
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    May 15th 2025, 7:57 AM

    @frank dowling: yes I agree, we almost never hear about the real Americans that struggle even day to put food on the table and try to give their children and the elderly health care. American is the land of the rich and famous, only care about their own bubble. Almost half of their people live in poverty or on the bread line.

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    Mute Jim
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    May 15th 2025, 9:12 AM

    @Me Me: exactly, they are an abomination. A global power driving dictates from those who regard the majority of the world’s population as “useless eaters” (their words, not mine).

    A new kind of terrorist organization

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    Mute John Sleator
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    May 14th 2025, 10:11 PM

    I know nothing about this man,these days you’d expect to see the usual comments about huge salaries,pensions but there also some amazing people, unsung hero’s, I hope the latter here and possibly the organisation has lost a good one.

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    Mute mickey mac
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    May 14th 2025, 10:16 PM

    @John Sleator: I suggest you do some research. Both Ryan and WHO betrayed the principles of their respective roles. Good riddance. Hopefully the rest of WHO will soon follow

    82
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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    May 14th 2025, 10:25 PM

    @mickey mac: WHO….UN…ICJ… Mostly talking shops while Putin…Netanyahu..Trump… etc just carry on and do what they like.

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    Mute Gerard Smith
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    May 14th 2025, 10:57 PM

    @Jp Cleary: I suggest you read up on some of the achievements of the WHO.

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    Mute offside again
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    May 15th 2025, 12:21 AM

    @Gerard Smith: they had some good songs ?

    15
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    Mute qW0cB1Fo
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    May 15th 2025, 6:30 AM

    @offside again: “We Won’t Get Fooled Again”

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    Mute Blue Moon
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    May 14th 2025, 11:10 PM

    What I have read about Mike Ryan and the others resigning from the WHO… They were dedicated professional individuals that cared about the unfortunate people affected by war, famine and diseases. Happy Retirement to all…

    On the other hand, most of these organisations are top heavy with senior officials, being paid huge salaries, and now pensions. All monies paid out to these individuals could have fed thousands of people every year. It’s time every one of these organisations streamline their expenses by cutting back on salaries and staff… And look after the unfortunate people that their organisations were established for.

    68
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    Mute pete sake
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    May 14th 2025, 11:10 PM

    How is the Covid investigation going? Does it not just reveal the true owners of WHO, paid and bought by China along with any employees.

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    Mute Sean Hayes
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    May 15th 2025, 8:15 AM

    @pete sake: No

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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    May 14th 2025, 9:47 PM

    Replacement for Brendan Gloster…. in the circle and all that

    33
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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    May 14th 2025, 9:49 PM

    @Jp Cleary: Bernard…. bloody auto

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    Mute Dixie
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    May 14th 2025, 11:28 PM

    @Jp Cleary: 100 percent the timing is impeccable

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    Mute Oh Mammy
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    May 14th 2025, 10:46 PM

    He should get free boosters for life

    34
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    Mute Jack Hayes
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    May 15th 2025, 7:28 AM

    Well this article prompted a host of rarely seen mental cases to make an appearance in the comment section!

    36
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    Mute Daniel Roche
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    May 15th 2025, 2:18 PM

    @Jack Hayes: They are all the same person,the person has 20+ accounts on here.

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    Mute jn
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    May 15th 2025, 7:21 AM

    best of luck mike, plenty of work in Ireland but they prefer now you hardly speak English and work for peanuts

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    Mute Tommy445
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    May 15th 2025, 7:56 AM

    Save humanity from the barbaric criminal terrorist states of israel and the us and their never ending genocide

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    Mute Rian O'Callaghan
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    May 15th 2025, 8:50 AM

    @Tommy445: They are doing gods work

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    Mute morgan crowe
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    May 15th 2025, 7:46 AM

    Thats the way the world works now unfortunately if you criticise Israel and show sympathy to the palestinians in Gaza and the west bank you will be made a social pariah.

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    Mute Jim
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    May 15th 2025, 8:16 AM

    A good news story for once.

    No put him on trial along with Van Der Liar

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    Mute Rian O'Callaghan
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    May 15th 2025, 8:17 AM

    Bye bye NGO traitor don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Jab boy.

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    Mute Coldfilter Coldfilter
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    May 15th 2025, 6:37 AM

    The gravy train of Wuhan induced infections is coming to a halt.Over to the EU to fund this self perpetuating monstrosity now!

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    Mute Paul O'Mahoney
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    May 15th 2025, 6:53 AM

    @Coldfilter Coldfilter: Hilarious

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    Mute Ed Brennan
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    May 15th 2025, 11:09 AM

    He put his cards on the table.
    He’s evidently not a fan of Democracy. .
    Good luck, and don’t let the door hit your ‘bottom back’, on the way out.

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    Mute paul hayes
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    May 15th 2025, 1:36 PM

    If the journal comments with likes are a barometer of sentiment towards the Gaza issue then it is kind of of heartening, as indicates more empathy and outrage for those suffering than any real level of support for the Government of Isreal.

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    Mute Unridden Ana
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    May 15th 2025, 12:56 PM

    Karma

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    Mute Mike B
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    May 16th 2025, 11:59 AM

    What’s gonna be done about rouge state Israhell? The US/UK/German governments have blood on their hands :(

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