Hurrache wrote: » Did Higgins say the advice was from the PSNI or his own security?
saying it's inconceivable that the president of Ireland would not have been provided security had it of been requested.
Johnny Dogs wrote: » I think it's irreverent either way, he said it was security concerns regarding the logistics of being picked up at the border. The PSNI are rejecting this, Fairly strategically worded by the PSNI I think.
FrancieBrady wrote: » In fairness Johnny, the PSNI are not saying that. 'Sources' within the PSNI are saying that.
In a statement, the PSNI said: "It is the long established policy of the Police Service of Northern Ireland not to comment on the security arrangements made for individuals." "The Police Service of Northern Ireland routinely work with visiting heads of state and other key figures visiting Northern Ireland and make full provisions for their safety in line with their requirements," Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd added.
Johnny Dogs wrote: » Here's what the PSNI are saying. Inference being, had MDH asked for security, he'd have been provided it, in line with their long established policy for same. Higgins might be in trouble now. The odd thing is, the cover up is worse than the crime.
FrancieBrady wrote: » And Higgins cover will be that he wasn't talking about the PSNI assessment. Stalemate, as both security forces will decline to reveal operational details. Result: damage of maybe 5-10% to Higgins, if he cannot spin well enough. I have no doubt by the way that the jet was probably used excessively. He is still the best we have from the list as President imo.
However, Mr Casey believes it was "totally out of order for the Taoiseach to get involved and make statements that impact the presidential election". He went on to described the Taoiseach as "being a member of an ethnic community himself" and "being Indian".
blanch152 wrote: » Frances Fitzgerald got done for allegedly covering up something that didn't happen. But Higgins gets a free pass for cover-up?
Rhineshark wrote: » https://amp.independent.ie/irish-news/presidential-election-2018/shut-your-trap-casey-tells-indian-leo-varadkar-for-trying-to-impact-poll-37439628.html Oh here we go again. Not sure his argument that Varadkar is an ethnic minority himself actually supports Casey's argument as to why he should "shut his trap". Heading for Tory levels of civility now apparently.
Johnny Dogs wrote: » The unashamedly misleading headline in that article tells it all. To the uneducated/people just scanning the headline, they might think that Casey was referring to Leo Varadkar "Indian Leo Varadkar" when in fact the context is entirely different. I think it is new low for them to try and portray someone calling for equality as a racist.
FrancieBrady wrote: » What relevance has Leo's ethnicity got to the debate though? Leo interjected in to the debate for PR purposes, very little else imo. He'd have urged a vote for Michael D if it was for election purposes. Brexit MP's thought his ethnicity significant too. Why mention it at all?
Ordinary man wrote: » I think Casey's point about varadker is how his family managed to come to our country and in one generation they raised a son who acted and was accepted as an ordinary irishman. His family accepted our laws and customs and didn't look for special treatment or special status. Travellers refuse to blend in. They hide behind the excuse of customs to continue illegal practices like sulky racing, feuding and bare knuckle boxing. They expect to be allowed to produce big families even though they can't afford to have them. Imo Casey's point was that there should not be any special groups receiving or asking for special treatment. The same standards should be expected for all living here no matter what ethnic group they are part of.
Adamcp898 wrote: » By no means am I an apologist for the Indo, but, judging by the quotations they report, PC did indeed refer to Leo as 'Indian'. To that I'd say, what did he expect of tabloid journalism?
blanch152 wrote: Frances Fitzgerald got done for allegedly covering up something that didn't happen.
Johnny Dogs wrote: » This was answered on another thread already (in afterhours), and I hope it's ok with the mods, but I'm going to paste it here. Sums the relevance up quite clearly.
Tell me how wrote: » The context of the things which may or may not have happened aren't similar.
FrancieBrady wrote: » Johnny, that is just more generalisations about travellers. Some travellers do that, others, even within Pavee Point will call out wrong doing. And it doesn't explain the need to bring Varadkar's ethnicity into it. Is my argument about a UI weaker solely, because I am Irish or British. No, it isn't.So why was Varadkar wrong because he is of Indian origin? What has it got to do with anything? Or the views of a Pakistani taxi driver for that matter.
Johnny Dogs wrote: » He wasn't. I don't believe anyone was implying that was the reason he was either.
FrancieBrady wrote: » So why introduce it, in the rather stammering way Casey did?
Johnny Dogs wrote: » Already explained why he introduced it. Why he was wrong (in interfering in a presidential election) is Casey's personal opinion, and one I happen to agree with (and many others do too according to social media) I'm off to bed now, up with the larks in the morning for training, then off on a 2.5hr drive to watch a county senior football final, so apologies if I don't get straight back.
Hitman3000 wrote: » The Indo is carrying the story that MDH has cost the taxpayer 50k year to date for use of the government jet.
Loafing Oaf wrote: Guess we'll have to call the IMF back so.
Johnny Dogs wrote: » This could be the rock he perishes on. He was naive if he thought that that lie was ever gonna fly for long, of course the security forces from that part of the island were going to dispute that line. Higgins proving that he's no different than the rest of them with his snout in the trough. I didn't care less either way for him to be President until this story broke during the debate. Casey is getting my number 1 now, he at least is pointing out what the rest of us can see - the President has no clothes on, whole cosy relationship is a farce.
Hitman3000 wrote: » Not at all, just funny how a life long socialist is so willing to cost the oppressed so much.
Johnny Dogs wrote: » Beechwoodspark wrote: » https://www.bbc.com/ne...nd-politics-45928722 PSNI set the record straight and deny Higgins story that they were involved in giving security advice to use the jet to Belfast. This could be the rock he perishes on. .
Beechwoodspark wrote: » https://www.bbc.com/ne...nd-politics-45928722 PSNI set the record straight and deny Higgins story that they were involved in giving security advice to use the jet to Belfast.
Hitman3000 wrote: » The Indo is carrying the story that MDH has cost the taxpayer 50k year to date for use of the government jet. Athens, Belfast , London and Kerry . I believe the Kerry trip was for a poetry reading, I may be wrong.
