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The landmark pub on Drumcondra Road Lower Google Streetview

GAA fans lose an institution as Quinns of Drumcondra shuts its doors

Where many a day turned to midnight…

IT WAS THE pre-match meeting point and the post-match watering hole for many a GAA fan.

Whether you were coming from Mayo or Donegal, Kilkenny or Wexford, for the hurling or the football, or the camogie and the ladies football, there was a welcome atmosphere in Quinns on the Druncondra Road.

Located at the bottom of Clonliffe Road, the pub has become an institution not only for GAA supporters, but also students in the area, over the past 25 years.

Following a long battle with the IBRC over rent arrears, the premises has officially closed its doors. A report in the Sunday Independent on 11 November revealed the landlord, Eoin Quinlan, had agreed to pay €15,000 per month for the lease but the IBRC insisted on €30,000.

On Monday, he posted the following message on the pub’s Facebook page:

To all our customers – Just a very big thanks for all your custom, craic and banter over the last 25 years, we had a savage time there. We won the battle but lost the war! But with heads held high we say goodbye.  Quinns may reopen at some stage by the banks, so think long and hard where you spend your hard earned money. The banks and government made a mess of this country the first time round and are being allowed to do it again!! – Slan agus adh mor oraibh!

The post has received more than 5,000 ‘likes’ – double the number of fans the page actually has – while 243 people have responded in the comments section.

TheJournal.ie and TheScore.ie teared up a little when reading some of the emotional reactions to the closure. Here’s a sample:

Ah no that’s so sad.Quinns closing?oh my gosh the memories always will make n smile n warm heart..where else could u go for 3 pints.a pack of ten jonnie blues,2 snogs at the very minimum and a some like it hot quarter pounder for a tenner.ah Quinn’s and the late 80s early 90s…that’s really very sad for Drumcondra.sympathies from Singapore

“Match days won’t ever be the same, end of an era…”

Reckon we start a petition to get the GAA to save Quinns

“Quinns made me the man that I am today.”

Many’s the culchie couple found love in Quinns. Sorry to hear the news Alan and co. You should raffle off the county jerseys for charity not the banks.

“Some great memories. Meet my husband there 18 years ago.”

Heartbroken to hear my fav pub in Dublin is closed….I met my hubby there in 2001! So many great days & nights x

“Ah f**k, i only got to know you really in the past 6-7 years many the kiss was had and slap was thrown jacket lost and drink drank sad end to a ledgend of a beer shop…RIP donegal abu….”

Legend of a pub going to croke park just wont b the same.

“Sad news. All my college memories and match days involve this pub!!! And of course you introduced me to my now favourite song-streets of new york and my now favourite band the saw doctors!”

Championship Sunday’s will never b d same again

“The last time I was there Meath pumped 5 goals past the Dubs, been in oz since, just the last of manys a good time that I owe ye thanks for”

I spent enough money in there to float a bank so how can Quinns close? So sorry and sad to see these doors close. We learned as much in there as we did across the road in MD lecture halls. I hope the closing is only a short holiday rather than a permanent closure. Thanks for the wonderful times Quinns. Ye’ll be sorely missed. X

While others, just baffled us and made us laugh:

“Me and [...] nearly missed a flight to thailand after a savage night in quinns..best part of the trip.”

I’ll always remember putting a stool through your toilets!xox

Do you have your own memories of Quinns? Let us know in the comments section…

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81 Comments
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    Mute The Risen
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 10:45 AM

    …or homelessness…or hunger…or poverty…or being stuck on a trolley on A&E for 2 days….

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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 10:52 AM

    @The Risen: all same things SF have inflicted on the north through their continued absence from stormont

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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 10:59 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: Clever. You must be really clever

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    Mute Peter O Donnell
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 10:59 AM

    @The Risen: or hard honest work.

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    Mute Brin
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:01 AM

    @The Risen: he worked as a junior doctor for years! And why would he experience homelessness or poverty, as like the 99% he worked hard. Whether or not you like the man, or his party, this is just nonsense shouting “homeless”! It’s an article about racism and homophobia – we don’t ask people in hostels how much homophobia they have experienced, and turn them away. Jesus!

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    Mute David Corrigan
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:16 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: Pitiful.

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    Mute herp
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:26 AM

    @Brin: Brin it’s all spin….

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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:30 AM

    @The Risen: Interesting how Gemma O’dohertys most vocal supporter here would deflect from an important message on this topic. Whats the story with that? He was asked about his experiences as a person of colour. You have literally dozens of articles to comment on homelessness etc. Poor effort.

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    Mute Paul O'Sullivan
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:38 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: can you not get it into that thick skull of yours that SF run canadites in the occupied six counties, on the pre-text that they will abstain from taking their seats if elected… it is really a silly point you are making. The people know what they are getting when they elect a SF candidate… unlike our own in the 26 counties that are frequently absent from the Dail or away on a junket at our expense.

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    Mute Red Pirate 71
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:52 AM

    @JusticeForJoe: he’s right. How’s that mr clever.

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    Mute Devilsavocado
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:58 AM

    @Gordon Hughes: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it will be a cold day in hell before SF get my vote,, but what the hell has SF got to do with this Gordon??

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    Mute Frank Cauldhame
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:14 PM

    Fair enough Leo although your party have been embroiled in controversy recently by putting forward a candidate who was not properly vetted resulting in embarrassment for Fine Gael due to her raising her racist views which go against everything you appear to aspire to in your comments above. Don’t just talk the talk to deflect from that despicable episode, we’re all veronly human beings at the end of the day.

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    Mute Seamus Murphy
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:32 PM

    @Brin: well said! Some people aren’t happy unless they’re whinging.

    17
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    Mute The Risen
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:03 PM

    @Clifford Brennan: LOL! Clifford, Gemma O’doherty lost my support at around the same time she lost her marbles. I’ve mentioned that here before. Do try to keep up, good chap!

    23
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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:27 PM

    @The Risen: You were advised of those lost marbles at the time, by myself & others, when you were canvassing here for her free of charge but you wouldn’t listen. Congratulations on eventually catching up with the rest of us. You took your time!

    11
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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 4:30 PM

    @Gordon Hughes: Have you not been following the news this past week ? Or are you just ignoring it because to admit the truth would expose your views for what they really are. An agenda driven distortion of reality.

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    Mute Gordon Hughes
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 5:08 PM

    @Paul O’Sullivan: good lad Paul, you’re clearly ad bright as me so, I clearly mentioned stormont not Westminster, don’t let the facts stop you putting 2 + 2 together and coming up with 34,972. Jump to the wrong conclusion there Einstein, everybody knows what you get you elect a SF candidate…. Absolutely nothing worthwhile

    5
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    Mute JKtucker
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 6:36 PM

    @Brin: who’s side are you on Brin, the people or them doesn’t matter what the article is about, he’s a smug arse hole that needs to be made out to be the smug arse hole he is…

    7
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    Mute JKtucker
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 6:42 PM

    @Brin: who’s side are you on Brin, he’s a cock and needs to treated as such, he does the country no favours… Don’t do him any.

    3
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    Mute Bill ORourke
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 9:50 PM

    @The Risen: winner of post of the year – well done you!

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    Mute James Dooley
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 10:46 AM

    He is in Leo land. Where all media for him is vetted and filtered as I have seen it on social media as I’m sure others have also

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    Mute Still-Not-News
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:48 PM

    @James Dooley: Time to drain the FG swamp.

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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 10:46 AM

    Yeah but what about the general animosity felt towards you by large swathes of the population on account of your ‘I hate poor people because they make me look bad’ policies?

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    Mute dick dastardly
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 10:49 AM

    That’s because he has swarmed himself around both brown nosing politicians and media,come out onto the streets of us normal people.he won’t be long told this country is in dire straits that’s been led by a very poor leader in government

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    Mute Paul Whitehead
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:09 AM

    @dick dastardly: Dire straights? Really? We are doing very well as a country and economy. There are big issues with homelessness, but that is just about policy. It could and should be resolvable.

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    Mute john
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:00 PM

    @dick dastardly: we’re a wealthy country dick

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    Mute Beer Wolf
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:08 PM

    @john:

    As one that lives out in the country I take offence to you referring to me as a dick!

    17
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    Mute PJ Higgins
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:29 PM

    @Paul Whitehead: the country is on the brink of collapse. Hello wake up little man. The government will be disbanded very soon and there will be yet another crash. Can you guess where? Can you guess who caused it and can you guess who will pay for it. Ireland on the up and up hey everyone is on 55k minimum a year sure leo said so hahaha.

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    Mute dick dastardly
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 1:01 PM

    @Paul Whitehead: take a drive outside the M50 some day.its a complete different economy to Dublin

    33
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    Mute Sean Barry
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 1:38 PM

    @Paul Whitehead: absolute rubbish. Worst government in terms of health, housing, education and climate

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    Mute Billy Nomates
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:40 PM

    @john: We’re only a ‘wealthy country’ because of corporate tax take from multinationals. The ERSI has pointed this out. Those multinationals won’t be around forever. The day that those companies leave, I dread to see the state of the country then.

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    Mute r-k
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:52 AM

    If he was brought up in the estate I was from and went to the primary school I was in he would’ve been destroyed. He’s part of the elite and therefore detached from reality. His hero is bizarrely Churchill, a man who’s responsible for the deaths of millions of Indians, a country in which his family is from and that he’s visiting now. It’s this lack of understanding of what the majority of people have to go through in this country is why he should never be leader again. He has nothing in common with us

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    Mute Clifford Brennan
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:00 PM

    @r-k: Your estate sounds lovely.

    31
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    Mute J
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:47 PM

    @r-k: but isn’t that what he said. he was lucky in that he didn’t receive much hate and he has no reason to claim otherwise? maybe your experience is a reflection of the people who inhabit your estate and maybe they’re the ones that need to be a bit more tolerant.

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    Mute Francis Sally
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 1:42 PM

    @J: The hate he receives is for the disastrous policie not of who he is.

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    Mute Paddy J
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:08 PM

    @r-k: Your estate and primary school were racist and homophobic when you were growing up? Wow. Have things changed at all or is it still as bad as ever?

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    Mute J
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:21 PM

    @Francis Sally: what?

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    Mute Francis Sally
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 9:37 PM

    @J: Seriously???

    1
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    Mute RobPup
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:19 AM

    Easy to say when you are in the elite Leo. Ireland is not getting more tolerant or progressive. There are concerted efforts nationally and by foreign actors to turn Ireland in the direction UK and US have gone. And sad to say, those of conservative inclination in our country are lapping it up with gusto… need proof? See below.

    104
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    Mute TM B
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:06 PM

    Leo’s La La land is become extremely tedious he hasn’t a clue how those who struggle under his political policies live

    96
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    Mute John Coogan
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:15 AM

    Better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not! Thank You Kurt Cobain for the words of wisdom.
    Politician or not , he is a fantastic individual to stand up against bigots and racists that try to isolate people of LGBT nature in society the world over because of inherent fear .
    He is also living in the public eye and living a good life! Fairplay to him!

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    Mute PJ Higgins
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:33 PM

    @John Coogan: living in the public eye? Where? When? Proof? Go to specsavers son.

    53
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    Mute Francis Sally
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:02 PM

    @John Coogan: And what about standing up for the homeless, elderly, addressing rising rents, young people being trying to get on the property ladder, hospital waiting lists, the new maternity hospital the working poor etc. He’s completely out of his depth, incompetent and inept and lining his and his colleagues with tax payers money. I dont care what his orientation is I expect him to do his job.

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    Mute JDB
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 10:52 AM

    There is only one race the human race everything else hatred and ignorance.

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    Mute JusticeForJoe
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:00 AM

    @JDB: “People aren’t born with bigotry, it’s something you have to learn and anything you can learn you can unlearn”

    53
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    Mute Divad Nayr
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:26 PM

    Just wait till the election starts, you’ll have ffgphobia

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    Mute Dermot Foley
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:11 PM

    Does he read the comments section?

    26
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    Mute Seamus Mac
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 5:21 PM

    Thats because ireland is not a particularly racist or homophobic place in an international context despite what we are constantly told by the ever expanding NGO sector in Ireland.

    35
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    Mute John Hartigan
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 6:50 PM

    It’s always the back door with leo

    17
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    Mute paul clifford
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:30 PM

    Thats because your from a different world ffs

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    Mute Kay English Curtin
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 12:37 PM

    Headline on the independent reads very differently

    14
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    Mute classic
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 11:16 AM

    @Paul Whitehead whats racist about that comment

    21
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    Mute Mark Gough
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 9:52 PM

    Does he ever shut up a homophobia and racists. Seems they are more important than 10500 homeless, people dying waiting for medical care, chronic rent prices and a million other things people have to live with while the ffg elite squander money with no accountability to anyone. Time for referendum on politicians.

    19
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    Mute Zlim Jody
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 9:49 PM

    Election time……everyone want’s to be a victim, even Leo!

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    Mute UCC Social Democrats Society
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:34 PM

    LGBT+ people across Ireland deserve to live happy lives free from prejudice. For that to happen, we must all step up to help bring homophobia, biphobia and transphobia to an end.

    If you see it, #call #It #Out

    https://callitout.ie/

    13
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    Mute UCC Social Democrats Society
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 2:37 PM

    @UCC Social Democrats Society: further, racist discrimination is not welcome here.

    Report any form of discrimination to the Gardai

    And if they dont take your complaint seriously, contact GSOC.

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    Mute Zlim Jody
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 9:55 PM

    @UCC Social Democrats Society: But is it rampant in the real world or just in your head? I’m worldly wise, been around the block a few times (quite a few), mix with people from wide and varied backgrounds and cultures and I just don’t see this discrimination on every street corner, I really don’t and my wide and mixed friends don’t either. Just push the haters to the back, ignore the rubbish and get on with your life rather than spend your life complaining about it and taring whole populations with general assumptions.

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 23rd 2019, 12:45 AM

    Here’s a name for ya Leo the liar

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    Mute John Hartigan
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    Dec 22nd 2019, 5:34 PM

    What an ass hole doesn’t live in the real world

    30
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