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air lingus caves in to unionist censorship

category national | miscellaneous | news report author Tuesday March 25, 2003 15:34author by reverend dogcollar

Wolfe Tones pulled from Aer Lingus flights online.ie 24 Mar 2003

Irish state airline Aer Lingus has pandered to the sensibilities of unionist politicians and removed rebel and republican songs from its in-flight entertainment on trans-Atlantic flight, it was revealed tonight.

Ulster Unionist Assembly member Roy Beggs Jnr, complained to the airline after finding what he branded a "blatant promotion of militant, armed republicanism" on a music channel during a flight from Dublin to Boston.


He said he and a party colleague had been shocked to read in the in-flight magazine there was a radio channel dedicated to songs from ex Wolfe Tones folk singer Derek Warfield.


They included such titles as 'Remember Bobby Sands' 'Ten Dead Men' 'Volunteers of Ireland' and 'Fighting Irish'.


The furious politician wrote to Aer Lingus complaining.


In the current climate of international terrorism, said Mr Beggs, it was the same as "the speeches of Osama Bin Laden being played on a trans-Atlantic Arabian airline."


An Aer Lingus spokeswoman said the music, supplied by an in-flight entertainment company, had been axed.


"It is something that should not have been on board and we removed it immediately we became aware of it."


Comments (8 of 8)

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author by luke kelly's beardpublication date Tue Mar 25, 2003 15:56author address author phone

What you're failing to point out is that the Wolfe Tones are fucking shite.

So well done Aer Lingus.

author by pat cpublication date Tue Mar 25, 2003 16:01author address author phone

but we cant let those unionist bastards win. get lobbying aer lingus.

author by Son of Pat C.publication date Tue Mar 25, 2003 17:38author address author phone

we get abnoxious groups pissed for the price of 1, and most ordinary working people will support us as well.

author by pat cpublication date Tue Mar 25, 2003 17:43author address author phone

just the sp. so get lobbying!

author by Despublication date Tue Mar 25, 2003 19:41author address author phone

What about their manager being pissed off?

author by hunterpublication date Tue Mar 25, 2003 19:46author address author phone

luke kellys beard speaks the truth - the tones are indeed fucking shite.

mind you its not often i get to travel on a trans-atlantic flight

author by Eamonn Cpublication date Tue Mar 25, 2003 21:34author address author phone

Have the Wolfe tones been 'decomissioned' in the real world? Heard something about a 'survey' they won that there was some controversy over?

Anyone know the Story??

author by celtic fanpublication date Wed Mar 26, 2003 01:47author address author phone

Yes Eamonn, The Tones won a BBC poll, some trots and some liberal fellow travellers in the media suggested the bbc allowed the poll to be fixed!



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