59 Comments

• occassio | Jul 13, 2012, 09:28 PM EDT

  chickwdog. You are right. Boycotting all that is Irish is off the mark. Way off. Please focus your energies on the BCC and their cohorts. All of Ireland is not responsible for this debacle. At any rate, Belfast is in the North. Don't water down this cause. Stick to the North and Belfast and the BCC. And England, if that's the point of origin for this inane, irresponsible legislation.

• EamonnDublin | Jul 13, 2012, 06:03 AM EDT

  "Mooserule" - If your comment purports to be a response to mine, you might care to read mine again - properly this time. I am, of course, not denying anybody the right to choose what causes you support. I am stating clearly that to subject the Republic of Ireland to a boycott is absurd, because the Republic of Ireland has NOTHING to do with it. A boycott of the ROI is, in this instance, synonymous with a boycott of any random country - shall we say, Germany.... or maybe Greece, or Italy ? Take your pick - they have nothing to do with it either. Please read my post, as I say, properly. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• moosesrule | Jul 12, 2012, 03:50 PM EDT

  We are speaking up for a soul that had no voice. We are all free to choose who and what causes we support.

• chickwdog | Jul 12, 2012, 03:47 PM EDT

  To boycott anything Irish is not thinking straight. If you want to do anything, remember Lennox and focus on the people who did the unjustice. These people (the BCC) are sorry. Their lack of intelligence is mind shattering. So I say rally and go after the BCC. Not Ireland. This was a personal issue towards Lennox for whatever reasons, we may never know. So make it personal against them...

• ciaradexy | Jul 12, 2012, 12:53 PM EDT

  Heya Eamo! Hope you're well. God to hear from you. Most articles on thissite are anti-Ireland/Irish anyway as are most Americans who claim to be Irish yet slag us off! I dunno, whatever floats their boat I suppose! I couldnt care less if the Yanks boycott us over a dog to be honest. We've all seen the programmes about how the yanks treat chickens bound for KFC and how the yanks are clearing forests in the Amazon for their cows bound for McDonalds. They really are deluded and self rightgeous! Im just glad that the yanks I know and those Im related to are the polar opposite of these tools. The last couple of presidents have the US wrecked, you cant just blame Obama. We'll be back on track soon. 5 years and we'll be sorted!

• EamonnDublin | Jul 12, 2012, 03:40 AM EDT

  Hi Ciara, Yup! I forgot to log-in again (below)! I trust you are keeping well. It's a pity that "Irish Central" has turned itself into an apparently anti-Irish type Daily Rant. The editorial staff ignore the beauty of being lucky enough to live in a place like this. Difficult economic times happen - the trick is to overcome them, which we will do. As for the USA, a place I love dearly also, I'm afraid it's present president has all but wrecked it. Yes, killing a dog is very bad stuff, but instead of talking about boycotting all things Irish, I feel the American people should be determining ways to get away from the massive black hole into which they are descending. I hope and pray it doesn't happen, but most of the electorate there appear to have their eyes closed to what is occurring. A few difficult years (even twenty) in Ireland is one thing, but catastrophe in the USA will re-shape the world - for the worse. Best Wishes, Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• EamonnDublin | Jul 12, 2012, 03:26 AM EDT

  "MichaelC" is totally correct. With due respect to my American friends who are calling for a boycott of all things "Irish", you are way off the mark. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The rest of Ireland is The Republic of Ireland. As Belfast City Council is part of Northern Ireland (the United Kingdom ("UK"), we in the Republic of Ireland had no hand, act nor part in the discussion about Lennox. Hence, any boycott of all "Irish" goods and services is totally unjustified and immoral. It's like blaming South Korea for the misery in North Korea. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• beckette | Jul 11, 2012, 05:02 PM EDT

  pri.figueiredo: The BCC killed Lennox today, that is why we are going forward with the boycott.

• pri.figueiredo | Jul 11, 2012, 03:58 PM EDT

  Seriously?Humans have problems?No sh*t!That1s a first.But tell me something...who solves human problems?The humans.And who is supposed to solve this awful Lennox stalemate?Teh dogs? If people turn their backs to this not only will the dog die, but it'll set the precedent for the humans to legally dispose and abuse animals and their owners all over the world.I don't know about you, but I'd much rather have a boycott now than further problems later on... Shame.Not a dime of my tourist money is EVER going there.

• MichaelC | Jul 11, 2012, 03:58 PM EDT

  My fellow Americans...please remember these events happened in Northern Ireland, which is different from the Republic of Ireland (South Ireland). The Republic of Ireland is not a part of the UK. Do not boycott all things Irish; you'll only hurt people who are not involved in this case. Focus the anger at the Belfast City Council. And for my Irish friends, please kindly correct anything I said regarding the two countries.

• beckette | Jul 11, 2012, 03:45 PM EDT

  I think a boycott is a wonderful idea and I have just decided not to shop in Ireland for a sport horse as I was looking forward to doing this fall. BOYCOTT ALL THINGS IRISH!! No apologies for how I feel. Take it up with the Council, they have brought this upon themselves and the good people of Ireland.

• lyndz | Jul 11, 2012, 03:34 PM EDT

  Actually a boycott is called for, you know why? Because this is not just about a dog anymore, this is about the blatant and incompassionate abuse of power shown by in authority. The BCC were making animal noises over the phone when people were ringing to express their disgust on this debacle. Are these the kind of people you want running a City? They have become nothing but a bunch of power weilding Dictators. They should join forces with the taleban, they already have lots of experience blowing up their own people. i say Boycott the whole bloody dysfunctional country. They are all a bunch of idiots. Drunk in Charge. Drunk with Power. There are already lots of businesses who are withdrawing from Belfast over this. Good Bloody job. ihope the bastards end up on their knees where they belong

• KerryLKing | Jul 11, 2012, 03:10 PM EDT

  Well said AMurphyJordan...very well said. And I'm not surprised that "the North" doesn't care about anything/ anyone but themselves!!

• EamonnDublin | Jul 11, 2012, 02:56 PM EDT

  "Greyfel" - Sorry, I hadn't realised you had maybe protested "elsewhere" about the murder of the young woman in Afghanistan. If you would be kind enough to guide me to where you did so, I will be delighted to read it. Also, I think you might need me to clarify one point: although I love animals and find the killing of a dog disgusting, I value innocent human life as having priority over animals. Thank you. Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• AMurphyJordan | Jul 11, 2012, 02:07 PM EDT

  Mr Roberts, this may seem bizarre to you but this is something that was as simple as someone saying "okay, why don't we let him go home" and that would have been that. The issues of the Catholic Church abuses, the banking crisis and all that is out of the average Joe's hands. If this is such a minor issue, why didn't BCC listen? If they're not going to listen to people regarding the life of one dog.....how is everyone supposed to believe they're going to listen to them about anything else?

• ciaradexy | Jul 11, 2012, 11:49 AM EDT

  Ah Eamo, you I see what happened!

• ciaradexy | Jul 11, 2012, 10:52 AM EDT

  Eamonn, why have you changed your IC name???

• greyfel | Jul 11, 2012, 10:52 AM EDT

  I did not make the comment regarding the woman who was executed. I don't know why my name is on it....my comment was that I am tired of being told what to boycott or advocate. Even though what happened in Afghanistan was horrible, how do you know that I did not protest that also? I protest and advocate many different things, especially injustice to people or animals.

• greyfel | Jul 11, 2012, 10:44 AM EDT

  I'm effing tired of people telling me what I should or should not boycott or worry about because "there are more important things in this world". If everyone worried about or advocated for the same thing, then only one thing in the world would be taken care of....there are degrees of importance but it doesn't mean you cannot or should not voice your opinion or advocate for a cause. As much as I would like to visit Ireland, this will make me think twice, it has left a very bad impression. It was so stupid to begin with and then, after a leading dog trainer offered to rehome the dog at no cost to Belfast, and they were still determined to kill him, well what sobs they are.

• greyfel | Jul 11, 2012, 10:03 AM EDT

  A dog is put down in Northern Ireland. That is extremely sad and disgusting. There is outrage around the world, the media is full of it, a boycott of Northern Irish goods and services is called for. There is uproar. Meanwhile, "back at the ranch" in Afghanistan, a young woman is shot to death by bullets in the back of her head and her young body, for allegedly sleeping with a man who was not her husband. Hardly a word of protest in the media. Hardly a whisper from the boycotters. Have we all gone stark raving mad? I fear the answer is "yes". Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

• sheilabella32 | Jul 11, 2012, 10:02 AM EDT

  A great philosopher, Mahatmi Ghandi, once said,“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated”. Lennox was an innocent dog who was killed not because of his breed but by his looks. He was a family pet. People who supported him around the world knows that the BCC made the wrong decision to execute an innocent creature. Unfortunately, animals can't speak for themselves, so we humans have to stand up for them. They have rights too. You'll be amazed on how dogs can treat humans better than our own species. God bless your soul, Lennox! You will be remembered.

• hunter933 | Jul 11, 2012, 09:55 AM EDT

  I guess Patrick Roberts is a shill for the Belfast City Council. There is not enough room here to explain why his defense arguments using the church sex scandals and the banks are inane. People don't want to "move on". The council members need to step down and take Mr. Roberts with them.

• PatsyGarretty | Jul 11, 2012, 08:55 AM EDT

  Articles like this are proof that only a boycott will be understood by these idiots. The author doesn't understand that how a country treats its animals and other innocents is a direct reflection on its morals and character. Unimportant?? I don't think so, Mr. Roberts....getting these sick people out of office is paramount.

• Renee750il | Jul 11, 2012, 07:49 AM EDT

  It isn't about "only" a dog. Petty tyrants must not be tolerated, nor those who enable them by allowing them to maintain power. And what about the child?

• dingle999 | Jul 11, 2012, 07:10 AM EDT

  Hmm guys Northern Ireland is part of the UK... thus boycott the UK

• katinthehat | Jul 11, 2012, 05:06 AM EDT

  Loving and caring about animals does not preclude loving and caring about humans. "I love St. Francis of Assisi, because he had a great love for animals. He used to talk with them and play with them - and scold them if they did harm to anybody. I love animals, too. Animals are such simple creations of God's beauty." Mother Teresa “I want to realize brotherhood or identity not merely with the beings called human, but I want to realize identity with all life, even with such things as crawl upon earth.”—Mahatma Gandhi “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated…I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by [people] from the cruelty of [human kind]”—Mahatma Gandhi “Life is life—whether in a cat, or dog or man. There is no difference there between a cat or a man. The idea of difference is a human conception for man's own advantage.”—Sri Aurobindo “A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is a bad as an act of cruelty to a human being.”—Prophet Mohammed “The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.”—Hippocrates “How can I teach your children gentleness and mercy to the weak, and reverence for life, which in its nakedness and excess, is still a gleam of God’s omnipotence, when by your laws, your actions and your speech, you contradict the very things I teach?”—Henry W. Longfellow

• Kata Kimbe | Jul 11, 2012, 04:19 AM EDT

  Seriously, who are you to say what is worth it or not. When a group of people like these politicians and leaders are acting in such a cold hearted manner and not even giving another workable outcome a shot... it says something is wrong with them and they should not decide on anything of value. I guess they are all drunk Irish people. After all, isn't stereotyping what has been done to a dog that has done NOTHING? Furthermore, you seem to think that just because so many people are advocating for this dog also means that they are not advocating for other serious issues you mentioned. I can almost bet yyou that people who take their valued time out for a dog, also spend time on things you consider worhty... unlike those people who just sit on their hands and do nothing but watch wrong being done. I have always wanted to come to visit Northern Ireland. I will now be taking my money elsewhere. Shame on your leaders and I hope Karma comes their way if they kill Lennox. Actually, I am starting to think that he has been killed already since the family has been refused to visit their dog for a final goodbye, or get his body when done. I smell something dirty, like corruption and cover up. Has anybody not in the click of killers seen this poor dog lately? Shameful. And I will happily boycott anything from your country. Racism and BSL is not acceptable.

• pgbmaloney | Jul 11, 2012, 03:59 AM EDT

  Mr Roberts I can tell you that there will be a massive boycott of all things Irish and I will participate. And save starving children at the same time. And raise money for other causes at the same time. Seriously? Don't boycott because there are more important things to do? Like can you do only one thing at a time, sir? Do you have relatives on the BCC? Maybe dimwitted runs in the family

• LMD1` | Jul 11, 2012, 12:56 AM EDT

  I understand. Some thoughts... People can speak up and defend themselves - animals depend on us to be their caretakers. In the other terrible events you described, there were adults spoke up and because people were victimized, others most deservedly went to prison for their acts. Please note - none of them were killed! This was different. Within his home/community this animal NEVER had a complaint or a problem. He was ripped out of his home and killed when a perfectly reasonable offer of rehoming well out of Belfast and NI was made. The robotic refusal of the courts and local government has shocked the conscience of many citizens around the world. It was simply unbelievable. I will not boycott Ireland. I would ask that the many, many kind people in Belfast that tried to stop this unite to legally remove the ship of fools known as the BCC from office - along with the dog warden and the judges. Then, I will be happy to vacation in Belfast.

• Musetta | Jul 10, 2012, 10:29 PM EDT

  Do most people REALIZE that there has been a recent amendment to BSL , whereby it is no longer only the dog s MEASUREMENTS that are taken into account, but also its AGGRESSIVENESS??? ONLY, THIS DOESN T APPLY TO LENNOX BECAUSE HE WAS CONFISCATED BEFORE THE AMENDMENT WAS PASSED!!!! WHEN BUREAUCRACY BECOMES LUNATIC, THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS!!! NO WONDER THE WORKERS AT BCC ARE BEING THREATENED! I reach out to the Barnes' family, who were even denied a last good bye to their boy..

• garbo55 | Jul 10, 2012, 07:59 PM EDT

  The Northern Ireland Government (aka) the United Kingdom seems to have the same mindset that the Nazis had,exterminate an entire race/breed. Don't just boycott Northern Ireland, boycott the United Kingdom also.

• KSERRAHN | Jul 10, 2012, 06:49 PM EDT

  It's so true that most of us (Americans) don't know the difference and more's the pity. The dog Lennox was the service dog of a young Autistic lad and should never have been taken. But once it was proved that he was not as they say a bad breed then it was up to the Belfast City Council to give him back. I have a strange feeling that had this happened in the Republic of Ireland and Not Northern Ireland (UK) The dog would have been returned. But yes it is sad that we show our stupidity when it comes to all things Irish.

• MT | Jul 10, 2012, 06:36 PM EDT

  (1) What makes you think people can't multitask and be activists for more than one cause? And (2) In this case, it's the government itself that's perpetrating the crime, not priests, not bankers--the government itself.

• Ana Canelo | Jul 10, 2012, 06:00 PM EDT

  So, now Mr. Patrick Roberts, after all these comments, I guess you can say that again. It is a strange world, isn't it?

• LynnetteS | Jul 10, 2012, 05:43 PM EDT

  Many Americans make no distinction between Northern Ireland and Ireland, and have no idea what "things Irish" come from which place. Because of this, the boycott of "all things Irish" will include exactly that. ALL things Irish. If it bothers you, have a chat with your brethren in Northern Ireland or, more specifically, the city council and so-called justice system of Belfast. The fault lies squarely on their shoulders. Will a boycott hurt Northern Ireland? I certainly hope so.

• PitzRdaBest | Jul 10, 2012, 05:42 PM EDT

  I had so much to say, then I read these comments and everything has already been said and very well! "The Lennox Army" is the salt of the earth and i love it! Patrick you sir are an idiot, and talk about a distracting article and such a crucial time, smdh FREE LENNOX by any means possible!!

• Linababe2012 | Jul 10, 2012, 05:39 PM EDT

  So MURDERING an INNOCENT is RIGHT??? NO way.. I for one am boycotting Belfast and anything NI related.. and I for one will be contacting as many people I know if I hear of tours visitng I will make sure I tell them of the INJUSTICE that BELFAST CC are responsible for and teh heartless people that work there.. I will also inform them of staff standing up in court ander OATH AND BLATYANTLY LIEING and are allowed to walk free while an INNOCENT is destroyed.. I am only 1 person.. but 1 amongst the many 200,000 ... I will never forget what Belfast CC have done.. they have blood on their hands!.. All this could be solved but Belfast CC Choose not to listen to the world.. Ok so what happens? Lennox is sentenced to death.. if we all forget about it then what happens when another dog is destroyed and another.. Animals cant speak for themselves we have to be their voice.. the Human race is slowly destroying this planet all over the world.. if we dont start here then we will never start... I am sometimes ashamed of being Human the way most humans treat animals.. they are also GODS creatures.. what gives Humans superior rights?... Lennox is being murdered because of RACISM.. and I thought Racism was abolished.. guess not hey?

• erikagesue | Jul 10, 2012, 05:37 PM EDT

  This is a much bigger deal than the gross legal misconduct carried on by the dog wardens and the Belfast City Council. This is about a legal precedent, which could senselessly condemn many more animals to the same fate. This is also about bigotry in a region with a not-so-great track record on that subject either. What makes Belfast, now, so unappealing internationally is that the system there has shown itself to be so rife with corruption that they have gotten away with the murder of a being that committed no crime. For better or worse, the internet has allowed the entire world to see how dishonest the BCC is and now, Northern Ireland will face these consequences. It will be interesting to see how much longer the people in question will hold their current positions because like it or not, the repercussions of this act will be long-lasting.

• LeeM | Jul 10, 2012, 05:34 PM EDT

  No doubt there are bigger, "more important" issues. We "vote with our feet". Yes, there have been protests and calls for the Catholic Church to turn over pedophiles to the law for jail time. Yes, there have been protests in almost every industrialized nation over bankers run amok. We care about those things, too. Most of us don't get to make the "big decisions" about laws, healthcare, etc. This is something that many of us "get" having a beloved pet. This might possibly be something we can actually do something about. And yes, for the first time, I am ashamed of my heritage, because this is more than "just a dog" or bureaucratic insanity, because there are alternatives to killing this dog. Even the First Minister of Ireland contacted the Mayor of Belfast recommending that they consider alternatives. The Belfast City Council appears to be determined to go through with this, and if they do, we will be "voting with our feet" again.

• JulieSwan | Jul 10, 2012, 05:33 PM EDT

  Just because we can't fix ALL of the world's problems (church paedophiles and crooked banks as mentioned, etc.) doesn't mean we shouldn't try to fix what we can. A dog being killed because of its breed is something entirely unavoidable and just plain perverse. This *can* be fixed. I stand by my word: if this is done, I will never step foot in Ireland - which is a shame, of course, since my family has Irish roots. What's a bigger shame, though, is the sheer retardation of this case. Yes, it's certainly a strange world - especially when one person with access to online journalism (if you can call this putrid Dear Diary entry "journalism") says, "oh, we didn't fix this and that, so who cares - it's just a dog." Non-human animals have rights and deserve protection just as we do. Patrick Robert, I sincerely feel sorry for those who are unlucky enough to know you. So do the right (and easy) thing, people. Let this loving dog live the rest of its days with his family and put your time/money to the issues that actually matter.

• nadinect23 | Jul 10, 2012, 05:28 PM EDT

  The difference is that the church sex scandals and swindling banks are recognized by all, including the government, as wrong and awful. In the case of Lennox, the Northern Ireland government, particularly the Belfast city council, maintain that killing this dog is right and just. In their minds, they are not doing anything wrong. And there's every reason to believe that many more animals will suffer at the hands of this government. The only way save these animals is to make the NI government understand that their viewpoint is cruel and inhumane and unacceptable in the eyes of the world. And because the vast majority of us have no sway power with their government, the only way for us to do that is to hit them on their bottom line by boycotting. It might not change their hearts but it may change their laws and therefore save the lives of countless innocent dogs.

• OrcaJayP | Jul 10, 2012, 05:28 PM EDT

  Mr. Roberts is like so many ill informed narrow minded people in the world. Although I suspect he wrote this article to garner attention...ALL issues are important, animal OR human. Yes Belfast tourism will suffer. I do agree with Mr. Roberts on two things, murdering Lennox is bureaucracy gone mad and it is a strange world.

• CY | Jul 10, 2012, 05:28 PM EDT

  I also signed up just to say to Patrick Roberts, "You are an ass and this article that you wrote was ass dung".

• Karen Batchelor | Jul 10, 2012, 05:27 PM EDT

  There is NOTHING more important to everyone everywhere than JUSTICE, Patrick. This entire situation stinks from start to finish and shows Northern Ireland in an irretrievably bad light. Here in New Zealand Lennox and his family have huge support. I think the BCC and courts have sorely underestimated the size of the backlash to come. If ever there was a case for the abolition of breed specific legislation and it's appalling fallout this one has to be it.

• mlujano | Jul 10, 2012, 05:22 PM EDT

  Compassion is compassion and smart reasoning is smart reasoning. If these leaders can not address this issue as smart human beings then they probably are NOT.

• Alk | Jul 10, 2012, 05:20 PM EDT

  I signed up just so I could tell you you're an idiot. Its more than just animal lovers feeling connected to their pets. This is the Belfast government making things up as they go along and being stubborn and infantile about it. The Government for gods sake. The whole thing is absolutely ABSURD, but fine. They don't want him in their country. Someone in another is willing to adopt him, love him, and save his family even more heartbreak than they've already endured. They want to kill this innocent animal and won;t even allow the family to say goodbye!!?? They won't even let them have his remains!? Its absolute crap and they do deserve to be boycotted. You're even more of an idiot for comparing this case to pedophiles in the church - are you frikkin kidding me? Completely different topics and completely different actions from the government. Grow up. If the world doesn't stand up for innocents like Lennox, they will have no one and he deserves the right to live just as much as you and I do.

• SaucyWench | Jul 10, 2012, 05:19 PM EDT

  we are speaking out against this travesty of justice and are actively making calls and sending emails to the higher powers in Ireland and the UK in an effort to right this wrong because it is more than the plight of Lennox at stake .....I hardly think any of us who protest this grave injustice see it as "being berserk" over ONE dog. It is outrage at the very idea that any animal or human for that matter can be discriminated against and sentenced to die based on looks alone. It is a fight to ensure that no government anywhere has the right to sieze, withold and summarily execute that which they find distasteful or perhaps maybe potentially dangerous based on association by looks rather than based on action and deed. It is about the larger picture ....it is about keeping Government in check in the small things because every time we allow a smaller injustice on their behalf we open the door to graver and greater injustice that may well affect us all someday. Yes I love animals with a passion and yes I hope this dog is granted freedom to go to one of the many homes that have offered to take him in and allow him to live in an area where there are no laws that would threaten his liberty or life but the real crux of the matter is setting the precedent that keeps government in check and protects all of our rights and freedoms in the process. The people of Belfast deserve to be protected from the overstepping of government and the arbitrary enforcement of law and the machination of a violation of law simply because the council WANTS the law to cover what it deems a violation thereof. That is gross misconduct and a very scary and slippery slope of Law enforcement for any Governing body to be allowed!

• khumar | Jul 10, 2012, 05:18 PM EDT

  Patrick, This is the very reason we are going nowhere, first we don't stand up for anything and when someone does, we start criticizing them. You could have made a difference by supporting the cause, but choose the option to write an article on how unimportant a life is. To you probably ... Lennox is just a dog ... or as you mentioned "A Pet" but to us and to his family ... Lennox means alot more. Please understand that the power of social media. Every article you write should be constructive and add to something. This is called responsible writing. Also, the point about the priests & banks ... did you write and article on that? or started up a campaign against them? or pushed people to take some serious action against this crime?

• Ana Canelo | Jul 10, 2012, 05:16 PM EDT

  A good thing is that people are free to express themselves as they wish and join causes. Lennox is not less than all the other issues you mention, but if it has the strength to gather these many people from all over the world, that is just amazing. If it leads to boycott then it's because it is in fact important to all involved. So basically, your article is worthless.

• ak47 | Jul 10, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT

  ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?! Northern Ireland isn't the same as Ireland. Morons spreading more ignorance..

• alfanoclan | Jul 10, 2012, 05:12 PM EDT

  IRELAND IS NOT THE PROBLEM!!!!! It's the U.K.'s "Dangerous Dogs Act". So boycott N. Ireland(part of the U.K) AND the U.K BUT leave Ireland alone, it has done nothing to Lennox.

• renees | Jul 10, 2012, 05:11 PM EDT

  Who are you to decide what are important issues to people? I don't give a crap about your sex scandals or your banks! Wow, talk about biased "journalism" And yes, I am boycotting. I will NEVER go to Belfast because of THE DOG, not because of the other issues you mention which mean absolutely NOTHING to me!

• caibrydm5 | Jul 10, 2012, 03:02 PM EDT

  this article was kind of a waste of time. Of course the boycott is going to hurt Ireland - that's the whole point... I'm not sure I understand why he's telling us what's going to happen. If a person is boycotting it, we're doing it intentionally - to hurt something.

• RedBranch | Jul 10, 2012, 10:30 AM EDT

  Free the Lennox 1, We shall overcome, tiocfaidh ar madra!

• princessaurore | Jul 10, 2012, 09:42 AM EDT

  I agree with comments above. On top of it, we are not talking only about a dog but a family and in particular a disabled little girl, who are going to be totally devastated if Lennox is executed. Also I believe caring for another living creature even if it is not human is also what makes me human actually. It's a part of my humanity to show compassion, care, ad respect for others whatever their species are. And honestly what Ireland is doing now is simply an insult to human intelligence. These courts are being both stupid and ignorant. And mean... Like to a point it seems unreal. I will clearly boycott Irish products if they don't find a better solution to come up with... FREE LENNOX.

• christilcaugh | Jul 10, 2012, 09:35 AM EDT

  Patrick, yes there are more pressing issues. But to desert the small ones in my opinion is to be a small person. Focusing on only the really important ones is a cop-out. We all need to take up causes that hurt ALL God's creatures.

• TheOldPerfessor | Jul 10, 2012, 09:26 AM EDT

  The alleged judges in this case seems to be digging in their heels. This could be solved by allowing Lennox to be sent to America where we know how to deal with dogs. If they kill Lennox anyway, I guarantee you that I won't set foot in the North, or knowingly buy any of their products.

• IrishMark | Jul 10, 2012, 09:07 AM EDT

  It's a boycott of Belfast, NORTHERN IRELAND, not the republic of Ireland. Completely different government.

• Di_sss | Jul 10, 2012, 08:49 AM EDT

  Children and other humans have parents, teachers, the police, army, church, Red Cross, politicians, doctors, psychiatrists, the SPCCs , social welfare etc etc etc... The scales are tipped unfairly! The Lennoxes of this world have not caused our human problems! But we caused theirs. Church childabuse scandals have changed people's attitude here in Ireland, but you cannot 'boycott' a Church and its teachings in a religious country. Banking scandals? Hello, the Occupy movement arrived in Ireland! The household tax boycotts are a banker boycott! The new credit union members are a bank boycott! I appreciate your coverage of this scandal, and since Lennox is held by UK authorities, a call for an Irish boycott leaves me somewhat puzzled, too. But your reasonimg wasn't without flaws. Thank you