Balbriggan Area - Crime, Amenities & Community

cathy01

PS Lester is back

DODGE HOLLS

Bluetonic wrote: »

I don't know of any garages in the town who don't display their (fuel)prices on their forecourt? So kindly exactly to me how is a particular garage a rip off? You the consumer decide to pay the price, you are not forced. If your talking about prices inside the garage shop, once again your not forced to purchase anything without firstly knowing the price.

There is a reason that one garage in the town charges a few cent more for fuel than the others, I won't go into it but it's a long standing agreement with the other two garages in the town.

I understand your point and in most cases I would agree. But advertising a price doesn't mean they can charge anything: But that I mean I do agree it's down to the consumer if they pay for the price stated, but, the point is that the prices advertised are high for all stations in Balbriggan because people HAVE to get petrol and diesel there. Especially with the weather at the moment.

I guess I'm sort of agreeing with you to a level, but stations saying to each other "we'll all charge high" shouldn't be the answer. Unreasonable charges will soon be affect by Irish law anyway, so I guess it's just a matter of time before we catch up with Moral Rights of the Consumer Act.

DODGE HOLLS

SuzyS1972 wrote: »

Hmm a certain Petrol station is a major rip off anyway.

I don't really shop in the town so I can't comment but I am the type of person who puts stuff back if it's over-priced.
I don't care what anyone thinks.

Gave a fella in a shop on O'connell Street back his 84 cent packet of KP Skips yesterday !

My fiance and I are the same; if the price isn't stated and when we go to pay and they just bounce a number off their head, we just put it back. We refuse to be treated like that.

Sometimes, when it comes to doing a big shop for food that'll last a week or two, we go up North: Newry normally as it's the closest across the border that has not bad selection of shops. The thing is, you need to do everything on a debit card, otherwise you obviously have to change your euros to sterling.

It's well work it though, the prices are UK and if it's a big shop you can save a fortune. Some places even accept euros up there too.

As for food brought down here, we tend to go to local butchers. And there's a great, cheap grocers in Meath and I saw in our town the other day one is opening up on the high street.

DODGE HOLLS

cathy01 wrote: »

hi all, I love Balbriggan.It has its problems. My husband was in our car and myself and our two kids age 4 and 10 where walking towards the car, two , scumbags approched.One opend the car door passanger side and got in. My husband jumped out. One tried to punch him. My two little girls froze, I screamed for help. None came,two cars passed us. I just went mad. I screamed at them to FU** OFF. They did.
This by the way was 3.15 on a saturday afternoon.
I dont think they where from Balbriggan.
There are so many ,whats know as blow ins.:rolleyes:
Yes...I know I dont use that word , honest.
But as Moonbeam said.There is very little for the youth.Froigia have been trying to set up a youth group for Balbriggan.
Cryptic is no longer doing their evening stuff.
What else is there.
Can we blame parents, no. I think the Gaurda MUST take control of situations. If they know who is giving out drugs to kids, drag them in.Fine they are not the big dealers but every little helps.

I do think there is a good community in Balbriggan. Dispite everything. I wouldnt move. No schools, no youth clubs, no swimiming pool. You should have seen this place 15 years ago. No...nothing. bearly even poeple.
Anyway on another note. Did you see the new €2.00 shop. Well, be warned thats just the name of the shop. The goods in it vary up to €30.00.
cathy

I was shocked to hear about your ordeal with those idiots. I know what you mean though, there are a few little turds causing problems in areas but the mainstream seem to but out of the area. It's a shame because Balbriggan is lovely.

My fiance and I live in the Hamlet Lane area and it's nice and quiet. Our car broke down just before Christmas and Sarah works in Blanchardstown so I walked her to the bus stop in the morning and met her in the evening as it's dark still. On the way back from the stop near the Garda Station heading away from town we walked along the road to go down a side road towards home...The one with no pavement an has loads of potholes...you know the one haha.

Anyway, there is a dark alley across the road from there. We heard something hit the wall a few feet behind us; kids down that alley where throwing big stones (and I mean big) at people walking from the stop and at cars.

I run across the road shouting at them. I was never going to do anything, just wanted to put the fear of God in to them. The eldest was about 15 I'd say and the youngest couldn't have been more than 8.

We went to the Garda to let them know in case it causes an accident and he was as helpful as a chocolate teapot.

I do agree that the kids get board, and it's a problem; they can't just get plonked in front of an Xbox all the time. I'm not sure of the solution, but Balbriggan is SLOWLY developing.

Let's just hope it's enough. Trouble is, things become a way of live for some, now matter how much or little there is to do.

Morgans

Can I ask why the parents can't blamed? This goes beyond Balbriggan, but having lived here for five years with the rest of the blow-ins, I hope its not a problem that is going to increase in the next decade.

That the parents shouldnt be blamed was mentioned earlier - so long ago that it doesnt bear quoting.

I'm sure that there are tons of rural communities who would love to have a local cinema or a beach, or cheap quick access to the City Centre with all the amenities that it allows.

I dont get the nothing-to-do argument. If that was the spur for scumbaggery, wouldnt small isolated towns where no decent after-school amenities be overrun with ASBO type behaviour. Yet it seems to be more prevalent in urban areas.

DODGE HOLLS

Morgans wrote: »

Can I ask why the parents can't blamed? This goes beyond Balbriggan, but having lived here for five years with the rest of the blow-ins, I hope its not a problem that is going to increase in the next decade.

That the parents shouldnt be blamed was mentioned earlier - so long ago that it doesnt bear quoting.

I'm sure that there are tons of rural communities who would love to have a local cinema or a beach, or cheap quick access to the City Centre with all the amenities that it allows.

I dont get the nothing-to-do argument. If that was the spur for scumbaggery, wouldnt small isolated towns where no decent after-school amenities be overrun with ASBO type behaviour. Yet it seems to be more prevalent in urban areas.

This is the thing. Years ago there wasn't the "ASBO" label. An good Psychologist will tell you that give a condition a label and tell that child the label, they'll start blaming that label SOMETIMES.

There isn't much to do but I'm not saying that's the reason, after all, we had less in my day to amuse ourselves...I sound old there, I'm only 33 haha. I don't think it's dangerous to say on here that SOME parents are to blame; as the ones responsible for the bad apples don't seem to do much so probably wouldn't come on a site like this anyway.

I've see 7-8 year olds out past 21:00 with similar ages friends. Anyone that says parents aren't to blame for at least that are probably the parents of said kids.

Morgans

DODGE HOLLS wrote: »

This is the thing. Years ago there wasn't the "ASBO" label. An good Psychologist will tell you that give a condition a label and tell that child the label, they'll start blaming that label SOMETIMES.

There isn't much to do but I'm not saying that's the reason, after all, we had less in my day to amuse ourselves...I sound old there, I'm only 33 haha. I don't think it's dangerous to say on here that SOME parents are to blame; as the ones responsible for the bad apples don't seem to do much so probably wouldn't come on a site like this anyway.

I've see 7-8 year olds out past 21:00 with similar ages friends. Anyone that says parents aren't to blame for at least that are probably the parents of said kids.

Sorry, I was just using ASBO as shorthand. Which is probably part of the problem, sorry about that but it was just to help in communication.

I find it hard not to blame the child's upbringing if the child cant be bored for a few hours a day without resorting to scumbag (another label) behaviour.

Just as Im not sure better tennis courts, five-a-side facilities, or basketball courts would stop the bad behaviour.

Its clearly a difficult problem to solve, but im not sure facilities is the answer. I suppose everything helps to some extent.

DODGE HOLLS

Morgans wrote: »

Sorry, I was just using ASBO as shorthand. Which is probably part of the problem, sorry about that but it was just to help in communication.

I find it hard not to blame the child's upbringing if the child cant be bored for a few hours a day without resorting to scumbag (another label) behaviour.

Just as Im not sure better tennis courts, five-a-side facilities, or basketball courts would stop the bad behaviour.

Its clearly a difficult problem to solve, but im not sure facilities is the answer. I suppose everything helps to some extent.

No no, you're right though. I was saying that now kids kind of have a legal term for there attitude and think there life is over in some ways before it's started. And that's on of the problem. An adult will sometimes blame a lack of work due to a criminal record and now Anti Social Behavioral Disorders sometimes make kids have the ethos of "No point trying at school, I have an ASBO so won't get anywhere".

When I said if "you" give a kid a label, I didn't mean you literally, I was referring to the legal system.

Another one is ADHD. Sure, a medical term will help some sufferers deal with their condition, but certainly not a child that is being brought up on a bad diet and no substance in their upbringing. ADHD is a new term and some children are helped by the term, but some aren't as not enough has been looked in to why they are behaving the way they are.

wobblyknees

For what it's worth, maybe the adults need to take more of an interest in the community and kids to earn their respect? I did, through sport, and I now regularly walk through the town morning, noon and night and am able to say hello to loads of kids and teenagers 'hanging' around.

As far as facilities are concerned, the council isn't going to build them. The thing is, there are numerous projects just waiting to get off the ground in the area which require fundraising. For example, a local football team that caters for 100s of kids every week needs money to build an all weather surface and is in the process of raising the funds to do so. If they did, this would be a fantastic local amenity for young people.

"Just as Im not sure better tennis courts, five-a-side facilities, or basketball courts would stop the bad behaviour."

This comment ties in with what I am saying, if people in the community met the so called trouble makers half way, things would be a lot better. Again, all imo.

DODGE HOLLS

wobblyknees wrote: »

For what it's worth, maybe the adults need to take more of an interest in the community and kids to earn their respect? I did, through sport, and I now regularly walk through the town morning, noon and night and am able to say hello to loads of kids and teenagers 'hanging' around.

As far as facilities are concerned, the council isn't going to build them. The thing is, there are numerous projects just waiting to get off the ground in the area which require fundraising. For example, a local football team that caters for 100s of kids every week needs money to build an all weather surface and is in the process of raising the funds to do so. If they did, this would be a fantastic local amenity for young people.

"Just as Im not sure better tennis courts, five-a-side facilities, or basketball courts would stop the bad behaviour."

This comment ties in with what I am saying, if people in the community met the so called trouble makers half way, things would be a lot better. Again, all imo.

Very true. I run every day, just in the mornings and very early so I don't see many people. I think awareness is the thing here. It's undeniable that some parent don't know where there kids are far too late at night. Any I think respect and meeting half way is a good positive attitude.

I keep trying to think of ways it can be helped, it'll never get solved but as long as adults and authorities are seen trying to help, the bad behaved can't say we're not trying and we can be justified in expecting a more friendly Balbriggan at least. Even if it make a couple of people think more about their attitude.

It's nice, but a shame that the people on this thread want to do more for the kids than some of the kids parents.

Morpheus

<snip>

As for the shooting, Id heard that that too turned out to be false... Id like to hope so...

From what I hear (and I hope this is true) The stabbings caused minor enough wounds and nobody knows who did this, the people stabbed were locals and DID NOT recognize the attacker, the two attacks took place on the same night.

Here's one though,

i was on the prom above the beach on Saturday 02/01/2010 around 1pm walking with a mate.
Some guy (in his mid twenties i reckon), kind of heavyset with a goatee in a tracksuit, was running up and down the beach, kicking fishboxes around and screaming obscenities at the top of his lungs.

There were many people walking along the banks and the beach and we all stopped to watch, he didnt care people were looking and at one stage picked up rocks and threw them at the fishboxes.

Now it looked like he was doing laps from the harbour wall to the rocks and back but he added this possible stress reliever of screaming and shouting at nobody in particular as he ran!!

Then he walked off under the viaduct, across the carpark and up highstreet hill, again roaring curses and swears at nobody, at the top of his lungs all the way up past tesco's car park!!!! WEIRD SH*T... or else a major case of tourettes??? Anyone else heard about this?

meditraitor

Morphéus wrote: »

<snip>

As for the shooting, Id heard that that too turned out to be false... Id like to hope so...

From what I hear (and I hope this is true) The stabbings caused minor enough wounds and nobody knows who did this, the people stabbed were locals and DID NOT recognize the attacker, the two attacks took place on the same night.

Here's one though,

i was on the prom above the beach on Saturday 02/01/2010 around 1pm walking with a mate.
Some guy (in his mid twenties i reckon), kind of heavyset with a goatee in a tracksuit, was running up and down the beach, kicking fishboxes around and screaming obscenities at the top of his lungs.

There were many people walking along the banks and the beach and we all stopped to watch, he didnt care people were looking and at one stage picked up rocks and threw them at the fishboxes.

Now it looked like he was doing laps from the harbour wall to the rocks and back but he added this possible stress reliever of screaming and shouting at nobody in particular as he ran!!

Then he walked off under the viaduct, across the carpark and up highstreet hill, again roaring curses and swears at nobody, at the top of his lungs all the way up past tesco's car park!!!! WEIRD SH*T... or else a major case of tourettes??? Anyone else heard about this?

Sounds like he was getting warmed up for a beer upstairs in DeBruns (downstairs has some good live music and a nice crowd)

unamused

so i am thinking of moving to balbriggan i have read what it was like a couple of years ago but whats it like now have amenities improved? how are the schools? and what are the apartments at lisen hall on georges hill like? any suggestions?

Moonbeam

There are lots and lots of primary schools to be more exact I think there are 7 and there will be 3 secondary schools soon.

It is a very mixed place to live.

Linen Hall is the place you are looking at?
If it is the place I think it is,it is in the village so near the beach and train and youth cafe.

unamused

Moonbeam wrote: »

There are lots and lots of primary schools to be more exact I think there are 7 and there will be 3 secondary schools soon.

It is a very mixed place to live.

Linen Hall is the place you are looking at?
If it is the place I think it is,it is in the village so near the beach and train and youth cafe.

thanks for that and yes linen hall is the place do you know whats it like read on the previous posts about the trouble at the train station but isnt that just kids being kids didnt we all hang round at the end of the road or the local shopping centre or if we where lucky the beach or dart station?
do you live there and if so do you like it?

Bluetonic

unamused wrote: »

read on the previous posts about the trouble at the train station but isnt that just kids being kids didnt we all hang round at the end of the road or the local shopping centre or if we where lucky the beach or dart station?

No. I don't know about you but I didn't get up to criminal damage when I was a kid and if your the type who condones it from your kids then you might be better off not considering Balbriggan for our sake.

On another note there are three secondary schools open now in Balbriggan, the third having opened last August.

Moonbeam

unamused wrote: »

thanks for that and yes linen hall is the place do you know whats it like read on the previous posts about the trouble at the train station but isnt that just kids being kids didnt we all hang round at the end of the road or the local shopping centre or if we where lucky the beach or dart station?
do you live there and if so do you like it?

I lived up near Dunnes for 4 years but moved last year.
Do you have kids?Do you have family there?
If your motivation for moving is cheap housing by the beach then I wouldn't,if it is to be near family with children then it is not a bad move.

unamused

Bluetonic wrote: »

No. I don't know about you but I didn't get up to criminal damage when I was a kid and if your the type who condones it from your kids then you might be better off not considering Balbriggan for our sake.

On another note there are three secondary schools open now in Balbriggan, the third having opened last August.

NO no no i didnt get up to any trouble my dad was a mixture of hitler and scrooge if i did anything wrong the treat of what he would do to you was enough to put the fear of god in you all im saying is that with no amenities around where i grew up and lots of kids we all hung round the end of the road chatting and playing games but no criminal damage

on another note i have no family at all in balbriggan all mine are from south county dublin but as renting there or even buying is just out of the question as it is far too expensive i just thought that balbriggan was a nice area by the sea and out of dublin city centre where i am at the minute

i have no children yet but have one due in the next couple of months and dont really want to bring him up in the city centre and would like somewhere nice to feel settled as i've moved around a lot in the last 10 years and feels its time for my sake and baba's sake and schooling to get settled and established somewhere nice thats all

will take all you've said and set up some viewings in the next week or so and pay the place a proper visit thanks for all the advice

aniascor

I'm currently on maternity leave in Balbriggan and I've found it a great place to have a new baby. It's easy to get out and about. Because the town is so big there are a few mothers and babies groups. Lots of cafes are baby and buggy friendly. And it's lovely to walk around with the buggy.
But I guess like any place, it's what you make of it.