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British Telecom moves Donegal to UK for Olympics
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Telecommunications giant, BT has been forced into an embarrassing apology after an advertising blunder depicted Donegal as part of the UK.
In newspaper advertisements over the weekend, BT claimed that towns "from Donegal to Dundee" would be celebrating in the countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games.
The error was spotted by DUP Assembly member Simon Hamilton.
Donegal Sinn Fein councillor Padraig MacLochlainn described the error as "surprising" for a company the size of BT, which was growing its base in the Republic.
But he said that BT was not the first organisation to make such a mistake. In publications from two separate Irish Government departments in the past, the Inishowen peninsula in Co Donegal was included as part of Northern Ireland.
Donegal North East TD Dr James McDaid described the error as "very sloppy".
Highlighting the error, Mr Hamilton said: "I would have thought that a company like BT which has such a substantial and long established operation in Northern Ireland would not make the blunder that they have."
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This is a nice story. I am from Donegal and the county has always enjoyed our Protestant neighours rich heritage. So much for powers, dominions and principalities. The geography and warmth of the common people in the region makes barriers and politics irrelevant. Dont excuse BT, commend them!
Posted by Dennis McGonagle | 29.08.08, 11:35 GMT
I live in Canada and every year we have travel companies including Dublin and Shannon in their advertisements of flights to the UK. I am no longer surprised that so many Canadians do not know that the Republic of IReland is not part of the UK. I even have English friends here who do not know that the citizens of the Republic are not British and think it is sour grapes on my part when I insist they are not.
Posted by Mick | 27.08.08, 04:07 GMT
BT HAVE STRUCK THE FIRST BLOW TO REGAIN PART OF THE REST OF ULSTER FOR THE REMAINING SIX COUNTIES.
Posted by JIMBO | 27.08.08, 00:43 GMT
On the old 192 service I was once told all of Co. Down was in the Republic of Ireland. It was in the time of Charlie Haughey so I had to check just to make sure!
Posted by Andrew | 26.08.08, 16:26 GMT
This is NOT unusual for BT.
Some time ago they informed me that where I lived at the time, Newcastle, Co. Down was in the Republic of Ireland, and as such could not supply me with telephone services!!!
Posted by Jim | 26.08.08, 09:34 GMT