http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/images/2009/0508/frontpageimage.jpg


http://www.independent.ie/multimedia/archive/00318/rugbyqueen_indo_318982t.jpg

Revenge for Mongo Johnsons slight on our dear President?


IS it not discourteous for one individual to have their hands in their pockets when meeting another?

Perhaps someone should explain this to Ireland's Grand Slam hero Ronan O'Gara, who is a role model to countless children and was a one-time candidate for Irish rugby captain. Can we expect the same disregard for manners when he is inevitably introduced to another respected (former) head of state, Nelson Mandela, this summer?

Neil Finch
Moray, Scotland


Your front page photo in today's newspaper (Irish Independent, May 8) shows that Ronan O'Gara is not only a brilliant rugby player but is also, apparently , a dab hand at pocket billiards.

Joe Curran
Celbridge, Co Kildare

Independent.ie

The look on O'Driscoll's face! - he knows ROG is a liability at these things. I nearly coughed up my coffee laughing when I saw that picture michievously put on the front of the Irish Times.

O'Driscolls face says it all. :lol:

Oh man, that is hilarious :lol: She looks perplexed.

Not that I give a hoot about the Queen, but O'Gara is being an arse.

Total disrespect. What ever his opinion of the Queen personally, she is the head of State of the United Kingdom and widely respected and admired across the country.

Such bad manners.

Total disrespect. What ever his opinion of the Queen personally, she is the head of State of the United Kingdom and widely respected and admired across the country.

Such bad manners.

He is proud to be Irish not bad manners. I have full respect in him doing what he did.

He is proud to be Irish not bad manners. I have full respect in him doing what he did.


So?

I'm proud to be British, doesn't mean I'd keep my hand in my pockets when meeting the President of France. Its exactly to do with good manners and respect.

So?

I'm proud to be British, doesn't mean I'd keep my hand in my pockets when meeting the President of France. Its exactly to do with good manners and respect.

Martin Johnson made our president walk off the red carpet to greet the english rugby team at landsdowne road a few years ago. Nothing was said about that at the time.

So?

I'm proud to be British

Maybe you should be proud to be Irish - give it a try.


Oh and transport21 yeah Johnson = thug - no dispute there.

Maybe you should be proud to be Irish - give it a try.


Oh and transport21 yeah Johnson = thug - no dispute there.


Well seeing as I'm not Irish.....no.

I know you have a inept ability of understanding identity on the island of Ireland and the range of cultures and backgrounds. I would however suggest you either become more tolerant of such things or STFU.

Oh I know Irish people (which is in fact EVERYONE in Ireland) have been told to shut the fcuk up for decades in the North - turfed out of their homes, beaten and murdered, burnt out, gerrymandered - let's not go there shall we?


You are Irish - you may aswell face that fact. You live in Ireland. Am I wrong that you live on the Island of Ireland? If I am where do you live?

dftt tbh :lol:

Jesus. Why are people trying to make this political? Ronan O'Gara is just a huge eejit who didn't realise how this would look. Nothing in the slightest to do with it being the Head of the British Empire, he'd do the same to his own Mum he’s that daft. :lol:

Oh I know Irish people (which is in fact EVERYONE in Ireland) have been told to shut the fcuk up for decades in the North - turfed out of their homes, beaten and murdered, burnt out, gerrymandered - let's not go there shall we?


You are Irish - you may aswell face that fact. You live in Ireland. Am I wrong that you live on the Island of Ireland? If I am where do you live?

Why do you insist in bringing politics into every thread? Northern Ireland is in the United Kingdom, thus making its citizens British. Get over it.

Oh I know Irish people (which is in fact EVERYONE in Ireland) have been told to shut the fcuk up for decades in the North - turfed out of their homes, beaten and murdered, burnt out, gerrymandered - let's not go there shall we?


You are Irish - you may aswell face that fact. You live in Ireland. Am I wrong that you live on the Island of Ireland? If I am where do you live?


The island of Ireland is a geographically term. The island of Ireland contains two countries. That of the Republic of Ireland and that of Northern Ireland, a constituent country of the United Kingdom.

All children born in the United Kingdom are British citizens. I have no ethnic Irish ancestry, my mother's family are descended from a prominent Scottish clan and my father's family from England. I feel more Scottish than I do Irish.

I don't see why you constantly act as a political troll. Your opinion is not held by a majority and indeed such words put people off the notion of a shared island. I fully support greater co-operation and engagement, but if the majority of people thought as you did then I would not.

Such co-operation is build in a foundation of respect and tolerance for the belief of others. I do not question your Irish identify, don't ever question the connection I have to the United Kingdom. It's people like you with your backward opinions that caused many of the problems that have plagued the island of Ireland for generations.

Forgetting whether the Queen is British or Ronan is Irish etc .... forgetting all geographical routes and politics etc etc ...

... If someone meets someone for the first time ... especially an elder, is it not common basic manners to be polite ... regardless of status not to stand with your hands in your pockets?? I know i would never meet someone for the first time in such a stance.

Btw im trying to stay neutral and not cause a stir but simply state that in my view, basic manners dictate regardless of the persons status that you do not great someone with your hands in your pockets....

Forgetting whether the Queen is British or Ronan is Irish etc .... forgetting all geographical routes and politics etc etc ...

... If someone meets someone for the first time ... especially an elder, is it not common basic manners to be polite ... regardless of status not to stand with your hands in your pockets?? I know i would never meet someone for the first time in such a stance.

Btw im trying to stay neutral and not cause a stir but simply state that in my view, basic manners dictate regardless of the persons status that you do not great someone with your hands in your pockets....


I agree completely.

It is bad manners, but I do believe him when he says there was no malice or political statement intended by it!!!

It is bad manners, but I do believe him when he says there was no malice or political statement intended by it!!!

I actually have to admit i only briefly read the details and dont know the whole story so im just commenting on what i know .... im not saying he did have intentions to purposely come across that way ... most likely he is just that type of guy and never intended this to kick up such a fuss ....

Forgetting whether the Queen is British or Ronan is Irish etc .... forgetting all geographical routes and politics etc etc ...

... If someone meets someone for the first time ... especially an elder, is it not common basic manners to be polite ... regardless of status not to stand with your hands in your pockets?? I know i would never meet someone for the first time in such a stance.

Btw im trying to stay neutral and not cause a stir but simply state that in my view, basic manners dictate regardless of the persons status that you do not great someone with your hands in your pockets....

What if you were to meet Bin Laden

What if you were to meet Bin Laden

haha now your being awkward! ... ok you got me there!!

What's wrong with that boy?

If theres any head of state that deserves respect its the queen. Not a foot wrong and not one scandal in 57 or so years on the throne. Obviously some Irish people have a problem with her because she is the symbolic head of the British state. Its not as if she chose the job and i wouldnt want it for any money.

What's wrong with that boy?

Delta? He's a member of the God Squad.

Obviously some Irish people have a problem with her because she is the symbolic head of the British state.


The 26 counties were removed illegally from the British Crown and should be returned, a referendum should be set-up without delay.

If theres any head of state that deserves respect its the queen.

She has served in the second world war, she has shook hands with so many iconic/ordinary people, from local unheard of people to the Beatles, from charity workers to Nelson Mandela, I wonder what her scrap book is like, with pictures of her shaking hands with the famous, there is nobody who comes near.

belfastuniguy, I'm also from the Republic and I don't share odlum's views, I think he's trolling you.

As for O'Gara, I think he's not smart enough to make a political statement here - he's just ill-bred.

It is bad manners, but I do believe him when he says there was no malice or political statement intended by it!!!
Then he is ignorant and rude.

Whether you like what she stands for or not, there has not been one person who has met the lady that has not said she holds herself with grace and dignity.

O'Gara was being a cunt and you all know it, just as well her got what he deserved, came on in the second test and single handedly destroyed any chances of the lions winning the series.

Missed tackle for the third try, up and under when he should have punted it into the stand and fucked the chase by fouling the guy, well done mate, act like a cunt, life treats you like one!

;-)

O'Driscoll on the other hand is a gentleman of class and a credit to his country!

What if you were to meet Bin Laden

Under what circumstances? Which one of us is the prisoner in chains?

Noostairz is a bad man. Do not trust him.

Who did what, where now?

If theres any head of state that deserves respect its the queen. Not a foot wrong and not one scandal in 57 or so years on the throne. Obviously some Irish people have a problem with her because she is the symbolic head of the British state. Its not as if she chose the job and i wouldnt want it for any money.

Careful there, monsieur. Our dear queen is not as pure as you think.
Please research what was done to the poor Chagos people of Diego Garcia (An island owned by the British in the Indian Ocean - part of the Chagos Archipelego). Their plight was highlighted by a brilliant investigative journalist named John Pilger - there's a documentary on it. Mark Curtis also wrote about it. I'm afraid she played a very nasty part in that crime. It would make you sick what the British & Americans did there.

I'm not a hysterical Brit hater , but I'm just pointing this out so that you know she's not perfect. It's important to know as much truth as possible. "Knowledge is power".

Peace.

The 26 counties were removed illegally from the British Crown and should be returned, a referendum should be set-up without delay.


What a laughable comment, and clearly off topic. But just to aid my understanding of the situation, can anyone recommend a non partisan link to explain the formation of the republic? (And to explain why, if it was 'illegal', why Britain recognised it).
And out of interest has a pole ever been taken re the presumed referendum question?

Wiki has a fairly unbiased history.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_ireland