The Frontline - Michael Noonan now

amdublin

Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Fair play to him.

magicface1

I just turned it on... what are they talking about

445279.ie

very sad, but good of him to come on

cutymonalisa

Desperately emotional, in tears watching him, very dignified

amdublin

His wife has alzheimers for the last 12 years. She is now in a nursing home with final stage disease.

He was crying speaking about her (was trying to hold it together but just couldn't). Very emotional watching.

oicherider

Alziemers.. Its a horrible disease.. Fair play to him.. Must be tough to talk about...

amdublin

Extremely dignified.

To think he was caring for his wife at time he was leader in FG etc.

RonMexico

Terrible situation for Michael Noonan and his family. He deserves enormous respect for sharing it on TV tonight.

magicface1

Well Done Michael Noonan... Have to say it caught me 2 or 3 times...

AnnyHallsal

Wife? I thought he was talking about his mother. Even sadder, then..if such is possible.

yop

Last 2 weeks have shown what Alziemers is about, I was ignorant before this.

This is a disease which leaves a living corpse, the person is there only in body but their minds seems to have totally disappeared. It must be one of the hardest things to have to live with and deal with to see your loved one get to this stage.

I have to say that you never know what goes on behind closed doors and I have to take my hat off to Michael Noonan.

He did well to hold it any where near together, I have to say I was very moved by his open-ness

Godge

put down the laptop to watch it. A very emotional interview and very difficult for him to do even though he is a seasoned politician. Fair play to him. A lot of respect for him.

And he admitted he made mistakes as Health Minister. If only he had known then what he knows now. Full credit to him.

Contrast that sincerity with the likes of Ahern, Cowen and McCreevy still claiming they were brilliant and did nothing wrong.

Selected

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

mike65

Selected I wont say what I think of you lest I get the ban hammer. The man is talking about his wife for Gods sake.

the merchant

Selected wrote: »

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

A R S E H O L E

amdublin

Selected. Obviously everyone is entitled to their own opinion but I think I disagree with you more than I ever have disagreed with a post on boards before.

I do not think I will ever disagree more with anyone than I disagree with you at this moment in time.

livemusic4life

amdublin wrote: »

Heartbreaking. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Fair play to him.

Incredible, it was the first time ever that a politician hasn't had a political spin on something. It was so very personal and touching. Remarkably brave for him to do that. Any of us who have cared for a loved one during long term illness will know exactly what he had gone through.

I cried more than a few tears watching that.

Paleface

Selected wrote: »

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

Are you serious?

Selected

There's a time and a place.

Our man in Havana

Fair play to him. The man has been through an awful lot.

qwertplaywert

I am agreeing with the Palestine convoy, simply for the fact he looks like Commander Adama himself, Edward James Olmos!

yop

Selected wrote: »

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

Wow, your a brave man ( I use that word VERY lightly) :rolleyes:

You swap a week with anyone minding a person with Alzheimer, I am sure you will be seeking empathy then.

Our man in Havana

Selected wrote: »

There's a time and a place.

/gets banhammer ready.

Ouijaboard

Selected you complete tit!

Having dealt with the disease in my family I can tell you now that that is the only time I have ever seen a politician be completely and utterly honest and truthful without having any sort of agenda....ever!

Get your bloody facts right before you accuse him of spin on this one!

Selected

Haddockman wrote: »

/gets banhammer ready.

....for expressing an honest opinion?

I just couldn't empathise...sorry.

Godge

Selected wrote: »

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

I cannot believe this post. This was gripping TV. Sincerity from a politician is rare but when we see it, we should appreciate it. Mammy O'rourke was on the Late Late Show last week and the only sincere bits where when she was talking about her late husband and her nephew Brian. The rest was political rubbish. Tonight we saw sincerity from start to finish.

This poster is obviously too young to appreciate the effect that degenerative diseases whether physical such as arthritis or MS or mental such as Alzheimers and needs a few lessons in life.

Paleface

Selected wrote: »

....for expressing an honest opinion?

I just couldn't empathise...sorry.

You saw a politician and immediately made your mind up.

What everyone else saw was a person of noteriety trying to spread awareness about a terribly delapidating disease.

bryaner

Selected wrote: »

....for expressing an honest opinion?

I just couldn't empathise...sorry.

There's always one.

Selected

Paleface wrote: »

You saw a politician and immediately made your mind up.

I saw a politician, crying about a disease he didn't have, and then I made up my mind.

It is not my intention to offend anyone here who may have relatives/friends suffering from this disease.

The Sparrow

Selected wrote: »

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

Ah come on yourself. You are a callous idiot.

I thought Michael Noonan was extremely brave. I know it is another party and all, but it would be nice to see FF turning to him as a consultant on this issue as he had firsthand experience or maybe giving him a role in the Dept of Health dealing with Alzheimers.

Scoobydoobydoo

Selected wrote: »

I just couldn't empathise...sorry.

That is a pity really.

Bomany

Mr Noonan is remembered as the minister who refused to grant significant aid payments to victims of Hepatitis C and resisted Donegal mother Brigid McCole who was forced to take court action for compensation but died before she could benefit.
Mr Noonan now has some understanding of the pain and suffering of those he treated with such heartlessness when Minister for Health.

Selected

cougar1 wrote: »

Selected you complete tit!

the merchant wrote: »

A R S E H O L E

The Sparrow wrote: »

You are a callous idiot.

Never can find a mod when you need one.

The Sparrow

Selected wrote: »

Never can find a mod when you need one.

I'm pretty sure something is only an insult if it is not true.

Ouijaboard

Selected wrote: »

I saw a politician, crying about a disease he didn't have, and then I made up my mind.

It is not my intention to offend anyone here who may have relatives/friends suffering from this disease.

He was crying because he was recalling moments from over a period of a few years where he watched his perfectly healthy 50ish year old wife lose all ability to walk, talk and function.....those tears were absolutely genuine this time and anyone who could not see it must have some sort of breakdown in brain function of their own going on!

oicherider

Selected wrote: »

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

I honestly hope that you are never in the position to have this disease eat into your life.. because then you would empathise with him.. And I wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy!

Ignorance is bliss - But your comment is the sign of a sadly self centered, cynical person..

bernardo mac

Selected wrote: »

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

Incredibly cold ,cynical and devoid of emotional intelligence and maturity

jimmyw

Selected wrote: »

Ah Come on!

Yes it's an awful disease - that's the nature of disease.

Afraid I cannot empathise with the man - had to switch off TV and come on here - one of the most horrible cringe TV moments I've seen on RTE for years.:(

Politician + Crocodile tears = Election imminent.

I wonder would you be saying that if someone close to you had that bloody rotten disease. Fair play to michael, I did shed a tear.

Selected wrote: »

I saw a politician, crying about a disease he didn't have, and then I made up my mind.

It is not my intention to offend anyone here who may have relatives/friends suffering from this disease.

You may not have intended to offend, but you did.

Selected

oicherider wrote: »

Ignorance is bliss - But your comment is the sign of a sadly self centered, cynical person..

Well, we all have our crosses to bear.

Leaving thread now.

K-9

Very sad, my Dad died of the exact same disease this year.

Unfortunately, the McCole family suffered a terrible loss too, their distress was not helped by a decision of his Department, when he was in charge.

JonathanAnon

Michael Noonan is a man of integrity, who I have huge respect for ... He's a decent guy who may not have been the best leader that FG have ever had, probably because (similar to Enda) he's too honest. He certainly made mistakes, particularly over the Hep C thing, but I believe his heart is in the right place...

I think the people on this thread who are assigning political motivation to his appearance tonight are being cynical in the extreme.

rosieyork

Crocodile tears? Are you for real? You have no idea what he is going through and you are disgusting if you actually believe he is doing it for his own political gain. It's obvious to everyone else that he was on the show to help raise awareness of this disease, the lack of services and the nursing home in Askeaton.
I believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion but when someone says something as cold hearted as you then I believe that they should be put in their place. What the hell is wrong with you..

Our man in Havana

Selected wrote: »

Well, we all have our crosses to bear.

Leaving thread now.

Mind the door on the way out.

bernardo mac

Selected wrote: »

Well, we all have our crosses to bear.

Leaving thread now.

I'm afraid you may have to carry yours alone.

okioffice84

Selected wrote: »

I just couldn't empathise...sorry.

You can't empahtise because you don't understand. Obviously you've never had someone you love been taken from you by this heartbreaking disease.

cutymonalisa

Selected wrote: »

Well, we all have our crosses to bear.

Leaving thread now.

You are an utter disgrace

DeepBlue

One wonders how Tubridy would have conducted the interview................

livemusic4life

DeepBlue wrote: »

One wonders how Tubridy would have conducted the interview................

He would have started slapping the table and made jokes.

Minstrel27

Amazing how this thread turned.

yayamark

Have to say i really felt for the guy u could see the pain and heartache in his face.

Very Dignified by him.

Aidric

Anyone who wasn't moved by his story is talking bollox or trying on a persona. It must have been very difficult for him and I admire his courage.