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Wanderley Massafelli/Photocall Ireland
BUGGING
Adams contacted by man claiming to be convicted drug dealer Kieran Boylan
The Sinn Féin president said the man took issue with comments he made in a radio interview linking bugging at the GSOC offices to the ombudsman’s inquiry into garda collusion with Boylan.
9.52pm, 19 Feb 2014
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SINN FÉIN PRESIDENT Gerry Adams said today that he was contacted by a man claiming to be convicted drug dealer Kieran Boylan after comments he made in a radio interview about GSOC’s investigation of garda collusion with the man.
The Garda Ombudsman’s office investigated claims that Boylan was involved with individual gardaí, that he acted as an informer and that it was known that he was importing drugs while he was working with them. This came after a number of drug charges against Boylan were dropped without any explanation.
Garda Ombudsman, Kieran Fitzgerald, has said his office felt it necessary to conduct security sweeps following a number of sensitive investigations in 2012, including Boylan inquiry.
“Today, following a radio interview in which I was asked about the Boylan angle, I was contacted at my Dáil office by a man who said he was the Kieran Boylan in question,” Adams commented in the Dáil this evening. “He objected strongly to Sinn Fein highlighting this aspect of the bugging scandal.”
Adams said the man who contacted him complained about journalists having personal details about him.
I told Mr Boylan that Sinn Fein had a responsibility to raise these issues, and that if GSOC the body set up to have oversight on the garda is being bugged, it is a very serious issue and we have a responsibility to find out if it is true and who is responsible.
Adams said he also put it to the man that his case was being linked to this and that “if he had concerns regarding public comment about him, that he should come out publicly to outline his position”.
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I’m not religious but I encourage my children to give up something for lent , not to set solid goals but to understand sacrifice. It’s not too much of a stretch to give up something they enjoy for a few weeks. It also plants a seed to remind them that while they are going without for a few weeks there are those that have to go without permanently through no choice.
My daughter has decided she doesn’t believe in God and has told me that rather than give us something for lent she will do something kind every day instead. She will probably forget after a couple of days but the sentiment is just lovely.
@Bryan Yelahw: Some of those Ash marks on people’s foreheads resemble: Swastikas;! which is a symbol of Divinity, and Spirituality in other Religions.!!
@Seamus Mac: If the catholic church wants people to follow their teachings on abstinence shouldn’t the first people to keep it in their trousers not be the priests?
Lent is important to me. I always give something up and am more aware of my actions and intentions. Giving up sweets etc is just to remind yourself that it is lent, it is not the purpose.
Had the pancakes last night,you’d forget how good they are only having them once a year,so myself and the wife decided instead of giving something up we’d have pancakes once a month.
The Catholic church expect you to fast and give the money you save to some good cause.
You are also expected to pray more.
They also expect you to do good works.
It is not an either or. You are expected to do all three.
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