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Power to shut down phone networks is 'proportionate' - watchdog

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties says shutting down mobile phone networks is a fair power to deal with terrorist threats.

A CIVIL RIGHTS watchdog has said the proposals to give the government the power to shut down mobile phone networks, if it fears the possibility of a terrorist attack, is a reasonable and “proportionate” power for the government to hold.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) says the proposal – which is being included in anti-terrorism laws passed by the Dáil today, and being sent to the Seanad – is a reasonable one.

This evening the council said the circumstances under which phone networks could be shut down were particularly stringent.

“The proposed cessation of mobile services is subject to strict time limits; can only be authorised at the highest levels; and must be demonstrated to be of direct material necessity,” said ICCL policy manager Deirdre Duffy.

Duffy said any measure such as the power to shut down a mobile phone network needed to be subject to strict controls in order to be complaint with international human rights and civil liberties standards, and the legislation “largely” fulfilled this requirement.

It has been suggested that the proposal to allow mobile phone networks to be shut down has been deliberately brought forward so that the laws will be in place before the G8 summit taking place in Fermanagh next month.

The aim of the legislation is to ensure that a bomb cannot be remotely activated over the mobile phone network.

Duffy said the legislation was not yet perfect, however, and said the current wording did not guarantee that access to the emergency services would still be available – that is, that a mobile user could still dial 112 to call the emergency services if a network was shut down.

She added that the legislation did not discuss the geographical area that could be targeted by a shut-down – “something that in the interest of proportionality should be provided for explicitly in the text”, she said.

The ICCL has also called for the powers to be made subject to some kind of parliamentary review, or for a sunset clause to be inserted into the Bill so that TDs would get another chance to evaluate whether the system was working as intended.

Read: Britain to use chairmanship of G8 to focus on terror threat

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69 Comments
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    Mute Derek Durkin
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:32 PM

    Ahhh, the auld war on terror. ” The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous” – George Orwell 1984

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    Mute Sean Claffey
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:20 PM

    As if someone making a bomb wouldn’t just decide to use a satellite phone or simple radio transmitter.

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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:45 PM

    Exactly. Are the going to block all short, medium and long wave frequencies too? While they are at it, ban all watches etc that have a count down timer.

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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:39 PM

    Satellite phone is a very expensive device just to blow it up, the terrorists would need a lot more funding

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    Mute joe traynor
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:39 PM

    I would think a Radio transmitter would mean being within a mile or two of the device, mobile could be used whilst the terrorist watches events on Sky news from anywhere in the world.
    Sat phones are not available on ready to go could be traceable.
    I think it’s important to have legislation for specific actions against specific threats and not a catch all power which could be easier to misuse or abuse.

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    Mute Sean Mckevitt
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:41 PM

    don’t forget to ban the pressure cookers , or anyone in the are that sells pipes or fertilizer

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    Mute Niall Mullins
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    May 23rd 2013, 8:03 AM

    “The terrorists” are not short of any funding, believe me. And most of it coming from the States. Somebody has to keep the war machine rumbling along because they can’t afford not to be at war.

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    Mute Kerry Blake
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:18 PM

    Let Shatter have that control? No thanks.

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:03 PM

    Hang on folks,let’s backpedal here for a moment because someones kacks are caught in the chain.. What in the name of all that’s good & holy is any self respecting terrorist going to do to us…..
    Attack the dail !!…. Pure waste of time because we have the biggest bunch of gombeens in the country there under one roof.
    (it’s like the script for One flew over the cookoo’s nest)

    Poison our water ?
    Already done.

    Disrupt commerse ?.
    kenny & co beat them to it.

    Divide & conquer ?.
    Already done.

    Rob the banks ?
    Banks are robbing the citizens.

    114
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    Mute Ryan'O
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:36 PM

    And everyone of those things done by our government.

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    Mute Laura Clarke
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:43 PM

    you are clearly very unhappy living in Ireland, emigrate Mike

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:49 PM

    @ laura… Don’t tell me they switched off your sense of humour and left the sarcasm switch on.
    I love what is left of this country and intend to stay.
    Why should I leave MY country ?.
    Thank’s for your consern about my happiness though.

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    Mute Sean Mckevitt
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:39 PM

    perfectly put mike

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    Mute Eamonn Bolger
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:46 PM

    Mike Clinton – comment of the week there!!

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    Mute Aaron t
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:20 PM

    Im sorry but I dont understand how this sort of measure is acceptable here in Ireland. The Americans can justify it so can the British (even though I dont agree with it) but in what way is there a big enough threat in Ireland to justify such a move? They should provide evidence for such measures

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    Mute Paddy O Donnell
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:05 PM

    Your right! Why close the door after the horse has bolted!

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    Mute Ryan'O
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:29 PM

    There is no ‘reasonable threat’ to Ireland. But they’ll say what ever they like to justify it.

    This is bad. One step closer to Big brother.

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    Mute Vocal Outrage
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:40 PM

    No reasonable threat? Do you listen to the news, the army are out every 2nd day practically defusing stuff

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    Mute joe traynor
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:44 PM

    Aron you are obviously too young to remember what it was like to have terrorist blowing up people here in the eighties, they would have loved mobile phones to control explosions from the other side of the border. This goes for both sides.

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    Mute Barry
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:14 PM

    A very slippery slope to go down,

    Shutting down a mobile network in ireland also shuts down the Internet for a lot of people….. All thanks to the government deciding to go with mobile broadband in ireland.

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    Mute Niall Mullins
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    May 23rd 2013, 8:09 AM

    It was probably on the cards all along. Hence the mobile internet. Now they’re rubbing their filthy little paws in glee as the final piece of the plan comes to fruition.

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    Mute graham galvin
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:22 PM

    More power for the control freaks so.This has nothing to do with “terrorism” & everything to do with clamping down on peoples communications.

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    Mute Ryan'O
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:31 PM

    Shatters wet dream.

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    Mute Morgan C.Jones
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:22 PM

    A further erosion of democracy step by creeping step

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    Mute Neil Murphy
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:26 PM

    “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” – Benjamin Franklin

    A terrorist can easily change to a timed, chemical or radio frequency detonator.. Meanwhile regular people are put out, perhaps incapable of calling for help, perhaps even incapable of passing on vital information on suspects. Disallow us our liberties out of fear and a terrorist achieves his objective.

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    Mute Annette Kelly
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:24 PM

    Ah hello!!! Big brother is now making decisions for me!! NO THANKS

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    Mute Lisa Lawless
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:01 PM

    Love how this can get pushed through quickly, meanwhile insolvency legislation is still being put off.

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    Mute Laura Clarke
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:39 PM

    What? would you rather be blown up…………if you are in debt, talk to MABS

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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:34 PM

    Very sensative laura,why don’t you emigrate…. Oh wait !!!

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    Mute Lisa Lawless
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    May 23rd 2013, 9:35 AM

    Did I say I was in debt? No, I did not.

    The point I was trying to make was that enactment of a piece of legislation that would have a direct and immediate impact on thousands of citizens is consistently and continuously being deferred and delayed, meanwhile this can be rushed through without any delay AND without consideration or implementation of the revisions/amendments suggested by the ICCL.

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    Mute Derek Durkin
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:50 PM

    This is just another piece in the jigsaw on how governments all around the world are planning for major disorder in the future.

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    Mute Frank Gooding
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:41 PM

    I work in a utility company we use mobile network for communication to remote sites. There is more than just the inconvenience of a missed txt to think of.

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    Mute mr_bean_007
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:04 PM

    This wouldn’t be happening if the secret service and CIA weren’t allowed operate out of their jurisdiction

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    Mute Simon Jester
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    May 23rd 2013, 1:05 AM

    Unfortuneatly the Secret Service does have the job of gaurding the President of the USA,so they are hardly going to leave his security to the local muppetts now are they??
    Anyways,why bother with time bombs or remote control devices when you can proably build [with some local help no doubt ] a “Super barrack buster” with a few beer kegs and bits lying around a farm and metal works type mortar ala the Downing street design and lob a few kilos of explosives a mile or so into the gathering.
    Switching the phones off will only work to prevent yob style riots and coordinating what shops are best for looting.

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    Mute Karl O'Brien
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:51 PM

    Did Mr Shatter for one moment even think about this. The simple fact is that all emergency services in the republic use mobile phones to communicate particularly the Garda and fire service. If the mobile networks go down how does Mr Shatter propose that our principle emergency services communicate with one another. Another fine decision taken by this government

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    Mute Steven McTowelie
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:30 PM

    ICCL cannot be respected or taken seriously after adopting this position.

    53
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    Mute Simon Jester
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    May 23rd 2013, 1:08 AM

    They never could in the first place along with the Garda ombudsman..Just a sop to the sheep to think they have some sort of recourse to “justice”.

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    Mute SilentFugitive
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:28 PM

    Don’t throw the frog in a pan of boiling water, he’ll only jump out. Instead, put him in a pan of cold water and slowly turn up the heat.

    47
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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:48 PM

    Oasis -Little by little.

    22
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    Mute The Almighty
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:13 PM

    Get your kids ready for a war people.

    44
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    Mute Barbara Edwards
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:17 PM

    I presume this Bill will be passed and sanctioned in time for the G8? Or is that just the cynic in me!

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    Mute Krystian Brzezowski
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:17 PM

    If it is necessary than do it. No problems on my behalf.

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    Mute Thomas Lundy
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    May 23rd 2013, 12:40 AM

    why should you care? our country going further down the drain, and then ye move to a better country

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    Mute joe dangermouse
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:20 PM

    The 32,10 bomber.Only in ireland would you get it.

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    Mute Luke Pepper
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:22 PM

    I love how our government never ask us, the people, what we think about things such as this which they push through ASAP and how this is pretty much not a democracy anymore. We vote in people, who, as it seems, all end up as spineless pigs and vote in more of the same next time around, simply because there isn’t much choice…

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    Mute Zachary W. Hennessy
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    May 23rd 2013, 10:04 AM

    Direct Democracy are campaigning to change this. While i dont usually advertise for differnt political parties, they are campaigning to give us the choice back via referendums

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    Mute gerbreen
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:35 PM

    Will the reforming seanad show its teeth?

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    Mute Ryan'O
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:33 PM

    If it doesn’t, its definitely time for it to go.

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    Mute Little Jim
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    May 23rd 2013, 1:39 AM

    And do what?
    Delay things for a bit?

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    Mute Hairy lemon
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:43 PM

    Some people in here seem to have lost the power of reason.

    This isn’t a creeping erosion of democracy…. It’s democracy at work. We elect the Dail to make decisions for us. That is what they have done.

    I would rather have the tool at our disposal should we ever need to use it than regret not putting it in place.

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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    May 22nd 2013, 9:49 PM

    Who are you and what have you done with Hairy Lemon!!!!!!!!!!!

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    Mute Neil Murphy
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:00 PM

    “Rather have the tool at our disposal”
    Why stop there? Why not give government unrestricted ability to ban/censor all of our communications for the sake of our safety? Or allow govt to lock up suspects without trial as a precaution for our safety?
    You don’t lose your liberties all of a sudden in one day, they are slowly eroded over time by delimiting the power of government. LEARN FROM HISTORY.

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    Mute JFT96
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:26 PM

    Did we elect them to do whatever the hell they like? I don’t think so.

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    Mute Hairy lemon
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:29 PM

    @Neil Murphy
    Are you actually mad? Did you get out of large institution with padded walls lately?

    To somehow go from a democratic safegaurd in case of emergency to locking people up without cause is insane.

    Go back to whatever institution you were recently fired out of and tell them they have made a grave mistake. Let the adults get on with it out here in the real world.

    HL

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    Mute Niall Lonergan
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:24 PM

    The G8 is not being held in this country so why would we shut down our cell towers?

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    Mute Henry Shields
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:35 PM

    Christ sake all. Were do you think we live out in Cuba or some place. But I know if a bomb is ever set off here by a mobile we will have the same people on here again giving out why didn’t the government have something like this in place. And why does it always have to be brought into every story on here about how the government messed up this country. The story has noting to do with it.

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    Mute Larry Sneeg
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:57 PM

    If the G8 are so great, what have they to fear?

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    Mute Elizabeth Gibson
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    May 23rd 2013, 12:26 AM

    Won’t affect me, I’m with meteor :(

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    Mute Maurice Dodd
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:55 PM

    What a comment …seems the Iccl has been bought off.

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    Mute tom o brien
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    May 23rd 2013, 12:09 AM

    Just a thought, if the people of Ireland finally did get the shits enough to cause an uprising(call it what u like, revolution,etc) is this not the perfect tool to shut down their communications at flick of a switch. How much threat are we in from outside terrorists? Think its a protection measure for the govt moreso than the people. But then again, what r the chances of us sticking up for ourselves.

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    Mute Niall Mullins
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    May 23rd 2013, 1:13 AM

    It was done here in Borås, the town i live in in Sweden, in the late 60s. The old town hall was to be demolished much to the disgust of the people. It was sworn to them by all politicians that it wouldn’t happen, then early one Saturday morning they got to work. Of course there were no mobile networks then but there were 6 police placed at both telephone booths that were in the town at the time, for no other reason than to stop the people communicating between themselves or with the media. There’s still, to this day, a lot of mistrust in the police here because of that and particularly amongst the people that are old enough to remember it.
    Sweden in the 60s was very close to communism and that’s what went on. Is this really what we want for our country? The Americans wasted trillions of dollars over many years fighting communism for the sheer want of keeping the people in fear and making money from war and yet they now embrace these control tactics. I ask again. .. is this really what we want for our country?

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    Mute Simon Jester
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    May 23rd 2013, 2:34 PM

    LIDL and ARGOS do a very good range of walkie talkies for under 50 quid these days. Thats abit harder to jam as most of the security communications are RF as well.
    Its not a biggie to go back to how our grandparents organised resistance to tryanny and controlled up risings[Ireland being the exception of course].Human messangers,trained dog messangers, flag signals, all worked pretty well.

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    Mute John Doyle
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    May 22nd 2013, 10:26 PM

    Where is Ra’s al Ghul when you need him

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    Mute The Red Devil
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    May 22nd 2013, 11:29 PM

    Mike Clinton best quote of the day

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    Mute richardmccarthy
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    May 23rd 2013, 12:34 AM

    If the threat is concidered serious enough why not,they shut it down in Boston along with the transport systems after the terror attack and brought it to a conclusion pretty swiftly.

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    Mute Niall Mullins
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    May 23rd 2013, 12:59 AM

    Exactly… after the attack!!! Wtf is the point then??? Are the terrorists gonna call a taxi?

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    Mute steve white
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    May 23rd 2013, 4:12 PM

    they bommbs were set off by toy radio transmitters

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    Mute steve white
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    May 23rd 2013, 4:10 PM

    mobile phones protect people

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