53 Comments

• sirpeter | Jun 24, 2011, 12:50 PM EDT

  Leave Georgie alone.Ye are all over-stimulating him.His mother will never get him to sleep now.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 23, 2011, 10:14 AM EDT

  kinvara: Do you make money out of Mass Immigration? Are you a slum landlord who gets paid by the government to house immigrants? Why are you so out of step with the 70% of Irish people who when polled say they oppose Mass Immigration? And why are you such a big fan of Fianna Fail? Don't you have any remorse about your buddies bringing the country to ruin?

• Towngate | Jun 22, 2011, 05:48 PM EDT

  Niall, a chara: As if to welcome you Ireland and mark your contribution to the Peace Process, Belfast erupts into violence again! ~ ~ ~ When your plane takes off on your return trip, take a long lingering,thoughtful look at your former homeland and like many Irish before you, wave a bitter heartbroken farewell to the Land of your Dreams ..." and cross the foam - to your New Home - on the Shores of Amer-ikay." Sadly, just as the Good Friday Agreement was 'Sunningdale for slow learners' ~ your lesson for today is: 'Emigration for slow learners!' ~ Slainte! ~ agus slan abhaile,a Chara. Ireland does not deserve you!

• Towngate | Jun 22, 2011, 05:38 PM EDT

  Niall, a chara: As if to welcome a man who was part of the Peace Process, Belfast erupts into violence again! ~ ~ ~ When your plane takes off on your return trip, take a long lingering,thoughtful look at your former homeland and like many Irish before you, wave a bitter heartbroken farewell to the Land of your Dreams ..." and cross the foam - to seek a home - on the shores of Amer-ikay. (Sadly, just as the Good Friday Agreement was 'Sunningdale for slow learners' ~ this is Emigration for slow learners! ~ Slainte! ~ agus slan abhaile,a Chara.

• donalo2001 | Jun 22, 2011, 03:50 PM EDT

  So Ellis used to drink in Le Chateau in Cork. That figures We all knew it as 'Le Cockroach' after the clientele that used to frequent the place

• tredagh | Jun 22, 2011, 09:14 AM EDT

  The Irish Times are having bad luck with their correspondents lately. An Obituary writer for the London Times posing as a leading Irish American (a right wally) and a ..erm ladies Football Trainer as a GAA correspondent. What a hoot!

• kinvara7 | Jun 22, 2011, 06:47 AM EDT

  The population of Poland is around 40 million George. If another person made a massive mistake like that you would be calling them a 'liar' very quickly. I'll be more charitable because I know you are doing your best.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 21, 2011, 03:22 AM EDT

  Ellis, a parting lie before you skulk away? It is of course a fact, as I stated in the note that you misquoted, that countless millions of foreigners (70 million in Poland alone) have the right to settle and work in Ireland. If every Pole decided to move to Ireland tomorrow (and sometimes it seems like they have already) there is not a thing Ireland could do to stop it. Not alone that, but many of them could begin to collect the very generous Irish welfare benefits! Readers here in the US might imagine a situation in which every Mexican citizen (plus Venezuelans, plus Canadians etc. etc.) could arrive here and in many cases start collecting welfare! By the way Ellis, before you go, could you remind us what Irish Americans you know pride themselves on being more Irish than the Irish? That was the crazy claim you made in the Irish Times, and you have yet to retract it. That's because you're a liar and a bigot, isn't it?

• antoman | Jun 20, 2011, 06:41 PM EDT

  I'm gutted not just by Walter Ellis departure but that he won't run for the presidency.

• themurphia | Jun 20, 2011, 06:01 PM EDT

  Why's that Wally are you a slow reader...? For fexake give it a rest you will you...

• WalterEllis | Jun 20, 2011, 05:01 PM EDT

  George: you may be wondering about the source of my "inane lie" concerning the claim that you oppose immigration into the United States by "countless millions of foreigners". Might it be this? Oh, wait ... I think it might. "Posted by GeorgeDillon on Jun 12, 2011, 03:15 PM EDT trealach--you've just given us the trade of a madman. You want every Irish person to be given a work permit for the US? You've already given work and residence permits to COUNTLESS MILLIONS OF FOREIGNERS who can settle in Ireland whenever they choose, and you want us to repeat your mistake? Forget it, we Americans aren't goofs like you Irish." Oh dear, George. You do walk into these things. But that's it. I've still got a novel to finish. Apparently you can't live without me. The fact remains that I can live very comfortably without you. So I'll leave you to it (a JD and Coke, I believe). And the rest of you, too. Adieu! What a gas! If you can bear it, I'll be back in October. In the meantime, mesdames, messieurs, enjoy the summer.

• antoman | Jun 20, 2011, 04:14 PM EDT

  Another crushing blow delivered to Niall O'Dowds bid to be President courtesy of georgyboy.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 20, 2011, 03:00 PM EDT

  As I had expected, Ellis has skulked away, unable to take me up on my offer of $100 if he could substantiate the racist charge he made against me. So the Immigrant Council of Ireland will be the loser, though given that they have the billionaire Chuck Feeney as their sugar daddy in trying to break down the few remaining immigration controls in Ireland, I don't think they'll miss the hundred bucks. Of course even now Ellis couldn't resist another inane lie, with his claim that I oppose immigration by "countless millions of foreigners". I guess lying is pathological on his part at this stage. Don't come back Ellis, you're a racist and a liar. And a weirdo too, since your views are repudiated by the 70% of Irish people who in all polls say that they want a prudent and measured immigration policy for their small island and an end to Fianna Fail's Mad Mass Immigration policy. Your completely out of step with the Irish people. Your performance here in the past few days has been quite shameful, Ellis, as you have grossly abused the right to free speech generously offered on this site. As they say in Ireland, don't darken our door again.

• antoman | Jun 20, 2011, 10:46 AM EDT

  @themurphia-If Niall O'Dowd can't see to a troll,namely georgyboy,on his own site.Then he has no business even considering running for the Presidency in Ireland.As I've said Niall O'Dowds ambition to be President of Ireland was scuppered on this site by georgyboy.

• themurphia | Jun 20, 2011, 10:05 AM EDT

  I respectfully request that off topic comments are not published in order to avoid this incessant puerile 'trolling' and antagonisim...Otherwise what is the purpose of the 'report abuse' button...?thanx

• antoman | Jun 20, 2011, 10:00 AM EDT

  Hear hear Walter Ellis.Its true, georgyboy is mental.I've been saying it for some time now.To celebrate his mental state I wrote a song,it starts off like this.",Oooooooooh the mental man strikes again the mental man can...."

• WalterEllis | Jun 20, 2011, 09:35 AM EDT

  You're such a literal man, George. If someone – say you – constantly complains about the impact of immigrants on Irish society and makes it plain as plain can be that he regards the breakdown of homogeneity as bad ("catastrophic") for the natives, then it is clear to me that he sees immigrants as essentially harmful and undesirable. This is where the concept of pollution comes in. Look it up in the dictionary. I don't think you are, necessarily, a racist, and I'm pretty sure you're not a Nazi. No. My guess is that you simply want Ireland for the Irish. What you wish for the United States appears to be rather similar, perverse though this is in a country built almost entirely on inward migration. The evidence, to judge from your own words, is that you are opposed to "countless millions of foreigners" being admitted, including, I think, the Irish. In which case at least you would be consistent. On a more general note, might I suggest that neither of us in future makes any written reference to the other? This would be hard for you, I know. Insulting and abusing me seems to satisfy some deep-seated psychological need. And I don't doubt that I would sometimes be tempted to get stuck in again myself. But I think we should give it a go. I am prepared to ignore you. To be honest, I want nothing more to do with you. The question is, are you ready to ignore me? It really would be best – for both our sakes. So,George, let me (please) bid you a final goodbye and, as Frasier used to say to his listeners in the eponymous sitcom, good mental health.

• antoman | Jun 20, 2011, 09:04 AM EDT

  Walter Ellis for President.He crushed georgyboy and will probably fix the road to.People have read the articles here and like me must have concluded that the USS Niall O'Dowd was sunk by georgyboy before it even left port.

• antoman | Jun 20, 2011, 08:56 AM EDT

  If its attention you seek georgyboy remove your underpants and show it to your psychologist.Given the amount of shite you spew here on a daily basis.Not only will he up your meds and arrange for you a shower.But he will most likely contact NASA and see that you receive underwear capable of retaining your shite without causing offence to those who up until now had no choice but to suffer your vile stench and baby like abilty to produce it.Its a lovely day in Wisconsin why don't you go outside for awhile in the fresh air.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 20, 2011, 07:56 AM EDT

  Readers owe Ellis their thanks for his collecting some important snippets from my posts. They represent a cogent and fiery repudiation of the Mass Immigration Madness favored by the gangsters Fianna Fail and their apologists here. It is reported that some 25.000 foreign migrants arrived in Ireland during the first five months of this year. That's over a thousand settlers a week streaming into Ireland. It is reminiscent of the invasion of the Dakotas by white settlers back in the 1870s, and its result for the native Irish will be as catastrophic as it was for the Sioux. Of course, none of Ellis' quotations backed up the slimy slur he had thrown at me. Ellis is, not to mince words, a racist and a liar. His use of words such as "polluting" has echoes of the nazis and is totally reprehensible. Since Ellis has no respect for the truth, perhaps he has more interest in money. I therefore will pay Ellis or the Immigrant Council of Ireland the sum of 100 dollars if he can show where I wrote about foreign migrants "polluting" Ireland. Of course, since the Immigrant Council is bankrolled by billionaire Chuck Feeney (who has no scruples about interfering in another country's affairs) my hundred bucks would make little difference to their fat bankrolls. Thankfully, they won't see a dime of my cash. So Ells, are you a man or just a mendacious liar and bigot? Prove your dirty little slander, or withdraw it and apologize.

• themurphia | Jun 20, 2011, 07:45 AM EDT

  That should have been 'The Savage loves his native shore'...from 'The Irishman' by James Orr ...

• themurphia | Jun 20, 2011, 07:24 AM EDT

  I accept what you say about the role of the An Uachtarain in the day to day affairs of the State..but the freedom from the yoke of Party affiliation and the ability to network the international connections for the good of the Economy will be a positve attribute not available to the current lacklustre lot... Niall has to pitch his case in the best possible light... As for the political elite knowing and understanding the needs of the/ir people beyond their own exclusive group they have shown precious little interest other than self interest.. And for those who question the emigrants love of his/her country 'the savage always returns to his native shore'...Sometimes you have to leave albeit unwillingly to appreciate that which you have left behind.. As for the vist of 'Eilis a do' I'm not sure I agree with you but I don't want to get sidetracked on that one...

• WalterEllis | Jun 20, 2011, 06:57 AM EDT

  Fair do's, themurphia. On the substantive issue of the Presidency, it is clear to me that, while it can, in the right hands, be a force for good (as in Mary McAleese's invitation to Queen Elizabeth to visit Ireland), it cannot become institutionally involved in day-to-day political issues, including the economy. It is one thing for an Irish President to take with him (or her) on his travels a dynamic sales team and for the head of state to make government-approved speeches aimed at encouraging inward investment. But the idea that the occupant of the Aras should be an active negotiator, talking to U.S. politicians and business leaders behind the scenes about how best to invest their millions seems to me a curious one. Isn't that what the Finance Minister, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the relevant people at the Irish Embassy are supposed to do? The idea that the Diaspora (only a tiny proportion of whom have, in any case, the necessary millions to spend) would respond better to a "well-connected" Irish-American President than to one who has spent a lifetime working in the Republic, understanding its people and their needs, is surely far-fetched. But, hey, it's a free country, and if that's what voters want, they know what to do.

• themurphia | Jun 20, 2011, 06:40 AM EDT

  TiocfaidhArmani...'What's love got to do with it'...? If 'Caitlin ni Houlihan' loved her children 'she' would provide for them at home... not abandon them to their fate on foreign soil...People do not leave Mother Ireland because they do not love her they leave in order to suvive...what was it Joyce said again 'the sow that eats her farrow'...?

• TiocfaidhArmani | Jun 20, 2011, 05:18 AM EDT

  I have my doubts about voting for a person who doesn't love Ireland enough to live there yet wants to be elected President, although looking at the list of candidates you'll get my vote, Niall. Good luck with your campaign, I hope you get a fair crack at the whip.

• themurphia | Jun 20, 2011, 05:06 AM EDT

  Can we now get back to discussing the substantive issue...? NI 'hacks' now 'twittering'...about Niall's candidacy and endorsement by Indo...Irish Politics needs new blood...Since Independence it has been dominated by Dynastic families and I suppose like the Roman Empire and the Florentines there comes a time when absolute power vested in the few becomes corrupt figuratively speaking... Modern day Ireland bears no resemblance to the vision of the heroes of 1916...It lost the run of itself and paid the price...I hope this Presidential election will represent a Renaissance of ideas values and political integrity for 'Eire Nua'...so no pressure Niall...

• antoman | Jun 19, 2011, 06:13 PM EDT

  Walter Ellis:You may be happy to hear that little has changed aside from some new light fixtures on Patricks Street.

• WalterEllis | Jun 19, 2011, 06:06 PM EDT

  Antoman: Funnily enough, I used to live at the top of Patrick's Hill. I worked at the Examiner in Academy Street and drank in Le Chateau on the corner of Patrick Street. Great days! But then I was only 22. That was 40 years ago.

• DeValera | Jun 19, 2011, 05:53 PM EDT

  There is too much interference in irish affairs by outside interests at the moment. Irish America is one of a long list.The last thing we need in the aras is an american patsy.

• antoman | Jun 19, 2011, 05:46 PM EDT

  @Walter Ellis-Well,given the epic beatdown you delivered to georgyboy.Consider the Mayorship of Cork yours.I'll engage Sirpeter in talks to see if we can get one of the pillars of Patricks Bridge named for you in recognition of services rendered.

• WalterEllis | Jun 19, 2011, 05:25 PM EDT

  Sorry, Antoman, but British obituary writers aren't allowed to stand. Nor can those who have [or have not] been promoted by the London Times as "some sort of prominent Irish American".

• antoman | Jun 19, 2011, 05:13 PM EDT

  Walter Ellis for President of Ireland!!

• WalterEllis | Jun 19, 2011, 05:08 PM EDT

  Just a few – a very few – of Georges's more recent comments on foreigners in Ireland (and the U.S): “I am in agreement with the 70% of Irish people who are opposed to the mass settlement of their homeland by foreigners.” “[The Saint Patrick's Day] parade in Dublin now is dominated by Pakistanis, Poles, Indians, Chinese and Africans. It has no element whatsoever of Irish history, music or language. I guess that's why an anti-Irish bigot such as you likes it.” “How could a sane person have any respect for people like you, antoman, who whine about being unemployable while they cheerlead the Fianna Fail policy of importing unlimited foreign labor into the country? Of course I have contempt for you, antoman, you're an imbecile.” “[Explain] to me why the clowns in Ireland have turned hospitality & tourism into an industry that's dominated by Eastern Europeans.” “[Trealach] …You want every Irish person to be given a work permit for the US? You've already given work and residence permits to countless millions of foreigners who can settle in Ireland whenever they choose, and you want us to repeat your mistake? Forget it, we Americans aren't goofs like you Irish.” "You Irish?" Get help, George.

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 04:16 PM EDT

  So George what was your contribution to the Peace Process...? What have you got to offer the Irish people/unemployed that Niall O'Dowd doesn't...? Are you a publisher who has built up a business that employs hundreds of people since arriving in America or are you just one of the Diasporate...? Maybe you have one of the top 100 businesses... No...? thought not...have a good look at yourself and ask yourself why you are criticising a man of actual achievement...Get a reality check...and while you're at it YOU withdraw your defamatory comments or I will have to join the list of posters complaining about your violent and gratuitously offensive comments...

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 03:58 PM EDT

  George: Get some anger management..Walter's invited you out for a drink TWICE what do you want dinner and a hotel...some might think you were projecting I couldn't possibly comment...Instead of ranting reread your posts about the Dublin Paddys Day parade and why you wouldn't walk in it...didn't someone say something about you being unemployable...wonder why...Hmmmm...????

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 19, 2011, 03:03 PM EDT

  themurphia: Didn't you have an appointment with your psychiatrist this week? As to your stupid post, I will certainly defend myself against liars like Ellis who post dirty slurs and falsehoods about me. You may have no self-respect--I do. Try taking that self-esteem class the doc recommended.

• tullyallen | Jun 19, 2011, 03:03 PM EDT

  We all get homesick from time to time . In Ireland and else where there is a law determining the minimum wage ,there isn't one for the maximum wage . The ratio between the Presidents salary and the minimum wage is 1 to 20 and that doesn't include expenses plus a residence . All at the peoples expense. Most politicians in Ireland are cute hoors living off the taxpayers back . Its a club. All the tra la la about the diaspora and what they'll do for Ireland is just spin. Like the rest of them you are after the cushiest job in the country. Of course if you want some credibility take a paycut on a ratio of lets be generous 1 to 10 .

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 02:57 PM EDT

  George:get some anger management...!

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 19, 2011, 02:14 PM EDT

  Ellis, you're a stinking liar. You invent a quote that I complained about "the foreigners "polluting" Ireland." Retract that dirty lie and slur now, or show me where I have ever said what you viciously ascribe to me. You're a goddamn liar, Ellis, and a vile bigot too. Disgusting piece of vermin.

• KathyCallahan | Jun 19, 2011, 01:57 PM EDT

  run Niall run and watch the opposition react as they wear it on their sleeve. It all makes for a great campaign on Ellis begrudging hack backside

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 01:03 PM EDT

  tullyallen:' a lien with any concerned parties' if that pun was intentional it was brilliant...if it wasn't intentional it was unintentioanlly brilliant....!

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 12:48 PM EDT

  Apart from 'alien' 'blow in' the other soubriquet you can look forward to is 'Returned Yank'...just thought I'd cheer you up..! Actually I think you're candidacy will really shake the 'race for the Park' up..shame there's no longer an actual race course in Phoenix Park...how cool would that be having all those thoroughbreds in your back garden...bliss!

• tullyallen | Jun 19, 2011, 12:47 PM EDT

  Isn't his brother a Fine Gael T.D ?He defected from the Labour Party a few years ago. He picked the wrong side in the leadership dispute in Fine Gael between Bruton and Kenny. And now Niall O'Dowd is looking for the nomination from Fianna fail and Sinn Féin.! So this is the scenario. He wants us to percieve him as independent supported by Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein while his brother is a Minister of State. How could anyone claim to independent in a situation like that ? Even law courts don't recognise witnesses as independent if they have a lien with any concerned parties. I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said "You can fool all the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time . But you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

• WalterEllis | Jun 19, 2011, 12:16 PM EDT

  George: As I have written several times (sadly, you don't read, you only react), I have held an Irish passport since 1974. I spent years working in Ireland, north and south of the Border, for the (then) Cork Examiner and Irish Times – this as an Ulster Prod and therefore, in the words of the Proclamation of 1916, one of the Children of he Nation, to be cherished equally with all the rest. My grandparents were from Sligo, Leitrim, Down and Antrim. I have written a memoir about growing up in Ireland. My present publisher is Irish. In short, I am, for all my faults, Irish. The fact that I grew up in Northern Ireland means that I also have a British aspect – just as Niall, for example, has an American aspect. One need not cancel out the other. You have many times labelled me an "anti-Irish bigot," usually in the context of your misperception of me or else, ironically, in the course of one of your diatribes against the foreigners "polluting" Ireland. I think it would be nice if you could learn to think before you write, but I hold out no great hopes. Instead, I fully expect you to denounce me yet again. Indeed, already I can hear your gorge rising and the scratching of your quill.

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 19, 2011, 11:51 AM EDT

  kinvara: Once again you write without using any of your remaining brain cells. How do you know this guy Ellis even WANTS "inclusion to the Irish family"? Does he hold an Irish passport? Do you even know, or did you just post again without thinking?

• GeorgeDillon | Jun 19, 2011, 11:48 AM EDT

  antoman: Poor choice of responsibilities for me. Public Health is the obvious choice--I'll see that you get the care you need.

• Towngate | Jun 19, 2011, 11:42 AM EDT

  @ 09.34: Of course all Embassy boundaries include gates and railings and are recognised worldwide as Sovereign Territory of the country they represent. However, I will leave you to grapple with this puzzle: The US Embassy to Ireland is located in which City?

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 11:07 AM EDT

  A variation on the song referred to below might be 'I'm a legal alien... an American in the Park'...Actually the De Valera analogy is the perfect response to the begrudgers...mind you the FF'ers aren't too popular at the moment but Ronan O'Gara is and he was born in California...!

• antoman | Jun 19, 2011, 09:34 AM EDT

  Deadly Dublin Gateposts?Would not the boundry of the American Embassy include the exits and gates?Towntroll..pushing the cerebral limit right to the very edge of the hairline.

• Towngate | Jun 19, 2011, 09:09 AM EDT

  Niall, a chara: So a newspaperman is supporting a newspaperman - good show of professional soladarity so far! I think you are probably being either naive or disingenuous about your 'Alien' status, as that would have been your Status when you entered America and remained until you became 'Naturalised' and renounced all former allegiances. (I was surprised to see my sainted father describes as such on his New York entry papers). You are now getting a double-whammy of this status by your ambition to help your former homeland. There is also a bit of old 'journo-divilment'in your Post where you rely on your less well-read readers to believe the term only relates to creatures from Outer Space. Good luck with your meetings and don't worry about where to park. You can use the same spot as the last visiting Alien from "O-B Ken-waii-gago" who popped in recently. Be sure your craft doesn't have to whisk you away to safety in the United Kingdom at news of a bit of Evil Earth Dust coming to get you; also beware of our innocent-looking Deadly Dublin Gateposts who know how to stop a multi-million dollar,nuclear proof,Earthmobile containing the codes and people capable of destroying the entire Planet ~ dead in its tracks! Happy landings and watch out for the MO'C Monster if you decide to go bog-trotting through the Montrose Marshes! Slainte!

• antoman | Jun 19, 2011, 08:45 AM EDT

  Well then we can expect an outbreak of cattle mutilations and unexpected prostate exams I guess.This won't go down at tall well with the IFA.The use of the word alien has also been used in articles on this site.By Patrick Roberts I believe.I pointed out that most Irish would interpret the word alien as an entity with a propensity for interfering with a mans God given exit and not as an illegal human.If I was told I was an alien I would immediately get checked by a doctor to confirm I was human and failing to get a doctor I would ask my mam and dad where they are from while watching closely for any signs they were telling lies.Lastly,,if you gain the Presidency can you take georgyboy with you Niall?I dunno..make him your Gaeltacht and foreign affairs advisor?Thanks and goodluck.

• kinvara7 | Jun 19, 2011, 08:21 AM EDT

  Let's be honest here Niall, this was another dull article. I see you are once again talking about being 'attacked' in an article written by Walter Ellis; a man who was also born in Ireland, yet you appear very comfortable denying him inclusion to the Irish family; very ironic considering your rightful anger when people question yours. You also put great store in the endorsement of an Irish Independent columnist, despite going on to admit that you don't know him or why he really wanted to endorse you. You write: 'his main point was that most of the other candidates were totally compromised by their elected presence in Europe during the recent meltdown when they did nothing and at least I had a reputation for plain speaking and was in America while all this nonsense was going on.' In other words you also did nothing. Apparently some should be tarnished for trying to do something, while you on the otherhand should be lauded for being thousands of miles away doing absolutely nothing. That's how that paragraph reads Niall. There was an Irish politician who was praised as a 'plain' speaker back in early 2008, however it didn't take long before he was being critisised for being uninspiring and a poor communicator. You should keep that in mind the next time you sit down to write about your run for the Áras.

• themurphia | Jun 19, 2011, 07:06 AM EDT

  Excellent news Niall...How did the song go again..'I'm an alien...an illegal alien... I'm an Irishman in Noo Yawk...' tho' of course in your case not 'illegal'...I fully endorse those who see the contribution you can make to the future of Ireland in your own right and as a representative of the Diaspora...The tribal 'Fianna' parties are tainted with the smell of the banking crisis...something rotten in the House of Leinster...a President not indentured to either of the the political parties has a greater chance of winning the trust of the people who are embattled and are weary of the same old rhetoric and cronyism...HooRah