INTERNET COMMENTERS CAN get a lot of flak sometimes.

However, they play a big part here on TheJournal.ie, helping to make the site what it is. Every day several thousand comments are left on the site, shaping the discussion and kickstarting some lively debates (and despite what some commenters might believe, only a tiny number ever have to be deleted).

We’ve compiled a list of the 10 comments which received the most thumbs up from other readers this year. As you might expect, some of the most popular comments were among the first posts on a breaking news story, expressing what many people felt about an issue. Some were funny, some insightful and some were sympathetic.

So here are the 10 comments with the most thumbs up this year. And before you ask – no, we’re not going to do a list of the comments which received the most thumbs down. That would be too cruel.

1. The most popular comment this year was by Arthur Pewty on the article about the death of broadcasting legend Bill O’Herlihy. He got 5,502 thumbs up:

“Okey Doke, we’ll leave it there so” RIP Bill. :(

2. The second most popular comment was from P O’Leary, who got 5,193 thumbs up for this comment:

Was at a communion two weeks ago and the local travellers ruined it for most people. Blocked the car park with the limos and filled half the seats in the church that was reserved for families(they refused to move)
The small traveller kids ran around the church screaming all during the service and the priest had to stop mass twice. They are a bloody disgrace. Sick of them.
Their response to everything is “that’s discrimination boss” as evident in that video.

3. In a self-fulfilling prophecy, this comment by Paul Fanshawe got 5,085 thumbs up:

Don’t be ridiculous. Anybody with a small amount of advanced IT knowledge can inflate their own green thumbs ad infinitum.

4. In fourth place was this comment from Sam on the article about escaped prisoner Derek Brockwell, who used a scheduled visit to Tallaght Hospital to escape. His comment got 4,920 thumbs up:

Now ship him back to the uk

5. This comment from Liam Higgins about the tragic death of four young women in a car crash in Kildare got 4,473 thumbs up:

God love their families and friends. Spare a thought for the emergency services dealing with this tragedy.

Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

6. Beebop got 4,428 thumbs up for this comment on an article about a woman who was left bloodied after an anti-water charges protest:

“People have a right to breach security if they want” – eh no they don’t ya silly goose. If thats a right I’m exercising it and going in to the vault of my bank tomorrow. I’ll do it peacefully too

Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews / RollingNews

7. Jim had the seventh most popular comment this year with 4,182 thumbs up on the article about a 10-year-old boy who saved his little sister from being abducted in Laois.

Fair play to the girls little brother. What a brave young lad.

Sam Boal / RollingNews Sam Boal / RollingNews / RollingNews

8. In eighth place was this comment from Gonzo Doyle about Graham Dwyer being found guilty of the murder of Elaine O’Hara. The comment got 4,112 thumbs up:

Finally justice for Elaine and her family, he discarded her like an
animal and went on with his life as normal, intriguing case, great work by all who made this day happen

Niall Carson / PA Wire Niall Carson / PA Wire / PA Wire

9.  Mr. Dave got 4,049 thumbs up for this comment about the final deadline for registering with Irish Water in order to be able to receive the water conservation grant:

Alan Kelly proposing ‘Fast Track Courts’ for people who won’t pay the water charge.
Where are the Fast Track Courts for the the Bankers/Developers that brought this country down Minister Kelly? RIP Labour.

Niall Carson / PA Wire Niall Carson / PA Wire / PA Wire

10. Last but not least, in tenth place is Rod_Ten© whose comment got 3,955 thumbs up on the article about a 3-year-old child who was treated for hypothermia on Croagh Patrick:

Parents should be charged with negligence, morons

Leon Farrell / RollingNews Leon Farrell / RollingNews / RollingNews

All figures correct when compiled

Read: The top comments of the week > 

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