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Meath East by-election: Here are the candidates and here's what they're saying

With the by-election less than three weeks away TheJournal.ie spoke to the main candidates this week to find out what they’re hearing on the doorsteps and what they’re telling voters…

THE DATE IS set and all the main parties now have their candidates in place for the Meath East by-election on 27 March.

In what is shaping up to be a key test of support for the coalition government, Fine Gael will be hoping to retain the seat vacated by the late Minister of State Shane McEntee counting on the name recognition of his daughter, Helen.

But Fianna Fáil will hope their pick, Senator Thomas Byrne, can capitalise on anti-government sentiment and his own name recognition in the constituency where he was formerly a TD to take the seat.

But enough of the hopes and dreams of the parties, what are the candidates saying?

This week TheJournal.ie spoke to the main party candidates and a number of others in the running to get their views on the campaign so far and the issues they’ll be talking to voters about…

Direct Democracy Ireland – Ben Gilroy

Pic: Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Ireland

“To be honest, we’re shooting in the dark. I could come in with 200 votes, or 2,000,” says Ben Gilroy, whose previous interventions at attempted evictions have gained him some noteriety. Direct Democracy Ireland is a new political movement which calls itself “a political service” and claims to have “a couple of thousand members”.

A resident of Navan, Gilroy says that the party had intended to spend the next few months concentrating on building its organisation but has decided to enter the Meath East by-election with the intention of getting its name out there before competing properly at the next general election.

“Our main goal will be the general election,” he explains. “The way the parties are you could have a hung Dáil. Even if we had five or six TDs, we might hold the balance power.” He rejects the claim that his party has no issues or policies by pointing out that its campaigning against household and water taxes, is calling for a 70 per cent reduction in all family home mortgages and for business rates to be reduced.

He says the reception so far on the doorsteps has been positive, adding: “We don’t have much money, we are on scraps of donations but the only thing is that we have a lot of manpower and we have a lot of canvassers.”

Green Party – Seán Ó Buachalla

The 31-year-old youth development officer with Conradh na Gaeilige ran for the Greens in the 2011 election. The strong anti-Green Party sentiment in the wake of its disastrous coalition with Fianna Fáil no doubt contributed to him picking up just 461 first preference votes but as part of the Greens’ overall process of rebuilding he’ll be hoping to do better this time around.

“I am standing in this election to offer an alternative to the people of Meath East to the old ways of operating and the unrealistic approach of being opposed to everything that the current government does,” Ó Buachalla this week in a statement confirming his candidacy.

Party leader Eamon Ryan told us last month that the by-election was another step on the road to rebuilding the party which lost all of its deputies in 2011. “We need to double and triple our vote, so that’s the scale of the response and support we’ll be out looking for,” he said.

The Greens will not win in Meath East but an increase in their vote on 2011 would be a boost to the party.

Fianna Fáil – Thomas Byrne

Pic: Conor McCabe/Fianna Fáil

“People seem to be browned-off with all of politics,” the senator says of his doorstep visits so far. The 35-year-old is hoping that the government’s “broken promises” will benefit his party but acknowledges it will take a lot for him to regain the Dáil seat that he lost in the last election, coming fourth in the three-seat constituency.

“A lot of people who are part of what you might call the squeezed middle are really setting out their stall to us. They just feel they are taking all of the burden,” Byrne says. “They are contributing and they’re being asked to contribute more all of the time. The whole fairness thing is coming up.”

The senator has carved out a niche as an effective opposition spokesperson on matters such as the economy and household debt and has contributed to a number of Fianna Fail policies and draft laws on debt management and home repossessions. He points out that he was against the property tax even when Fianna Fáil was in government but would not be drawn on the potential benefit to his party electorally in Meath East by the arrival of letters from the Revenue in the coming weeks.

Byrne, who got over 8,000 votes in 2011, says that it’s hard to judge how he will do this time around given a winning candidate needs 50 per cent plus one but he insists that the feeling from the voters he has been speaking to is that “at least Fianna Fáil would have been fairer” if it was in government right now.

Fine Gael – Helen McEntee

Pic: Fine Gael

“I’m female and we don’t have too many of them in Dáil Eireann,” says the 26-year-old who would become one of the youngest TDs in the Dáil if elected on 27 March. Having worked for her father both locally and in the Department of Agriculture she is well versed in the current state of politics.

“Dad was very popular and there will always be that aspect of it,” she says. “But look I am just going to be honest with the electorate and say it how it is and how it needs to be. The government hasn’t made easy decisions… [and]… I don’t plan on making any false promises.”

McEntee has only been canvassing a day but already the issue of jobs and unemployment has come up on the doorstep. She also cites emigration with many young people leaving for the UK and beyond. “I want to focus on keeping employment in Meath East and in our community,” she says adding that she will look to build on her father’s work as well as bring a “younger voice to the table”.

With the Fine Gael party machine behind her and her second name so well recognised McEntee is the early favourite to retain her father’s seat but much will depend on how much public anger at the government will transfer to the voting booths in Meath East in a few weeks time.

Labour Party – Eoin Holmes

Pic: Labour

“He’s got a very real understanding of what the country is facing,” Labour’s Director of Elections and Meath East TD Dominic Hannigan says of the Slane-based councillor, Eoin Holmes, who was selected as the Labour nominee at a convention last night. Hannigan points out that the father-of-four is the only candidate from the main parties who does not have a background in Leinster House.

Hannigan says that the real fight in the by-election is not between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil but rather Fine Gael and its junior coalition partner. He claims that electing Holmes – and taking the seat from Fine Gael – will allow Labour to have more of an influence on the direction of the government.

“He has a clear view of what the reality on the ground is like. He knows what it is like to go to your bank manager to ask for allowances to be made in relation to repayments, he knows what it’s like to have to worry about how you can feed your family,” Hannigan says.

He also denies that Labour was bounced into the by-election and insists that it will hit the ground running in the coming weeks having erected posters last night and amassed some 10,000 leaflets ready for distribution. Labour may have been caught short by the earlier than expected announcement but it will look to distinguish itself from Fine Gael by talking about policy it has influenced such as expected X Case legislation and the consultation on school patronage.

But the anti-Labour sentiment – as demonstrated in recent polls – is likely to make it difficult for the party to do well in the constituency.

Sinn Féin – Darren O’Rourke

Pic: Gerry Adams/Twitter

“The aim is to take the seat,” insists O’Rourke, 32, who was selected by his party last month and admits that the government calling the by-election for 27 March came as a bit of a surprise. “It is a sprint but I’ve been sprinting since it’s been called and I intend to sprint for the next three weeks.”

Born and raised in Kells, O’Rourke has spent the last few years working as a health policy advisor to Caoimhghin Ó Caolain TD, the Sinn Féin health spokesperson, and now hopes that he will join Ó Caolain on the opposition benches.

The party faces an uphill task to take the seat but despite this O’Rourke reckons the “huge change in demographics” that Meath East has experienced will work in his party’s favour as many people are “not voting on tradition”.

“I feel my message is resonating,” he says. “A huge percentage of people voted for change at the last election. Eleven thousand people left Fianna Fáil on the basis that the others would bring change and the sense I am getting is that is not being delivered on.”

He argues that while Fianna Fáil may be considered the alternative opposition in the constituency given Byrne’s strong base the main opposition party’s policies are little different to those of the coalition.  ”I’m about providing an alternative analysis and alternative voice in the area,” he adds.

Workers’ Party – Seamus McDonagh

“People are very angry here in Meath,” the self-described life-long socialist says. A member of the Workers’ Party since the 70s and the current chair of North Meath’s Campaign Against Water Household and Septic Tank Charges, he says that emigration has been one of the issues he has encountered in recent days.

“People are very upset about the emigration. Their children and grandchildren are not just going to England, they’re going to Australia and New Zealand. It’s all very well for people who have Skype and all that but some of these people don’t have Skype,” he says. He encounters voters who believe politicians are “a plague on all our houses”.

“The trust is not there,” he explains as he outlines his party’s policy that a recall system should be in place for voters to effectively turf out TDs who they are not happy with. Realistically McDonagh will not be the next TD for Meath East but he says his campaign is about trying to “maximise the vote to make sure there is opposition.”

He claims: “We’re the only left-wing group standing in this constituency… Sinn Féin is opposed to austerity in the sense that it’s a popular place to be.”

Read: Labour ‘caught on the back foot’ by FG on Meath East by-election date

Read: Hogan reduces polling period for Meath East by-election

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177 Comments
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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:18 PM

    Her private jet? So she speaks about climate change and the need to protect the climate and she’s flying around in a private jet. Do as I say not as I do

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    Mute Anthony Burke
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:55 PM

    @Ger Whelan: YAWN

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    Mute Ger Whelan
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    Jun 28th 2024, 3:15 PM

    @Anthony Burke: You tired Anthony?

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    Mute martin lawlor
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    Jun 28th 2024, 12:57 PM

    More populist SH 1 T coming from this man.
    You’d think as a Leader of this country he’d have better things to be at,another Varadkar

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    Mute martin lawlor
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:13 PM

    @Stephen Brennan: Does your Mammy let you have a phone?

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    Mute P. J.
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:14 PM

    @martin lawlor:
    Another one desperately trying to turn every topic no matter how harmless into an anti government rant.
    Give up.
    As the recent election shows you are more likely to harm the opposition with your pettyness than the government.

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    Mute martin lawlor
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:20 PM

    @P. J.: Pettiness???You’re obviously living in a bubble.I see by You’re comment you’ve assumed I’m anti government,Would I be far right???
    Another woke clown

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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:25 PM

    @martin lawlor: I think you need a day off from the moaning

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    Mute Vincent Alexander
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:30 PM

    @martin lawlor: There is no government politician can match SF for populism.

    65
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    Mute M To The B
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:35 PM

    @martin lawlor: probably took him about 60 seconds to say all that. I suppose you can burn down a good few asylum seeker houses in 60 seconds.

    55
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    Mute martin lawlor
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:36 PM

    @Mick Duvanny: Far from moaning just sick of listening to SH 1 T

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    Mute martin lawlor
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:40 PM

    @M To The B: Ah here,I give up.
    Another one who’s making assumptions of anyone who criticises the Leader of the country as far right,racist, lay about etc.

    55
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    Mute Patrick MC Dermott
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:41 PM

    @martin lawlor: Get a life. It’s nice to see a bit of humour. Nothing like Leo the Leak

    78
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    Mute martin lawlor
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:42 PM

    @Patrick MC Dermott: Gob SH 1T

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    Mute bfin
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:46 PM

    @martin lawlor: What have you ever done except leave snarky and depressing messages online. Take your useless hate elsewhere.

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    Mute Mike Carson
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:07 PM

    @martin lawlor: your* for the second you’re.

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    Mute Tony Lyons
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:38 PM

    @martin lawlor: stop listening to yourself so

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    Mute Lulu
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    Jun 28th 2024, 5:42 PM

    @martin lawlor: God you’re boring the $h.1.te outta me!

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    Mute Sean O'Callaghan
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    Jun 29th 2024, 2:21 AM

    @Mick Duvanny: Don’t waste your breath or your typing fingers. Once a Moaner, always a Moaner. Sadly, there’s more than one in every paridh

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    Mute John D Doe
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    Jun 29th 2024, 4:01 AM

    She is a 4 at best, a stag night girl. Pump and dump

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    Mute Don Johnson
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:06 PM

    Stop pretending to have a personality, Simon.

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    Mute BL Music
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:22 PM

    This is a real case of The Harris spin doctors seeing how they can make him appeal and look like he has something in common with the electorate . However there is a PR company and spin doctors who are being paid handsomely with our tax to publicise this spin.
    Unfortunately people fall for this .
    The opposition will be caugh napping if the don’t do likewise

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    Mute Pat Hazzard
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:46 PM

    @BL Music: no shortage of them in Spin Fein

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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:46 PM

    @BL Music: The electorate? I’d say most Swifties are too young to vote

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    Mute mark sheehan
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    Jun 28th 2024, 4:01 PM

    @BL Music: christ, the electorate has had to listen to Mary Lou for the past 7 or 8 years spouting populist garbage. Have you been asleep?

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    Mute TheGood Feign
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    Jun 28th 2024, 10:22 PM

    @BL Music: of course it is, did you come down in the last shower? That’s what half of being a politician is, trying to get into every darn photo op or publicity stunt going to keep the face in the sights of the voters. The opposition and independents do this too. Those that don’t get sort of forgotten about…. They wouldn’t do spin if it didn’t yield results.

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    Mute Spartacus Ireland
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:01 PM

    “my pebble”…ok you’re the Taoiseach atm but you don’t actually ‘own’ the country…

    150
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    Mute Pat Hazzard
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:45 PM

    More importantly, those with serious convictions should not only be banned from the Defence Forces but from the Dail too.

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    Mute larry smith
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:07 PM

    I once met a shy pebble,she wished she was a little boulder.

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    Mute den
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:20 PM

    What an absolute a hole of a taoiseach, trying to be hip and cool.
    Unbelievable bollix

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    Mute Anthony Burke
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:56 PM

    @den: YAWN

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    Mute orb7eckn
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    Jun 28th 2024, 3:10 PM

    @Anthony Burke: you defo need some sleep there young man, you probably stayed up too late last night being offended by everything

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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Jun 28th 2024, 11:48 PM

    @orb7eckn: It doesn’t seem like he’s offended at all.

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    Mute daragh harmon
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:14 PM

    She took a pebble and you gave away the country.

    106
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    Mute Anthony Curran
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    Jun 28th 2024, 2:58 PM

    Wonder what her carbon footprint is? Who needs a private jet ffs.

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    Mute James Hanley
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    Jun 28th 2024, 3:53 PM

    Emissions from private jets in terms of CO2 and NOx are multiple times that of commercial aircraft, not that a moneymaking machine like Taylor Swift would care one whit. As for her musical ( if that’s not a misnomer!) output, it is woefully bland, banal, shallow, and formulaic. It sounds AI- generated. But I suppose if it keeps the gullible masses happy, so be it. Panem et circenses ( bread and circuses), as the Romans only knew too well, appeases the plebeians!!!

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    Mute Padraic O' Sullivan
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:00 PM

    I doubt she reads to journal.
    Think this message would have been better sent through twitter if she doesnt have him blocked.

    58
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    Mute Kevin Kerr
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:38 PM

    @Padraic O’ Sullivan: I don’t think this is a Journal exclusive

    45
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    Mute bruce banner
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    Jun 28th 2024, 9:08 PM

    U2s hometown is Amsterdam i thought?

    49
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    Mute Sean O'Callaghan
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    Jun 29th 2024, 2:29 AM

    @bruce banner: Anywhere they can dodge the Revenue Commissioners will do.

    32
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    Mute Hotirish
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    Jun 28th 2024, 12:55 PM

    Well said him! (before the knockers arrive).

    56
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    Mute Jack Hayes
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    Jun 28th 2024, 12:58 PM

    @Hotirish: You can’t call her that.

    93
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    Mute John Murphy
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:50 PM

    @Hotirish: is that what our Irish minority group is called in D4? ;

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    Mute Darth O'Leary
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:59 PM

    @Jack Hayes: Because Dolly Parton already took that name!

    17
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    Mute Ricky
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    Jun 28th 2024, 5:16 PM

    Something a little different from the other comments ,not a fan myself ,but if you are going have a fantastic time .Now..see, not a mention of any TDs etc…can be done .

    43
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    Mute Benny Colreavy
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    Jun 28th 2024, 7:51 PM

    It’d be gas if someone gave Enoch Burke a spare ticket for the show now that he’s out.

    42
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    Mute 6gRrQtLn
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    Jun 28th 2024, 9:05 PM

    @Benny Colreavy: out in out or out in gay out??

    16
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    Mute Padraig O'Brien
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    Jun 28th 2024, 1:55 PM

    Does his wife know that he wants to pick his bone with TayTay?

    46
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    Mute Karen Marten
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    Jun 29th 2024, 1:56 AM

    Home town !!! When it suits them.

    21
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    Mute Robert is Your Fathers Brother
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    Jun 28th 2024, 9:56 PM

    Jesus I had a ticket in the glove box and I forgot all about it……

    21
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    Mute Marc Power
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    Jun 28th 2024, 6:23 PM

    Who cares. Talentless

    33
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    Mute Nikki Swift
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    Jun 29th 2024, 12:10 AM

    can nobody in this country have a little bit light harted fun without being criticized anymore, I’m no fan of this government but give him a break. all he was doing was having a joke about the biggest pop star in the world who by the way is creating a lot custom for the small business around dublin, i know the hotels are robbing people this weekend but the likes of the small shops and pubs will do well so grow up ya clowns who criticize everyone

    33
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Jun 28th 2024, 5:44 PM

    €1400 a second she’ll make…handy bobs if you can get them

    29
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    Mute James Carolan
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    Jun 28th 2024, 3:10 PM

    Spit on me Taylor…

    23
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    Mute Sean O'Callaghan
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    Jun 29th 2024, 2:27 AM

    @James Carolan: Where’s your Taylor? Doesn’t quite have the same ring as “spit on me Dickie”

    4
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    Mute Johnno Reilly
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    Jun 28th 2024, 11:13 PM

    Bring back the days of Sean Lemass! A proper leader

    13
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    Mute Sean O'Callaghan
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    Jun 29th 2024, 2:23 AM

    @Johnno Reilly: Yeah, and Elvis too.

    4
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    Mute Patrick Presley
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    Jun 28th 2024, 6:06 PM

    Dear Swifties,
    As a Non-Touring Independent Artist, it’s difficult to grow a fan base.
    If you would like to help, please use
    the link below and click the FOLLOW BUTTON and then click the follow button on my Spotify page.
    Very much appreciated,
    Thank you
    Patrick

    https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/patrickwestman/all-my-colours-fade-to-blue

    12
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    Mute Jb Walshe
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    Jun 28th 2024, 8:08 PM

    @Patrick Presley: any relation to a man called Elvis ?

    9
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    Mute Patrick Presley
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    Jun 28th 2024, 8:57 PM

    @Jb Walshe: Some people have Suspicious Minds

    19
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    Mute Pink Freud
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    Jun 28th 2024, 6:31 PM

    I couldn’t give a fiddler’s fart about Swift, or Harris.
    But I do give a toss about the Environment.
    And, in fairness, the Gards and the loss of bodies to rural Ireland (if a fraction of rural and/or non-Dublin-based Gards have been peeled-off of Rural Ireland to serve in Dublin this weekend).

    Just like the anti-immigration “protests” criminal mis-direct, the condensing of Gards into 1 area/withdrawal of Gards from another area, will be yet another generous gift to the various street-level operations for OCGs.

    As for the “Private Plane” emissions complaint that both fans, and non-fans alike, seem to have against Swift’s use of a Private Plane vs Chartered – where is the evidence? I would just love to see proof that 2 Boeing aircrafts, of the exact same model, somehow have drastically different carbon emissions.
    How so?
    Please, do explain people.
    Because I suspect the intention is to moan about the *individual human being’s* carbon footprint.
    Rather than actually doing extensive research and maths on comparative luggage requirements, any potential incorporation of performance-related equipment into her aircraft’s cargo hold, and any possibility or potential that some headcount of staff might actually be boarded on her “private” plane.

    That probably, her cargo hold carries the entire logistical and engineering makeup of her performance.

    Because, let’s face it, no performer, doing such a number of gigs, at such frequency, across so many locations, could be reasonably expected to trust a *series of* Chartered Flights with public aircrafts and airlines who routinely lose and/or have delayed delivery of everything from tiny generic luggage to entire lumps of furniture and giant pieces of art/sculpture.

    Why, on earth, would anyone expect any such performer to not simplify and streamline their logistics by configuring their entire show into their *own* aircraft!?

    That said.
    They could have logistically planned to book-out a Ferry to move the show from Britain to Ireland.
    Then Ferry back to Britain, transfer across to mainland Europe and switch to a series of *train carriages* (or a whole train) for the European leg of the tour.
    Then do similar on each Continent.
    Once the Private Aircraft lands on each continent – switch to a Private Train (with the goal being: Trains are already partly powered by Renewables….and will, hopefully, soon be fully powered by Renewable Energy).

    15
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    Mute David Murray
    Favourite David Murray
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    Jun 28th 2024, 6:45 PM

    @Pink Freud: Who Cares Jeronimo.

    31
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    Mute Sean O'Callaghan
    Favourite Sean O'Callaghan
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    Jun 29th 2024, 2:25 AM

    @Pink Freud: Take your meds. Did you miss a dose today?

    7
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    Mute Nathalie Bellamy
    Favourite Nathalie Bellamy
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    Jun 29th 2024, 3:10 AM

    She is a young beautiful talented woman. Like her or not, she brings on a show !

    11
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    Mute peter white
    Favourite peter white
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    Jun 29th 2024, 3:31 PM

    @Nathalie Bellamy: she’s 34 which ain’t that young, she’s very average looking. How ever she’s very talented……at making money.ill give you that.

    8
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    Mute Karen Marten
    Favourite Karen Marten
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    Jun 28th 2024, 11:39 PM

    What a load of tripe sitting here watching the amazing Dua Lipa in Glastonbury now that’s talent and hard work .

    12
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    Mute Nikki Swift
    Favourite Nikki Swift
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    Jun 29th 2024, 1:27 AM

    @Karen Marten: watched it myself and to be honest i didn’t think she was that good, to much miming and not enough live singing

    11
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    Mute Karen Marten
    Favourite Karen Marten
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    Jun 29th 2024, 1:43 AM

    @Nikki Swift: you think plastic swift mimes much ???

    8
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    Mute Nikki Swift
    Favourite Nikki Swift
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    Jun 29th 2024, 2:11 AM

    @Karen Marten: I’d say she does but thats not my point, if i was paying alot of money to go to a gig I’d like the artist to sing live

    10
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    Mute Karen Marten
    Favourite Karen Marten
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    Jun 29th 2024, 1:18 PM

    @Nikki Swift: how many artists do you know that actually sing. EVERY SONG LIVE for a 2hr gig . Hmm I was watching Glastonbury last night I saw her sing and the lines she didn’t sing her backing vocals did . She has more talent than that fake cupcake

    2
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    Mute kevin rock
    Favourite kevin rock
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    Jun 29th 2024, 4:08 AM

    Whats it the equivalent off ?

    Cause I just can’t get my head round all the hype.

    And don’t say Beatle Mania !

    10
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    Mute Sun Rise
    Favourite Sun Rise
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    Jun 28th 2024, 11:20 PM

    The people getting triggered by Simon Harris are delicate snowflakes with very little control over their emotions.

    13
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    Mute Max
    Favourite Max
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    Jun 28th 2024, 8:47 PM

    Jumpin Jesopath, nipple blockers.

    6
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    Mute Karl Phillips
    Favourite Karl Phillips
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    Jun 29th 2024, 3:24 PM

    She should burn anything to do with that BoBo fella who has gone to ground over his Gaza carry on..

    4
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    Mute Vincent Hickey
    Favourite Vincent Hickey
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    Jun 29th 2024, 9:38 PM

    Meanwhile SHEEP the government just undemocraticly pushed through the migration pact. WAKE THE F@CK UP

    4
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