Pulled in by Garda

Big Nelly

Well after all the threads recently giving out about Garda just have a quick story

Was on way into work this morning. Was late so was in a bit of a rush and I done something stupid which didn't even get me any extra time. ANyway was sitting in traffic and next thing got knock on window, to be honest it scared the **** out of me and I kinda jumped in seat. Garda smiled. So I rolled down window and traffic started to move so I just said I would pull over into bus lane to let traffic go.

Pulled over and stuck on hazards and Garda came over, one of the lads on the bicycles that are all around the quays. Anyway I knew what was coming so when he came over he explained why he pulled me over. Knew I was in the wrong so didn't disagree and handed him my license. Was taking details and I just explained the address on it was my Cavan one so gave him my Dublin one.

Then he started, if you listen to everyone here I would be expecting a tirade. But he explained he knew how frustrating the traffic on quays can be etc but there is no point driving like a mad man. I just replied and said I knew I was in the wrong. Took my insurance details etc and then.....

He just goes, your ok I will just give you a warning. Show your insurance details at local station and we will say nothing more about it. Told me to slow down and bit. Thanked him and he said goodbye and sent me on my way.

Now as I have mentioned numerous times on here if you are couterous to the Garda they will be the same to you. Every dealing I have ever had with Garda and this one included they have been very helpful and always courteous to me. Fair play to the Garda!!!!

3ps

so what did you do?

_Kaiser_

Nelly you should rename this thread to "Nelly learns humility!"

Wishbone Ash

Nelly - I thought you did everything by the book! You disappoint me. Tut, tut.

Big Nelly

3ps wrote:

so what did you do?

Ran a light, it was amber but I knew as I was going thru I shouldnt be doing this. Never seen Garda cause he was on a bike!

Nelly you should rename this thread to "Nelly learns humility!"

After all your bit*hin and moaning about Garda I thought this point would hit you!haha!!

And after all the quotes on here saying I was the angry man of this forum. Shows this is untrue

Dammer

Yes same thing happened to me.. Garda was at a Checkpoint near Dalkey Village and stopped me at a roundabout. I had no seatbelt on at the time as I had just left from a Dentist Appointment. He noticed it!

Anyway I was polite, showed him my license explained what I was doing here (getting fleeced by a Dentist for a consultation!) He was fair and courteous and let me off... After I buckled up of course.

Puteq

Good post. I have to say I always had a lot of respect for the good job the guards do, they work crappy hours in a job dealing with losers a lot of the time and no doubt telling people the same thing all the time so I wouldn't blame them for giving out to people sometimes.

But would you be so agreeable towards the gardai if he had not let you off? I think people bad opinions towards the gardai is negative when they do something wrong and get in trouble for it, they then shoot the proverbial messenger instead of accepting responsibility for their own actions. I got my penalty points in my time (for speeding), and while I think the speed I was doing, on the stretch of road I was on at the time I was caught, was OK, the fact is I broke the law, and so was punished accordingly - I accept it and dont blame the gardai, I blame myself. Some peoples rationale is that they did the same speed every other day and so shouldnt be busted this one time is not a valid argument. And look at it from the perspective of the gardai, they have to go the the awful scenes of traffic accidents and see the horrible aftermath, so would you blame them for busting you when you break the limit?

The only thing is - my respect for the gardai was damaged a lot when i saw them throwing protesters over walls in Mayo, now I am not so sure what to think of them any more ...

Wishbone Ash

Puteq wrote:

my respect for the gardai was damaged a lot when i saw them throwing protesters over walls in Mayo

A lot of others had an increased respect for the force following that incident, but that's another story.

Big Nelly

Dammer wrote:

Yes same thing happened to me.. Garda was at a Checkpoint near Dalkey Village and stopped me at a roundabout. I had no seatbelt on at the time as I had just left from a Dentist Appointment. He noticed it!

Anyway I was polite, showed him my license explained what I was doing here (getting fleeced by a Dentist for a consultation!) He was fair and courteous and let me off... After I buckled up of course.

Another display by a Garda that if you talk to them proper then they will always talk proper to you

Just thinking there, was on phone to cousin, remember he sayign a while ago was on Blanch bypass. Shot into the bus lane and flew down it in heavy traffic. Stopped by Garda. Garda had a laugh with him, he was driving a L200 and Garda telling him he could hardly not spot him in a vehicle that size.

Warned him not to do it again and sent him on his way.

Wishbone Ash

Big Nelly wrote:

if you talk to them proper then they will always talk proper to you

Or even 'properly'.

Big Nelly

Puteq wrote:

But would you be so agreeable towards the gardai if he had not let you off?

I have always said the Garda do a great job on here. If I had got a fine would still say he was great to me. I was expecting fine/points whatever he gave to me and as I mentioned in post I would have deserved it. I knew I was in the wrong and told the Garda as much when I was talking to him. Just wanted to post about it after all the bad press the Garda are getting in last while on here!!

Keith C

Happened to me few years ago, had recently bought my first motorbike & was maating a friend in Ranelagh, was late & going down bushy pk rd, motor bike garda was pulled in with speed camera, clocked me & pulled me in. I pulled over & first thing i did was get off bike, take off helmet & produced my insuranc & licence before he asked. He then asked what speed i thought i was doing, i said 50mph but i didnt really know. He said i was doing 61mph in 30 mph zone. I apologised saying the bike was only knew & i was still getting used to it etc.... He gave me a bit of advice about bikes as he said his son only bought one so he knew where i was coming from. He asked where I worked, at the time i actually dealt with bike insirance so he asked me qeustions about it.
Anyway long story short he said that normaly i would be brought to court & banned but because I was young & had answered all his questions politly & seemed like a decent person he would just give me £50 fine & too be more carful in future as next time i wouldnt be so lucky.
Their not all bad!

Big Nelly

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Or even 'properly'.

Have always said on here my english typing is crap. I am a techie so know more about setting up a SAN than typing a post with proper english

_Kaiser_

Big Nelly wrote:

Have always said on here my english typing is crap. I am a techie so know more about setting up a SAN than typing a post with proper english

Fair enough this cop was decent about it and let you off - maybe he could give lessons in dealing with the public to many of his colleagues?? :rolleyes:

Big Nelly

Another story, was out about 2 years ago with my GF and a few friends in town. She had parked her car along the road at mate house. ANyway came back around 2 and I noticed something strange on car. Went to look and whole door had been pulled out. Someone had pulled the top of door back to try and rob it. Was a little import thing with no alarm or anything.

Anyway guy that was trying to rob it must have been disturbed. Rang the Garda and about 40 mins later 2 young guys landed. Chatted to them what options where and they offered to get someone out to check for finger prints. Told them not to bother as we had been looking at damage and prob ruined all evidence. We had drink in so where not thinking.

Anyway one of the Garda said he had worked in Garage before and said he might be able to fix door. Anyway they stayed for about 30 mins helping us and got the door fixed. Jumped up and down on door and it forced it back in. Anyway was fixed and asked what we where doing. Said we where heading into house for some more cans. Just told us to keep an eye out. Gave us there badges and if anything else happened that night to ring and ask for them. Pure professional!!!

mathie

Big Nelly wrote:

Fair play to the Garda!!!!

Fair play?!
You broke the rules of the road and you think that's fairplay?
What lesson have you learnt?
Be courteous to the Gardai the next time they pull you over?
I'd have thrown the book at you.
I took an illegal right once and got pulled for it.
If he had given me a warning I'd do it 'til I got a fine.

Big Nelly

Kaiser2000 wrote:

Fair enough this cop was decent about it and let you off - maybe he could give lessons in dealing with the public to many of his colleagues?? :rolleyes:

Think it would be better if the public took lessons in dealing with the Garda!! especially you!!:p

mathie

Big Nelly wrote:

...one of the Garda said he had worked in Garage before and said he might be able to fix door... Jumped up and down on door and it forced it back in...Pure professional!!!

Right ... :rolleyes:

mickoneill30

mathie wrote:

I took an illegal right once and got pulled for it.
If he had given me a warning I'd do it 'til I got a fine.

Well some people are capable of learning from warnings.

Big Nelly

mathie wrote:

Right ... :rolleyes:

Well to be honest I can't remember exactly what he done cause I had a few beers on me. Fixed the car which would have prob cost a fortune in garage. Lovely lads and where great to us. If you have a problem with Gardai then explain?

gyppo

Big Nelly wrote:

Now as I have mentioned numerous times on here if you are couterous to the Garda they will be the same to you.

Maybe if you applied that rationale on the boards here, you might find it would be reciprocated.

mathie

Big Nelly wrote:

Well to be honest I can't remember exactly what he done cause I had a few beers on me. Fixed the car which would have prob cost a fortune in garage. Lovely lads and where great to us. If you have a problem with Gardai then explain?

My problem is the lack of consistency in how the Gardai deal with the public.

Big Nelly

gyppo wrote:

Maybe if you applied that rationale on the boards here, you might find it would be reciprocated.

No chance, I live and die by the posts I put on here:p

mathie

mickoneill30 wrote:

Well some people are capable of learning from warnings.

People will generally continue to do something until it is no longer successful for them.
As a lot of people will agree seeing people drive down buslanes every day is very frustrating.
The only way to stop that habit is to fine them.
You think most people will stop doing something because they're told not to?
I love your faith in humanity.

Big Nelly

mathie wrote:

My problem is the lack of consistency in how the Gardai deal with the public.

Everytime I have had any dealing with them or any of my family it has been great!! have another story I mentioned on here when someone tried to rob one of the lads car outside the house. Again they where great!!:D

C_Breeze

I was on the stillorgan dual carriageway last nite at about 2am ,stopped at the lights (accross from foxrock church) whith an unmarked focus was behind me (I didnt know it was the guards) when along pulls a Porsche 996 beside me.

I decided to just give a quick rev of the engine for a laugh, and the old guy (about 50/60) looked back at me and revved his engine. so the lights go green and we both tear of at the lights and him leaving me behind...and me leaving the focus behind ..that was trying aswell.

So we do this for 3 sets of lights until we get to the lights at stillorgan village where the prosche went right and i waited to turn left. Only to see the focus in my rear view approaching with blue flashers on... he pulls up infront of me (Porsche was long gone as he was going right and had green light), stops the car and comes up to me and i rolled down my window and says the following with a grin on his face...

"Slow down , dont be drivin so fast as its wet outside " ...and as he was about to walk off he turns around and says "..and dont be trying to race Porsches , theyll tear the hole off ya!!" , gives my windscreen 2 small curteous taps and walks back to his car and drives off. Without me having said two words , i was in awe.

COOLEST GUARD EVER Thumbs up to that man

Big Nelly

mathie wrote:

People will generally continue to do something until it is no longer successful for them.
As a lot of people will agree seeing people drive down buslanes every day is very frustrating.
The only way to stop that habit is to fine them.
You think most people will stop doing something because they're told not to?
I love your faith in humanity.

Just seen a thread on some guy talking about driving down the bus lane everyday. I drive for a living so spend alot of time on the roads and this was the first time I was pulled for been bold. I deserved it and I did notice myself on way around town later that I made sure the light where green when I headed thru them and I didnt chance any of the lights. Yes 90% of people will learn but there is always a few. Hence why every weekend we listen to so many deaths on road!!!

eden_my_ass

Can I ask....cause the penalty points website is vague and on the matter of consistency, I was pulled this morning for staying in the overtaking lane (on a short stretch of road where i was taking the next right). The garda proceded to tell me that it was the worst driving he'd seen (no traffic behind me, in front or oncoming) and he could give me two points but was on a call. I can't see the specific offense, but more to the point I pity this poor garda if THATS the worst driving hes seen, he should sit in with me on the way to and from work, its a fascinating trip!

el tel

There's nothing this Cavan man likes better than to borrow a
cap and jacket and hang out with 'the boys' down on the big
Gardai fun-bus



edited.

Sherifu

lmao @ pic

Big Nelly did something wrong, surely some grave mistake has been made....

SonOfPerdition

Big Nelly wrote:

Just seen a thread on some guy talking about driving down the bus lane everyday. I drive for a living so spend alot of time on the roads and this was the first time I was pulled for been bold. I deserved it and I did notice myself on way around town later that I made sure the light where green when I headed thru them and I didnt chance any of the lights. Yes 90% of people will learn but there is always a few. Hence why every weekend we listen to so many deaths on road!!!

tut tut tut tut tut

there's a big difference between driving in a bus lane and running a red light. I don't believe it was amber, a garda wouldn't pull you unless it was red.

people who run red lights should be banned off the road !!!!!!!!


but . . i'll give you some credit for posting it here, you could have kept it to yourself.

Big Nelly

SonOfPerdition wrote:

tut tut tut tut tut

there's a big difference between driving in a bus lane and running a red light. I don't believe it was amber, a garda wouldn't pull you unless it was red.

people who run red lights should be banned off the road !!!!!!!!


but . . i'll give you some credit for posting it here, you could have kept it to yourself.

I have no problem admitting I made a mistake. Serious it was amber but I was cutting it and I know it myself. At least I can admit when I made a mistake and I would have fully agreed with the Garda if he had given me points/fine. I deserved it for doing something stupid. One and only time that will happen.

This thread by the way is not about my stupidity this morning but about how decent the Garda are, everyone makes a mistake and I am proud to say it my first stupid one in over 11 years driving.

At El Tel, why don't you grow up??

SonOfPerdition

Big Nelly wrote:

I have no problem admitting I made a mistake. Serious it was amber but I was cutting it and I know it myself. At least I can admit when I made a mistake and I would have fully agreed with the Garda if he had given me points/fine. I deserved it for doing something stupid. One and only time that will happen.

This thread by the way is not about my stupidity this morning but about how decent the Garda are, everyone makes a mistake and I am proud to say it my first stupid one in over 11 years driving.

At El Tel, why don't you grow up??

hell, i agree with you about the garda bashing , there's too much ****e talked on this board in that area. Every section of society has its assholes, the gardai are no exception, but i detest this tarring them all with the same brush.

but keep in mind Nelly, next time someone else posts about their mistake . .a bit more humility might be the order of the day.

mloc123

Puteq wrote:

The only thing is - my respect for the gardai was damaged a lot when i saw them throwing protesters over walls in Mayo, now I am not so sure what to think of them any more ...

Fair play to them for doing it, they have a job to do and if people are gonna lie in the middle of the road and obstruct it they shouldn't be suprised if the Gardai drag them off.

Never had any problems with the Gadai, only been stopped a few times at check points etc.. Turn the radio off say hello and be polite and you'll be fine.

Big Nelly

SonOfPerdition wrote:

hell, i agree with you about the garda bashing , there's too much ****e talked on this board in that area. Every section of society has its assholes, the gardai are no exception, but i detest this tarring them all with the same brush.

but keep in mind Nelly, next time someone else posts about their mistake . .a bit more humility might be the order of the day.

I dont mind admitting my mistake. When I see threads on here with people who are driing 6 months and the car cuts out and they cant remember wat happened and admits it a blur then its a worry that I am on the road with someone like that. Also then saying they are a good driver it gets me upset.

Its only a forum and I am just puttin out an opinion, The person can listen or disregard. Thats the point of a forum.

Not attacking anyone personally or anything. Its not I am standing giving out to them face to face.

I made a mistake and I admit it, how many other drivers on here have done something stupid but wont admit?

SonOfPerdition

Big Nelly wrote:

I dont mind admitting my mistake. When I see threads on here with people who are driing 6 months and the car cuts out and they cant remember wat happened and admits it a blur then its a worry that I am on the road with someone like that. Also then saying they are a good driver it gets me upset.

Its only a forum and I am just puttin out an opinion, The person can listen or disregard. Thats the point of a forum.

Not attacking anyone personally or anything. Its not I am standing giving out to them face to face.

I made a mistake and I admit it, how many other drivers on here have done something stupid but wont admit?

ok .. as you said it is a public forum, you are putting out your opinion. But when you put your opinion out into the public arena then it is open to be tackled.

you seem to think that you can jump on other people because they made a mistake. you say you don't attack anyone personaly, but that's exactly what you do. You jump down peoples throats and you say they are unsafe on the road. So, lets be specific. The driver you mentioned above didn't really make any serious mistake. He came on here to try to find out why his steering locked. It was explained to him his car lost power steering because his engine cut out. So what if he can't remember what exactly happened . . I can't remember what happened an hour ago. He was simply trying to figure out if his car had a mechanical fault, and you descended on him like the Spanish inquisition.

Now you claim you made a mistake. Nelly, lets be clear here. Running a red light is not making a mistake. If you thought the lights were green because you looked at the wrong filter or something . .that would be a mistake.

You knew exactly what you were doing when you jumped the lights. And as a motorcyclist who filters to the top of a queue and sees people running lights every day, i would say your action was far more dangerous and deserving of a dressing down that the actions of the OP you are talking about. And i'd be far more worried about having you on the road with me than the OP.

now you can listen or disregard. :cool:

Wishbone Ash

eden_my_ass wrote:

I was pulled this morning for staying in the overtaking lane (on a short stretch of road where i was taking the next right). The garda proceded to tell me that he could give me two points but was on a call. I can't see the specific offense

Possibly (?):

1. Failure to drive on the left hand side of the road.

2. Failure to comply with keep left signs.

Stark

eden_my_ass wrote:

I was pulled this morning for staying in the overtaking lane (on a short stretch of road where i was taking the next right). The garda proceded to tell me that it was the worst driving he'd seen (no traffic behind me, in front or oncoming)

Wow, he really doesn't get out much.

eden_my_ass

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Possibly (?):

1. Failure to drive on the left hand side of the road.

2. Failure to comply with keep left signs.

Perhaps yeah, though I was left of center line, and there were no keep left signs. My point though is the guy stopped me eventually at the entrance to a busy roundabout, he stopped first, i stopped behind and flicked on the hazards........to me his driving and choice of stopping point were far far more dangerous and reckless than my rather lazy sitting in an overtaking lane on an empty road (I pulled in btw when i saw a bike...his....approaching from behind, I'm not talking about holding up traffic in the fast lane or anything)...just strikes me he'd have done better getting to his "call" than disturbing all that traffic to be pedantic with me (no penalty points or previous run ins or crashs thanks!)

Alun

eden_my_ass wrote:

I'm not talking about holding up traffic in the fast lane or anything)...

Oh dear, someone just used the 'f' word

Big Nelly

SonOfPerdition wrote:

now you can listen or disregard. :cool:

I listen, the light was amber and it was taking the piss abit going thru it but I was willing to take my fine.

Are you one of these motorbike people who suddenly turn up at my mirror trying to pass everyone out to get in front of someone? I see it everyday so motorbike driver have nothing to complain about because they are the most dangerous drivers on the road. I seen enough about motorbike driver when second cousin was involved in a crash. Got up off ground and went home. Died in his sleep cause he had a head injury. I hate motorbikes. End of story!!!

I attacked the driver because he had a blur when something went wrong. I knew I was wrong and I can admit that. He hadnt a clue what happened. If a driver doesnt know whats going on there is a problem. There is no excuse that it was a blur. What if some kid was travellin in car beside him and he has a blur? at least when I done something wrong and Garda gave me a fright I had the sense to tell him I would move away from moving traffic so I dont hold it up. This "driver" would have a blur at this stage I guess. Good driver my ass!!!!!

LikeOhMyGawd!

el tel wrote:

ToxicPaddy

On something of a similar note, I find that if you're courteous and friendly when a garda pulls you over (even if you did something wrong), stops you at a checkpoint etc, chances are they wont even give you any hassle or grief. Some will even have a quick chat if there arent any other cars around.

Was waiting at a check point the other night, usual stuff, just checking tax, insurance, drink driving etc and there were 2 cars ahead of me. By the time I got to the Garda, I had my window down, stereo in the car was off and gave a big "Good Evening" to the Garda, he just glanced me, gave me a quick smile and waved me on.

Didnt even check my tax or insurance, which were all in order by the way.

Doesnt always work, but most appreciate it I think when they arent given a frosty reception by whoever they are speaking too.

Back on topic, its good to see that the Garda in question was very reasonable about the whole thing to the OP.

Tox

Wishbone Ash

Always address a Garda as 'Sergeant', a Sergeant as 'Inspector' and so on. They love it.

Big Nelly

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Always address a Garda as 'Sergeant', a Sergeant as 'Inspector' and so on. They love it.

I just talked to him like I was talking to a mate, think he like the way I talked to him in a casual manner. Half the battle thou was admitting I was in wrong and that I treated him with the respect he deserves!!!

WhiteWashMan

el tel wrote:

There's nothing this Cavan man likes better than to borrow a
cap and jacket and hang out with 'the boys' down on the big
Gardai fun-bus

banned.

personal abuse in a picture is still personal abuse.

WhiteWashMan

LikeOhMyGawd! wrote:

and also banned for personal abuse.

Savman

Jaysis people it's fairly simple, get lippy and get the points thrown at ye. There's nothing wrong with trying to talk your way out of a court appearance just by being adult enough to -God forbid- apologize.

It doesn't always work, so personally I'm quite thankful when it does and I always drive off thinking "phew..."

Big Nelly

WhiteWashMan wrote:

banned.

personal abuse in a picture is still personal abuse.

Lads this thread was started to compliment the Garda and we end up with bannings?????? seems you cant compliment the Garda on here!!!

Big Nelly

Savman wrote:

Jaysis people it's fairly simple, get lippy and get the points thrown at ye. There's nothing wrong with trying to talk your way out of a court appearance just by being adult enough to -God forbid- apologize.

It doesn't always work, so personally I'm quite thankful when it does and I always drive off thinking "phew..."

Well said man!! some sense at last

SonOfPerdition

Big Nelly wrote:

I listen, the light was amber and it was taking the piss abit going thru it but I was willing to take my fine.

Are you one of these motorbike people who suddenly turn up at my mirror trying to pass everyone out to get in front of someone? I see it everyday so motorbike driver have nothing to complain about because they are the most dangerous drivers on the road. I seen enough about motorbike driver when second cousin was involved in a crash. Got up off ground and went home. Died in his sleep cause he had a head injury. I hate motorbikes. End of story!!!

And that's the sort of sweeping genralisation that dilutes your argument and reduces your opinions to nothin but a rant.

Do you hate cars for all the deaths on the road? No, you cry out about the bad drivers on the road and the deaths they cause. Yet when it comes to motorbikes, you don't see them as individual riders with different skill sets, you see them as a collective and regard them all the same.

and you'd never see me suddenly appear in your mirrors ... if your observation is of such a poor level that you can't see me comming, then you won't know i'm there until i've passed you.

I attacked the driver because he had a blur when something went wrong. I knew I was wrong and I can admit that. He hadnt a clue what happened. If a driver doesnt know whats going on there is a problem. There is no excuse that it was a blur. What if some kid was travellin in car beside him and he has a blur? at least when I done something wrong and Garda gave me a fright I had the sense to tell him I would move away from moving traffic so I dont hold it up. This "driver" would have a blur at this stage I guess. Good driver my ass!!!!!

kid has a blur or the OP has a blur. What do you think happpens to the kid if the OP has a "blur" ?
WTF are you on about?
You make less and less sense the more you rant. You do know that don't you?

you're highly entertaining tho!
i'll give you that.