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8 fun things to do with the family over the Easter holidays

You told us some of your plans for the Easter weekend.

EASTER IS ALMOST upon us and you know what that means – lots of chances to spend some quality family time together.

Luckily for you there are loads of things to do over the Easter holidays, and we’ve got a list of them right here.

From Easter egg hunts to easy-to-make crafts, you’ll have no problems keeping the little ones, and yourself, occupied over the holidays.

1. Check out the Centenary celebrations

Ireland 2016 Ireland 2016

No matter where you are in the country, there are sure to be 1916 Rising centenary celebrations nearby and while things are ongoing throughout the year.

Check out Ireland.ie for the full programme of events for the whole country and enjoy a little history along with your Easter eggs.

Reader Niamh May is definitely heading along:

TheJournal.ie TheJournal.ie

2. Have an Easter egg hunt

Easter Egg Hunt Mr Moss Mr Moss

Whether you go along on an organised Easter egg hunt like those on in Ardgillan Castle, Co Dublin, or the Greenan Maze Easter Egg hunt in Wicklow, or you hide a few eggs around the garden yourself, an Easter egg hunt is a great way to have fun with the kids (and help them really earn their chocolate).

3. Make an Easter basket

Pugdemonium

In preparation for any Easter egg hunts you may be planning, why not make a basket or two to hold all the loot?

Here’s an easy to make woven paper basket that will be sturdy enough for all the goodies.

4. Go see baby animals

Chick 2013-05-20 JumpV JumpV

Reader Pat Morrissey has a good idea – taking the grandchildren to see the baby chicks in Bray.

TheJournal.ie TheJournal.ie

If you’re nowhere near Bray, there is sure to be a family farm or petting zoo nearby with lots of baby animals to check out. Here’s a list of pet farms around the country.

5. Get out in nature

Killarney National Park - House built in 1834 jmenard48 jmenard48

Spring is well and truly in the air now and it’s a great time to visit your local park or nature area and see the flowers and leaves coming back to the trees.

Whether it’s for a picnic, a long walk, or a kickaround head over to a park near you and take advantage of the weather.

6. Head to a playground

yvonne|martin yvonne|martin

If you do head to the park, make sure you check out the playground while you’re there and really give the children a work out. You can let them run wild while you take a well-deserved break on a nearby bench, or if you have the energy to, join in the fun.

7. Make some Easter treats

Gemma Stafford / YouTube

Here’s an easy tutorial on how to make your own cheesecake-filled, no-bake chocolate eggs. There are a good few steps to the recipe, which will keep you and the children occupied for a little while during the day, but they’re well worth the effort.

The children will be very impressed with the results.

8. Watch a family film

Giphy Giphy

There is no better time than after a long day running around with the children to cuddle up on the couch and watch a family film. Whether it’s a timeless classic you loved as a child and want to share with yours, or a new film no one has seen before, it’s the perfect end to the day.

Check out some other great ideas for what to get up to with the kids, including heaps of family recipes to try together, in Lidl’s special Easter brochure. There are lots of great value options for feeding the whole family with Lidl – plus some Easter treats for both adults and little ones. Have a very happy Easter.

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    Mute Dave Sherman
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    Nov 14th 2017, 8:53 PM

    What about the crisis of bullying in SinnFein Peadair?

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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 14th 2017, 8:56 PM

    @Dave Sherman: they have procedures in place aka kangaroo court.

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    Mute Dermo Adams
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:07 PM

    @Paul: Was the kangaroo court not when Enda Kenny used Dail privilege to act as judge and jury against people who had already been acquitted in a court of law?

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    Mute Incognito
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:08 PM

    @Dave Sherman: What about, what about, what about…

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:11 PM

    @Dermo Adams: nah the Kangaroo Court was when the provos subjected victims of sexual abuse to paramilitary courts

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    Mute Dave Sherman
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:12 PM

    @Incognito: Hypocrite of the highest order that’s what.

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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:12 PM

    @Dermo Adams: who are u referring to?

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:51 PM

    and some people wonder why the Shinners have 13% of the vote. This hypocrisy might work in Norn Iron but not down here sunshine

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    Mute Matt Rogers
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:03 PM

    @Dave Sherman:
    So all that is needed is for SF to be accused of something and everyone else can join in and do the same !!!.. I don’t think so Dave.

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    Mute owen kirwan
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:03 PM

    @Dave Sherman: will u cut that out Jerry said it never happened

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    Mute Michael Geraghty
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:15 PM

    @Dave Sherman: is it just me or do all SF representatives look like older toerags

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    Mute Fran Kembo
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:30 PM

    @Dave Sherman:
    I agree with you completely !!!!!!
    as a very long time member of
    Sinn Fèin I shall not be renewing
    my membership because of the intimidation and bullying I have
    Witnessed at grass roots level
    Even from yourself Peadar. !!!!!!!

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    Mute Jimmy Corcoran
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    Nov 14th 2017, 11:26 PM

    @Dave Sherman: Their Ard Fheis is coming up this weekend, Have to have something to Deflect the Sheep’s Attention from the widespread Bullying, Harassment and Intimidation going on around them and the fact that the partys vote ( in last few opinion polls ) is going down, down and down .. lol ..

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    Mute Kieran Magennis
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    Nov 15th 2017, 1:18 AM

    @For Connolly: Was ‘sunshine’ a Pink Floyd reference?

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    Mute John003
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:01 PM

    SF giving a moral lecture on bullying is a bit like bank executives giving a lecture on always putting the customer first…..Thoes with mortgage difficulties….

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:16 PM

    PMSL! Same way they like to think they’re a bunch of peacemakers

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:56 PM

    @Diarmuid: hilarious! Forgot to check the calendar, is today the first day of April?

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    Mute Honeybadger197
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:58 PM

    @Diarmuid: Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Loser.

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    Mute Honeybadger197
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:14 PM

    @Diarmuid: I did. Unless he’s calling out the widely reported culture of bullying in SF, he’s a bland hypocrite. Much like SF going public on wanting to sell easter lillies on the same day their abject failure in makey uppey government was highlighted.

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:17 PM

    @Diarmuid: “bringing it into talks” – suppose someone needed to represent that terrorist organisation while it was surrendering and handing over its weapons. Lucky for Jorry he got cushy British public sector jobs out of it.

    Diarmuid – have you been possessed by a evil ghost?

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    Mute Honeybadger197
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:43 PM

    @Diarmuid: The new Diarmuid is Dermo Adams. If he wants to troll he shouldn’t verbatim his comments from this mornings defence of Gerry Adams.

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    Mute Justin McNulty
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:45 PM

    @Diarmuid: He brought about peace by stopping killing people. Bravo…….slow handclap.

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:49 PM

    @Honeybadger197: the Risen must have been banned…… must hurt the poor fella.

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    Mute Tweed Cap
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:58 PM

    @Diarmuid:
    I see what you did there. Checkmate & Bravo!

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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 14th 2017, 8:55 PM

    Im more interested to know why Journal has refused to report his comments on 8th Amendment Committee……

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    Mute Geffrey Kane
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:01 PM

    @Paul: what comments? Care to elaborate? Genuinely curiosity.

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    Mute DaisyChainsaw
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:01 PM

    @Paul: Afraid of a kneecapping?

    They haven’t gone away you know!

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    Mute Paul
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:10 PM

    @Geffrey Kane: he has called out the committee been pro abortion. SF have said his comments do not represent party position.

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    Mute Unconvertible Rebel
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:30 PM

    @Paul: “he has called out the committee been pro abortion”

    Eh?

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    Mute JMac
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    Nov 15th 2017, 1:26 AM

    @Paul: “being”

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    Mute JMac
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    Nov 15th 2017, 1:41 AM

    @Paul: “being” Of course they don’t represent the party position – they’re still pro-killing children in their mother’s wombs, much the same as ISIS philosophy really.

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    Mute Rory
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:14 PM

    A SF TD lecturing on bullying and harassment. I have heard it all. Have they no shame or integrity.

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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:18 PM

    I don’t support SF but I’m unconvinced that the problem of bullying and harassment in Ireland is exclusively confined to the SF Party.

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    Mute Bob McTanned
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:10 PM

    Lol these Shinners are a funny bunch

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    Mute @mdmak33
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:21 PM

    Start with your own party peadar,clean it up.until then sf have no credibility on the issue.

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    Mute Paddy
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:25 PM

    Interesting, a senior SF td condemning bullying… they must be trying to deflect from their own issues

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    Mute DaisyChainsaw
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:01 PM

    Peadar Toibin wishes to harrass and bully women who aren’t antichoice like him.

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    Mute Honeybadger197
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:58 PM

    Has Peadar got a soundbite in the widely reported culture of bullying in his own party? This must be like SF announcing Easter Lily sales on the same day the utter failure of their pretend governance of the North is exposed.

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:54 PM

    @CloneDiarmuid: just like the shinners? : )

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    Mute Emo101
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:25 PM

    A bit rich coming from him of all people. Fully appreciate that the Arts & Heritage sector has a major sexual harassment issue. But really, this is fake indignation from an anti-choice zealot who thinks women’s lives are no more important than the content of a discarded condom. He couldn’t give a toss, so to speak, about women’s rights.

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    Mute JMac
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    Nov 15th 2017, 1:33 AM

    @Emo101: you mean not pro–death for defenceless babies. Shinners may have stopped killing grown-ups but innocent children are still fair game for slaughter as far as they’re concerned.

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    Mute Eemer Eivers
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    Nov 15th 2017, 1:58 PM

    @JMac: If you can’t tell the difference between an actual baby and sperm, read a biology book, not TheJournal.

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    Mute Jarlath Murphy
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:19 PM

    Special Communications Unit Mobilisation!

    Incoming!

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    Mute Brinster
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:32 PM

    @Jarlath Murphy: Yeah don’t think you need a SCU to call out utter SF hypocrisy.

    How many SF Councillors is that to have resigned or been sacked due to bullying now?

    24
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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:09 PM

    What a dufus!

    The calibre of shinner politician is farcical.

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    Mute We're Jammin'
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:30 PM

    the impersonating shinner bot who was banned a few years back?

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:34 PM

    @We’re Jammin’: Yeah I was trolled by a shinner bot with the same name in the past. Thankfully he/she was banned. Why do you care Diarmuid?

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    Mute were jammin
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:38 PM

    Hi everyone,

    Please ignore the clone account above. As you can see from the ’5Y’ (5 year contributor) symbol under my name, this is the original.

    I will be reporting the above account in the morning.

    Best wishes

    WJ

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:48 PM

    @We’re Jammin’: looks like one of the guilty shinner bots is back ^

    Any idea how a different photo and proper grammar on a Bob Marley song is a clone?

    PMSL!

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    Mute Jane
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:49 PM

    @were jammin: so you have we’re jamming, For Connolly, the Risen and Francis McCarthy? How do you keep up?

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    Mute Jane
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:49 PM

    @Jane: sorry were jammin

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    Mute Dermo Adams
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:52 PM

    @were jammin: It really is disrespectful to contributors who just want to comment and discuss the actual article above.

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    Mute were jammin
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:53 PM

    @Jane: You’re fine Jane. It’s easy to get mixed up with the abuses of posting privileges that are happening around these parts all too often.

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:54 PM

    @Jane: me thinks the “Risen” was banned.

    Pfizer took an action for copyright infringement : )

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:29 PM

    ah I get it now – Jammin’s “Risen” was banned so he set up clone accounts to troll Diarmuid, but is offended by supposed clone accounts

    trying to be a bully on an article about shinner bullying : )

    confused little shinner : )

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    Mute Jane
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:39 PM

    @For Connolly: when you see ‘good lad’ you’ll know it’s him

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    Mute For Connolly
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:52 PM

    @Diarmuid: a clone account angry about clone accounts PMSL : )

    Silly little shinner : )

    Good lad : )

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    Mute Unconvertible Rebel
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:08 PM

    Somebody really needs to put some sort of filter on this site to prevent children from posting.

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    Mute James Mc Loughlin
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:12 PM

    No bullying in Sinn Fein If this is all you have to speak on you are overpaid for doing nothing but making a fool of yourself

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    Mute Jimmy Corcoran
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    Nov 14th 2017, 11:13 PM

    The words “Deflection and Distraction” comes to mind … Also the expression “Titanium Bulletproof Necks” also comes to mind with any reps from Gerry Adams party accusing others of Bullying or Intimidation/Harassment … Concentrate on sorting out their own house first, before trying to Deflect peoples attention towards other peoples houses …

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    Mute Anthony Gallagher
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    Nov 14th 2017, 10:08 PM

    People in glasshouses should not fire stones ,i am against all forms of bullying ,be it political ,social or economic .

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    Mute Minom Pnom
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    Nov 14th 2017, 9:16 PM

    he’s a looker.

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    Mute marg fitzgerald
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    Nov 15th 2017, 3:26 AM

    You have to wonder about people who attack Sinn Féin (no I am not a member), rather than address the serious issue Deputy Tobín aided. They seem to be like the judges who give suspended or lenient sentences to men who beat and brutalise women….. a very disturbing mindset

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    Mute Kieran Magennis
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    Nov 15th 2017, 1:32 AM

    Why is an intelligent and talented man like Peadar focusing on such relatively trivial nonsense?

    Sinn Fein need to get off the hard left Utopian bandwagon and become more pragmatic and inclusive….

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    Mute Grace OM
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    Nov 15th 2017, 7:03 AM

    There are similar issues of abuse of power in other state-funded bodies, such as within the health service. I find this very disappointing in this day and age. You’d think we’d have learned from all of the past cover-ups in this country.

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