Barry Lenihan
@BarryLenihan
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Presenter & Reporter RTÉ | Got a story ? [email protected] & DMs open | All feedback welcome | Views are but my own | IMRO News Reporter of Year 2024
Joined February 2012
A young stable hand is taking a major bookmaker to the High Court after they refused to pay him a winning bet worth 320,000 euro. 25-year old Dylan Phelan placed a 30 euro way double last year on two winning horses. Reporting @drivetimerte
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Fianna Fáil Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is in serious trouble in Wicklow, receiving just 49 out of 1,215 votes in 3 boxes in his base of Greystones. He’s 5th on 6.1% with 12% boxes tallied.
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Ex-British Soldier David Holden - on trial for the killing of Aidan McAnespie in 1988 - has failed in his bid to have the case thrown out. Defence had argued the trial represented an abuse of process & that there was no case to answer. Judge rules for case to continue tomorrow.
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The grieving mother of Cavan teenager Diego Gilsenan- who died by suicide- is appealing for help. It’s after her son’s image appeared in anti-vaccine print and social media. Reporting @drivetimerte.
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Ukrainians living in Ireland gather outside Leinster House for rally . Some have relatives and children at home where Russian attacks ongoing. @drivetimerte @rtenews
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An emotional Kellie Harrington returns to Portland Row an Olympic champion once again. She’s led in by the Dublin Fire Brigade pipe band
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The British Soldier who killed Aidan McAnespie near a border checkpoint at Aughnacloy in 1988 has been charged with manslaughter. It comes following a case review by the DPP in the North. @rtenews @RTERadio1 @RTEgaa.
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Sinn Fein has just 15% split between four candidates in party heartland of 7 seat Clondalkin - base of Eoin O'Broin. Irish speaker Darragh Adelaide People Before Profit set for a major breakthrough as is Conro Reddy for the party in Ballymun-Finglas.
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Questions in the case of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohue. Reporting on @drivetimerte @RTERadio1 this evening - with Noah's Aunt @NiamhDonohoe78 ahead of rally calling for truth and justice in Belfast tomorrow. Calls for all information to be disclosed at Noah's inquest.
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BREAKING The ex-British soldier charged with unlawfully killing Aidan McAnespie in 1988 WILL go forward for trial. David Holden will appear at Laganside court on Feb 14. It follows a Preliminary Investigation in Dungannon where prosecution evidence was challenged.
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Survivors of Magdalene Laundries & Mother and Baby homes among those gathered ahead of arrival of Sinead O’Connor’s funeral cortège. @RTERadio1 @rtenews
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Fine Gael’s candidate in Louth Paula Butterly tells @drivetimerte she’s not asking at doors for a second preference for her running mate John McGahon - despite the pair appearing on posters together.
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Independent Gerard Hutch gets most votes in a box in East Wall in Dublin Central
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Independent Kerry TD Danny Healy Rae leads a rendition of a Foster and Allen classic for his supporters on the start of his 3rd term in the Dail
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The first statement of claim - as part of a landmark mass legal action by Mica affected homeowners - has been filed at the High Court. William & Grainne Doherty claim over 100 breaches of regulations meant their home was built with defective blocks. Reporting @drivetimerte
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David Holden is the first British Army veteran to be prosecuted for a legacy related case in Northern Ireland. Justice O’Hara said Holden gave a ‘deliberately false account’ to the court and - in his view- had deliberately pulled the trigger in killing Aidan McAnespie.
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A spokesperson for EU Trade Commissioner Fine Gael’s Phil Hogan confirms to me he also attended Oireachtas Golf Society event. No further comment or details of travel from Belgium at this stage @rtenews @rtepolitics . Comes as more details of event emerge from @Philip_Ryan.
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Independent Candidate Patrick Feeney has garnered the lowest vote in the country thus far. He got just 1 vote in Galway City Central. Last year Mr. Feeney tried to get the backing of several local authorities to get on the ballot paper for the Presidential Election.
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Four boxes tallied in Mayo - all in Ballina- and yes vote touching 70%. Early days but Mayo voted over 80% for the 8th Amendment in 1983 @rtenews.
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Nominated for News Reporter of the Year at this year's @IMRORadioAwards for variety of stories across the year on @drivetimerte & @RTERadio1 #IMRO24. Thanks to those who placed trust to share their stories. Look forward to a good night in Kilkenny!
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The only place fit for the rematch of the 1982 final- Madison Square Garden. Great to meet famous Offaly supporter Mick McDonagh in New York ahead of championship opener on Sunday.
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Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan says no link has been reported or identified between clusters or significant number of Coronavirus cases and those who attended the Cheltenham festival.
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Family of Aidan McAnespie make their way into Laganside Courthouse ahead of judgement in manslaughter case of former British soldier David Holden. @rtenews @RTERadio1
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Looking forward to heading to the @boarsheaddublin tomorrow as per tradition. Thanks to those who trusted to share their story in often difficult circumstances.
Congratulations to this year’s #IMRO24 News Reporter of the Year!. Gold: Barry Lenihan / RTÉ Radio 1.
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Busy last few weeks preparing 43 podcasts previewing all 43 Dail constituencies for General Election - spicy 🌶️. Presenters include @colmomongain @SarahAMcInerney @EnglishRachael. Analysis with @GaryMurphyDCU @theresareidy @CathalMullaney @AineEibhlin @sarahmcg29.
43 constituencies, 43 episodes 😮💨 . On the cusp of a general election, @BarryLenihan brings us through all the essentials: the seats, the geography, the boundary changes, plus the inside story on party strategies, turf-wars and political dynasties. #KnowYourConstituency
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The family of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohue want a fresh police investigation into his death. Saturday would have been Noah's 18th birthday. Reporting @drivetimerte shortly.
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Nominated in News Reporter of Year category @IMRORadioAwards for variety of dispatches on @drivetimerte & @TodaywithClaire on @RTERadio1 over the last year
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Teresa O’Hare donates her house in South Dublin to St John of Gods charity so her son with an intellectual disability will have somewhere to live. Comes with Government warned of ‘ticking time bomb’ of issue of elderly carers. Reporting @drivetimerte
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Ex-British soldier David Holden has been giving evidence at his trial for the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie in 1988. Holden told court how his claim that his wet hands slipped when moving the gun that killed McAnespie was his 'theory' on what happened rather than recollection.
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Nominated in News Story of Year @IMRORadioAwards for coverage of the South Kerry CAMHS scandal on @drivetimerte. Thanks to the parents and young people who shared their stories. @RTERadio1 @rtenews.
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Fine Gael on course for a key gain in Swords - with 22-year old Luke Corkery. Would be first seat for FG there in 10 years. He's topping poll on tallies in 7 seater with 13.5% of the vote.
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Nominated for News Reporter of the year at @IMRORadioAwards for reports on the Aidan McAnespie case on @drivetimerte .Aidan's story here:
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Suppliers of defective buildings blocks -- and those responsible for overseeing building standards -- are being hit with an avalanche of legal writs this week from Donegal property owners impacted by the mica scandal. Reporting on @drivetimerte shortly.
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Independent Patrick Feeney has garnered one of the lowest votes thus far - 8 votes in Galway City Central . This beats the 1 vote he received in 2019. The lowest vote ever in an Irish election was Independent Joseph O'Brien with zero in Cork City South in 1920.
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Former British Soldier David Holden Guilty of the manslaughter of Aidan McAnespie at Aughnacloy in February 1988. Holden said his wet hands had slipped on the gun - firing the fatal shot. Aidan McAnespie was on his way to a GAA match. @rtenews @RTERadio1.
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People Before Profit set for good election. Ex-TD Ruth Coppinger in frame to gain in Castleknock with Andrew Doyle topping poll in Ongar. Gains too likely in Clondalkin, Ballymun & musican Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin - prominent in campaign to save Cobblestone pub-in North Inner City.
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Aontu’s Melissa Byrne embraces Sinn Fein's James Stokes after a second recount in Newbridge finds their votes were exactly equal. Candidate with lowest first preference vote (Stokes) is eliminated. The 18-year old member of Traveller community was 1 vote behind & then 1 vote up
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The HSE confirms Croke Park is to be used as a mass vaccination centre. Six GAA facilities are now among the 38 vaccination sites . Croke Park was also used as a Covid-testing centre. @TodaywithClaire @RTEgaa.
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Marc MacSharry interrupts FF PP meeting to clarify he condemns the KKK and everything they stand for and unreservedly withdraws his suggestion Ireland would source a vaccine from them.
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Thousands line the streets of Monaghan to they say their final goodbye to Brendan Og O’Dufaigh . Spontaneous applause along the route of the cortège. @RTERadio1 @TodaywithClaire
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Thousands of people from Donegal expected to March on Dublin next week - amid growing anger over Mica Redress Scheme. Families want 100% redress. Reporting from Carndonagh on @TodaywithClaire shortly - with affected homeowners #micaredress
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Protesters gather outside Dublin Castle where Pope Francis will pass shortly. #popeInIreland
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"Coppers now opens at the same time as the Angelus". "You can be home at 1 and in lectures at 9, it's all 'gucci'". Report from Dublin last night for @TodaywithClaire as nightclubs adapt business to new midnight curfew with earlier opening hours: .
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Strong turnouts in Nationalist areas and loyalist areas in North Belfast. Sinn Fein sources quietly hopeful for Finucane going by early ballots. Worry among DUP ranks for Dodds. It will be close. An electoral Frazier v Ali. @rtenews.
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GAA Congress unanimously backs Tyrone motion calling on the Government & @CharlieFlanagan to release the Crowley report into the shooting of Aidan McAnespie, 31 years ago yesterday. @RTEgaa.
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A 12-year old intellectually disabled boy was sexually assaulted in a HSE-funded residential care centre twice in recent weeks. His mother now wants answers. Reporting @drivetimerte @RTERadio1.
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Case of Aidan McAnespie reaches court for the first time in over 30 years as former British soldier is charged with manslaughter. Will have the latest on @drivetimerte after 430.
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Tremendous, superb, friendly, warm. An illness so bravely borne. Moments shared where she always displayed an unbelievable love for her family. Outstanding colleague and journalist. RIP Keelin.
The saddest news. She was such a kind, generous, supportive, beautiful, fun colleague. RIP. RTÉ broadcaster Keelin Shanley dies following illness via @rte.
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Aidan’s cousin Brian Gormley says People asked why the family kept going for 34 years - he says to find the truth. Evoking the ballad of Aidan McAnespie he said all they wanted to know was ‘why did you do it?’ . Says other families should get opportunity to pursue justice too
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Best wishes to @Mary___Wilson on swapping early evenings for @morningireland. Some great times together over last 7 years and more to come. Looking forward to working again with @SarahAMcInerney and Cormac on @drivetimerte - Galway taking over!.
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One year on from the unveiling of the enhanced defective blocks redress scheme, not a single home has been repaired under the initiative. Department of Housing warned some homes need immediate intervention. Reporting on @drivetimerte shortly
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Forget about man of the match, family of the week are the Clifford's. Paudie yesterday dragged juniors over line in Ennis for 4-in-a-row titles, David saved Seniors today. @Kerry_Official @TheSundayGame.
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Remains of Aoife Beary arrive at Foxrock church. Foxrock parish says its in awe of her bravery after Aoife helped bring changes to building standards in California in wake of Berkeley balcony collapse. @TodaywithClaire @rtenews
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RTE/TG4 Exit Poll suggests almost 1 in 5 voters in Dublin (18%) voted for the Green Party, more than any other party. Rest of country - 6%.
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Sinn Fein's Jonathan O'Brien speaks for League of Ireland fans: . "They ridiculed us, laughed at us, threw some of us out of football grounds. they described the LOI as a problem child. We were not the problem child - the FAI were absentee fathers who didn't give a bollocks".
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Dinner and Drinks - the FAI invite to TDs and Senators just days before they’re due to grill it’s CEO John Delaney on that loan. Coming up on @drivetimerte.
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‘This is like the Spanish Flu, the Irish Civil War and the 1929 stock market crash all at once’, says Professor Sam McConkey of RCSI on Corona Virus situation on @RTERadio1 @rtenews.
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Fresh questions are being asked of the Government's defective blocks redress scheme -- after new tests uncovered the widespread presence of pyrrhotite in the foundations of a Donegal home. Reporting @drivetimerte later.
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Just 34 homes in Donegal have been repaired through the state's Defective Blocks redress scheme over last 3 years. At this rate of progress, it would take at least 454 years to repair all damaged properties in Donegal. Report @drivetimerte @RTERadio1
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Opposition politicians are urging the Government to help family of Belfast schoolboy Noah Donohue. Comes after thousands attended a rally in Belfast Saturday - in protest at a police request which could see some information withheld at Noah's inquest . Reporting @drivetimerte.
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Extensive coverage of Election 2024 from 8am until 3am on @RTERadio1 tomorrow as the 34th Dail takes shape. We’ll have the latest as seats are filled, new names emerge, old ones fall, bitter rivalries erupt and all votes are counted with a new Government emerging.
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Confusion around Masks. Tried for clarity on @drivetimerte. @jeremyphoward countries who wear cloth masks have 10 times lower Covid transmission per week & 99% droplets stopped. @DuncanSmithTD masks for all. @laoneill111 it’s easy really!. Report here
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Crowd gathering in Dublin’s North Inner City ahead of Kellie Harrington’s medal fight before 5 o’clock . Screen organised by Dublin City Council and North East Inner City Initiative. @drivetimerte @RTERadio1
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Independent TD Violet Anne Wynne polls 310 first preferences in Clare. This is down from her 8,987 first preferences in 2020 as a Sinn Fein poll topper. Patricia Ryan accrued 703 in Kildare South, down from her 10,155 poll topping performance in 2020.
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Fine Gael expected to have no TD in Kerry for first time in 42 years with Fianna Fáil set to gain old Brendan Griffin seat with Michael Cahill & take 2 of 5. Party also set to be without a seat in Donegal for first time ever and perhaps no seat in Wexford first time since 1927.
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'At the heart of this trial is a young man who was shot dead as he walked along a country road to a GAA match' . Words of judge as ex-British soldier is sent forward for trial in connection with killing of Aidan McAnespie in 1988. Report for @drivetimerte.
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Malin school teachers William and Grainne Doherty last month became the first people to initiate fresh legal proceedings over the Mica scandal. They’re urging other to follow suit. Reporting on @drivetimerte shortly
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Talllies show Aontu outpolling Sinn Fein in Dun Laoghaire with the Social Democrats likely to lose seat after controversy around the deselection of German born Jewish woman Orla Degani. Fine Gael should pick up a seat here - 3 of 7 seats.
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Return of Pints!. Over 5 million pints of Guinness are being delivered to restaurants and pubs across Ireland this week ahead of Monday’s reopening. But will your Pint of Porter be the same?. Went behind scenes at St James’s Gate for @TodaywithClaire here:
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Michael Doherty @micaactiongroup tells Oireachtas Housing Committee hearing on redress scheme how homeowners have been made out to be 'opportunists looking for something for nothing' when all they want is to rebuild homes like for like.
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Dr Chris Luke Emergency Medicine Consultant tells @drivetimerte he’d ‘be very surprised’ if large gatherings like the GAA Championship would be permitted within the next 12 months.
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Killorglin’s Puck Fair in August cancelled due to Covid 19. It’s the first time in over 400 years the Kerry festival has been cancelled - and no goat crowned King Puck . @rtenews.
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Homeowners in Donegal have reacted furiously to comments from the former Attorney General that the Defective Blocks redress scheme "would lead to significant abuse" from applicants. Reporting @drivetimerte shortly.
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Donegal Tuesday in Dublin!. Calm before storm as thousands from Donegal & Mayo came to Dublin calling for 100 % redress with @PaddyDiver4 for @TodaywithClaire: Review of demonstration & political developments for @drivetimerte:
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Rural areas emphatically rejected both referendums. Parts of rural Donegal 10:1 No .Killeshandra in Cavan 80%.Barana Dearg outside Tuam 88% .Scartaglin Kerry 85%.Lusk Dublin 75%.Rural Kilmacthomas Waterford 93.4% .Skeheenarinky Tipperary 91%.
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Just 34 homes in Donegal have been fixed through the State’s Defective Blocks Redress Scheme over the last 3 years. This represents less than 3% of applicants to the scheme. Issues around semi detached houses remain. Report coming up @drivetimerte
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Leading engineer assessing Mica homes warns new redress scheme before Cabinet tomorrow may be based on guesswork- due to lack of evidence on third mineral - pyrrhotite. Campaigners warn they'll bring down Government if new scheme doesn't meet their needs . More @drivetimerte.
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Seating plan for Oireachtas Golf Dinner also lists ex-TD Dr Michael Harty & ex-FG Minister now BPFI CEO Brian Hayes. Agriculture Minister Calleary and Commissioner Hogan listed to sit with TD Noel Grealish & ex FF Minster Noel Dempsey. Not confirmed all attended.
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It's almost 30 years since The Shooting of Aidan McAnespie by a British Soldier near a border checkpoint in County Tyrone. What happened that day? Report coming up on @drivetimerte soon
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Group of families of young people with intellectual disabilities claim they’ve been abandoned by the State as there are no services for their children since they left school. St Michael’s House says it can’t facilitate 13 school leavers in September. Reporting @drivetimerte
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Former Mayo junior footballer Aontu’s Paul Lawless being tipped for final seat in Mayo at expense of Robeen’s Patsy O’Brien. In the local elections 2019, Lawless left the count to tog out in McHale Park @RefComeOn.
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Special six part series marking the 50th anniversary of the Dublin Monaghan bombings starting on @RTERadio1 tomorrow with @ciaranoconnor and myself. 6 parts - May 7/8/9 & again 13/14/15 ahead of anniversary on May 17th . Also available wherever you get your podcasts!
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Donegal has rejected 8 of the last 10 referendums. Early tallies for the Inishowen Peninsula show a 60% No @rtenews.
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All 43 episodes of Know Your Constituency updated in recent days to reflect the very latest from the campaign trail. From new candidates on horseback to changing national polls & who’s backing who where you are @RTERadio1 .
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Fine Gael’s Michael Carrigy will be the first TD from the village of Ballinalee in Longford since Fine Gael’s General Sean Mac Eoin in 1965. A statue of MacEoin is outside Carrigy’s post office in Ballinalee.
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Fianna Fáil’s Michael Cahill takes the scalp of Fine Gael in Kerry to join colleague Education Minister Norma Foley, Sinn Féin’s Pa Daly & the Healy Rae brothers. Kerry footballers David & Paudie Clifford recently helped Cahill open his constituency office in Killarney.
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Sinn Fein unlikely to gain a seat in party leader Mary Lou McDonald's area of Cabra Glasnevin after running 4 candidates. Fianna Fail will hold a seat with Bertie Ahern backed candidate John Stephens over Cllr co-opted for Mary Fitzpatrick Eimear McCormack . FG in mix for a gain.
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Sinn Féin’s Tipperary TD Martin Browne apologises for social media comments posted before he was TD. Posts includes 9/11 conspiracy content. His 2nd Statement today:. "These posts do not reflect my views. "I apologise for these posts and I should not have posted them.".
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Aidan McAnespie’s brother Sean ‘says nothing takes away from the fact David Holden was found guilty of unlawfully killing my brother’ . ‘We weren’t looking for a pound of flesh - just truth and justice’. Notes Holden didn’t show remorse during trial @rtenews @RTERadio1
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At one o'clock @RTERadio1 will hear from reporters in all 39 constituencies back to back in alphabetical order. A tradition started by the late Gerald Barry in 1977 @rtepolitics do join us.
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‘One day of torture for Dublin will show the torture we go through every day in Donegal’ says organiser @PaddyDiver4 . Mica and Pyrite homeowners come to the city from Donegal Mayo and elsewhere again to demand 100% Redress. Reporting on @TodaywithClaire shortly
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Taoiseach tells Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party that 800 people arrived at Dublin airport yesterday. 542 were Irish citizens, 397 were returning from holiday destinations.
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All darts cancelled north and south to sea point due to flooding on track at Salthill Monkstown caused by high seas cascading onto to the line @IrishRail @TodaySOR @rtenews
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.@SenatorMcDowell tells @SaturdayRTE electorate were presented with two dud referendums and that some of the arguments from yes side amounted to emotional blackmail
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