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Thousands turn out as Olympic torch starts five-day tour of Ireland

Five day tour begins at Belfast’s Titanic Quarter

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Monday, June 4, 2012, 8:17 AM

Updated Monday, June 4, 2012, 11:49 AM

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Olympic torch carried past Stormont Government buildings in Northern Ireland

Photo by AP

A five day relay of the Olympic torch in Northern Ireland kicked off in Belfast on Sunday, amid thousands of cheering spectators.

According to BBC News the flame travelled 126 miles through 21 communities between Belfast and Portrush yesterday, on the first day of the five day tour.

Police in Northern Ireland warned of extra security to deter any disruptions of the event from dissident republicans.

A volunteer with St Vindic's Parish Church, Karen Marshall (31) was the first torchbearer when the tour began at Belfast Titanic Centre at 06:06 BST.

Thousands of people turned out in Belfast as the torch took a number of landmarks including Stormont, home of the Northern Ireland Assembly, and Carrickfergus Castle.

Speaking about the occasion Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "I think people are exhilarated to be part of an event that's one of the greatest competitions in the world and to be part of a little bit of history."

On Wednesday, Dublin will become the only country outside or Greece and the UK to host the Olympic Flame.

Over 40 torchbearers will take part six hour tour that will include a cross border ceremony, a civic event, a run on the Skyline in Croke Park and a relay around Dublin.

Nster.com

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seamus60 | Jun 06, 2012, 05:29 AM EDT

Bythebay. You`re talking through your hat. The psni are the british ruc millitia. You think change the name ,pay some of them a nice redundancy package and rehire them through the back door again changes very much bar the name. What proof have you of threats against the torch. There was no intention of interfering with the torch, until the ruc got heavy handed with the protestors as the torch was approaching. Had we have wished to interfere with it we would have waited till it was passing through our protest. As for the children, it was an education for them to see the contrast of aggression towards their person when the world media was in attendance. You keep spouting Provo crap and thats what it is. Most provos were getting £40 for wearing yellow bibs at the event as were their uda/uvf counterparts at the other side of the bridge. I as a republican who does not believe in millitary action agree with the protestors who are being let down by their political representation, taking to the streets to highlight injustices. Just a pity all those so called republicans prefer the £40 pound bib as opposed to highlighting such injustices, ones they always took to the protest lines to support prior to the 30 pieces culture.

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Bythebay | Jun 05, 2012, 02:00 PM EDT

There is no British militia in Northern Ireland UK or in Londonderry/Derry. There is the Police Service of Northern Ireland which is an integrated police service. The IRA Provo Terrorists don't want it to be integrated so are murdering its Catholic members and terrorizing their families. Threats were made by those in the houses searched against the Torch, the police officers were appropriately acting on those threats. They were safeguarding the public good of all.

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Bythebay | Jun 05, 2012, 01:54 PM EDT

seamus60, children should never be used as pawns by IRA Provo Terrorists. They were far too young to have any idea what they were doing or any analytical understanding of it. The abuse was carried out by the IRA Provos for decades on society. They stopped any infrastructure improvements or improvements in health services, schools, jobs.These protestors just continue to ruin their own community. If McGuinness and Sinn Fein aren't being responsive to their needs, it's McGuinness and Sinn Fein who should answer for it. The only result of this , just like their lost decades of terrorism, is naught or less. They just show their ignorance.

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seamus60 | Jun 05, 2012, 01:30 PM EDT

Bythebay. Think the children had every right to be there and protest as it were them who were abused by the state millitia in their homes at the weekend. This harrassment is ongoing and has been for years. But as long as its tucked away in the back streets of Creggan etc, its out of mind. The protest had the desired effect and would be unnessacery had the new day politicians delivered half of what they had promised.

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seamus60 | Jun 05, 2012, 01:24 PM EDT

Citizen69. These protesters did disrupt (not try) the torch`s path. Simular to civil rights protesters in 69, they were highlighting the fact that although Martin Mc Guinness and others now like to keep up appearances in their quest to play British City of Culture. (One they initally opposed). Less than 2 miles from the peace bridge families had their homes ripped apart at the weekend by british millitia. But lets all pretend its the way the brits want it to appear.

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Bythebay | Jun 05, 2012, 12:59 PM EDT

Purely disgraceful the IRA Provo Terrorists who disrupted the Olympic Torch in Londonderry/Derry as it attempted to cross the newly constructed Peace Bridge. Shame on them and their supporters. There were 100 of them, half children. They are beyond warped, devoured in self-consuming hatred and pointless destruction. They are indeed McGuinness' clones.

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Bythebay | Jun 05, 2012, 12:46 PM EDT

allan07, then contact the Prime Minister and share your opinion with him. As far as winners at the Olympics, it's a sport that's supposed to bring nations together, not to be used as a method of antagonism. Enjoy the Olympics and celebrate whoever the winners are. I shall certainly enjoy them in London. There are millions of people who will be there from all over the world in peace and harmony.

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IrelandNorth | Jun 05, 2012, 08:00 AM EDT

Are so called "dissident republicans" (sic) the only faction capable of disruption, or is this a case of public relations propaganda on the part of An Serbhís Poílíní na Tuascírt Éireann (SPTE). Bulldozing all that soil must have been quite a job back in 1922. My God! The capitol expenditure signing a dodgy treaty can cause? Ireland's Olympic or World Cup Soccer success are as good as Leinster beating Ulster in 2012 All-Ireland rugby final? Yes! Prince Philip did acquit Himself well in [Archbishop] Croke Park. I believe he's in with a chance for the All-Ireland Púc Fáda Championship in 2016. The five rings in the Olympic flag are green and orange, red and blue etc - on a white flag! Cheering for Gt Britain over Norn Iron. That must be a first.

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allan07 | Jun 05, 2012, 05:26 AM EDT

@Bythebay coming to Northern Ireland yes thats 100% correct but going to the Free State well thats 100% incorrect. It boils my blood to have it run through Dublin. If Dublin then why not Galway, Limerick, Cork or Kerry? @citizen69 the answer with the Sinn Feiners is simple they always make a arse out of themselves. What are they campaigning about? Does anyone know? The Olympics is about the whole of society and community. Religion, colour, creed, background, beliefs or allegiences do not come into it. The 5 rings represent the world and the 5 continents.Irish Nationalism is so stupid it makes even Hitler seem like a nice fella. Crazy, confused, illogical and downright daft. The world can look on and be puzzled as much as anyone with their ongoing bitching and cry baby tactics. Why do they do it? God only knows? @Bythebay I bet you a £10000 that team GB finish higher in the medal table than the Republic of Ireland in the 2012 Olympics. Team GB will win 30-35 Gold medals. Republic of Ireland 0 or even none Gold Medals, Silver or even Bronze. Thats None of any colour. As for Hurley I dont think Phillip will be playing any sport for a while. Hes in hospital. Lets pray he recovers fast. He seems a descent old soul.

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DanOLoingsigh | Jun 05, 2012, 03:29 AM EDT

It's cities that are awarded Olympics, not countries..the clue is in the titles eg LONDON GAMES...btw, London is first city to host three modern summer games...

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citizen69 | Jun 05, 2012, 01:45 AM EDT

Yet again Republicans try to spoil the party as they try to disrupt the Olympic torch's path through Derry. Pathetic.

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Bythebay | Jun 04, 2012, 05:59 PM EDT

allan07, we gave a hurley to Prince Philip during the Queen's visit to Ireland last year. He took a few test swings with it and did quite well. You never know, the Royals might be playing hurling before long!

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Bythebay | Jun 04, 2012, 05:46 PM EDT

allan07, you'll have to check with Cameron's office regarding why the Olympic Torch is coming to Ireland. Ireland plays rugby with team members from Northern Ireland UK and we've defeated England handily many times. We also play cricket and football. May the best athlete win. Hope you see the Torch in Northern Ireland Allan. May the best athletes win at the Olympics. I'll enjoy seeing the games in London. Go Ireland!!

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seamus60 | Jun 04, 2012, 03:28 PM EDT

The torch was stopped in its tracks tonight in Martins British City of Culture.

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allan07 | Jun 04, 2012, 02:53 PM EDT

@Bythebay why is the torch been run in Dublin? Great Britain won the bid to hold the 2012 the Olympic games and not the Republic of Ireland? It makes no sense to me that its going to run in Dublin. Foreign soil since 1922 and the Republic is no part of Britain today. Its TEAM GB ALL THE WAY. The Republic will win nothing at the Olympics anyway. Its a waste of time them turning up. Much like the last Olympics and the Euro Football Championships in Poland/Ukraine. Making up the numbers as normal. Stick to GAA sports.

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