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Sinn fein leader Gerry Adams has dramatic win in Irish election

Tops the poll in Louth constituency after departing Belfast

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Sunday, February 27, 2011, 7:18 AM

Updated Sunday, February 27, 2011, 7:18 AM

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Gerry Adams

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams made a dramatic entry into Irish politics by heading the poll in Co. Louth, the constituency he moved to from his West Belfast home.

Adams gave up his Westminster seat in order to run in Louth.

"It's a big day for me and my family, because it was a very big political gamble to wrench myself away from West Belfast, and I am indebted to the people of West Belfast," Adams told the media.

"We went out in this election, we set out our stall very, very clearly," Adams said.

"I think the votes across the state show a significant amount of people support the position we have taken up."

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he was delighted with the result.

"It's very heart-warming to be here and see that the people of Louth were able to see through all of that, all those who tried to undermine Gerry Adams' incredible contribution to peace in Ireland and to politics in Ireland," McGuinness said.

"To be in a position to be elected in the first count, to top the poll, is an incredible result."

Nster.com

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77 Comments

15 - 77 | See all comments

seanomelbourne | Mar 03, 2011, 04:59 PM EST

Only time will tell Dan.BTW I have been barred from posting on news items by IC so much for free speech and the American way.

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DanOLoingsigh | Mar 03, 2011, 02:55 PM EST

SeanO – Don’t forget that Northern Nationalists also played the abstentionist game, not only in the early years, but right up to the present. Something that is not always recognised is that many NI Catholics, typically middle class, public sector types, are doing OK and not likely to vote for UI any time soon; Given the economic problems ahead on both sides of the border, I think UI is a long way down anyone’s list of priorities for the foreseeable future. Expect a lot of hot air up to 2016, but little else.

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jacersagain | Mar 02, 2011, 07:07 PM EST

Chuckl E Gearoid4, no probs there, I guessed as much. Shucks, Chuck, even meow flingers can nuck up. @ seano-peachmelba: that’s a ridiculous post you made yesterday 10.56PM.

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seanomelbourne | Mar 02, 2011, 06:18 PM EST

I agree SF do not have the numbers.The crux of my argument was that SF was setting themselves for a UI. I have no problem with unionist sitting in an all Ireland parliament as they have the right to do so even now if they wished,in fact we irish would probably have had a more pluralistic society if the unionist had taken their place in the first Dail I believe hindsight justifies that position.Even Sir Edward Carson regretted the splitting of Ireland(in his latter years).Dan maybe "marginalize was to strong a word.I can only judge unionists by their deeds or actions.

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Gearoid4 | Mar 02, 2011, 11:06 AM EST

Sorry about the typo error, Jacers. A slip of the finger, methinks. Actually I'm not the head honcho, Gerry Adams as it happens. My real name is Chuck E. Arla and damn'd proud of it.

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DanOLoingsigh | Mar 02, 2011, 07:17 AM EST

SeanO – Not sure you should crow too soon about ‘marginalising the unionist’. Extrapolating the numbers involved in the most recent elections in both jurisdictions to an All Ireland scenario, the quotas would give an FG/Unionist coalition an absolute majority over all other parties – roughly 107 seats compared to 101 for all others. The Unionists would be more natural partners for FG than any other on the island. This is pro rata and assuming Dáil numbers were increased to take account of additional NI population. Figures are calculated by allocating all the Non Unionist and 50% of the Alliance votes to the opposition, which may understate the actual figures…so Unionists become ‘Kingmakers’ in a UI…As they say, be careful what you wish for!!

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Towngate | Mar 02, 2011, 05:55 AM EST

FALSE ALARM,CLASS! The boy-at-the-back; poor little Kurty @19.22, doubts his Masters 'comprehension' ~ yet goes on to assume that because I respond to him for "almost agreeing with me" @10.03. he then proceeds to whitter his gobgledgook "mantra" about "Anglo this and Anglo that!", as if anybody understood or cared, proveing he has none! ~ ~ ~ His dream of living in a world before or without 'Anglo materialism or ideology' is a forlorn one, as it is far too late to expunge it from the March of Civilisation and Human Development. Besides, he wouldn't last a week without them! ~ ~ ~ This pedagoques blood ran a little faster there for a while, but he has to accept it was a false dawn, and with a heavy heart, say : Sit down!-theboyatheback! ~ ~ ~ Carry on,class!

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seanomelbourne | Mar 01, 2011, 10:56 PM EST

Jacer to ask the renamed R.U.C for the truth is like asking Dracula was it him who raided the blood bank. Your ill informed rhetoric proves nothing bit your ignorance of fact. Sinn Fein now have a substantial amount of seats in "IRELAND" this scares the right on both sides of Ireland and certainly marginalizes the unionist.

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kurtjohnson | Mar 01, 2011, 09:45 PM EST

jacersagain- "The terrorists have not gone away, you know." True - they've (see recent statement by Cameron) just threatened to invade Libya and kill millions more.

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kurtjohnson | Mar 01, 2011, 09:42 PM EST

Of course, I don't discount civic nationalism either.

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jacersagain | Mar 01, 2011, 09:37 PM EST

I think Gearoid4 is Gerry Adams' IrishCentral Irish screen name. That's on analysis, like ya know.

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kurtjohnson | Mar 01, 2011, 09:22 PM EST

HILARIOUS AS ALWAYS, TOWNTROLL (and flattering)! If you'd been paying attention (perhaps the problem is comprehension), you would have realized my post is consistent with what I've been saying all along. In any event, I'm glad you've finally come around to the sober viewpoint that expelling the remnants of toxic anglo-materialist ideologies is critical to the re-establishment and progression of the Irish nation. As stated by Hyde long ago "upon Irish lines alone can the Irish race once more become what it was of yore."

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jacersagain | Mar 01, 2011, 08:59 PM EST

Pardon my incomplete comment re Al Capone @ 8.32pm EST. It should have read: “Should we see a re-written history of Chicago’s Al Capone in a new light just because he died of a human disease called syphilis and had a decent burial, surrounded by family members?”

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jacersagain | Mar 01, 2011, 08:46 PM EST

BTW Gearoid - I couldn't but chuckle over yr mispelling... Sein Fein... a slip of the fingers or thoughts? Is "terrorising Germany back in the picture? Maybe it is... telling the Irish people to pay money back to their banks which they (the tax-payers) didn't borrow in the first instance? Will Roger Casement come out of his grave? Is this where Shame Feign is taking a lead from? - handing back Casements useless guns, or by today's parlance, handing back useless German money?

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jacersagain | Mar 01, 2011, 08:32 PM EST

Thank you Gearoid4. With yr last post, you’ve proven my case. The terrorists have not gone away, you know. The constituents of Louth, Cavan and Monaghan know that too. So does that forever-entrenched UK baron, Gerry Adams – he’s gone down in Irish history, forever, for saying they haven’t gone away, despite what you say about PIRA or any other IRA people. Words and actions may appear to diffuse but they can equally confuse. Like I said – they’re still Shame Feigners. Until so-called republican men and women under the cloud of fear of “baseball bat beatings and gun-in-your face democracy” learn to ditch them in true democracy at the ballot box, there is only a small hope of true Irish Republicanism regaining its proud stature. Should America see a re-written history of Chicago’s Al Capone in a new kind light? I don’t think so...

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