Fireworks And Fools

chasm

Hi Guys, Had the fright of my life last night when a group of lads put fireworks through my letterbox. At about 11pm i was in my back garden and spotted one of the lads close to my front door(garden goes down side of house)
I let a roar at him and saw about 5-6 lads run off in the opposite direction towards a large bush on the green in front of the houses, one of them then lit a firework and threw it in my direction.
I phoned the guards who said they would send someone up to the house, so i waited, next thing a firework was put through the letterbox-the noise was horrendous(then of course the fire smoke alarm went off) and the letterbox was totally blown off the door, inside and outside flap. I did a quick scout around the house for something to cover the hole in the door but couldnt find anything then went outside. The group of lads were all roaring and laughing and they lit another firework and threw it at me. I ran back in the house and phoned the guards again to ask if they could please get the car there asap as i was really worried for my safety (im a female living on my own)- then another firework was put through the letterbox while i was standing in the hallway-The guard on the phone heard that one go off!!

The guards eventually came up but the lads had all fled by then.
The short of it is if i can identify just one of the group they will make an example of them. Im fairly sure i know one of the group but what's to say he wont just get off for this and come back looking for revenge?

I cannot tell you how scared i was last night, especially after they threw the firework directly at me and put the second one through the door. It was then that i realised that these people did not care whether i was seriously injured or anything. The fact that there are no working streetlights to the front or rear of the houses where i live does not help either.

It is only early october yet and i dont think my nerves will hold out till after hallowe'en. Am I wrong to think that maybe vigilante justice is what some of these mindless fools deserve?
Thanks for reading

Danbo!

chasm wrote:

Thanks for reading

No Problem

GLaDOS

Skangers + fireworks = bad for all Sorry to hear about that OP, sounds terrifying

ntlbell

chasm wrote:

The short of it is if i can identify just one of the group they will make an example of them.

Am I wrong to think that maybe vigilante justice is what some of these mindless fools deserve?
Thanks for reading

The guards will make an example of a kid playing with fireworks? LOL

I see what exactly are they going to do? make him pay a HUGE 50e fine?

Make give a donation to charity? or worse of all. HAVE A CHAT WITH WITH HIS MAMMY!

Your biggest mistake imo was ringing the guards....enjoy October!

JohnnyStones

now they know that they will get a reaction from you i think your problems are just beginning.
i know when i was a kid (a little bit bad sometimes) we would target the houses which we knew we would get a reaction/chase/guards called.

get a big dog:)
if it was me i would beat the head of them with a baseball bat.:cool:

indough

ntlbell wrote:

The guards will make an example of a kid playing with fireworks? LOL

I see what exactly are they going to do? make him pay a HUGE 50e fine?

Make give a donation to charity? or worse of all. HAVE A CHAT WITH WITH HIS MAMMY!

Your biggest mistake imo was ringing the guards....enjoy October!

Isn't it arson to throw an explosive into someones house?

ntlbell

indough wrote:

Isn't it arson to throw an explosive into someones house?

Correct, and I'm sure that's exactly what they'll charge him with and he'll be in mount joy for a few years in no time! :rolleyes:

dame

indough wrote:

Isn't it arson to throw an explosive into someones house?

I would think so.

Sorry to hear about it OP but I'm afraid the rest are right, feck all will happen to these little knackers.

When my kids are teenagers they won't be let do this sort of thing. Why don't the parents have them in home by 11pm anyway. A lot of parents don't give a **** as long as they're not in their hair.

ntlbell

dame wrote:

I
When my kids are teenagers they won't be let do this sort of thing. Why don't the parents have them in home by 11pm anyway. A lot of parents don't give a **** as long as they're not in their hair.

How do you suppose the parent's stop it?

have them in at 11pm? so they do it at 10/10.30pm instead?

How as a mother/father are you going to prevent your teenage kids from purchasing fireworks?

I understand you have the best intentions they're just not very realistic.

chasm

chasm wrote:

Hi Guys, Had the fright of my life last night when a group of lads put fireworks through my letterbox. At about 11pm i was in my back garden and spotted one of the lads close to my front door(garden goes down side of house)
I let a roar at him and saw about 5-6 lads run off in the opposite direction towards a large bush on the green in front of the houses, one of them then lit a firework and threw it in my direction.
I phoned the guards who said they would send someone up to the house, so i waited, next thing a firework was put through the letterbox-the noise was horrendous(then of course the fire smoke alarm went off) and the letterbox was totally blown off the door, inside and outside flap. I did a quick scout around the house for something to cover the hole in the door but couldnt find anything then went outside. The group of lads were all roaring and laughing and they lit another firework and threw it at me. I ran back in the house and phoned the guards again to ask if they could please get the car there asap as i was really worried for my safety (im a female living on my own)- then another firework was put through the letterbox while i was standing in the hallway-The guard on the phone heard that one go off!!

The guards eventually came up but the lads had all fled by then.
The short of it is if i can identify just one of the group they will make an example of them. Im fairly sure i know one of the group but what's to say he wont just get off for this and come back looking for revenge?

I cannot tell you how scared i was last night, especially after they threw the firework directly at me and put the second one through the door. It was then that i realised that these people did not care whether i was seriously injured or anything. The fact that there are no working streetlights to the front or rear of the houses where i live does not help either.

It is only early october yet and i dont think my nerves will hold out till after hallowe'en. Am I wrong to think that maybe vigilante justice is what some of these mindless fools deserve?
Thanks for reading

Move out of the westside of Galway.

indough

ntlbell wrote:

Correct, and I'm sure that's exactly what they'll charge him with and he'll be in mount joy for a few years in no time! :rolleyes:

Wow, with the power of rolleyes and your excellent use of sarcasm my post is totally discredited.

I never suggested they'd be sent to mountjoy, but I would think it's a little more serious of a situation than you were trying to pass it off as.

How can you state that the OP was wrong to ring the guards when the kids were throwing what are potentially lethal objects both directly at her and through her letterbox (a serious fire hazard).

Nice of you to be so blase about it though.

leninbenjamin

JohnnyStones wrote:

if it was me i would beat the head of them with a baseball bat.:cool:

i agree with this sentiment. you can get aluminum ones that make a very satisfying ding too.

Kernel

Blowing your letterbox apart is criminal damage. A serious enough offence. I take it the lad in question is under 18? Regardless, he can still be arrested and charged. He may only get JLO'ed but it may be the deterrent he needs.

Make a statement about it at your local station and cite the criminal damage to your letterbox. Let us know how you get on.

ntlbell

indough wrote:

I never suggested they'd be sent to mountjoy, but I would think it's a little more serious of a situation than you were trying to pass it off as.

How can you state that the OP was wrong to ring the guards when the kids were throwing what are potentially lethal objects both directly at her and through her letterbox (a serious fire hazard).

Nice of you to be so blase about it though.

I'm not saying she hasn't the right to ring the guard's she has.

I'm not blase about it at all. It is what it is, a few kids playing with fireworks.

indough

Yes you were being blase about it, thats obvious from your post. And kids playing with fireworks is not a small thing at all, they're bloody dangerous things. It's not like they were kicking a ball around or anything, fireworks can and do kill people.

ntlbell

indough wrote:

Yes you were being blase about it, thats obvious from your post. And kids playing with fireworks is not a small thing at all, they're bloody dangerous things. It's not like they were kicking a ball around or anything, fireworks can and do kill people.

How was I been blase? the guards won't do anything that's obvious and me stating the obvious is hardly blase.

Kicking a ball around can and does kill people.

Whats your point.

chasm

Thanks for all the replies so far, I did have a problem with them last year as well and I ignored it for ages(and i mean ages) but finally i had to get the guards after they started throwing fireworks over where my niece and nephews were playing. I will put up with a lot but i will not stand for any actions like that towards the kids.

Had those fireworks been put through my letterbox earlier in the evening there is a good chance that one of the kids would have been injured as their toy boxes are in the hall and they tend to play there because there's more room. And I am so glad my 5 year old nephew was "grounded" yesterday because otherwise he was supposed to have stayed at my house last night, I mean it scared the life out of me so god only knows what it would have done to him.
The thing is these guys arent kids, they are aged 16-18 and should know better.

indough

Of course a ball is as dangerous as an explosive. Who has died from having a ball thrown at them or through their letterbox?

As for the guards not doing anything I wouldn't be so sure i've seen nasty things happen to kids who do stuff like this. Can't they issue ASBO's here now? The guard did say he'd make an example of the kid.

Kernel

ntlbell wrote:

How was I been blase? the guards won't do anything that's obvious and me stating the obvious is hardly blase.

Really ntlbell, your posting is getting more confrontational and abrasive these days. Do you want a hug? Anyway, how do you know that the gardaí wont do anything about it? Such negative vibes man!

kirving

What you could do is get a few guys you know to spend the evening at your house, if any fireworks are thrown at the house, your mates will be there to beat the crap out of those scangers. They wont do it again.....

ntlbell

indough wrote:

Of course a ball is as dangerous as an explosive. Who has died from having a ball thrown at them or through their letterbox?

As for the guards not doing anything I wouldn't be so sure i've seen nasty things happen to kids who do stuff like this. Can't they issue ASBO's here now? The guard did say he'd make an example of the kid.

No one's died by a ball thrown through a letter box but again what's your point?

I had a feeling there was more to this than the OP was letting on....

JohnnyStones

Kevin Irving wrote:

What you could do is get a few guys you know to spend the evening at your house, if any fireworks are thrown at the house, your mates will be there to beat the crap out of those scangers. They wont do it again.....

That's exactly what i would do, the guards won't do anything unless they catch them red handed putting the fireworks in your letter box.
:cool: :cool:

Red Hand

Throwing fireworks about is alot moore dangerous than kicking a football. The parents should pay a large fine for such behaviour.

I know if I was caught with fireworks as a child, I would have gotten a f*cking reddening at home.

ntlbell

Kernel wrote:

Really ntlbell, your posting is getting more confrontational and abrasive these days. Do you want a hug? Anyway, how do you know that the gardaí wont do anything about it? Such negative vibes man!

I need a hug.

WindSock

If you know one of them, why not pay a visit to his parents and let them know how much a letter box costs.

Jesus Wept

ntlbell wrote:

Your biggest mistake imo was ringing the guards....enjoy October!

No need to sound malevolent. (unless it's how you feel?)

indough

ntlbell wrote:

No one's died by a ball thrown through a letter box but again what's your point?

I had a feeling there was more to this than the OP was letting on....

What's my point? Isn't it obvious? You were implying that kids playing with fireworks was not a big deal. It is. Especially when they're throwing them at people and through letter boxes

Kernel

ntlbell wrote:

I need a hug.

*hug*

[eastern european voice] I sex you now. [/eastern european voice]

chasm

Kevin Irving wrote:

What you could do is get a few guys you know to spend the evening at your house, if any fireworks are thrown at the house, your mates will be there to beat the crap out of those scangers. They wont do it again.....

Funnily enough that was discussed earlier today! As was the Baseball bat idea mentioned a few posts up( something i have owned for a few years courtesy of an older brother) unfortunately its wooden though!

I have just heard the first firework of the night go off now!! Great!!!

ntlbell

Kernel wrote:

*hug*

[eastern european voice] I sex you now. [/eastern european voice]

*be's sexed*

ntlbell

boreds wrote:

If you know one of them, why not pay a visit to his parents and let them know how much a letter box costs.

Well this is what should of happened in the first place.

if the OP is looking out and see's teenage kids throwing fireworks at younger kids surley she can take the time to get a clean view of who the teenagers are?

Go and have a chat with their parents? like a good neighbour. looks like to me like she jumped the gun rang the guards and wrongly or rightly she is been targeted now for doing so.

chasm

ntlbell wrote:

No one's died by a ball thrown through a letter box but again what's your point?

I had a feeling there was more to this than the OP was letting on....

What do you mean "more to this" ?


"boreds If you know one of them, why not pay a visit to his parents and let them know how much a letter box costs."
Thanks i actually never thought of that.( I mean that-im not being sarcastic)

ntlbell

chasm wrote:

What do you mean "more to this" ?

Well you left out you had previous problems with this set of teenagers before.

you also left out this is not the first time you called the guards on them eithier.

I would much prefer my neighbour to come to my door if they seen something like this and let me deal with it, ringing the guards on your neighbours kids is not something that sits well with me, obviously if you talk to me and it continues then that's a different story.

JohnnyStones

"boreds If you know one of them, why not pay a visit to his parents and let them know how much a letter box costs."
Thanks i actually never thought of that.( I mean that-im not being sarcastic)[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't do that if i were you, just say the parents are scangers and don't give a toss, you'll really be in the sh*t then:eek: :eek:

:cool:

chasm

ntlbell wrote:

Well this is what should of happened in the first place.

if the OP is looking out and see's teenage kids throwing fireworks at younger kids surley she can take the time to get a clean view of who the teenagers are?

Go and have a chat with their parents? like a good neighbour. looks like to me like she jumped the gun rang the guards and wrongly or rightly she is been targeted now for doing so.

It was last year that they were throwing the fireworks at my nieces and nephews.They walked past where we were standing and went to the front green and threw the fireworks back- i didnt see which one actually threw it. I approached the mother of one of them and she denied he was even out of the house!Some parents think their kids are little darlings and wont be told otherwise.

As regards last nights incident, I know the parents of the guy , well the father anyway and i wouldnt say he's the most approachable person on the planet.

indough

ntlbell wrote:

Well you left out you had previous problems with this set of teenagers before.

you also left out this is not the first time you called the guards on them eithier.

I would much prefer my neighbour to come to my door if they seen something like this and let me deal with it, ringing the guards on your neighbours kids is not something that sits well with me, obviously if you talk to me and it continues then that's a different story.

They're obviously little $hits. I'm sure the OP would much rather that their parents were good neighbours too and made sure that they weren't throwing fireworks around the place and in her letter box.

To quote yourself:

ntlbell wrote:

How do you suppose the parent's stop it?

have them in at 11pm? so they do it at 10/10.30pm instead?

How as a mother/father are you going to prevent your teenage kids from purchasing fireworks?

If you believe this, then please tell us what good you think it would have done for her to go to the parents?

ntlbell

indough wrote:

They're obviously little $hits. I'm sure the OP would much rather that their parents were good neighbours too and made sure that they weren't throwing fireworks around the place and in her letter box.

To quote yourself:



If you believe this, then please tell us what good you think it would have done for her to go to the parents?

It's a bit of common courtsey for your neighbour's.

It's not going to be easy for the parent but at least you have given them an oppurtunity these are people you have to live with it every day.

chasm

ntlbell wrote:

Well you left out you had previous problems with this set of teenagers before.

you also left out this is not the first time you called the guards on them eithier.

I would much prefer my neighbour to come to my door if they seen something like this and let me deal with it, ringing the guards on your neighbours kids is not something that sits well with me, obviously if you talk to me and it continues then that's a different story.

They are not my neighbours kids- most of them live outside /the other side of the town.They just hang out up in the estate.

ntlbell

chasm wrote:

They are not my neighbours kids- most of them live outside /the other side of the town.They just hang out up in the estate.

Ok, good luck with it then.

bronte

That's awful op..I hope you don't have to put up with it anymore.
It puts me off this time of year...when fireworks are abused and used for crap like this.

chasm

bronte wrote:

That's awful op..I hope you don't have to put up with it anymore.
It puts me off this time of year...when fireworks are abused and used for crap like this.

Thanks bronte, I know what you mean, i have nothing against fireworks as long as they are used sensibly and for their purpose.

Thanks also indough i was starting to feel like the accused rather than the (hate to use this word) victim!

bronte

No problem! I think they're great and enjoyable if used safely...but otherwise, it's just scary.
I'd have panicked too if that happened to me.

ntlbell

chasm wrote:

Thanks bronte, I know what you mean, i have nothing against fireworks as long as they are used sensibly and for their purpose.

Thanks also indough i was starting to feel like the accused rather than the (hate to use this word) victim!

I'll take a sensitivity work shop, by next October I'll be ready to participate in the group hug.

indough

ntlbell wrote:

I'll take a sensitivity work shop, by next October I'll be ready to participate in the group hug.

Take the common sense one while your at it then.

gazzer

OP you have my sympathy.. Scumbags and fireworks is definately not a good combination.. An apartment down the road from me went on fire last cos some morons thought it would be funny to put a firework through the letterbox.. Luckilly nobody was at home at the time but the apartment was gutted. Of course the scummers doing this dont live in the area so it is very very hard to find out who their parents are. Another obsession they have is throwing fireworks underneath parked cars to see what will happen.

Could you get a lend of a camcorder and position it from one of your upstairs rooms so that you could footage of these teenagers??

looksee

We had a problem with kids throwing eggs at the house around halloween, and dozens of other premises in the town. Granted not the same problem as fireworks, but if you dont see them they dry and create black fungus patches some months later, so the house has to be repainted.

In my case I approached the parents (a 'professional' couple) and was given a load of abuse. The solution was eventually that the local guards asked shopkeepers not to sell eggs to youngsters - they even took them off the shelves for a couple of weeks, you had to ask for them, a bit extreme but it worked.

Judging by the number of apparently organised parties that go on around here coming up to Halloween there must be as many parents buying them as kids, so what chance is there of keeping them away from the kids.
You have my sympathy op, but if the Guards clamped down and arrested people for possessing fireworks there would be complaints of the 'what harm, have the guards nothing else to be doing' variety.

Maybe its time to seal the letterbox and put a postbox by the front door.

bunny shooter

Fireworks are illegal, possessing them is illegal, selling them is illegal, under new legislation last year, Gardai can prosecute !

Terry

ntlbell wrote:

I had a feeling there was more to this than the OP was letting on....

Yeah. She gave them fruit when they came to her door last year and they're still pissed off about it.

Ntlbell, stop trolling.

OP, try discussing this with all your neighbours.
I'm sure you're not the only one they targetted.
You may be able to put a stop to this if you group together and contact the Gardai.

chasm

I had a chat with a few neighbours as a friend told me that one of my neighbours had let a roar at the lads that night also. Unfortunately noone was willing to part with much info!! It doesnt help that some of these neighbours are related to the some of the young lads(aunts etc). One of the neighbours said she wasnt going to "grass" on her mates. So there you have it. These are the very people who would kick up a hell of a stink if it was their house that got targeted.

Funnily enough when i was talking to one of the neighbours, their young kid came out and she said that they(the lads) were pointing the fireworks at her when she was out playing, and she even told me the name of the lad that did it.(It was her own cousin for God sake! and also the guy whom i thought i recognised on friday night at my house)

I am going to attend the next residents meeting, and get the matter brought up, Though i dont know how much they will be able to do if the lads in question are not residents of the estate.

Black Swan

Not too long ago some fools set off fire crackers in a university post office mail drop and started a fire, burning mail and part of the building. What the fire didn't destroy, the fire hose water soaked. In the States such mischief is a federal offense, and the Postal Service has a $100,000 USD award for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of these fools.

chasm

Yeah thats what id do if i had a few grand spare. The fog disappears fairly quickly from peoples minds (and their supposed loyalty) when a wad a notes is being waved in their faces