Don Lavery
@donlav
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Journalist specialising in defence/ security affairs. 40+ years in Journalism. Former Irish Independent News Editor. NUJ member Pix: C-295MSA. Pix: Mike Lavery.
Wexford, Ireland
Joined May 2010
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#Dubai
Let me get this straight.
Dubai has no problem giving sanctuary to the Kinahan cartel.
But charges a woman who may or may not have attempted suicide?
And has charged raped women with having sex outside marriage?
Who would want to go to such a shithole country?
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#NMH
My wife died in SVUH in January.
I cannot fault the compassion/ professionalism of nurses/doctors who looked after her.
But we had to say, two or three times, that she did not want a chaplain.
She said she would fire something at a priest who came through her door.
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#RefugeesWelcome
If working class areas/rural areas are taking refugees, why not so-called A and B areas in Dublin?
So far we see East Wall, Clondalkin, Ballymun etc involved.
Why not Foxrock, Blackrock, Monkstown, Malahide, Stillorgan, Dalkey, etc?
A valid question.
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For those of a certain vintage.
Manolito (Henry Darrow) of The High Chaparral TV Western series has died.
It ran from 1967-71 and was a must watch for schoolboys of the 1960s.
He was 87. R.I.P.
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#Rathkeale
What PC nonsense is this? Both VirginMediaNews and
@rtenews
had full coverage of the thuggery at Rathkeale with interviews, footage of machetes etc.
But no mention that the Travelling community was involved.
It is not every day you see armed Gardai on the streets.
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@BenLowry2
Ireland is not anti-Semitic or unfriendly to Israel.
But they condemn the killing of tens of thousands of innocent civilians by the Israelis, and their Right Wing religious government, in their ethnic cleansing campaign in Gaza.
And call for a ceasefire.
Rightly so.
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#DublinRiots
A young Brazilian man who tackled the knifeman - preventing him from stabbing more children - deserves our highest award for bravery.
He didn't have to put himself in harm's way but he did.
Gardai who held the line against fascist anarchy - thank you.
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Can you imagine
@MichealMartinTD
or
@LeoVaradkar
or
@EamonRyan
doing this if Ireland was attacked?
Nah, me neither! 🤔
This is Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President - 'When you attack us, you will see our faces not our backs'.
This is how warriors are supposed to be.
Respect🇺🇦
#Zelenskyy
#UkraineInvasion
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The hospital is full of Catholic imagery, statues, pictures, and so on.
We were in no doubt we were in a Catholic hospital.
I would hate to be a woman seeking an abortion going into that judgemental scenario.
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@DublinRiots
@gardainfo
Gardai seem to be very exposed in trying to control these thugs.
Where are the armoured vehicles you would see in similiar riots in Europe?
Where are the water cannon which would douse their ardour?
Where are the snatch squads to pick off ringleaders?
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@hell0babs
Never said a truer word.
If your overtime is not paid: don't do it.
If you come in a couple of hours early to impress the boss, don't.
Work your hours the best you can.
Be honest, trustworthy, a hard worker.
You are expendable.
And will be forgotten the moment you leave.
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For all the racist ghouls who object to ' foreigners' here - this is why Ukrainians seek refuge here.
RTE news : Ukrainian in Leitrim loses family in Russian strike
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@dijoni
@NiallOGlacain
Kenya, India, South Africa, Ireland etc - the list of massacre, torture and murder is a long, bloody one.
What is the bet these crimes are not taught in British schools?
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Hi folks.
Going to take a break from Twitter due to family circumstances.
Any kind thoughts for good health sent our way would be much appreciated.
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@UKDefJournal
Small clue here. Maybe if Britain gave back all of the remaining territories they have robbed, along with stolen national treasures lying in museums and grand houses, they wouldn’t be so disliked all over the world? And said sorry?
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@GerryAdamsSF
Free it at what cost?
By mass murder, rape, kidnap?
Are those methods acceptable to you?
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Why isn't this getting more attention in the Media, political sphere in the Republic?
Loyalists again threatening a murder campaign.
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#murder
On this day in 1983 - news came through of the murder of a Garda and soldier by the IRA during the search for kidnapped executive Don Tidey.
Myself and Fergal Keane. later of the BBC, set off in an Irish Press car for Leitrim.
Will
@MaryLouMcDonald
say sorry today?
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@BigBisonHead
It has a lot of shrapnel damage from the 1974 bomb.
I was walking along the footpath towards the car bomb when it exploded in front of me.
I can never walk along that road without recalling I was seconds from death, and thinking of the people murdered there.
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#JamesBond
Just discovered, after 50 years, in an old toybox, my James Bond Corgi Aston Martin DB5 in Goldfinger gold.
Ejector seat, bullet proof screen and machineguns all work!
It hasn't seen the light of day for over five decades +.
No box though.
Just beautiful!
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#Soldier
@defenceforces
You need to respond to the Limerick court case where a thug - who is a serving soldier - beat a woman unconscious.
Explain what is likely to happen in such cases.
Reassure the public, and women in particular.
Silence is not an option.
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#murder
Funny, of all the trolls attacking my Tweet about the killing of a Garda and soldier in Ballinamore, not one of them said the murders were wrong.
Not one of them sympathised with their families, or with the businessman kidnapped and held like an animal in a forest.
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Thinking of all the dead and injured.
I just escaped death as a 21 year old.
I was walking along the footpath, towards the South Leinster Street bomb, when it exploded in front of me.
RTE news : Tánaiste lays wreath to mark 1974 bombings anniversary
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DON LAVERY
EXCLUSIVE
The Saab Gripen fighter jet is "the perfect fit for Ireland", the Swedish company said today after a report to Government identified the need for jets to protect our skies.
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@BBCNolan
@SeanFionn
@BBCSounds
"England has no right to decide if it wants Northern Ireland".
Why the hell not?
Why should they pay £15bn a year to fund a sectarian statelet, full of bowler hatted old men marching around roads proclaiming their loyalty, + loyalist drug gangs - all stuck circa 1690?
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#Drugs
Does anyone else find if strange that the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, Michael D Higgins, hasn't said a word about the daring raid on the drug mothership off the coast?
Army Rangers, Air Corps and Naval Service behaved with courage and professionalism.
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#birthday
Very odd one for me - without my wife Breda (Kelly) who died 7 weeks ago, and who would have celebrated with me.
And thinking of my mum Nancye (Doyle) who gave birth to twins on this day 69 years ago.
Two strong, loving, women who helped to make me the man I am.
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#Breda
Thanks to everyone who attended the celebration of life for Breda Lavery.
And the many who sent condolences across many Media platforms, sympathy cards, Mass cards or flowers, or who raised a glass to her memory.
I, and the family, appreciate your kindness.
Don.
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DON LAVERY
The heroes of Niemba were remembered today ( Saturday) on the 63rd anniversary of the ambush.
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#coronavirus
I am 67 today - for some reason still feel like I’m 27!
I have underlying health issues. I cannot afford to get this virus.
Like my pal
@philipnolan1
I have been self-isolating since this began.
Old, middle-aged, young - heed
@HSELive
advice - we can beat this!
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DON LAVERY
The secretive Army Ranger Wing is to get a new purpose built headquarters in the Curragh at a cost of €7.8m.
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New Irish Naval vessel, L E George Bernard Shaw, floated out of the dock in Devon.
( Pix: Irish Naval Service)
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#fire
With increasing fires in Ireland, like the one on Mount Leinster today, is it time for Ireland to buy dedicated fire fighting aircraft?
The EU will fund 100pc the cost of such aircraft bought by EU States - provided they are available to help quench fires in the EU.
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#Ukraine
@MichealMartinTD
@LeoVaradkar
If Ireland refuses to send weapons to Ukraine to defend itself - and it does - why not send utilty companies to repair the infrastructure?
The ESB, who are excellent at repairing damaged lines, Irish Water etc could help.
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#Budget2024
Minimal money for Defence.
* No move on retention/ recruitment.
* No air defence radar.
* No combat jets.
* No armour/ SP artillery.
* No C-UAS.
* No way to stop attacks on undersea cables.
* No ARW combat helis.
* No SAMs.
* No transport a/c.
= Failure.
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#irisharmy
Ok. so 62 years after the Irish first deployed on the Congo operation, pix are still emerging.
I have never seen this before, but it shows my dad, then Capt Jim Lavery of 2 Motor Sqn, on the right , about to board an aircraft.
Possibly with 33rd Battalion.
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There you go folks. I had this story but didn't want to breach OPSEC.
RTE news : Army Rangers head to Kabul as 200 refugees arrive here
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@KathyDArcyCork
I had my doubts Kathy. But this issue was important to her, and to me.
We have two small granddaughters who will probably use that hospital in 20 years time.
I do not want them to have to navigate a religious maze.
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French AWACs over Ireland. Second time I think in as many days. Landed in Shannon. Can detect targets at 370km.
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@NiecyOKeeffe
Or not have one at all.
My wife died in January.
She did not want a funeral or service, straight to the crematorium.
Of course she knew I would organise something.
We had a celebration of her life 10 days later with music, poetry, readings. food, drink, chat.
Grand.
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@ColinParryPeace
Oh yes, many people in Ireland. remember Tim.
He was murdered, not in our name.
Deepest sympathy to you on this anniversary.
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@oliviasolon
From a terrorist doing his own PR. Together with a colleague we wrote a story naming the 18 people he had murdered.
On the run, he rang us up disputing one of the names.
“ I didn’t kill him, but I did kill blah”.
Something we didn’t know!
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I am 65 today. I worked for 40 years and paid tax/PRSI in the expectation of a State pension at 65.
But the Government immorally raised the age to 66.
No one said boo!
The Government has robbed us of 12 months pension.
Well, Leo?
@campaignforleo
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@mcgovernRL
@AlanFarrell
I have been saying for a long time, from decades of experience of using buses, DARTs and Luas, that we need a Transport Police.
My view hasn't changed.
I don't care if it puts the Garda nose out of joint.
We need safe, public, transport.
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#Ukraine
My gawd, you have to admire the Poles for sending 250 T-72 tanks to Ukraine.
Great people.
And neutrals Finland and Sweden for their support.
Ireland has refused to send even one bullet.
Shame
@LeoVaradkar
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#LeoVaradkar
So what scandal is coming down the track?
The cynical hack in me asks that question.
Or what job is lined up?
Hard to believe that referendum defeats on issues nobody was excited about is the reason.
No evidence of a putsch against him either.
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Amazing to see a series of pix on FB this morning. My dad, Capt Jim Lavery, shaking hands with Dev.
He was in command of the Presidential escort, from 2 Motor Squadron.. Pix taken in mid Sixties I think.
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A sad milestone.
R.I.P.
KENNY Thomas (Congo) – survivor of the Niemba Ambush, November 1960 (Ballyfermot, Dublin 10) October 30, 2021 – (peacefully) at Our Lady’s Hospice, in the presence his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Rose.
A private funeral has taken place.
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#Sudan
Why do most of the 160 TDs take no interest in Defence?
Apart fom
@BerryCathal
?
No interest in Ireland being defenceless?
No interest in Ireland being unable to rescue their citizens from unstable states?
No interest in protecting our seas and airspace?
Bizarre.
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#neutrality
Take
@paulmurphy_TD
off the radio.
He doesen't know what he is talking about.
Irish troops have been training local troops in Somalia and Mali to fight jihadists " IN A WAR".
Ukraine is no different.
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#Defence
I saw one or two comments complaining about the cost of the two new C-295 MPA aircraft at €230m.
If we took Defence seriously, and our responsibility for our vast maritime area - ten times the size of our land mass - we should have got Boeing P-8A at $368m each.
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Well done Lithuania!
Ireland?
Thoughts and prayers and non lethal materiel.
We won't sully our neutral hands by helping a nation defend itself against an invasion!
🔜The new Lithuanian military assistance to Ukraine also includes 10 more M113 armoured personnel carriers, over 2.5 million rounds of ammunition & thousands of pieces of anti-tank ammunition for grenade launchers. Total value of our military assistance now exceeds €500 Million.
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#CavalryCorps
Just came across this.
My dad, then Capt Jim Lavery DSM, commanding 2 Motor Squadron, Presidential Escort, with President de Valera.
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@vincekearney
@rtenews
@dohertypj
Surely the story here is the environmental damage that thing will cause, not how high it is?
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#Defence
Every country in Europe - bar Ireland - is bolstering their defences because of the Ukraine invasion.
Just today Italy ordered 90 C2 Ariete MBT.
Finland ordered David's Sling.
Ireland has not made one capability decision in 18 months since the Russians attacked.
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Remembering Veronica Guerin, our colleague. Murdered by cowards 22 years ago today in Dublin.
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@Astraea1974
If I was working or visiting Dublin City centre every day and night, as I did for 30 years, I would.
The streets cannot be abandoned to these thugees.
Armed police are normal in every other European capital, even used at times in London now
Any extra policing is good.
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#Referendum
It is incredible in this digital age that there appears to be no cross reference between the Register of Deaths and the Electoral Register.
Somewhat distressingly, I got a polling card in the post for my wife Breda, who died two years ago.
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#Coronvirus
Isn't it amazing that whatever crisis happens in Ireland, the Government ultimately relies on
@defenceforces
?
The lowest paid public servants in the country; the lowest funded military in Europe.
Governments and civil servants NEVER learn.
We need to fund them.
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#DublinRiots
There must be a new focus on Security and Defence.
Garda numbers have fallen, members are leaving the force, and it has been downgraded under the Government.
Similiarly with Defence, a part time Minister, with a force not fit for purpose.
Act now
@LeoVaradkar
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#BlackrockBoys
@rte
doesen't do irony.
The Angelus chiming out on radio at 6pm.
Just before a documentary about sex abusing priests at Blackrock College.
Go figure.
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#TommyTiernanShow
That ' interview' with David McSavage was the most awkward, unfunny, dull, few minutes of TV I have ever seen.
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#Afghanistan
A highly regarded SOF unit, the Irish Army Ranger Wing, had to hitch a ride to Afghanistan.
The Irish Government has refused to provide a transport aircraft, like this Turkish AF A400m, to deploy them.
That is now under "review".
Right. 🤔
Pix:
@defenceforces
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Lockheed Martin offered F-16 Block 70 to Ireland.
When are we going to stop running away from this issue
@MichealMartinTD
@LeoVaradkar
You have a duty to defend Ireland - not rely on secret agreements - which may or may not defend us.
Decide.
Before it is too late.
The F-35 was officially selected as the future fighter for the Czech Republic, making it the 18th nation to join the global program. The Czech Republic Air Force will procure 24 F-35 aircraft.
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#coronavirus
One thing never ceases to amaze you as a journalist - the stupidity of people.
EIGHTY young people crammed into a house in Longford for a 21st burthday party.
Gardai had to clear them out.
Where or what were their parents doing?
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#DublinMonaghanbombings
1. Some 45 years ago today, as a 21 year young journalist a month in my first job, I came within seconds of being killed by a car bomb in Dublin.
The sights and sounds of that massacre have never left me.
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@TadhgHickey
It is an ode to the IRA murder of 2 young boys.
I met their parents, decent, extraordinary people who showed far more compassion then I would be capable of.
It does not deal with State murder or State controlled loyalist murder gangs.
Like it or not, all sides murdered.
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#neutrality
Thanks to
@glennpolley
.
U S.N. P-8 submarine hunter off Mayo now.
But ' neutrality'? etc.
Well, if we refuse to monitor and patrol our seas and airspace, someone else will!
What are we gonna do?
Yell:" Boo"!?
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#TheGuards
@gardainfo
The level of humanity, self discipline, decency, and professionalism, by Gardai dealing with drug ravaged communities is phenomenal.
I don't know how they do that job.
They put themselves daily at risk to stem the tidal wave of drug crime.
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#Pogues
Shane was one of a kind.
I covered the 100,000 person anti- war march in Dublin 2003.
He walked over to the speaker's platform, swigging from a bottle, and said:" Help me up mate".
He took the mike and shouted:" Fuck the Brits"!
And got down the ladder.
RIP.
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#Defence
TV show 'Warship' has frigate HMS Northumberland just 12 miles off Ireland.
A Russian Bear bomber, operating at 23,000 ft, descends to 500 ft to fly directly over the ship in a show of force.
With no radar and no fighters, Ireland doesen't even know it is there.
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#Niemba
The end of an era - the last survivor of the Niemba ambush in the Congo in 1960 has died.
Joe Fitzpatrick died yesterday ( Wednesday).
His comrade and fellow survivor Tom Kenny died died in 2021.
Nine soldiers in the eleven man Irish UN patrol died.
R.I.P.
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Go Sweden, once neutral.
Ireland?
zzzzzzzzzz......loud snoring.
Sweden has signed a contract for 12 new Sikorsky UH-60M
#Blackhawk
helicopters - taking fleet to 27.
Deliveries over coming years. No contract value given.
Photo: Jimmy Croona / FM. (Training with the Special Operations Task Group (SOG) on Gotland) 🇸🇪
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What an amazing, strong, report re Longford migrants on Channel 4 News.
It shows Gemma O'Doherty and her cohorts to be pathetic.
The New Ireland, which welcomes everyone, is good.
The same way Irish emigrants were welcomed, and sometimes not, all over the world.
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Yay! Got the vaccine in a sleety, bleedin' Baltic Dun Laoghaire.
There is a warning of possible side effects.
But doc told me "more chance of being hit by the 46A" then blood clots.
Second jab at end of June, which seems a long time.
Takes 3 weeks, after dose 1, to work.
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#Defence
DON LAVERY
The first of two new Casa-295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft for
@IrishAirCorps
will touch down in Baldonnel tomorrow ( Tuesday).
The order for the two new aIrcraft is worth €221m.
They will replace two Casa-235 MPA in service since the 1990s.
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#Commemoration
Good to see kidnap victim Don Tidey praising those who took part in the operation in Ballinamore, Co Leitrim, 1983, to free him from IRA terrorists.
Garda Gary Sheehan and Pvt Patrick Kelly were murdered during the operation.
#NationalDayofCommemoration
.
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#Gilligan
I fail to see any justification in giving a dangerous thug like Gilligan his own TV platform, to recount some version of his worthless life.
A vicious, cowardly, criminal who never changed.
Who, in their right mind, would believe anything this creature has to say?
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Never forget these Gardai were defending our democratic values and way of life from terrorists - the paramilitary wing of
@sinnfeinireland
- when they were gunned down in a cowardly act.
No rewriting of History.
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