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Stop it! RTÉ was told to stop jamming pirate radio stations

Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald said the Government were not trying to be “spoil-sports”.

PIRATE RADIO STATIONS caused quite the stir in 1984, creating a headache for both the RTÉ and the Government.

Unlicensed, pirate radio stations flourished in Ireland in the early 1980s — providing younger listeners an alternative to the state broadcaster.

Amongst them, were the Dublin stations of Sunshine Radio and Nova — which employed a full roster of presenters.

Jamming signals 

Due to pirate radio stations setting up shop on frequencies with no licence, the Government moved to impose further regulations on them. Meanwhile, RTÉ also attempted to put a stop to stations using illegal frequencies by putting out jamming signals.

There was cause for concern as the frequencies being used and the jamming signals impacted on phone lines, as well as frequencies used by hospitals and airports.

In state files released under the 30 year rule, a letter from Dublin City Council to the Government said they “deplored” the situation with pirate radio stations and was becoming a public safety matter as people could not reach doctors when the phones were out of use:

photo (29) The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

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The Taoiseach at the time, the late Garret Fitzgerald, received a number of letters from members of the public, particularly young people, asking for the Government to intervene and begin granting more broadcasting licences.

One letter came from an 8-year-old girl, who said that “RTÉ were being mean”, while a 19-year-old from Dublin said the new Bill before Government was “designed to kill pirate broadcasting”.

She asked the Taoiseach why they refused to grant them licences.

She said that she was unemployed and spent her days listening to music while she sent out numerous of job applications to companies she saw in the Golden pages.

fhdghh The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

Replying to the letter, Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald wrote that the Government were not trying to be “spoil-sports” and explained his reasoning.

The sender had requested that the Taoiseach write back in his own hand-writing, however, a note from Fitzgerald at the end of the letter apologises to her for not doing so, while also throwing her a compliment about her own hand-writing being very nice, and saying he is a little ashamed of his own.

hghghd The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

Can’t see the image, click here.

jfgjjj The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

Can’t see the image click here.

Pirate radio stations, such as Sunshine FM, were also fighting back and getting in touch with the Taoiseach asking him to intervene.

unnamed (6) The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

Can’t see the letter, click here.

unnamed (7) The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

Can’t see the letter, click here.

The public made the point that jobs were being lost with the radio station closures and there were petitions from those that worked at the likes of Sunshine FM being handed in to the Government.

It got to a point where the Government felt they had no choice but to get involved, with an internal briefing note stating that the Minister for Communications at the time would take up the matter with RTÉ.

In a politely worded letter to the Chairman of RTÉ, Fred O’Donovan, the Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald said that the Government would be taking action against them if the continued to cause disruption with the jamming signals.

unnamed (9) The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

Can’t view this letter, click here.

The RTÉ Chairman replied and said that situation with pirate radio stations had become “extremely serious” and he urged the legislation to be moved up the timetable.

unnamed (10) The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

Can’t view this letter, click here.

unnamed (11) The National Archives / 2014/105/130 The National Archives / 2014/105/130 / 2014/105/130

Read: Phantom FM 1996 – 2014: A brief history, by its staff — past, way past and pirate>

Read: Behind the scenes at the country’s festive HQ: Christmas FM>

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21 Comments
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    Mute Rafa C
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    Jul 30th 2024, 11:46 AM

    Probably just go with the flow at this stage. Great idea lads. Good use of resources. Well done. Can’t see these being wrecked at all. 10m to install, ex vat, the add on extra for added costs rising so that’s 100m, then 400m to remove them when they’re wrecked in 6 months.

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    Mute eoin fitzpatrick
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    Jul 30th 2024, 12:32 PM

    @Rafa C: this is a DCC project, many of us would avail of them as we don’t have space indoors or safe places to lock bikes outside. it isn’t going to affect you out past leixlip or wherever you said you lived the other day so don’t fret too much.

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    Mute Sal Paradise
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    Jul 30th 2024, 1:06 PM

    @Rafa C: The ones near me in Stoneybatter have been in several years and work great. But don’t let that stop you having a good aul moan.

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    Mute Rafa C
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    Jul 30th 2024, 1:24 PM

    @eoin fitzpatrick: I never said they wouldn’t be availed of, and I never said you don’t have space for storing bikes.

    Does it affect me? And others? Yes. I think it does.

    Let’s just wait and see the final cost for this project, and the inevitable removal of these due to thievery, vandalism, anti-social behaviour and probably a few other things.

    They won’t last long.

    Out where I live, they put a cycle pump and bike repair kit at the entrance to the canal – it was only put in 2 weeks ago and it’s already wrecked and unusable.

    58
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    Mute Rafa C
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    Jul 30th 2024, 1:25 PM

    @Sal Paradise: Great to hear Sal, but with many others being put in the risk rises for thievery, vandalism and other anti-social situations.

    I’m delighted it works for you in your area. But there’s a bigger picture, additional costs, and inevitable removal due to issues.

    38
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    Mute Peter Byrne
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    Jul 30th 2024, 1:28 PM

    @Rafa C: in case you dont realise it Rafa , most citizens of our fair city dont go around wrecking facilities provided by city council Fingal, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown or SDCC. In fact most of the great public facilities of our country are in Dublin

    45
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    Mute Rafa C
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    Jul 30th 2024, 2:19 PM

    @Peter Byrne: We clearly have not experienced the same Dublin. Time will tell.

    28
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    Mute Sal Paradise
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    Jul 30th 2024, 3:28 PM

    @Rafa C: The same was said when Dublin Bikes was launched. Vandals will destroy them. It never happened and it turned out to be a great success.

    35
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    Mute Marie Power
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    Jul 30th 2024, 3:58 PM

    @Rafa C: Ah, I don’t know Rafa. I see winter potential right there, bikes having been stolen the shed shell can then be covered in tarpaulin; sort of accommodation for ‘visitors’. Safe spaces, like…

    14
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    Mute Paddy C
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    Jul 31st 2024, 1:36 AM

    @Rafa C: yes but please do think of the effect of the green stamp it will have for every person who’s on a bike for those 6 months who uses it. The reduction in emissions from not using vehicles for that limited time will have tremendous results. The air quality will be absolutely wonderful altogether there.

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    Mute David Timoney
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    Jul 30th 2024, 12:10 PM

    Great news. Addresses the problem of keeping a bike in a small or terraced house.

    155
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    Mute Áine G
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    Jul 30th 2024, 1:36 PM

    I use the one in Stoneybatter as I live in a third floor apartment, they have never been vandalised due to their solid structure.

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    Mute Sal Paradise
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    Jul 30th 2024, 3:29 PM

    @Áine G: C’mon now. Can’t be having that sort of positive reaction to a story.

    57
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    Mute Jack Hayes
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    Jul 30th 2024, 12:49 PM

    Great news. I have friends who have been using these in a couple of locations and so it’s good that others will be able to avail of them.

    92
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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jul 30th 2024, 11:53 AM

    We need more bike bunkers I am sure.

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    Mute Sean O'Dhubhghaill
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    Jul 30th 2024, 12:02 PM

    @Sean Money: Any place where bimes can be locked safely is good.

    81
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    Mute Sean Money
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    Jul 30th 2024, 12:06 PM

    @Sean O’Dhubhghaill: we must protect the bimes

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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Jul 30th 2024, 4:53 PM

    @Sean Money: 20,000 bikes reported stolen every year, the real figure is multiples of that probably. So yes, it’s a good idea

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    Mute AnthonyK
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    Jul 30th 2024, 12:25 PM

    Be a shining beacon for anti-social types.

    47
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    Mute Jack Hayes
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    Jul 30th 2024, 2:15 PM

    @AnthonyK: Haven’t been to date.

    42
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    Mute Max Cooper
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    Jul 30th 2024, 9:21 PM

    @Jack Hayes: save the lads putting up tents. Accommodation in Dublin for €100 a year . Great value

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    Mute tom larkin
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    Jul 30th 2024, 5:19 PM

    Anything for motorbikes on the horizon…
    To many thefts

    26
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jul 30th 2024, 5:13 PM

    Love it when I hear councillors saying it will be great for the inner city. As when requests were made to get them installed in council flat complex’s in the inner city, they were ignored by DCC and the party of the councilors quoted!
    I was there when the requests were made repeatedly!
    And repeatedly ignored.

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    Mute David Griffin
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    Jul 30th 2024, 5:08 PM

    Like the idea but 33k per bunker is mad stuff

    22
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    Mute Mary.E.
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    Jul 30th 2024, 11:00 PM

    @David Griffin:
    You could get a shipping container for that ,and put 100 or more in.

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    Mute Mark Fox
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    Jul 30th 2024, 5:29 PM

    How does it cost in excess of 30,000 for each ex vat.?

    18
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    Mute Max Cooper
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    Jul 30th 2024, 9:23 PM

    @Mark Fox: no the €30k is for the brown envelope. The bunker only costs €1k in normal land.

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    Mute Paddy C
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    Jul 31st 2024, 1:38 AM

    @Mark Fox: 30,000 per individual bike holding section with absolutely tremendous benefits to the local community and all cabbage heads alike.

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    Mute Gary
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    Jul 30th 2024, 6:58 PM

    For crying out loud DCC it rains every other day and it pitch dark 6 months of the year! Who wants to cycle in Dublin. Tha vast majority of cyclists are school kids and delivery drivers! They don’t need bike bunkers your only keeping the thieves dry while there robbing the bikes in Dublins fair city!

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    Mute Shane O Mac
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    Jul 30th 2024, 5:28 PM

    It’s taken up a car park space

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    Mute Jack Hayes
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    Jul 30th 2024, 5:45 PM

    @Shane O Mac: That’s the hope!

    21
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    Mute KL M
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    Jul 30th 2024, 7:49 PM

    @Shane O Mac: where will I park my 4wd range rover archorpanzer now?

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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Jul 30th 2024, 9:22 PM

    @Shane O Mac: yes, one car space lost = 6 bike spaces gained. Win,win.

    5
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    Mute Max Cooper
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    Jul 30th 2024, 9:31 PM

    @Dermot Blaine: for €33,000 per bunker you could ditch your bicycle and actually finally be able to afford a car.

    6
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    Mute Liam OTailliuir
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    Jul 30th 2024, 10:20 PM

    @Shane O Mac: takes up a car space but frees up several.

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    Mute Shane O Mac
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    Jul 31st 2024, 12:43 PM

    @Dermot Blaine: loss loss in winter time

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Jul 30th 2024, 5:07 PM

    They will be put in the same type of locations as the others. You will not see them in council estates or older persons accommodation.
    Ugly things that take away from the areas they are in. Look like old watchmen’s huts.

    10
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    Mute Ciaran Foster
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    Jul 30th 2024, 5:19 PM

    @Gary Kearney: if that’s your take, you’ll be outraged when you see all the private cars stored on streets up and down the country.
    Just everywhere, they are!

    28
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    Mute Paul Dennis
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    Jul 30th 2024, 6:51 PM

    @Ciaran Foster: and they pay for the privilege with road tax insurance what do bikes pay sod all

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    Mute KL M
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    Jul 30th 2024, 7:50 PM

    @Paul Dennis: no such thing as “road tax” and plenty of taxpayers pay taxes

    10
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    Mute Liam OTailliuir
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    Jul 30th 2024, 10:25 PM

    @Paul Dennis: They pay more than a car does. Residential parking permit in DCC is 65e for 12 months. One of those bunkers also takes 6 bikes. Assuming it fills, that is 600e for one spot rather than 65e for one car

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    Mute Jim
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    Jul 31st 2024, 1:41 AM

    @KL M: explain how there is no such thing as road tax?

    I’m order to use any motorised vehicle one has to pay tax. It is a tax on the usage of a motor vehicle on a public road so it is, in affect, a road tax. One can own a motor vehicle & declare it off the road removing the need to pay tax.

    Have to laugh at all the brainwashed NPC’s that believe they are saving the world by eliminating cars. Bigots the most of them that don’t understand they are being manipulated & the ones that realise it won’t admit it because of their ego (but like covid & vaccines

    4
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    Mute MM
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    Jul 30th 2024, 8:53 PM

    This is a real problem I know people who don’t cycle cause don’t have any place to keep a bike.
    We need them also farther away from the city centre like 6/7km at least.

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    Mute Max Cooper
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    Jul 30th 2024, 9:38 PM

    @MM: The Further the better!!!

    4
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