Cork gone down the tubes?

sammalone

:mad:Hey all does anyone feel that our once great city is becoming a hole? The amount of anti social behaviour and general scumbags going/hanging around the place by day as well as night is shocking! Graffitti all over the place and generally an edgey feeling at all times in lots or areas I think has crept in. I work in a bar near the city centre and I'm beginning to dislike it a lot when I once really enjoyed it - now you just don't know who is going to come in and generally be abusive! My car has been vandalised a number of times over the last year or two. There are gangs of teenagers hanging around town menacingly by day & by night and I just don't like the city I grew up in and always loved

poconnor16

The city is growing and becoming more 'diverse' which brings the good and the bad. Law enforcement though has been reduced which is never a good equation.

conan doyle

Totally know what you mean about Cork. Grew up here and still love my city but it's getting really scary during day light hours. Last Saturday I was in Tesco in Paul Street which was full with young people all screaming and pushing each other. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against younger people but they had no consideration for people with buggys and older people. In fact they pushed one old lady to the ground and then laughed at her. Has any one else seen this type of behavior in Paul St

poconnor16

WTF??? Knocked an old lady down? I would have funted them if I saw that....sadly we now live in city where we walk by and pretend we dont see it as we are in fear for our own safety. (and that cant be blamed in a lot of cases).
That Paul street gang wreck my head. Screaming and shouting, and all this 'hugging' business....pi$$ off and get some part time work for yourselves, play a sport, volunteer...

conan doyle

A few of us did go over to her. She got a fright but was ok and just wanted take her shopping home and get indoors as she said herself. Agree with you totally with this hugging and kissing crap. I live in the city and shop there a lot but it's a nightmare down there. Again not against young people but the behavior is out of control.

dMaN24

What is it with the Tesco-kids in general?

I remember when i lived in the city and went to the Paul Street Tesco. Always had kids outside, no matter what time of the day.

poconnor16

Fair play to ye for helping her, so many people these days wouldn't.
We all 'hung around' and made noise etc...thats just kids. But I dont understand why such a large gathering is happening outside the shopping centre, very intimidating to elderly people - a lot of which shop in Paul Street.
Oh give me a hose.....:D

Buceph

Bloody scumbags. Doing scumbag things like hugging and kissing.

Cadyboo

conan doyle wrote: »

Totally know what you mean about Cork. Grew up here and still love my city but it's getting really scary during day light hours. Last Saturday I was in Tesco in Paul Street which was full with young people all screaming and pushing each other. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against younger people but they had no consideration for people with buggys and older people. In fact they pushed one old lady to the ground and then laughed at her. Has any one else seen this type of behavior in Paul St

Ya I used to really like Paul st. area, especially in the summer. Yesterday I had to go to vibes and scribes. Parked in Paul st, came out, all those kids were there screaming and shouting. Turned the corner a load of little scumbags taunting buskers. A wino on the floor giving himself a tattoo with pots of ink surrounding him. I started to walk down the alley and I got a really bad feeling about being on my own walking down there. Never in my life have I felt nervous day or night in town until yesterday and it was day time!!

foxyboxer

conan doyle wrote: »

Totally know what you mean about Cork. Grew up here and still love my city but it's getting really scary during day light hours. Last Saturday I was in Tesco in Paul Street which was full with young people all screaming and pushing each other. Don't get me wrong I've nothing against younger people but they had no consideration for people with buggys and older people. In fact they pushed one old lady to the ground and then laughed at her. Has any one else seen this type of behavior in Paul St

:mad:

I've seen those hipsters around there too. "Oh, the existential angst of living in a....blah blah f**king blah"

Bunch of misguided muppets. But that's taking it too far. It's basically loitering. The poor woman.

conan doyle

Young people have to go somewhere I know that. God knows I was young myself but for the last number of years they are swarms of young people around Tesco and they create havoc, just try it one saturday and see for yourself. Shouting, pushing and kissing and hugging, throwing can, bottles, cig ends and rubbish all over the street. You cant get in or out of the shopping center without having to shove your way in. Now it's moved to TK Max. The shopping mall is almost empty but last week about ten young men turned it in to a skate board place which meant that you were knocked side ways on the way in. Again I have nothing against young people but huge amounts of them in one place can be intimidating and difficult to handle.

foxyboxer

Perhaps the vendors need to do a whip around for one of these.

http://www.freemosquitoringtones.org/the-mosquito/

conan doyle

I was talking to a colleague and she told me that they had one of these fitted in Paul Street but some do gooder parent objected as they felt it damaged their little darlings ears and Tesco were forced to uninstall it. So it looks like we're stuck with them. What really confuses me is that Tesco must know that they are affecting business but do nothing to curb it. Another colleague has just told me that she complained to tesco when she had her shopping bag knocked from her hand breaking bottles and jars in it and was told that they are outside so outside the responsibility of Tesco.

conan doyle

Buceph wrote: »

Bloody scumbags. Doing scumbag things like hugging and kissing.

You know it's not the hugging and kissing it's the way they launch themselves across your path without any consideration for who is coming along.

bah1011

paul street has always been a disaster for this kind of thing. The shops should really try and do somthing as it totally puts you off going in there

conan doyle

Agree with and I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who thinks this way.
I hate talking about younger people like this as most of them are really great they are the future of the country but this element that has crept in around the city is giving them all a bad name.

poconnor16

I'm suprised the likes of Amicus haven't done something.

Mangans probably promote is - prospective clientelle for them:D

conan doyle

You have a point there. I don't know why they haven't. Have you noticed that the restaurant called Puccinos? I think caters for the younger crowd so they wont complain and there was also a bagel place next to it, its closed now but the owner told me that these younger crowd had wrecked the toilets there with graffiti.

gbee

That area is just haunted, it's bad karma, it was just outside the city walls and crazy things happened there.

When the centre was built first it brought a little peace to the area, but parts remained spooky and one, one who's sensitive, would just have to leave. It's just got worse over the years being fed presumably by the bad karma of passer-by. Today one can almost see the evil wall around the place.

On another note, I guess the sonic box has not deterred the youthful congregation [undoubtedly also drawn inexorably there]. A few years ago the first of the hi pitched devices was installed by the shopping centre.

The idea was that it would prove uncomfortable for people to stay more than say, ten minutes or so outside the store. I've not kept up with this, so don't know if it's still working or not. I don't go there myslef anymore.

conan doyle

As far as I know they had to take it out as I said parent thought it was wrong and impinging on civil liberties of the kids. What about the civil liberties of the rest of us. Haven't we the right to shop in peace. I ask is this city gone mad!

poconnor16

gbee wrote: »

That area is just haunted, it's bad karma, it was just outside the city walls and crazy things happened there.

Not trying to be a smart ass now, but are you serious??? Do you know what happened there or anything?

conan doyle

I don't know anything about spooky aspect, you'll have to ask the poster. My gripe is the drama of trying to shop and walk on the street

poconnor16

conan doyle wrote: »

I don't know anything about spooky aspect, you'll have to ask the poster. My gripe is the drama of trying to shop and walk on the street

I am asking the poster

Ah no, it is off topic alright I suppose. I think one of my younger cousins was part of the Paul Street gang for a spell. Its was unbelievable to see the amount of pocket money she was given, no wonder she could spend all day sat/sun in town hanging around. Never had a part time job in her life. Was offered one in McD's - turned it down. Says a lot.

conan doyle

I suppose that is the most likely root of it, too much money, too much time on their hands and nothing to do. God I sound old when I talk like this but you know what I don't care. Sick of being pc- it's a disgrace (no offense to your cousin) and nothing is being done by the anchor store Tesco to stop it. I feel like boycotting them until sort it.

poconnor16

None taken - she's still not talking to me after I told her to go earn some money and stop being a bum; her mammy was not too pleased either.

I am old - and proud

Tesco wont do a thing, the security gaurds down there are outnumbered. I say shop elsewhere. If you have a car, Douglas is grand and convenient.

foxyboxer

While I can imagine why people think the city is going down the tubes.
I would suggest you try the following to re-establish how beautiful it is.

This works particularly well in the summer.
Get into the city centre at dawn. Usually 5am during the summer just as the sun is rising and simply take a walk around morrisons island for an hour. If the weather is fine and not rainy then I promise you, the memory stay with you for life. :cool:

conan doyle

I was sitting there thinking the same thing. Have you every gone to Dunnes in North Main St. Thinking of giving them a go next

poconnor16

foxyboxer wrote: »

While I can imagine why people think the city is going down the tubes.
I would suggest you try the following to re-establish how beautiful it is.

This works particularly well in the summer.
Get into the city centre at dawn. Usually 5am during the summer just as the sun is rising and simply take a walk around morrisons island for an hour. If the weather is fine and not rainy then I promise you, the memory stay with you for life. :cool:

Excellent point - not to be forgotten, there are lots of gorgeous parts to our city. I would never disagree with that. Never seen Morrisons Island in that light though?

gbee

poconnor16 wrote: »

Not trying to be a smart ass now, but are you serious??? Do you know what happened there or anything?

Our past has many very dark moments, the old city walls being the scenes of many atrocities where individuals and whole families could be put to death.

As a boy, who's parish church was SS Peter & Paul, I was always confronted by a discomfort going around the back of the church, I thought it was really odd, especially as God's House was right there alongside.

History says that events happened, precisely where, may not be specific.

poconnor16

conan doyle wrote: »

I was sitting there thinking the same thing. Have you every gone to Dunnes in North Main St. Thinking of giving them a go next

haven't been to Dunnes in North Main street in yonks! In terms of loitering, I haven't heard of any issues. Its a bit smaller than tesco I think. But there is a butcher (or was) on your way in which is handy for meat.

Me nan used to love it in there - and if it was good enough for her...;)

number10a

conan doyle wrote: »

I was talking to a colleague and she told me that they had one of these fitted in Paul Street but some do gooder parent objected as they felt it damaged their little darlings ears and Tesco were forced to uninstall it. So it looks like we're stuck with them. What really confuses me is that Tesco must know that they are affecting business but do nothing to curb it. Another colleague has just told me that she complained to tesco when she had her shopping bag knocked from her hand breaking bottles and jars in it and was told that they are outside so outside the responsibility of Tesco.

They did have one fitted alright and I'm glad that it was gotten rid of. I'm 24 now, so I suppose I was around 21/22 when it was there and it used to put me off going to Tesco because I was (and still am) young enough to hear those things. People can hear those things up to age 30, and they are piercing. It probably did more harm than good to Tesco's business given that a large proportion of that branch's customers are students.

Something else needs to be found to sort out the crowds outside the shopping centre. They are intimidating, especially since recently the genuine scumbags are congregating there rather than the more depressing (but silent) emos and goths.

conan doyle

Gosh I didn't realize that people in their 20s and a bit beyond would hear that. I think you coined it in one there with scumbags. I always wonder where the Gardai are on Saturday. Not on Paul street anyway

SamSamSammy

awful big amount of horrible types who attend ucc.

conan doyle

poconnor16 wrote: »

haven't been to Dunnes in North Main street in yonks! In terms of loitering, I haven't heard of any issues. Its a bit smaller than tesco I think. But there is a butcher (or was) on your way in which is handy for meat.

Me nan used to love it in there - and if it was good enough for her...;)

If it's good enough for your nan then it's certainly more than good enough for me and thanks I'll give it a go

Cadyboo

gbee wrote: »

That area is just haunted, it's bad karma, it was just outside the city walls and crazy things happened there.

When the centre was built first it brought a little peace to the area, but parts remained spooky and one, one who's sensitive, would just have to leave. It's just got worse over the years being fed presumably by the bad karma of passer-by. Today one can almost see the evil wall around the place.

Yes I know what you mean. Can be very eerie, sometimes there will be a lot of people around, and people singing, talking and yet there is this.. like eerie quiet, stillness. (shivers)

conan doyle

On thinking about it the eerie feeling comes from the age of the place

babo9

number10a wrote: »

I'm 24 now, so I suppose I was around 21/22 when it was there and it used to put me off going to Tesco because I was (and still am) young enough to hear those things.

Exactly the same here, depends how you treat your ears, I was never a fan of having headphones and a volume of 3million (can't understand how or why ppl do that!). I actually had a recording on my phone and I'd play it amongst friends to see the reactions, some younger than me couldn't hear it, others could hear it perfectly!

As for an "eriie" feeling, never even remotely noticed anything like that. This is the first I've heard of something like that in that area...
when I was a kid I loved going in there, specifically to that shop with the little metal cast figures! Also really liked the Tesco in there for no reason at all!

And ya I have noticed an increase in "scumbags" or rather wannabees. Saw a bunch of about 30 teenage guys throwing water from the fountain on dancing dave a few months ago, at time I was in hillbillies sitting down eating so wasn't in a position to say anything, really pissed me off though!

Outside the city isn't great anymore either, I live in Grange and at Christmas when the snow was down I walked past a bunch of teenagers hiding behind a wall and throwing snow balls at the windshields of cars passing on the main grange road. I told them to cop on and they just laughed.


TBH it's just the way things seem to go when cities get bigger, more people, more rules, more rebellion, less law enforcement to spread around for the "minor" things!

Solair

The main reason for the large gangs of teens is probably that there are absolutely no parks or public spaces in Cork City Centre. It's unusual in so far as there are almost no green spaces and a few tiny squares that are really just curves in streets of junctions.

The kids at Paul street are pretty harmless in my experience of them. They just treat it like. A school yard.

The shops should call the Gardai if they are creating a public nuisance though.

I think cork has always been a bit edgy but it's not too bad by Irish or British city centre standards. It is a bell of a lot more pleasant than it used to be.
Cork City centre used to look really dingy in the 90s and until about 2005 when the reoaving and tidy up finished. It used to absolutely stink too due to raw sewage in the Lee. Thankfully, that's how resolved.

Overall its ok, but it needs more Gardai patrols and more regular street Cleaning.

conan doyle

Yeah, they treat it like a school yard but every one else has to suffer to keep them amused. If they were outside your local shop acting like this would you still be saying the same thing I wonder?

fionny

foxyboxer wrote: »

Perhaps the vendors need to do a whip around for one of these.

http://www.freemosquitoringtones.org/the-mosquito/

Yes they did have one of those and they are awful things,

Im 25 and I can hear them loud and clear and its terrible. I was recently in Ashford and they had one outside the tesco there to and I found it painful... If i was living there I would intentionally not shop in the area because of it.


Yes should see Broadale in Douglas during holidays / weekends... its another congreation space... loads of the all hanging round the green and outside the shop. My next door neighbours daughter is afraid to go into the shop as she is so intimidated by the gangs she had to go through.

Only good thing is the cops move them on regularly.

poconnor16

Aldi in Blackrock, well Mahon really get a few as well - really saucy little ****s that seem to have no fear in them. I think a lot of that is due to upbringing. When my mother told me not to do something I didn't as I was in fear of a 'clatter' as we would say
Now I'm not advocating physical abuse, but it seems these kids grow up with no idea of consequence - and that starts at home.

leahyl

Solair wrote: »

The main reason for the large gangs of teens is probably that there are absolutely no parks or public spaces in Cork City Centre. It's unusual in so far as there are almost no green spaces and a few tiny squares that are really just curves in streets of junctions.

The kids at Paul street are pretty harmless in my experience of them. They just treat it like. A school yard.

The shops should call the Gardai if they are creating a public nuisance though.

I think cork has always been a bit edgy but it's not too bad by Irish or British city centre standards. It is a bell of a lot more pleasant than it used to be.
Cork City centre used to look really dingy in the 90s and until about 2005 when the reoaving and tidy up finished. It used to absolutely stink too due to raw sewage in the Lee. Thankfully, that's how resolved.

Overall its ok, but it needs more Gardai patrols and more regular street Cleaning.

I'm sorry, and i'm not getting at you in particular, but i hate when people throw out this excuse of 'oh there's nothing there for young people, no parks etc etc. so you can't blame them'. There's PLENTY for young people to do aside from hanging around outside shops intimidating people as they try to go about their daily business cos let's face it that's what they're doing. I'm only in my mid twenties myself but you'd never find me doing this sort of thing when i was younger - i just wasn't allowed. Yes I went to town and went shopping with friends, to the cinema etc but i behaved myself and had respect for others - if i didn't my parents would have killed me!

I actually feel intimidated by these crowds that are hanging around sometimes - which is ridiculous cos they're usually like half my age - but it's just not very pleasant to have them 'greeting' you as you enter a shop....

Cadyboo

leahyl wrote: »

I'm sorry, and i'm not getting at you in particular, but i hate when people throw out this excuse of 'oh there's nothing there for young people, no parks etc etc. so you can't blame them'. There's PLENTY for young people to do aside from hanging around outside shops intimidating people as they try to go about their daily business cos let's face it that's what they're doing. I'm only in my mid twenties myself but you'd never find me doing this sort of thing when i was younger - i just wasn't allowed. Yes I went to town and went shopping with friends, to the cinema etc but i behaved myself and had respect for others - if i didn't my parents would have killed me!

I actually feel intimidated by these crowds that are hanging around sometimes - which is ridiculous cos they're usually like half my age - but it's just not very pleasant to have them 'greeting' you as you enter a shop....

Totally agree with you. We had less to do than kids these days (:o you would swear I was fifty ) but we never ever hung around town like that, I think its great :rolleyes:that the kids parents complained about the noise thingy, sure the kids were probably at home with them and they couldnt hack having them there, and they are more than happy for them to be in town doing god knows what, as long as they are not under their feet.

gbee

gbee wrote: »

That area is just haunted, it's bad karma, it was just outside the city walls and crazy things happened there.

When the centre was built first it brought a little peace to the area, but parts remained spooky and one, one who's sensitive, would just have to leave.

Cadyboo wrote: »

Yes I know what you mean. Can be very eerie, sometimes there will be a lot of people around, and people singing, talking and yet there is this.. like eerie quiet, stillness. (shivers)

That's actually quite true, I always found that area a part of town that I never really liked, I wouldn't be overly into spirits and that but I do know what you both mean. From the Coal Quay all along to the Art Gallery I'd class as somewhat eerie.

Back on topic, I have noticed lots of junkies begging lately but I wouldn't feel threatened or uncomfortable in town by day or night. I'm 30 and not built like a box of matches and would have found town a lot rougher 10 years ago when the street John Graces is on was almost literally a riot zone most Friday and Saturday nights. I can see how elderly folk and ladies would find town a bit unsavoury though

poconnor16

I'm ex Gorby's/Fast Eddies staff and some of 'fisticuffs' I saw in my time around the fountain were unreal. But you expect that as a possibility when out at night, not doing your shopping on a saturday.
RoverJames - hanging around John Graces eh? Tut tut tut......:D

poconnor16

poconnor16 wrote: »

RoverJames - hanging around John Graces eh? Tut tut tut......:D

I heard about it on the radio at the time and walked past briskly the odd time :pac:

poconnor16

RoverJames wrote: »

I heard about it on the radio at the time and walked past briskly the odd time :pac:

grumula

just wanted to chime in with somethin' positive,
i've been living in cork city now for 6 months, i love it, sound people, great lookin' place, and if those silly little haircuts in boots hangin' 'round paul street is all you have to worry about "ruining" the gaff, then you're laughin'!

max 73

apart from the scummers (they're in all urban areas across the world...)

infrastructure is a joke - the roads and footpaths are getting worse, maintenance seems to be a bit of tarmacadam shoveled into the hole and trampled on & repair work is shoddy and there's still grit from the bad weather before xmas

some of the buildings in the city are eyesores - they need tlc on the outside

litter is a problem too

the bishop lucey park could do with a make over (nothing major just to tidy up the muddy patches, edging, footpath repairs)

the city needs some major TLC in my opinion

Solair

One thing it desperately needs is a good sweep / hoovering on Sunday morning. It's filthy after Saturday night and doesn't get swept until Monday.

The other complaint is the litter and lots of it is being created by that idiotic plastic bag based recycling system. Proper green bone would reduce a lot of it.

Funsterdelux

RoverJames wrote: »

Back on topic, I have noticed lots of junkies begging lately but I wouldn't feel threatened or uncomfortable in town by day or night. I'm 30 and not built like a box of matches and would have found town a lot rougher 10 years ago when the street John Graces is on was almost literally a riot zone most Friday and Saturday nights. I can see how elderly folk and ladies would find town a bit unsavoury though

I'd agree with you there, I think "scumbaginess" has gotten more psychological/intimidating and less physical, which in ways are just as bad. I'm in Cork nearly 3 years now and find it a grand old spot, have no qualms about walking anywhere through the city at anytime day or night too. Before this I was in Dublin, where I heard all sorts of stories about where I was living and how rough it used to be, but I hadn't any trouble there either.

The "Paul Street teenagers" do annoy me alright, but I have a solution! Encourage their parents to all appear some Saturday, and see what they get up to! Might be more humane and more embarrassing than a teenage size ultra sonic rat repeller.