A limerick tale.

senor incognito

It's a cold night:imagine how cold it is if your front door is like this.

http://www.youtube.com/user/RegenerationWatch#p/u/0/Rx9agHu30Vw

Berty

1. She has arrears from the Bungalow meaning she wasn't arsed paying the council for a period of time.

2. She only pays €45 a week FOR A HOUSE!!

3. People don't randomly break into houses and stab people on couches. If it did happen then :eek:

4. The daughter climbs in and out the window but the "reporter" walks through the front door. It was hard to understand the daughter so I suspect it has something to do with.........................amateur dramatics for the camera.

5. How much are flat screen TVs these days? She can afford one but not to fix the front door.

MOAN MOAN FVCKING MOAN!!!

Get your own house if you don't like it.

Sorry, is that view too strong for you?

My Tax's and your Tax's(assumption) pay for those houses, pay for her bungalow to be knocked, re-homed and then put back into a brand new house whilst we all struggle with negative equity paying for your ENTIRE LIFE!!!

Forgive me If I tell that woman to go fvck herself and fix it herself! Also, clean your fvcking house if rats are running around it.

senor incognito

still....none of us a whiter than white..and it's a cold night.

cutymonalisa

Berty, a bit of compassion please, xmas cheer and all that - poor love has a heart condition:rolleyes:

Insect Overlord

senor incognito wrote: »

still....none of us a whiter than white..and it's a cold night.

Care to give us a more detailed appraisal of the video yourself?
What are your own feelings about it?
It's easier to reply to an OP when the poster gives an opinion on the subject.

senor incognito

I just saw it a while ago and I thought to myself..what a horrible front door to have on a night like this? I dont know if I know enough to disagree with berty, he might be entirely correct for all I know... I just thought that I'm a lot more comfortable tonight than this woman must be, and I felt sorry for her.(edit: I thought I saw a reply from Berty...is it gone?)

krudler

cutymonalisa wrote: »

Berty, a bit of compassion please, xmas cheer and all that - poor love has a heart condition:rolleyes:

thought it was her lungs?

although she did seem to confuse a kitchen with a bathroom as well, maybe she has alzheimers too

krudler

Her tv is bigger than mine!

Cathal McCarthy

Berty wrote: »

1. She has arrears from the Bungalow meaning she wasn't arsed paying the council for a period of time.

2. She only pays €45 a week FOR A HOUSE!!

3. People don't randomly break into houses and stab people on couches. If it did happen then :eek:

4. The daughter climbs in and out the window but the "reporter" walks through the front door. It was hard to understand the daughter so I suspect it has something to do with.........................amateur dramatics for the camera.

5. How much are flat screen TVs these days? She can afford one but not to fix the front door.

MOAN MOAN FVCKING MOAN!!!

Get your own house if you don't like it.

Sorry, is that view too strong for you?

My Tax's and your Tax's(assumption) pay for those houses, pay for her bungalow to be knocked, re-homed and then put back into a brand new house whilst we all struggle with negative equity paying for your ENTIRE LIFE!!!

Forgive me If I tell that woman to go fvck herself and fix it herself! Also, clean your fvcking house if rats are running around it.

1. She has arrears on a bungalow meaning she was unable to pay the Council for a period of time. Council tenants on social welfare or disability have their rent automatically deducted from their payment. A recent glitch in the system saw many tenants falling into arrears because their rent wasn't being deducted. This error might have been spotted sooner if the banks hadn't given everyone overdrafts.

2. She pays €45 per week for social housing.

3. People don't randomly break into your house, they case the house first and break in when they think you're out or in bed. People have been attacked if they disturb the thieves. As Mary-Ann explained, she knew her attackers and was afraid to make a statement.

4. That's not her daughter, it's her friend. I walked through the door because it was opened for me by her friend. The door can only be opened from the inside.

5. Flat screen tv's vary in price, but can be bought on higher purchase or lay away. Can you still buy the old bulky ones? Landlords have a legal obligation to their tenants and she shouldn't have to pay for a new door. If she lived in private rented accommodation it wouldn't be an issue.

The point is that Mary-Ann used to live in a 15-year-old bungalow suited to her needs and she was moved against her will into a 60-year-old house with a dodgy door that is also earmarked for demolition and which is next door to a boarded up council house that is infested with rats. Mary-Ann's house is clean.

Your taxes (and mine at the time) payed for the demolition of her home to make way for developers that might never arrive because the bubble has burst. A bubble that was created by greedy and stupid people. If you were stupid enough to take out a mortgage that you couldn't really afford on a sub-standard, timber-framed, overpriced house, well who's fault is that- MOAN MOAN MOAN. You and others like you helped to inflate the bubble, a lot of people even borrowed money to furnish their homes! Negative equity be danmed - what will you do if you lose your job? Don't despair, you can always apply for social housing, there's one available next door to Mary-Ann, I'm sure the council would oblige.

Sorry if that view is too strong for you.

Berty

The mysterious man from the mirror arrives.

Don't try to blame the banks for not meeting the rent payments in the same way don't blame me for inflating the housing market. What you will find is that I left school in 1998, worked and saved until I could afford my first house, sold that and bought my current house. It doesn't matter if mine is mad from mud and wattle, sticks, stones or timber. It matters that it is mine.

That is more than can be said for that woman. I know many people in Council houses and if they had an ounce of motivation they would WANT their own houses but they dont. Why? This is because the bloody council gives them EVERYTHING. They even get a voucher to go to Jack Fitzgerald to buy all the stuff to put in their house as well along with furniture stores etc.

Mary-Ann was moved from a Bungalow to a house whilst her house is being knocked and redeveloped. BOO FVCKING HOO. She doesn't look like an invalid to me(see next paragraph). Whilst her NEW HOUSE is being built she should have a little compassion for the situation. Bungalows are not coming out the arses of the council and she should be happy with her lot. The council is not put on this earth to hold her hand through life. Frankly if she does not like the house they put her in why doesn't she buy her own house???

My Fiancee had recent major surgery and is on Disability benefit also. Our house at some times is not suitable for her needs but it is all we have. We don't have a medical card, gp visit card, council house, free bus travel(on disability benefit) or any of the other myriad of benefits one could receive. We have hospital bills mounting up past €7000 right now with one wage coming into the house and I'm about to lose my car and job. I can go on a council waiting list for a house if I like but I wont get anything because the people in priority are people like Mary-Anne would are sitting there with their hands over their ears refusing to accept the world around them.

The Council is busy. The Council is broke. Your door is broken. You CAN fix it.

I lived in Carew Park. I lived near boarded up houses and I didn't have rats running around the place or coming into my house. The next door neighbours cat used to sit on my bonnet until he got sick off getting soaked by the hose.

Don't make this woman out to be a victim of a lazy landlord. Christmas or not some people have bigger problems. Some people are homeless and will die on the streets this winter. Some people are hungry and cannot afford to feed their children. Some people cannot afford presents for their kids this Christmas. Some people cannot afford heating this year.

Where's all the money? The council have it and are building traffic lights to taunt people.

Your video clip is a one sided view many* people really don't give a sh*t about.



* not all

Skuxx

Have to say I'm 100% behind Berty on this one!

Cathal McCarthy

Again, you missed the point. There are no new houses being built, but a relatively new one was knocked and the tenant was forced to move into an inferior house that a private landlord would be taken to task for. Sorry to hear about all your problems. Did you borrow money for your car? Sounds like your living beyond your means, better tighten your belt maybe consider social housing. When a house is boarded up for long enough it will get infested with rats or mice.

Berty

I'm not going to get into a discussion on my personal finances with you or anybody else for that matter. What little information I provide you with about my circumstances is merely a means to an end to prove a point.

I'm not living beyond my means for somebody whom is working. When I'm not working I will be living beyond my means.

My current circumstances is just everything ganging up on me all at once.

Do you know what that is called? LIFE!

This womans position is debatable till the IMF come home but she should seek some redress from the PRTB

https://www.prtb.ie/

zuroph

Cathal McCarthy wrote: »

4. That's not her daughter, it's her friend. I walked through the door because it was opened for me by her friend. The door can only be opened from the inside.

but the rest were already in the house and could let you in.

LucyLouLou

She should go to one of those cash 4 gold places and trade in those huge hoops she's wearing, should get her some cash for her door.

senor incognito

zuroph wrote: »

but the rest were already in the house and could let you in.

I admit I found that bit about the front door confusing myself...is it that they have to leave a window open for access when they leave the place?

talkingclock

a bit of plaster from a DIY shop could solve the draft from the door.

Cathal McCarthy

talkingclock wrote: »

a bit of plaster from a DIY shop could solve the draft from the door.

The gap was sealed by relatives, but I think you're missing the point. Mary-Ann had lived in a 15-year-old bungalow that was suited to her needs and she had spent a lot of her own money improving it. She was told that she had to move because her home was being knocked and was moved into 60-year-old two-storey house that is also earmarked for demolition, and which she had to decorate herself.

The door was like that when the council relocated her and they want 900 euro to replace it. Is that fair? She should have been compensated for the improvements she made to her bungalow, her new bathroom, the working doors and windows; all demolished, nothing salvaged, she was only allowed to take her furniture. The council and regeneration have no problem forking out 35,000 euro to have her home knocked.

People were promised that they could move into their new homes before any demolition would take place.

Cathal McCarthy

senor incognito wrote: »

I admit I found that bit about the front door confusing myself...is it that they have to leave a window open for access when they leave the place?

That's what they have to do, but these days someone stays in the house because of the intruders.

ABEasy

Cathal McCarthy wrote: »

The gap was sealed by relatives, but I think you're missing the point. Mary-Ann had lived in a 15-year-old bungalow that was suited to her needs and she had spent a lot of her own money improving it. She was told that she had to move because her home was being knocked and was moved into 60-year-old two-storey house that is also earmarked for demolition, and which she had to decorate herself.

The door was like that when the council relocated her and they want 900 euro to replace it. Is that fair? She should have been compensated for the improvements she made to her bungalow, her new bathroom, the working doors and windows; all demolished, nothing salvaged, she was only allowed to take her furniture. The council and regeneration have no problem forking out 35,000 euro to have her home knocked.

People were promised that they could move into their new homes before any demolition would take place.

:eek: Say your mistaken there.

A can of expansion foam and 10 minutes work and the door would be sorted.

+1 on Berty's post

source

Cathal McCarthy wrote: »

The gap was sealed by relatives, but I think you're missing the point. Mary-Ann had lived in a 15-year-old bungalow that was suited to her needs and she had spent a lot of her own money improving it. She was told that she had to move because her home was being knocked and was moved into 60-year-old two-storey house that is also earmarked for demolition, and which she had to decorate herself.

The door was like that when the council relocated her and they want 900 euro to replace it. Is that fair? She should have been compensated for the improvements she made to her bungalow, her new bathroom, the working doors and windows; all demolished, nothing salvaged, she was only allowed to take her furniture. The council and regeneration have no problem forking out 35,000 euro to have her home knocked.

People were promised that they could move into their new homes before any demolition would take place.

Fair play to her for trying to make the place she was living that bit nicer for herself, however she was not the owner of the property so any work she did was off her own back.

I fail to see how she should be compensated for work she had done on someone else's (LCC's) property.....If I was to do work in my apartment and then, on moving out tried to bill my landlord...I'd be told what to do with myself and rightly so.

As with previous posters +1 on berty's post.

Cathal McCarthy

Originally Posted by Cathal McCarthy
The gap was sealed by relatives, but I think you're missing the point. Mary-Ann had lived in a 15-year-old bungalow that was suited to her needs and she had spent a lot of her own money improving it. She was told that she had to move because her home was being knocked and was moved into 60-year-old two-storey house that is also earmarked for demolition, and which she had to decorate herself.

The door was like that when the council relocated her and they want 900 euro to replace it. Is that fair? She should have been compensated for the improvements she made to her bungalow, her new bathroom, the working doors and windows; all demolished, nothing salvaged, she was only allowed to take her furniture. The council and regeneration have no problem forking out 35,000 euro to have her home knocked.

People were promised that they could move into their new homes before any demolition would take place.

ABEasy wrote: »

:eek: Say your mistaken there.

A can of expansion foam and 10 minutes work and the door would be sorted.

+1 on Berty's post

Say what you like but I'm not mistaken. It costs 15,000 euro per derelict house unless it's next to an occupied house then it costs 35,000 euro for demolition and an additional 15,000 to side up the occupied house. In some cases it has cost 65,000+ to knock a mid-terrace house. As for the rest of your comment, please read my post again.

Cathal McCarthy

foinse wrote: »

Fair play to her for trying to make the place she was living that bit nicer for herself, however she was not the owner of the property so any work she did was off her own back.

I fail to see how she should be compensated for work she had done on someone else's (LCC's) property.....If I was to do work in my apartment and then, on moving out tried to bill my landlord...I'd be told what to do with myself and rightly so.

As with previous posters +1 on berty's post.

Your sense of justice leaves a lot to be desired, Thankfully the penal laws are long behind us. If your landlord gave you notice to quit to facilitate redevelopment then you would be legally entitled to compensation.

Jumpy

I hate to say it man, but I just googled your resident there.

It aint good.

Jumpy

Yeah... ok I was on your side watching that Cathal. I thought she is living in a ****hole.

But seriously... pick someone cleaner for your campaigns. I am well annoyed at being duped by that video.

zuroph

if the house next door to hers was fine, and hers was knoicked...wouldnt that suggest that it NEEDED to be knocked? So, despite her opinion, it WASNT fit for her needs?

Jumpy

Cathal McCarthy wrote: »

Your sense of justice leaves a lot to be desired, Thankfully the penal laws are long behind us. If your landlord gave you notice to quit to facilitate redevelopment then you would be legally entitled to compensation.

Cathal if you dont mind me asking, are you aware of the resident in your videos previous history before you start mentioning justice?

gaf1983

Jumpy wrote: »

Yeah... ok I was on your side watching that Cathal. I thought she is living in a ****hole.

But seriously... pick someone cleaner for your campaigns. I am well annoyed at being duped by that video.

Is this what you're talking about?

Mary Ann Jackson (35), of Ballinacurra Weston in Limerick, managed to walk out of an Aldi Store with a 42-inch flat screen television worth €1,200 and managed to sell it within 15 minutes. Judge Tom O'Donnell described her as a "professional shoplifter" - she had 36 previous convictions - and imprisoned her for eight months.

Taken from:

http://www.emigrant.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10193&Itemid=18

zuroph

explains the big tv.

Jumpy

Yes gaf. I am damn well hoping that that is another person by the same name which that article refers to.
I dont like seeing anyone live the way that is shown in that video, but if that is indeed her, you are going to find it hard to get sympathy.

Jumpy

Anyway, good luck with your campaign Cathal. You seem like a well meaning dude and I thought the original idea of the regeneration was a long time coming.

You are going to get tons more sympathy though showing the elderly, disabled and truly deserving people of the regeneration areas.

zuroph

clarina park was the feature of a discussion on here before Cathal. She should be overjoyed to have been moved out of there. a quick google maps tour is enough to see what she's so upset about leaving behind.

senor incognito

Jumpy wrote: »

Yes gaf. I am damn well hoping that that is another person by the same name which that article refers to.
I dont like seeing anyone live the way that is shown in that video, but if that is indeed her, you are going to find it hard to get sympathy.

I do believe this may well be the same person, and if so, then your reactions JUMPY/GAF make perfect sense. I get Cathals' point, that we all have rights(if that's his point); but while somebody who has no respect the rights of property of others still retains those rights, - in a human to human sense they do kind of forfeit their right to complain about it.

Cathal McCarthy

Jumpy wrote: »

Yeah... ok I was on your side watching that Cathal. I thought she is living in a ****hole.

But seriously... pick someone cleaner for your campaigns. I am well annoyed at being duped by that video.

Well Jumpy, I have to say (and this will probably upset those right-wing thinking posters out there) that I was fully aware of her history. The BWRA committee discussed this very issue and it was decided that as Mary-Ann’s situation with the door was genuine that we should go ahead with the video. She requested to be filmed while I was filming a community clean-up.

As to my sense of justice, you go to prison as punishment for breaking the law and when you’ve served you’re time the punishment is over. If I were to follow the logic of others that have posted to this thread then maybe it’s ok to rape a prostitute or break the windows of elderly people that engaged in anti-social behaviour in their youth.

It was never my intention to dupe anyone. The resident in question consented to be named in full. The purpose of the videos is not to get sympathy but to (coupled with registered letters and e-mails to the relevant agency) put enough pressure on so that the authorities will act. This has proved successful in most instances: http://www.youtube.com/RegenerationWatch

There are law-abiding resident’s living in much worse conditions than Mary-Ann, but most are not willing to go on camera. Some are even afraid to complain in case they are punished with the ‘long finger’. Those engaged in ant-social behaviour seem to be rewarded with new houses in other estates, while decent people are left to stew in it.

Cathal McCarthy

zuroph wrote: »

clarina park was the feature of a discussion on here before Cathal. She should be overjoyed to have been moved out of there. a quick google maps tour is enough to see what she's so upset about leaving behind.

They didn't move her far, round the corner and next door to another boarded up house. I passed her house yesterday and her windows were smashed in, I'm sure she's over the moon.

There are 8 houses out of 47 left in Clarina Park, 4 still occupied and 4 boarded up. The estate was built 15 years ago and tenants there were not allowed to buy their own homes. It was a lovely place at the start but then came intimidation and murder, decent people moved out, handing their keys back to the council and forfiting the right to be rehoused.

My views and the views of my neighbours about Clarina Park can be found here: http://www.limerickregeneration.org/WGRA Vision Document.pdf it was our little plan for regeneration.

Cathal McCarthy

senor incognito wrote: »

I do believe this may well be the same person, and if so, then your reactions JUMPY/GAF make perfect sense. I get Cathals' point, that we all have rights(if that's his point); but while somebody who has no respect the rights of property of others still retains those rights, - in a human to human sense they do kind of forfeit their right to complain about it.

What are you saying senor, that if someone has been convicted of a crime (in this case shoplifting) and served their time that they have no right to complain about anything? Even prisoners have the right to vote.

gaf1983

Cathal McCarthy wrote: »

My views and the views of my neighbours about Clarina Park can be found here: http://www.limerickregeneration.org/WGRA Vision Document.pdf it was our little plan for regeneration.

For those who aren't going to read the whole pdf file, have a read through this litany of intimidation, the story of a decent neighbourhood being dragged into hell:

WESTON GARDENS – A RECENT HISTORY
Built over 100 years ago, Weston Gardens is a private estate consisting of nine terraced houses, three
of which were burnt out over a nine-month period in 2001–2002 by criminal elements living in the
neighbouring estate of Ballinacurra Weston. In the past seven years 11 of our residents have left
because of intimidation and 4 have died of natural causes. Our remaining 11 residents are a tight-knit
Community, committed to saving our historic homes.
Donal Flaherty, the elderly man who lived alone in No. 1 Weston Gardens had endured months of
harassment and intimidation; windows broken, horses placed in his garden, etc. Finally early in 2001,
when he was mugged in his own garden he moved out. Criminals who wanted to rent his house
approached him, he refused and told them that he was selling it. The “For Sale” sign wasn’t up a day
when his house was burnt out. Limerick City Council (LCC) refused to board it up, as it was a privately
owned house. The house was not insured and Donal did not have the means to secure his now derelict
property.
Paddy Hegarty, the elderly man who lived alone in No. 2 Weston Gardens now became the focus of
attention for criminal and anti-social elements from Ballinacurra Weston. He had horses placed in his
garden, stones thrown at his property, etc. His sister wrote to LCC in October 2001 warning of the
threat posed to her brother’s home by use of the now derelict No.1 by drug users and of fires lit in the
property. Eventually, in May 2002, No. 1 was set ablaze again and the fire damaged the roof of No. 2.
Finally, LCC boarded up No. 1. While Paddy moved out to allow repairs to take place, his home was
broken in to and burnt out. It was boarded up by LCC at the request of the Fire Brigade and Gardaí.
Joan Higgins and her Family, who lived in No. 3 Weston Gardens, became the next target for youths
from the neighbouring estate. They returned from holidays to find their home had been boarded up by
LCC at the request of the Fire Brigade and Gardaí after a failed arson attack. Subsequent to this attack,
their home was ransacked and vandalised.
Heather Cunningham, the owner of No. 4 Weston Gardens purchased her home in November 2000,
she moved out in 2002. She was being harassed and intimated in her own home on a daily basis. Both
adults and children from Ballinacurra Weston verbally abused her, she was threatened with being burnt
out and physically threatened at knifepoint on the boreen. She had also endured several attacks on her
property, including the deliberate demolition of her front gate and wall by a stolen car. Heather shared her home with two workmates, who were also intimidated out; one of them was
attacked and beaten on his way to work. The house is now occupied by a friend, Darren Maher, whose
sole purpose for living there is to protect the property. Darren also has endured harassment and
intimidation, including an attempted mugging. He maintains the garden and regularly cleans the
avenue. He spent the past two summers as a volunteer in Ballycotton, working with children from
Ballinacurra Weston and Southill. He has been an invaluable asset to our Community. Were it not for
his presence and commitment No. 4 would definitely have suffered the same fate as No.’s 1, 2 & 3.
Cathal McCarthy and Cindy Fogarty bought No. 5 and moved in with their baby in 2001, six weeks
before No. 1 was burnt out. They now have two children and at times it has been difficult, to say the
least. In June 2004, at 4am, six men kicked open their front door in an act of intimidation. In 2006 all
their windows were smashed while they were on holiday.
Breda Anslow was born in Weston Gardens in 1919. She lived in No. 6 with her brother Maurice, born
1917. Their autumn years were filled with fear and intimidation. Maurice died in 2003, Breda took ill in
2004 and was placed in a nursing home. She asked Cathal McCarthy to buy her home by private treaty
because she was afraid to put it on the open market, in case she was made an offer by the same
criminals that burnt No. 1. She died in 2006. Rob Garside now resides in No. 6.
Pauline Hammill was born in Weston Gardens. When her parents died she moved back to No. 7 with
her husband Tony and raised six children there. She was a tireless campaigner for the area and her
Family endured much torment. In 2004, Pauline was declared overall winner of the Fáilte Ireland
Welcomes Awards. She died suddenly in 2006. Tony and their son <snip> still live in No. 7.
Jean Leahy and Jerry Carey moved into No.8 in 2001, eight weeks before No. 1 was burnt-out.
Ironically, Jean had sold her home in Garyowen because she felt that it was getting rough and Weston
Gardens seemed like a quiet place to live. Instead, it was ‘out of the frying pan and into the fire’.
Colm and Ann Lowe bought No. 9 Weston Gardens 48 years ago and raised seven children there.
Because they were elderly and lived end-of-terrace they became the most harassed of the remaining
residents. Colm died in 2005 and Ann moved out in 2006. Although the area had become quieter and
plans had been shown to us, the harassment over the years had taken its toll and she was unable to
sleep at night. She sold the house privately in 2007 to our newest resident, James Walsh.
The residents of Weston Gardens had been campaigning informally since 2000, writing to LCC and
meeting with the Gardaí and councillors. We had all suffered individually from acts of intimidation and
harassment and it was obvious that our homes were being targeted one by one. Our informal approach
was getting us nowhere. Acting on the advise of the Gardaí, the Weston Gardens Residents’
Association was formed in February 2003.
We produced a video, “Weston Gardens: A Week In The Life” and sent it to Limerick City Council. We
also produced newsletters and briefing documents. After a number of false starts, LCC then held a
series of scheduled meetings with the WGRA and the Gardaí, which eventually resulted in the erection
of palisade fencing between Weston Gardens and Ballinacurra Weston. Street lighting was also
installed. We were informed by LCC that nothing further would be done for us unless we supported the
extinguishment of the right-of-way, which was eventually achieved in 2005. It was never properly
implemented.
Meanwhile, people from Ballinacurra Weston continued to dump domestic rubbish and horse manure in
the gardens of No’s 1, 2 & 3. Annual reports from Health Inspectors were ignored by LCC. Criminal
elements also used the gardens to stash weapons and drugs. In 2004 the Gardaí recovered €80,000
worth of cocaine, 2 handguns, 1 sawn-off shotgun, ammunition and a quantity of commercial explosives
on “waste ground” in the area. Even residents have found live rounds of ammunition on the street.
Residents have had stones, bottles and fireworks thrown directly at their person as well as their
property. Horse and motorbike racing on the boreen were regular events. Visitors to Weston Gardens
often had their cars broken into. One of the worst incidents occurred in June 2003, our postman was
stabbed in an unprovoked attack by a gang of 15 youths from Ballinacurra Weston. <snip>
We intensified our campaign, producing more videos etc; with the help of the Gardaí and persistent
complaints to LCC’s Tenants Enforcement Officer we have managed to turn the situation around.
Finally in 2006, LCC produced plans and money was secured for the refurbishment of our area. The
plans were advertised (twice) in February 2007, but never lodged. We eventually found out that
everything was suspended pending publication of the Fitzgerald Report, which LCC later insisted we
were part of because it mentions Ballinacurra Weston. We live in Rosbrien!

TheBunk1

What I'd like to know is, how the f*ck do you steal and walk out of a shop with a 42" flat screen tv?

Jumpy

Cathal McCarthy wrote: »

What are you saying senor, that if someone has been convicted of a crime (in this case shoplifting) and served their time that they have no right to complain about anything? Even prisoners have the right to vote.

She served 8 months after 36 previous convictions. She has not served time in my eyes. Sorry.

zuroph

and if she'd learned her lesson, maybe she'd have stopped at 35.

Monty Burnz

Cathal McCarthy wrote: »

The gap was sealed by relatives, but I think you're missing the point. Mary-Ann had lived in a 15-year-old bungalow that was suited to her needs and she had spent a lot of her own money improving it.

Maybe if she hadn't spent so much money improving it, buying flat-screen TVs (yes, you can still get CRT ones, a perfectly good flat screen one would cost peanuts 2nd hand and last 20 years) and big lumps of gold to decorate herself, then maybe she wouldn't be in arrears?

You can sell this as a hard-luck story if you like, but you could also sell it as a lazy woman who hasn't been arsed to find a job for years gets handouts from the state to pay for everything and still complains when there's a problem with the house she is given for €45 euro a week that the state also gives her. I was paying €500 per month for a bloody room until recently.

Sure, the council could be better. But I think we'd all be better off if people took a bit more responsibilty for themselves. At this rate, where is the incentive for everyone else to work their nads off if the government comes along and taxes the shirt off their backs to pay for idiot bankers and people who want everything in life done for them? If you can't beat them, join them!

Monty Burnz

Mary Ann Jackson (35), of Ballinacurra Weston in Limerick, managed to walk out of an Aldi Store with a 42-inch flat screen television worth €1,200 and managed to sell it within 15 minutes. Judge Tom O'Donnell described her as a "professional shoplifter" - she had 36 previous convictions - and imprisoned her for eight months.

Jesus Christ, this is who my tax money is going to? Ridiculous.

senor incognito

Cathal McCarthy wrote: »

What are you saying senor, that if someone has been convicted of a crime (in this case shoplifting) and served their time that they have no right to complain about anything? Even prisoners have the right to vote.

I'm saying that I understand the reaction. I'm not saying she should lose her rights because of it: I'm saying that it's understandable that she would lose sympathy because of it. If we're going to have rights then I agree with you they should be rights for all, but I do understand a sense of anger that people have if they see the video and think:'that person is 100% good and their situation is 100% bad', and then discover that things are not as black and white as they first thought.

Amazotheamazing

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Maybe if she hadn't spent so much money improving it, buying flat-screen TVs (yes, you can still get CRT ones, a perfectly good flat screen one would cost peanuts 2nd hand and last 20 years) and big lumps of gold to decorate herself, then maybe she wouldn't be in arrears?

Going one step further, maybe she could afford her own house?

Kills me when I see people waste money on crap (TV's, cigarettes, drink, etc) when that money could be going towards something more tangible like a house. When you've paid for the essentials (food, house, clothes, etc) you can start buying tvs etc.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Brilliant thread, talk about back firing!

Well seeing as Mary has cost the tax payer probably a not so insubstantial sum already with the Gardaí and courts after her I say tough sh*t, she can fix her door with all the money she has made robbing.

Insect Overlord

And at this point I'm going to close this thread. I've only left it open this long because Mary put herself in the public eye when she agreed to be featured in that video. The woman has not come on here to defend herself.

Senor Incognito, be a bit more careful to research the subject matter of your OPs in future.