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Gareth Fuller

Man charged after 'walking most of the Channel Tunnel'

A spike in the numbers of migrants trying to make the crossing has become a sensitive political issue in Britain.

A SUDANESE MAN has been charged by British Police after allegedly walking most the Channel Tunnel in an attempt to enter the UK.

The man was only spotted on CCTV around 1,000 yards from the Folkestone exit in Kent on Tuesday.

BBC reports that the man, named as Abdul Rahman Haroun was charged with causing an obstruction to an engine or carriage and will appear before Canterbury Crown Court on 24 August.

The tunnel’s operators, Eurotunnel, say that 550 migrants attempted to enter the tunnel last night and around 200 people had been removed.

Calais Calais: Migrant centres can be seen at A and B and the Eurotunnel can be seen at C.

A spike in the numbers of migrants trying to make the crossing has become a sensitive political issue in Britain, and the story was splashed across the front pages of today’s newspapers.

A spokesman for Britain’s Home Office said it had improved security by paying for more fencing at the French side and drafting in border guards and dogs.

“We continue to work closely with the French government and Eurotunnel to tackle the immediate pressures and longer-term issues involved in the situation in northern France,” the spokesman said.

Read: LÉ Niamh arrives in Sicily carrying 367 people saved by the Irish crew

Read: Riot police spray migrants with ‘chemical irritant’ as hundreds storm Channel Tunnel

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27 Comments
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    Mute B Lowe
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    Jan 24th 2013, 7:23 AM

    I agree. And still no Banking investigation.
    We have ex politicians on pensions of €120,000 which they claim straight away and presidents on pensions of €180,000. The government has said it can do nothing about this yet the same government has said it will bring in legislation to allow it to cut public sector salaries if unions don’t agree reforms.
    Hypocritical if you ask me.

    154
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:08 AM

    Much of our problems are related to the Irish Constitution. It was written with a differnt plan in mind. Times have changed. Goals have changed and needs have changed. Yet the constitution has not. The ammendments to the constitution continues to place power in the hands of a few.. Politicians and the church. The people of this country will never hold oower until the current constitution is re-written.

    I don’t know what we have here… But I certainly know it’s not democracy!

    35
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    Mute Garry McGauran
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    Jan 24th 2013, 7:11 AM

    State boards? State Borgia more like

    131
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    Mute ThomasFrancisMeagher
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:25 AM

    Sad to see that FG & Lab are just as bad as FF. Wasn’t I naive to think that they would be better!

    120
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    Mute Dermot Purcell
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:53 AM

    Excellent article Sarah keep up the good work at informing us as to what is really going on in the country ,i bet you will not hear this on RTE at six o clock .

    66
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    Mute Daniel Martin
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:20 PM

    Thomas, You won’t make that mistake again I hope. They’re all just suited robots.

    5
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    Mute the truth hurts
    Favourite the truth hurts
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    Jan 24th 2013, 7:19 AM

    FG are continuity FF, the Labour leadership aren’t much better. Most people can see that now. James O Reilly, big Phil Hogan are enough proof. Enda backing them all the way.

    118
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    Mute Mary Mc Carthy
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    Jan 24th 2013, 7:27 AM

    And that totally sums up what is so wrong in our country ….. It’s not what you know , it’s who you know !

    97
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:51 AM

    Well that’s the same everywhere. You can get jobs in big international companies through contacts and good impressions. So success based on your connections is the norm.

    Where Ireland stands out is the fact that this carries over into the political system.

    25
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    Mute Carcu Sidub
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    Jan 24th 2013, 7:53 AM

    The current Ministers do not want to attack the current system because they feel that they can benifit from board positions in the future.

    85
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    Mute David
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:14 AM

    What’s boiling point for blood?

    67
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    Mute Jason Culligan
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:53 AM

    A handshake with Enda Kenny.

    29
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    Mute Stephen Maher
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    Jan 24th 2013, 10:13 AM

    I hear that if you follow it up with a good head butt it cools you right down.

    31
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    Mute Stephen Maher
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:14 AM

    They’re a shameless shower
    I mean, you’d think the thought might cross their minds that if they were to hand a plum job to a mate of theirs who hadn’t even applied for it, and the meeja got a hold of it that they might look slightly slimy and therefore feel embarrassed at having been caught out.
    Nope, not our brave political masters. No such weak minded thinking to be found among that lot.

    51
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    Mute Gearóid Ó Murchadha
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:22 AM

    Sure they know they can’t lose their jobs, until the next election anyway. So it probably makes no difference to them!

    35
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:16 AM

    Sorry… But if the horse was purchsed specifically to race, ans it can’t race…. What do you do…? You don’t give the horse another job in the racing industry. .. The horse is kept as a pet, put to pasture or becomes dog food.

    Politicians are like horses. Either they are thoroughbreds who can run a great race or they can not. In the past 20 years our politicians have not run a good race… They haven’t been doing what they were put in place to do. They seldom do what they say they are going to do. So what choice do we have… But to put them out to pasture or turn them into dog food?

    47
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    Mute howya
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    Jan 24th 2013, 2:03 PM

    Hamburger joke anyone….

    4
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    Mute Eric Davies
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    Jan 25th 2013, 5:28 PM

    “politicians are like horses” yeah, full of sh1t !

    1
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    Mute Gearóid Ó Murchadha
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:20 AM

    What gets me is that minister deenihan can just blatantly appoint people against the rules, who probably aren’t even qualified, and not a thing will be done. In my job if you break the rules you are punished. That’s how the real world works.

    46
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:00 AM

    Lol… If this country held as much passion for politics and its govermental systems as they do for hurling, football and rugby…. We would then see a great deal more of accountability and reform.

    21
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    Mute John Scott
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:34 AM

    well what a fool was i thinking that these people f/g f/f lab wood be any different not one bit. but as i have asked b4 what can the people on the floor do. we all voted for change the last time out an it has made little difference only to the people at the bottom trying to keep it together

    12
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    Mute Marlon Major
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    Jan 24th 2013, 10:00 AM

    John… I truly understand your frustration. I have been trying to keep it together for years…. Trying to understand our government…. Regardless… I have found that Direct Democracy Ireland (http://directdemocracyireland.ie/) are definitely on the right track to making changes in our country. I’m not saying that they are the “end all be all”, but as a grassroots organization… Any one of us could add our voice for direction. Take a look at their website.

    14
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    Mute Cathy Dalton
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    Jan 24th 2013, 7:55 AM

    The same thing has happened with appointments to statutory boards for the RIAI. Suitable candidates are recommended, government ignores ans substitutes political appointees.

    38
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    Mute Solbank Sabadell
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:15 AM

    What’s most sad is when it happens with charities. 2 ex ff ministers head of charities so very sad

    35
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    Mute John Scott
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:36 AM

    which ones are they head of ?

    4
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    Mute shay o'reilly
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:09 AM

    Promised before the election ???, Finn fail are promising transparency now, go figure ,
    Is it incompetence or just being cute f..kers,

    34
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    Mute Stephen murphy
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:01 AM

    No surprise there, If we want real reforms and guarantee they are happening? There’ll have to be a revolt by the citizens, make heads roll and go through every department with a fine tooth comb!

    29
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    Mute Biggins31
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:42 AM

    This cronyism is nothing new for FG and Labour since they got into power.
    I’ve been writing about it since they first got in. No one seems to want to pay attention until now?
    Why indeed is this news only now? Its being going on by our crooks in power from the beginning.

    * http://bigginsblog.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/the-irish-cronyism-abuses-still-continues-unabated-more-broken-promises/

    26
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    Mute Declan Crowe
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:35 AM

    Reform haha !! Remember Enda slagging of FF over their Galway races tent and in one of his talks on this he said that when he was in power he would do away with the Galway races tent culture and in fairness he did,…….he had one at the Punchestown racing festival.
    No reforms until the get caught or forced to.

    20
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    Mute oneilljohn4
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    Jan 24th 2013, 8:34 AM

    Why would they appoint somebody with a pulse,
    It always amuses me whenever they appoint a board or committee to look into something they seem to have plenty of these muppets to choose from at a minutes notice

    18
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    Mute Sarah O'Neill
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:26 AM

    Dailwatch.ie is hosting a Twitterchat around ‘Political Representation in Ireland’ on the 6th of Feb from 12-2pm. To join the conversation tweet @dailwatch at this time

    16
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    Mute tax slave
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    Jan 24th 2013, 10:03 AM

    Yes John . But not here because that would piss off a friend of a friend that got him the job . And some day soon his friend will need a job so the circus rolls on

    14
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    Mute Barry Owens
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    Jan 24th 2013, 11:08 AM

    Thanks Sarah, it is hard to find decent journalism in this country. Keep up the good work. More people with your talents are needed.

    13
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    Mute Paul Lanigan
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    Jan 24th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Agreed.

    4
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    Mute Thomas Roche
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:36 AM

    What do we expect, we keep voting in the same big three again and again and somehow think we will get change.

    12
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    Mute Arbitrasure
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:47 AM

    “A 2012 report by the Institute of Directors In Ireland on the efficiency of state board appointments in Ireland found that the majority of board members of state bodies are concerned by the lack of transparency around the appointment process, and feel that there has been undue consideration given to the skills required to fulfil board positions”

    Do you mean to say that “undue consideration given to the skills required to fulfil board positions” is a bad thing? Board members were concerned that their selection process involved too much questioning of whether they had the right skillset?

    One problem we have with filling positions on state boards is we have a large contingent of totally inexperienced armchair pundits applying, with little or no experience in anything, let alone the position they are going for. They may be passionate and angry about the state of the country, but it doesn’t make them a good board member. Experience and skills do count.
    By the same logic, it would be good to see a list of who is on state boards and how their resume justifies their role. It should neither be a retirement perk for politicians nor a platform for political activists. It should be a responsible productive knowledgeable board member with demonstrable experience to add value to whatever body they are posted to.

    9
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    Mute Dermot Purcell
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    Jan 24th 2013, 10:11 AM

    your talking bull .

    6
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    Mute Dermot Mc Loughlin
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    Jan 24th 2013, 12:07 PM

    Nice try troll, your cohorts have been unmasked once again…jobs for the boys is alive and well under FG and labour..
    Labour’s discontent at a broken system was the base of their GE campaign, FG promised an open and transparent government…all lies but hardly surprising, FG never had any integrity.

    10
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    Mute Arbitrasure
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    Jan 24th 2013, 12:12 PM

    Jobs for the smartly skilled, experienced and knowledgeable. If you don’t count yourself among them, that’s one person’s fault – yours.

    1
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    Mute Dermot Mc Loughlin
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    Jan 24th 2013, 2:09 PM

    I’m not a close buddy, relative, sibling, wife or husband of any serving member of this disgraced coalition and that is the main criteria and skill needed to get a state job these days…you can try dress it up, most FG sycophants try to spin their way out their blatant disregard for employment rules.

    11
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    Mute Al S Macthomais
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    Jan 24th 2013, 1:38 PM

    Maybe the new national anthem should be a combination of the Boomtown Rats Banana Republic and Ghost town by the specials. This so called clarion call by Enda Eunuch Kenny to make Ireland the best and most transparent country to do business in wiped away with this article. Maybe the CHANGE FG and LAB were really talking about was to have their party lackeys in these position for a CHANGE from the previous FF lackeys.

    5
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    Mute John 'Trips' Gallen
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:49 AM

    If they can be appointed in that manner, they can be removed in a similar manner.

    4
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    Mute Ed Appleby
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    Jan 24th 2013, 5:08 PM

    Same old, same old! ‘Not what you know WHO you know’ this mentality of the Irish political elite never changes. The likes Deenihan ignore the rules and get away with it, they know they can in the land of NO accountability. The Labour/Fine Gael mob are just as bad as the FF/PD/Green mob who went before them. CRONYISM is what makes Irish politics tick, the ‘Ill scratch your back if you scratch mine’ way of doing things is all these parasites know. They use the state boards to reward their crony’s simple as that. None of these positions should be filled without an application being made, an interview process and a background check to see that people being appointed can actually do the job. It is yet another example of banana republic government from the shysters who run the dysfunctional state. Gombeenism of the highest order!

    3
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    Mute Pat O Neill
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    Jan 24th 2013, 5:32 PM

    It is more and more obvious that we are run by “tribes” much like African Banana Republics. This is because there are no significant ideological differences between the main parties and we sheep just flock to one or other tribe for historical reasons. I am all for taking care of our own (all things being EQUAL) but this latest carry on is ridiculous. The sooner we understand the limitations of our “tribal” system the sooner we replace it with a normal Left /Right Dail tension which will stir meaningful debate on key national issues as opposed to “who got a medical clinic in their back yard.”

    2
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    Mute shay o'reilly
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    Jan 24th 2013, 6:49 PM

    Solutions, 1st past the post at election time, reduce their numbers, have a list system for people interested in running state departments,
    At lest do something, the present system doesn’t work

    1
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    Mute Daniel Martin
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:08 PM

    A sub committee appointed by a committee to inform the committee that a sub committee has been appointed….

    2
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    Mute shay o'reilly
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    Jan 24th 2013, 9:54 PM

    Lol, dan

    1
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    Mute Danny Boyle
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    Jan 26th 2013, 4:37 PM

    Its really sad but the state gravy train for the faithful is trundling on. Corruption is so ingrained in the ruling classes and because of nepotism you cant see the join between goverment/banks/public mandarins/big business. Anarchy is the only way to address the problem.

    1
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    Mute Arbitrasure
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    Jan 24th 2013, 10:44 AM

    You sound someone who doesn’t know what they don’t know.

    1
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