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John Laverty Profile
John Laverty

@JohnCharlesLave

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Belfast Telegraph Night Editor. Multi-award-winning journalist. Author of best-selling novel 'Malcolm Brodie & Me'. Views are my own, and not those of the paper

Northern Ireland
Joined October 2011
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Daddy, are you SURE this is a better bedtime read than the Three Little Pigs? PS: thanks to everyone who has been reading and enjoying my daddy's new book. #malcolmbrodieandme
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Conservative MP to John Hume in the 1990s: "The thought of you speaking to IRA murderers makes me sick to my stomach". John Hume: "You're not the one who walks behind the coffins." #GFA
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
5 years
"Where the f*** are the IRA when you need them?" Frankie Boyle's appallingly insensitive 'joke', broadcast by the BBC...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
One of the sad things about last night's chanting by the Irish women footballers was that none of them were born when the IRA campaign was at its nastiest. When you've seen someone after they've been blown to pieces, as I have, you can't help but be nauseated by this behaviour.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
89 years old and seriously ill with cancer, yet still he came here and spoke. This courageous, remarkable man is one of my all-time heroes. #GeorgeMitchell #GFA25
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
Young folk occasionally ask: "How good was George Best?" To which I reply: Imagine if Lionel Messi was naturally two-footed, could head the ball like Ronaldo and was as fast as Mbappe. THAT'S how good Bestie was...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
What Gary Lineker wrote yesterday was simply outrageous. How DARE he compare today's right-wing rhetoric to what was said in Nazi Germany in the 1930s? Can't think where he got that crazy idea from. PS: Here's a cartoon that appeared in the Daily Mail in 2015... #garylineker
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
How Northern Ireland works... Sunday: Donagadee is named in the Sunday Times as one of the best places in the UK to live. Last night: Paramilitaries force people out of their homes in Donaghadee.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Question: I've never met Phillip Schofield or any of his former colleagues (except Eamonn Holmes). But I've known about him and his, erm, young boyfriend for many years, as has virtually everyone else in the UK media. So how on earth did his ITV bosses and colleagues NOT know?
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
How Northern Ireland works: Earlier this week... Arlene Foster: "Joe Biden hates the United Kingdom". Later this week... Arlene Foster will be one of 25 women honoured by Hillary Clinton for "making a significant contribution to peace” in Northern Ireland.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Meet Northern Ireland's latest millionaire. #DonnaTraynor
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
It was really thoughtful of retail giant Marks & Spencer to set aside specific parking spaces for middle-aged, beer-bellied men like me who enjoy being in control of the barbecue.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Reporter: "Mr Hume, other MPs in the Commons are saying that the thought of you talking to representatives of paramilitary killers sickens them. What do you say to that?" John Hume: "They are not the ones who walk behind the coffins..." #RIPJohnHume
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Spare a thought today for my old pal, former Man United manager Tommy Docherty - the flamboyant, charismatic Scot who turned the club around brilliantly after relegation in the mid-1970s. I'm told 'The Doc' is very poorly. Let's hope you pull though, mate. #TommyDocherty #MUFC
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 months
My wee girl (9) heading off today to represent our wee country at the UK Gymnastics championships. #SoProud
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
How the media works: On today's Daily Mail front page: "LIZ JONES: So why DOES Duchess Meghan always wear utterly impractical white?" PS: Here's a professionally taken picture of Liz Jones. Wearing white...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
BREAKING NEWS: PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne has called on Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken to resign immediately. According to Mr Bryne: "Steve Aiken has lost the confidence of all listeners to this morning's Stephen Nolan Show and his position is now untenable..."
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Caller 'Harold from Portadown' on today's Nolan radio show: "Tell Biden to stay away; he's a full-blown Romanist..." Makes you proud to be from Northern Ireland, doesn't it?🤦‍♂️
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
It's absolutely disgraceful that Umbro feel they need to apologise for Linfield FC's new kit colours. Apologise for what... a coincidence? Also, the last time I checked, the UVF didn't hold exclusive rights to purple and orange... #LinfieldKit #LinfieldFC
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
A reminder of the News Letter's front page, the day after that unimaginable tragedy in Creeslough made headlines across the world.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
This is a man who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, survived a 14-day fight-to-the-death with the Taliban in Garmsir and won the Military Cross and Queen's Commendation for Bravery. Do you really think threat from the UDA is going to scare him? #DougBeattie
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Who better than Dame Arlene to go through the fine print of the massive Windsor Framework document on behalf of the DUP? No, wait a minute... 😀
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
30 years ago today. Warrington. Lest we forget. Remember these two photographs next time you're tempted to sing a song glorifying the murderers of three-year-old Jonathan Ball and 12-year-old Tim Parry. #Warrington
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
10 months
Maybe Casement Park should change its name to ‘Dundonald Ice Bowl’. Then there’d be guaranteed funding, proper timeline... and no objections. My column in the @BelTel today.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Thought for the day: none of the people who are pushing hard for a second lockdown are in any danger of losing their jobs as the result of it.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Last week... NI Health Minister Robin Swann describes Sir Van Morrison's lyrics as "dangerous". Today... NI Health Minister Robin Swann tells the public: “We need to move from the dark end of the street to the bright side of the road.” The man really does have a sense of humour.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
A very happy 80th birthday - and many more of them - to the legend that is my great friend Jeekie Fullerton. One of a kind, Jeekie. Have a great day. #JackieFullerton
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
I loved it when Michael O'Neill was first appointed to the NI job, and someone pointed out to him that he was the first locally-born Catholic to accept the post. His reply: "So what? I'm not here to say Mass..."🤣 Best of luck, me old pal and one-time Ballymena neighbour. #GAWA
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 months
Quote of the day: "I'm going for England, because we're part of Great Britain" (Belfast man on Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme). Will you tell him or shall I? 😀
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
7 months
RIP Walter Love. Legend
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
Terrific headline.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
Military Cross recipient @BeattieDoug and his courageous colleagues never fliched for a second when being pinned down by Taliban gunfire, day upon day, in Garmsir. I'm not sure a broken office window in Portadown is going to terrify him. @BelTel
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
That was the worst commentary I have ever heard in my life. Thank God BBC have the final.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Just to prove that the DUP have got their priorities right at Westminster, Jim Shannon has tabled an Early Day Motion... to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the release of Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Somewhere, at a keyboard near you, at least one Northern Ireland journalist is flexing their fingers and getting ready to type an intro that begins with "Heavy rain failed to dampen spirits..." 🤦‍♀️ #thetwelfth
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Larne FC are about to win the Irish League for the first time in their history and I know of one gentleman who, if he was still with us today, could not be happier about that. Indeed, he'd be organising the parties. Thinking of you, cove, as always. #RIPDavySmyth @larnefc
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Forget snowmen... make a replica of the Titanic
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
@mrjamesob @campbellclaret Re the Northern Ireland protocol... Either Boris Johnson hadn't a clue what he was signing up to, or knew full well and went ahead with it anyway. Whichever way you look at it...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
How the media works: There was obviously no room in this piece for Rio Ferdinand to declare that he and Newcastle owner Mike Ashley are actually business partners, and that Ferdinand's FIVE fashion range is available exclusively from Ashley's Sports Direct outlets. #NewcastleFC
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
Ten years gone, but will never be forgotten. 'Legend' is too small a word for this man. #MalcolmBrodie
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Who'd have thought a TV drama about wine tasting could be absolutely gripping? Not me, but I can't get enough of this gem. #DropsOfGod
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
Remember this, big man? @NormanWhiteside #MUFC
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
11 months
For some reason, Richard Madeley never gets tired of guests destroying him live on TV. The man is remarkable.
@SaulStaniforth
Saul Staniforth
11 months
The president of Guyana swats away Richard Madeleys stupid question #GMB
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
6 months
RIP Chris Nicholl. Great player for Northern Ireland and super bloke. Condolences to Chris's family and friends.
@JohnGillespieJG
John Gillespie
6 months
Such a player. RIP Chris Nicholl #GAWA
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
How Northern Ireland works: FM Arlene Foster, who refused to resign after the RHI scandal, is furious at PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne for refusing to resign following today's fall-out over Bobby Storey's funeral, after which DFM Michelle O'Neill refused to resign...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
To me, this is a photograph that sums up the respect in which Walter Smith was held in Glasgow. Here, he helps carry the coffin of Celtic legend Tommy Burns out of St Mary's chapel in 2008. #ripwaltersmith
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
I've just been informed that my friend and former colleague Dessie Blackadder, editor of the Ballymena Guardian, has fallen ill and is currently in hospital. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Dessie. You're in my thoughts and, I've no doubt, the thoughts of many others today.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
Emma Raducanu isn't the only Canadian-born sporting hero who moved from their birthplace in Ontario to the UK when they were a toddler... #JimmyNick #GAWA
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Called in to a Belfast newsagent today to buy a paper. As I tried to pay for it: "It's a 30p charge for contactless payments." Sorry, but I'll eat my own feet before giving in to extortion like that.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
2005: Ballymena DUP councillor Maurice Mills says Hurricane Katrina was sent by God to punish gays. 2020: Ballymena DUP councillor John Carson says Covid-19 is God's punishment for gay marriage. Plus ça change... #Covid19UK #CouncillorJohnCarson
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Social distancing, Ballymena-style...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
BREAKING NEWS: MP Stephen Farry says he now loves the new Linfield away kit and will wear it everywhere he goes... #LinfieldKit
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
@carolinejmolloy I think this is an appropriate time to remind people of Mr Coren's infamous email...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
6 months
So Casement will cost between £270m and £308m. Good luck finding that...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
Important question: when did you last see (or need, or buy) a tin of Kiwi shoe polish? When I was growing up, every house had at least one knocking around.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
9 months
Ask any employee of the Belfast Telegraph, from the 1960s through to the 2000s, who their favourite colleague was - and, invariably, this wonderful man's name will come up. My/OUR great friend Colin McMullan died today. I love you, man. I will NEVER forget you. RIP, dear Colly.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Re earlier tweets this evening... 2017: Glenavon FC introduce new orange and purple away kit (see below) No one says a word. No one apologises. 2020: Linfield FC introduce new orange and purple away kit and... #LinfieldKit
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Eight years ago today, the person who had the biggest influence on my life took a final curtain call from his own remarkable, glittering stage. Master, mentor, confidant, genius, inspiration, companion, unforgettable friend. Malcolm Brodie, 1926-2013. Fondly remembered, always.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
PS: the irony is that a lot of the criticism levelled at Linfield FC is, by its very nature, both specific and sectarian; would Glenavon, for instance, have attracted similar flak if THEY had brought out a purple and orange away kit? I think not...
@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
It's absolutely disgraceful that Umbro feel they need to apologise for Linfield FC's new kit colours. Apologise for what... a coincidence? Also, the last time I checked, the UVF didn't hold exclusive rights to purple and orange... #LinfieldKit #LinfieldFC
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
Congratulations to my old colleague @BenLowry2 on his appointment as editor of the News Letter. Ben has been the unofficial voice of the paper for years now and fully deserves this appointment. A committed, meticulous journalist. Best of luck.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Worth the wait.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
Will you tell him or shall I? #StuartDallas
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
Devastated to hear of the death of Terry Smyth, former BBC NI head of sport. A great friend, a wonderful human being. All memories of time spent with Terry are good ones, and I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that. Rest in peace, dear Terry. One in a million.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
@OMaolainCiaran We're talking specifically about the IRA being lauded in a post-match chant, not the history of the Troubles.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
10 days
Even though you may have been given the impression that there was only one competitor in the BBC's 'It's All About Matt Whitlock' Show this afternoon, our boy Rhys - the other UK native, who didn't rate a mention despite being world champion, appears to have ripped up the script
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
@BenLowry2 Changed times...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
11 months
Today - 40 years ago - was my first day as a journalist with the newspaper I'm still with (!) Where has the time gone? Big thumbs-up to @BelTel editors past and present - Roy Lilley (God rest his soul), Ed Curran, Martin Lindsay and Eoin Brannigan - for their help and support.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
@AlexKane221b Irony of the day; new leader can't handle the old, supposedly powerless one.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
And now for some good news: it's looking like there'll be no BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2020. Anyway, it's time this dated, bloated smugfest was shelved for good. My column in today's @BelTel @BelTel_Sport
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Fact: the funeral of the late, great Joey Dunlop, who died 20 years ago tomorrow, was, in terms of size, second only to Princess Diana's three years earlier. Yet in most of the national UK daily newspapers it didn't rate a single mention. Still sadly missed, Joey. #JoeyDunlop
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
@PogoSkyBlues42 No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Not long now... #MalcolmBrodieAndMe
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
How the media works: Just in case you were wondering, this is the same Richard Littlejohn who is a multi-millionaire, lives in a gated development in Florida - and who has been 'WFH' for the past 30 years...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
5 years
So sorry to hear about the passing of my good pal and former @BelTel colleague Eddie McIlwaine. As everyone who knew him can testify, the word 'character' could have been invented for this legendary NI hack. My thoughts are with Irene, Zara and Edward at this sad time. RIP, mate.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
5 years
Let's all be thankful the English tabloids have never resorted to such distasteful, xenophobic tactics when major football semi-finals come around. No, wait a moment... #FIFAWomensWorldCup
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
RIP my dear friend Terry Neill. Never a dull moment with Tel around. Thoughts and prayers with his family.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
Thought for the day: I have a feeling there's (yet another) debate about the 'merits' an all-Ireland football team about to lurch, like a tired old dog, into view. You could set your watch by it. Never gonna happen. #GAWA
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
Her: "Daddy, can I get a koala bear cuddly toy for my birthday?" Me: "Tell you what... I'll get you one - if you can tell me where koala bears come from." Her: "Amazon have them..."
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
Bloody Friday. I'm old enough to remember it, but still not old enough to understand why it happened. This was Belfast's 9/11. Rest in peace, the innocent victims of that horrific day. #BloodyFriday
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Student on the radio: "I was disappointed when I seen what I'd got in my English." #AlevelResults
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
No matter what happens tomorrow, this guy is my player of the tournament. #SimonKjaer #EURO2020 #ENGDEN
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
BREAKING NEWS: Linfield FC confirm they are moving from Windsor Park to Ballintoy on the Co Antrim coast. "The colours in the sky suit our new-look brand," said a club spokesperson. #LinfieldKit
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Right, I've got the bookcase in the background. Now all I have to do is wait for somebody at BBC News to call...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
How Northern Ireland works: The UK's flagship cyber security conference, scheduled for Belfast next week, has been plunged into crisis... because of the simple leaking of a document urging visitors to stay clear of the city's black taxis ("run by the IRA") and housing estates.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
5 years
Paddy Jackson must be thinking today that he'd be better off convicted of drink driving, like Ant McPartlin, than acquitted of all charges, like HE was #PaddyJackson
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
This is mesmerising
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Thought for the day: One year ago today, courageous ophthalmologist Dr Li Wenliang was in a police station, being reprimanded by the Chinese authorities for warning his colleagues about a new “Sars-like illness” he had become aware of, and would later die from. RIP. #Covid19
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
@susie_dent The unnecessary 'so' at the start of every answer to every question nowadays. And often at the start of the questions too. And "if I'm being completely honest". Why should there be any doubt?
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
5 years
Beeb right to sack Danny Baker. But why is Alan Sugar still in a job after this?
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
That's my kinda distance...
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
4 years
Thought for the day: next time you hear about our hospitals reaching or exceeding their capacity, ask this question: why are the five huge Nightingale hospitals, which were built at massive public expense for the very purpose of solving this problem, lying empty? #Covid19UK
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
3 years
Breaking news: Saga Noren from #TheBridge is being brought in to Northern Ireland from Sweden to investigate why #Bloodlands is getting a second series (and to drive her vintage Porsche through the plot holes of the first...)
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
2 years
Whereas I was sad to hear of the death of Vivienne Westwood, I wish people in the media - my profession - would desist from blithely calling her an "anti-establishment icon". She accepted an OBE in 1992 and a Damehood in 2006. There can be nothing more "establishment" than that.
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@JohnCharlesLave
John Laverty
1 year
Off to Everton #JonnyEvans
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