Useless gards

Dr_Phil

As above. One of many examples:

Just 2 hours ago called my local Gardai to report a bunch of agressive scumbags having a scum-party near the place I live. By the looks of thinkgs there were some drugs involved as well - unless it was an alcohol in a syringe.

Called the gards, nice lady advised "No problem, I'll send someone down asap".

Alright so.

An hour later got a bit more concerned, when scumbags started walking around the place looking at cars, throwing cans, pissing around the place, etc. One of them threw an empty bottle towards my car.

Called Gards again to say that it's been an hour since I reported that antisocial and agressive behaviour - no answer, rang away.

Called again 5 minutes later - the same girl said "Yeah, yeah it's in the system so just wait...." which was completely careless, I felt like I was told "yeah, yeah, fcuk off, leave me alone I'v better things to do..."

Gave up. Another (over) hour - no trace of Gards.


Most useless service I've ever seen living in a few countries. Scouts. Shame on you.

Handsome Bob

I'll be keeping a close eye on this one.

krudler

Was it raining? guards seem to be allergic to the rain, either that or someone had just put an order in for chips for the station, cant be expected to be heading out at a time like that

Delta Kilo

I can't explain why here because it is against the charter but if you go to the emergency services forum they will explain why it happened.

Turner

Calls to the Gardai are placed into a computer system. As a Garda car finishes a call they are automatically given another.

The lady who answered your call told you it was in the system and when a car is free it will be allocated your call.

Unfortunately it might take anything from a few mins to four or five hours depending on where you live and the amount of Gardai available.

Its not the fault of the Gardai, most stations are unbelievably understaffed.

Its not uncommon for 15-20 calls to be queued in some of the busiest stations. Bear in mind one call, maybe a suicide or sudden death might take 2-4 hours. And if there is only one or two cars available you see where the delay occurs.

Regularly happens with the Ambulance service too, I have called Ambulances and been told there is a 1-2 hour queue regularly, and many times a fire brigade will arrive!

Get onto the Government. God we have tried for years!

Slidey

Posts deleted.

Closed pending review.

Slidey

Moved to the Emergency Services Forum at the OP's request

djtechnics1210

Great another ags bashing thread in here.
The title doesnt inspire much hope of it being anything else.....

yawn

Deffo just a matter of understaffing in busy stations. I used to live in Tallaght and for the most part would wait for ages for a car to come by. Depends on time of day. A couple of scumbags doing same thing at 11am one day, ags shows up 5 mins after call.

Down here in the country most of the time it's nice n quick. Unfortunatly it's to the blame of the govt.

Hooch

As with post #2.....i'll be keeping a very close eye on this.

Dr_Phil

djtechnics1210 wrote: »

Great another ags bashing thread in here.
The title doesnt inspire much hope of it being anything else.....

Yep.

The only thing that I get from Gards is either "there's nothing we can do..." or just ignorance.

God almighty I've never been against the law or involved in anything, but it's either the law or Gards themselves so useless.

The story I described in the first post is not just one example. I live near point scumbags gather at on regular basis (thank God moving in January), there are also three other families close enough and they called in a number of times as well because it's just dangerous to walk to the shop through a bunch of dope/drunk youths.

On a number (three times as far as I remember) of occassions I called in to let them know that someone dumped robbed car in front of my house - it always was taking ages to have someone to collect it. No "thanks" - nothing. Like it was my fcuking duty to waste time&money and help them. But it's ok.

When teenage scumbags robbed Spar nearby, my wife saw them dropping the stolen goods and called the Gards to tell them where they are and how did the robbers look like. They took the stolen stuff back to the shop, but do you think they cared about who robbed it? The little scums were walking around the whole bloody afternoon, we rang again to say that they are around but no-one would give a sh1t. "Yeah, we send someone down"..

Last example. I was walking back from work and I was an Indian chap in his 40's walking down the road. A normal guy, probably father, husband to someone. Suddenly I saw like a well-built scumbag started beating the sh1te of your man, blood all over the place, cars stopped, started beeping, the Indian chap collapsed and the scumbag started kicking him in the head (another scum - hardcore with no T-shirt - was approaching them the help). Mayhem. First thing I did I called the only available number I had saved in my mobile, I was so shocked that I didn't think of calling 112 or 999, but just picked GARDS from my phonebook. Unfortunately, the nice lady said that she's sorry but "it's not our area and you should ring another station" (Oh crap, I didn't have a pen and piece of paper to write down the number she would certainly gave me if I asked). I thought she could do it on my behalf. Or transfer me. It's XXI century for fcuks sake, age of communication!!! Someone's being killed, I've seen which door the scumbags went to after finished with this poor guy BUT IT'S NO HER AREA!

Jesus Christ, please help us. Is this normal in Europe? Maybe in Afganistan.


Sorry for being bitter, but I'm just disappointed, I don't feel safe at all, I am worried about my kid and OH.. The only way to change it is to carry my own weapon as there is no service to protect us.

bravestar

Dr_Phil wrote: »

As above. One of many examples:

Just 2 hours ago called my local Gardai to report a bunch of agressive scumbags having a scum-party near the place I live. By the looks of thinkgs there were some drugs involved as well - unless it was an alcohol in a syringe.

Called the gards, nice lady advised "No problem, I'll send someone down asap".

Alright so.

An hour later got a bit more concerned, when scumbags started walking around the place looking at cars, throwing cans, pissing around the place, etc. One of them threw an empty bottle towards my car.

Called Gards again to say that it's been an hour since I reported that antisocial and agressive behaviour - no answer, rang away.

Called again 5 minutes later - the same girl said "Yeah, yeah it's in the system so just wait...." which was completely careless, I felt like I was told "yeah, yeah, fcuk off, leave me alone I'v better things to do..."

Gave up. Another (over) hour - no trace of Gards.


Most useless service I've ever seen living in a few countries. Scouts. Shame on you.

Then either head back to some other country or wake up and realise they were busy with something else that took a higher priority than your call. Unfortunately for you, you are not the center of the universe. :rolleyes:

Dr_Phil

bravestar wrote: »

Then either head back to some other country or wake up and realise they were busy with something else that took a higher priority than your call. Unfortunately for you, you are not the center of the universe. :rolleyes:

Excellent attitude.

January

Just to flip the other side of the coin here...

A couple of weeks ago my partners father was collecting him to head off to the pub for the night. We were waiting at the front door as my partner was having a smoke and a taxi pulled up to the house next door. A man got out and asked us was there anybody in the house. We replied that we didn't know and he proceeded to kick the front door in. Had a look round the house, heard some banging and off he went again. Rang the Gardai and my parent headed off with his father for the night. They hadn't arrived an hour later (fair enough, I live in Finglas, probably bigger fish to fry around here!), but as a young woman, alone with a baby and pregnant I felt very vunerable in case someone returned and set the house on fire (front door was busted on the house next door so left wide open). Rang the station again and explained my fears to them and they had a car up within two minutes to check the place out and reassure me that everything would be fine.

Fair play to them.

Dr_Phil

adrieanne__x wrote: »

they had a car up within two minutes to check the place out and reassure me that everything would be fine.

After the damage was done. Typical. Wonder there were no big fishes to fry anymore?

Actually, this thread can be locked or deleted. It's not my intention to have a go on Gards who certainly have a tough job, but rather to express my own (not only my own to be honest) frustration.

Apologies if anyone felt offended.

January

Dr_Phil wrote: »

After the damage was done. Typical. Wonder there were no big fishes to fry anymore?

Eh, are the Gardai supposed to have superpowers?? How were they supposed to know that someone was kicking that mans door in? I called them after he left because I didn't want to get me or my partner involved in an altercation, and so I could give them a proper description of the man doing the damage. They arrested him that night.

da__flash

Dr_Phil wrote: »

After the damage was done. Typical. Wonder there were no big fishes to fry anymore?

dont have psyhic powers that we can be at the scene of the incident when its happening

Whitewater-AGS

Dr_Phil wrote: »

After the damage was done. Typical. Wonder there were no big fishes to fry anymore?

Actually, this thread can be locked or deleted. It's not my intention to have a go on Gards who certainly have a tough job, but rather to express my own (not only my own to be honest) frustration.

Apologies if anyone felt offended.

Well I'd like to say sorry on behalf of all the Gardai in the country for not answering calls on a first come first served basis! I mean this prioritising calls systems just make's no sense when sometime people like yourself have to wait to have their calls dealt with, I mean with 14000 gardai who all work at the same time I assume, this should not be happening

Next time I'd try superman first:rolleyes:

da__flash

Whitewater-AGS wrote: »

Well I'd like to say sorry on behalf of all the Gardai in the country for not answering calls on a first come first served basis! I mean this prioritising calls systems just make's no sense when sometime people like yourself have to wait to have their calls dealt with, I mean with 14000 gardai who all work at the same time I assume, this should not be happening

Next time I'd try superman first:rolleyes:

due to budgetry circumstances superman can not be contacted, i d try spider man or the fanstastic 4 or maybe dangermouse i hear he s good :rolleyes:

Relevant

Yeah, they are useless... One night i was victim of a serious crime, no gardai could come because they were too busy breaking up parties, taking away abandoned cars and answering the phone to people who repeatedly can't accept that they might have more serious things to be dealing with.

Oh no wait....

Op, it is important to understand that at any one time the gardai have large volumes of calls to deal with. The most serious will always take precedent. Unfortunately until the day we live in a crime free society or they increase the Gardai numbers to 300,000 that is a fact of life.

Dr_Phil

Relevant wrote: »

Yeah, they are useless... One night i was victim of a serious crime, no gardai could come because they were too busy breaking up parties, taking away abandoned cars and answering the phone to people who repeatedly can't accept that they might have more serious things to be dealing with.

Funny you should say that, I just thought exactly the same while

"I was walking back from work and I was an Indian chap in his 40's walking down the road. A normal guy, probably father, husband to someone. Suddenly I saw like a well-built scumbag started beating the sh1te of your man, blood all over the place, cars stopped, started beeping, the Indian chap collapsed and the scumbag started kicking him in the head (another scum - hardcore with no T-shirt - was approaching them the help). Mayhem. First thing I did I called the only available number I had saved in my mobile, I was so shocked that I didn't think of calling 112 or 999, but just picked GARDS from my phonebook. Unfortunately, the nice lady said that she's sorry but "it's not our area and you should ring another station" (Oh crap, I didn't have a pen and piece of paper to write down the number she would certainly gave me if I asked). I thought she could do it on my behalf. Or transfer me. It's XXI century for fcuks sake, age of communication!!! Someone's being killed, I've seen which door the scumbags went to after finished with this poor guy BUT IT'S NO HER AREA!"

Where would this crime be in your system, my funny mate?

EDIT: Now, do you know what's scary? Not that "gards are Supermen" like some ******* here try to say, hahaha, so funny!! Scary is that that the girl wasn't even interested in getting ANY info. "Not us, get lost, ring someone else.." I know where the scumbags live, I know how they look like, I offer my help - and what I am getting? Ignorance. Were they too busy to show a bit of interest or at least to have a chat later? No, they didn't give a fck.

Now tell me, just from this one example (lets forget stupid comments of perfect and spotless civil servants here) - do I have a right to be frustrated?

donvito99

Dr_Phil wrote: »

Funny you should say that, I just thought exactly the same while

"I was walking back from work and I was an Indian chap in his 40's walking down the road. A normal guy, probably father, husband to someone. Suddenly I saw like a well-built scumbag started beating the sh1te of your man, blood all over the place, cars stopped, started beeping, the Indian chap collapsed and the scumbag started kicking him in the head (another scum - hardcore with no T-shirt - was approaching them the help). Mayhem. First thing I did I called the only available number I had saved in my mobile, I was so shocked that I didn't think of calling 112 or 999, but just picked GARDS from my phonebook. Unfortunately, the nice lady said that she's sorry but "it's not our area and you should ring another station" (Oh crap, I didn't have a pen and piece of paper to write down the number she would certainly gave me if I asked). I thought she could do it on my behalf. Or transfer me. It's XXI century for fcuks sake, age of communication!!! Someone's being killed, I've seen which door the scumbags went to after finished with this poor guy BUT IT'S NO HER AREA!"

Where would this crime be in your system, my funny mate?

EDIT: Now, do you know what's scary? Not that "gards are Supermen" like some ******* here try to say, hahaha, so funny!! Scary is that that the girl wasn't even interested in getting ANY info. "Not us, get lost, ring someone else.." I know where the scumbags live, I know how they look like, I offer my help - and what I am getting? Ignorance. Were they too busy to show a bit of interest or at least to have a chat later? No, they didn't give a fck.

Now tell me, just from this one example (lets forget stupid comments of perfect and spotless civil servants here) - do I have a right to be frustrated?

Now if I were to panic, the only thing I would be capable of doing would be to call 999/112.

Just as a matter of interest how far away was the station that you called from the area that you were in?

Dr_Phil

donvito99 wrote: »

Now if I were to panic, the only thing I would be capable of doing would be to call 999/112.

Next time I just pass by.

donvito99 wrote: »

Just as a matter of interest how far away was the station that you called from the area that you were in?

1-1,5 mile, I know - possibly too far, but was it so hard to say "Hold the line, I'll put you through"??? This is something that I cannot understand.

donvito99

Also, why do so many people have to blanket blame the Gardaí?

Its an organsation of 14,000 (and going down, which isn't going to help more situations like the ones mentioned already in the future.)

Theres always going to be bad apples who flout the good quality training and practices of any organisation.

I believe in the other thread, people are making the point that,

The usual circling of the wagons and tbf it is this holier than thou attitude that makes people distrust the Gardai.

Maybe Gardaí think that its the Guards are all useless cos they never do anything that makes people distrust the Gardaí.

Hooch

Dr_Phil wrote: »

1-1,5 mile, I know - possibly too far, but was it so hard to say "Hold the line, I'll put you through"??? This is something that I cannot understand.

Can I just add to this. If the Garda had put you on hold to transfer you, (s)he would have had to find a phone book, look up the nearest station (if they know it) and then manually put you through. Where as if you rang 999/112 the operator would put you straight through to AGS that is in your area....no delay, no taking details etc. Straight through to the station or the control room that takes the divisional 999 calls.

Our phones are bog standard im afraid. Nothing fancy. I for one wish we could have a nice touch screen with different stations on it, ambulance, fire service coast guard all on speed dial but all we have is the olde handset.
Hope this helps a little

Dr_Phil

donvito99 wrote: »

Its an organsation of 14,000 (and going down, which isn't going to help more situations like the ones mentioned already in the future.)

If you don't mind - what does the number of Gardai in service have to do with the fact, that a serving member who gets a report like mine above tells me "It's not my area" rather than transfer me through to the correct area? Isn't it one of the most basic customer service skills?? On the other hand, what does number of Gardai have to do with the fact, that I offered my help twice (once when robbed Spar, again when the Indian man got badly beaten), I gould even drive down to the station, but there was no interest..

The question is: why?



@ nice guy - it does.. Thanks. It's surprising though, that you don't have a list of numbers of other stations in the area, or at least transfer to 112 would do me. As I said I was panicked.

budda15c

Dr_Phil wrote: »

Or transfer me. It's XXI century for fcuks sake, age of communication!!! Someone's being killed, I've seen which door the scumbags went to after finished with this poor guy BUT IT'S NO HER AREA!

If you rang 999/112, it could be allocated to the correct station. You called an individual station, how do you think they could transfer you to another external number. Can you transfer calls to someone you know on the other side of the city.

Next time I just pass by.

Well that's your choice, but it's on your conscience.

If you have a problem, with a car abandoned outside your house, your probably better off to contact your Borough or County Council to have it removed. Would also free up a little more Garda time o deal with more serious calls

As regards the house which had it's door kicked in, how could the Gardaí possibly be there before the door was kicked in or immediately after it happened. If the guy had already left when the lady called the Gardaí, then I'm sure the call dropped down the priority list, only common sense.

Dr_Phil

budda15c wrote: »

If you rang 999/112, it could be allocated to the correct station. You called an individual station, how do you think they could transfer you to another external number. Can you transfer calls to someone you know on the other side of the city.

Ah come on, leave it. Everything is grand. It's all my fault.

budda15c

Dr_Phil wrote: »

Ah come on, leave it. Everything is grand. It's all my fault.

NGA had his explanation in while I was writing mine, would have left mine out if I'd seen it

helimachoptor

I havent had much dealing with the Gardai, but the few times I've had I've found them to be decent.

My most annoying experience was only a couple of months ago.. GF went back home on a sunday for a couple of days, she left about 6am... Gardai proceed to knock at the door waking me up... Me thinking "oh f**k she's in a car crash and she's dead" they ask "are you X" I reply "no i'm Helimachoptor" They ask is this X address.. I say no its Y Address, I ask whats up.. they say a person at the other address was killed in the early hours in a RTA.. you can be sure I rang the GF and told her to slow down! I didnt envy them, It was a female Gardai and a male, the female looked close to tears and then from reading the news and hearing what happened I dont blame her.

Relevant

Dr_Phil wrote: »

Funny you should say that, I just thought exactly the same while

"I was walking back from work and I was an Indian chap in his 40's walking down the road. A normal guy, probably father, husband to someone. Suddenly I saw like a well-built scumbag started beating the sh1te of your man, blood all over the place, cars stopped, started beeping, the Indian chap collapsed and the scumbag started kicking him in the head (another scum - hardcore with no T-shirt - was approaching them the help). Mayhem. First thing I did I called the only available number I had saved in my mobile, I was so shocked that I didn't think of calling 112 or 999, but just picked GARDS from my phonebook. Unfortunately, the nice lady said that she's sorry but "it's not our area and you should ring another station" (Oh crap, I didn't have a pen and piece of paper to write down the number she would certainly gave me if I asked). I thought she could do it on my behalf. Or transfer me. It's XXI century for fcuks sake, age of communication!!! Someone's being killed, I've seen which door the scumbags went to after finished with this poor guy BUT IT'S NO HER AREA!"

Where would this crime be in your system, my funny mate?

EDIT: Now, do you know what's scary? Not that "gards are Supermen" like some ******* here try to say, hahaha, so funny!! Scary is that that the girl wasn't even interested in getting ANY info. "Not us, get lost, ring someone else.." I know where the scumbags live, I know how they look like, I offer my help - and what I am getting? Ignorance. Were they too busy to show a bit of interest or at least to have a chat later? No, they didn't give a fck.

Now tell me, just from this one example (lets forget stupid comments of perfect and spotless civil servants here) - do I have a right to be frustrated?

Should have rang 112/999 if it was an emergency. Don't blame the lack of a decent phone network on the garda. It is not her job to know every area in the city and what station covers it.

Dr_Phil

Relevant wrote: »

Should have rang 112/999 if it was an emergency. Don't blame the lack of a decent phone network on the garda. It is not her job to know every area in the city and what station covers it.

She said "You should ring xxxxxxxxxxx" which mean she knew the area - but as I said its all my fault, who dares to blame the spotless...

Hooch

Relevant wrote: »

Should have rang 112/999 if it was an emergency. Don't blame the lack of a decent phone network on the garda. It is not her job to know every area in the city and what station covers it.

Aw now to be fair he said he understands now, no need to re state it!!! :mad:

Dr_Phil

nice guy always wrote: »

Aw now to be fair he said he understands now, no need to re state it!!! :mad:

Yeah nice guy, I understand now that you will never win with the Gards, no matter how much they fcuk up - they will always back themselves and no thread should be going out from Ranting&Raving where the mates don't seem to have much power

May I please ask again for this thread to be locked/deleted?

Relevant

nice guy always wrote: »

Aw now to be fair he said he understands now, no need to re state it!!! :mad:

Sorry i started my reply then got distracted. Missed all the posts in between.

OP, your gripe comes down to a resourcing problem. Not enough Gardai to serve every call as it arises. Blame the people cutting the overtime, blame the people who have put a stop on recruitment, blame the people who are making early retirement a better option than staying in the job. I'm not saying rank and file gardai are 100% innocent here but it is hardly the decisions of individual gardai causing your issues

Hooch

Dr_Phil wrote: »

Yeah nice guy, I understand now that you will never win with the Gards, no matter how much they fcuk up - they will always back themselves and no thread should be going out from Ranting&Raving where the mates don't seem to have much power

May I please ask again for this thread to be locked/deleted?

Just to point out I am a Garda......i'll back up Gardaí when I can see their point or when I dont think all the pieces fit. On the flip side I will, and have said sorry to posters on behalf of AGS for incidents that have let us down.

Thread locked on O/P request.