[Alleged] attempted child abductions in Swords

DubK

Hi all,

Not sure I am putting this in the right place but I wanted to get the word out to people. There have been 3 attempted child abductions in Rivervalley in Swords in the last few days.

The Gardai are aware and are watching the area but I have been looking online and I don't see it reported anywhere yet. The first attempt was on a young boy about 6-7 the second a young girl 7-8 on here way home from school and I have just been told their was another attempt on another girl coming from secondary school.

The schools have sent notes home to parents but I have spoken with two different parents who's kids forgot to give them the notes. I have noticed a few different young kids walking around the estate alone over the last few days so I am guessing that there are still a lot of parents who are unaware of what is happening.

I have heard that the police suspect that their is a paedophile ring operating in the area and also that there is currently 28 convicted paedophiles living in Rivervalley but I cannot confirm either of these statements so please feel free to correct me.

If I have posted in the wrong place or there is a more suitable forum please feel free to move this post but please anyone who reads this take heed and inform anyone in the Swords/Rivervalley area with children to be vigilant over the coming weeks.

hondasam

A bit hysterical considering you have absolutely no proof of any of these incidents happening.

Biggins

hondasam wrote: »

A bit hysterical considering you have absolutely no proof of any of these incidents happening.

I do know parents around Drogheda were informed of something similar recently after two attempted incidents (see here).
Don't know if they are related.

Taceom

hondasam wrote: »

A bit hysterical considering you have absolutely no proof of any of these incidents happening.

Do we need to have proof to believe the story? I'd prefer to be hysterical instead of sorry.

Canis Lupus

*waits for the story where some parents lost sight of their kid in Tescos followed shortly by security finding the child being changed into different clothes in the toilet by gypsies*

hondasam

Taceom wrote: »

Do we need to have proof to believe the story? I'd prefer to be hysterical instead of sorry.

I would like to think the gardai would make it public knowledge if it were true.

Squirm

You might be better off posting this in the Parenting or Education forums.

In relation to the Gardai not immediately notifying the media or getting the word out to a larger audience, this is the norm. I work in child protection, so know personally of a number of paedophile rings that opperate in Dublin city and county, but this information is not made public. In fairness, paedophiles in Ireland very, very rarely target children outside of their familes or with whom they do not have some connection and, child abductions are extremely rare. I suspect they do not want mass hysteria or for people to start taking the law into their own hands.

I do not, naturally, believe that this makes it okay or necessary to cover it up either, but I think notifying parents in the area, via the schools is a good idea. The clearly need to do a better job of this however.

You might be better off asking your school to make a greater effort to contact parents, or you could see if you could volunteer your services and do so. The school may not be in a position to phone parents etc.

AH is probably not the best forum wither way.

hondasam

Biggins wrote: »

I do know parents around Drogheda were informed of something similar recently after two attempted incidents (see here).
Don't know if they are related.

These incidents usually turn out to be something else and not related to child kidnapping, we all know how rumours spread.

Not questioning your link btw

Biggins

hondasam wrote: »

These incidents usually turn out to be something else and not related to child kidnapping, we all know how rumours spread.

Not questioning your link btw

True but it does remind us to teach our kids not to go off with strangers,etc - and if they don't know what "strangers" is, teach them the meaning of the word.

markesmith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRRw1ERj2Gc

Biggins

markesmith wrote: »

Youtube video

The least said about that particular programme episode, the better.

mikemac

Was there a white van? The van has to be white, it always is in these stories

Zulu

similar attempt made at st annes park a few weeks back.

hondasam

Biggins wrote: »

True but it does remind us to teach our kids not to go off with strangers,etc - and if they don't know what "strangers" is, teach them the meaning of the word.

I don't know if it is the norm for kids this young to be walking home from school on their own but I would not recommend it.

The OP's story just does not add up.

Squirm

Mention paedophiles and people get worked up. If they were to broadcast a public warning, to the residents of Rivervalley, to be vigilant as there is a paedohpile ring operating there, it would do more harm than good in my opinion. The paedophiles can just operate in a different area, at the drop of a hat, but the fear and outrage in the community would live on. Also, paedophiles generally do not target one specific, small area and work solely there, so it is important to teach children about stranger danger etc in all areas and whether there is a genuine scare or not.

Biggins

hondasam wrote: »

I don't know if it is the norm for kids this young to be walking home from school on their own but I would not recommend it.

The OP's story just does not add up.

Can't comment on the OP story but I witness daily kids that age allowed to walk home on their own, from a primary school down a road from me.
It shocks me - and sometimes the wife (we swap at times, bringing our own to the school) that kids that young are allowed to wander what is long lonely isolated roads.

markesmith

Do paedophiles even operate as a network? I'd imagine it's a hobby that most of these people are a bit embarrassed about...

And 28 convicted paedophiles in that estate/townsland/whatever seems like an awful lot.

hondasam

Biggins wrote: »

Can't comment on the OP story but I witness daily kids that age allowed to walk home on their own, that age from a primary school down a road from me.
It shocks me - and sometimes the wife (we swap at times, bringing our own to the school) that kids that young are allowed to wander what is long lonely isolated roads.

Far to young imo to be walking home on their own but I guess every parent is responsible for their own actions.

Snakeblood

Taceom wrote: »

Do we need to have proof to believe the story? I'd prefer to be hysterical instead of sorry.

There's a drugs ring in your garden. Someone told me, and the guards corroborated.

Let's get hysterical!

Biggins

markesmith wrote: »

...And 28 convicted paedophiles in that estate/townsland/whatever seems like an awful lot.

You might be surprised just how many are in any one area.

This is a simple example of the states: http://img155.imageshack.us/i/captureet.jpg/

Source: http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents/sex-offender-map.pdf

As we have no similar way of telling - and obviously the Gardi won't be publicly sharing the information - we just don't really know.
This also helps rumours to start off too by side effect.

Squirm

markesmith wrote: »

Do paedophiles even operate as a network? I'd imagine it's a hobby that most of these people are a bit embarrassed about...

And 28 convicted paedophiles in that estate/townsland/whatever seems like an awful lot.

The vast majority of paedophiles are individuals who molest children in there family or in their immediate circle of contacts, with whom they have regular contact and an ability to control in some way.

That said, there are also networks of paedophiles, who 'share' the young people in their immediate circles to likeminded friends and recieve the same contact with other young people in return. They also seek to expand their circle of young people, but 99.9% of the time this is not by kidnapping someone. They don't wish to draw attention to themselves or be caught after all. Instead they take up jobs that allow them access to children or they frequent areas that give them access to children. Children at risk or with little supervision are the easiest to manipulate, as they often seek out "parental" guidance and affection.

TBH, most of these incidents of child abductions turn out to be nothing. Sensible, loving parents, who supervise their children and educate them about potential dangers are generally the parents of the children who would not be targeted anyway.

OutlawPete

Jaysus, glad they weren't around thirty years ago, as that was my hangout from the age of five to around ten. Especially the Valley where we built forts and played Cowboys and Indians.

Even the priests were sound, maybe I just wasn't their type.

stovelid

While being abducted certainly wouldn't be nice, at least they would be getting out of Swords?

ejmaztec

Canis Lupus wrote: »

*waits for the story where some parents lost sight of their kid in Tescos followed shortly by security finding the child being changed into different clothes in the toilet by gypsies*

I'm surprised that they haven't caught anyone by now.:eek:

Biggins

hondasam wrote: »

...I guess every parent is responsible for their own actions.

Again true - and in some cases, they should be held accountable.

Snakeblood

markesmith wrote: »

Do paedophiles even operate as a network? I'd imagine it's a hobby that most of these people are a bit embarrassed about...

I think a paedophile network is probably a bit different from a knitting circle, but I'd say a lot do. You want a group of people who will normalise your aberrant behaviour (like knitting) and make you feel like you are not the one with the problem (like knitters) so you feel like it's something you could continue doing. You know at the back of your head (presumably) that what you are doing is wrong, but it's an impulse you can't control.

I just don't like knitting.

enfant terrible

markesmith wrote: »

Do paedophils even operate as a network? I'd imagine it's a hobby that most of these people are a bit embarrassed about...

And 28 convicted paedophiles in that estate/townsland/whatever seems like an awful lot.

I wouldn't describe abusing children as a hobby.

Nodin

enfant terrible wrote: »

I wouldn't describe abusing children as a hobby.

'pastime'?

Biggins

enfant terrible wrote: »

I wouldn't describe abusing children as a hobby.

100% agree - sadly for some (if not all) of those sick individuals, thats how much as they rate their activities as in regards morality, right or wrong, in their twisted world.

enfant terrible

Nodin wrote: »

'pastime'?

I know its after hours but why be so flippant about child abuse?

Nodin

enfant terrible wrote: »

I know its after hours but why be so flippant about child abuse?

It's part of my uncaring, xenophobic, hostile, misanthropic nature.

Canis Lupus

Biggins wrote: »

Can't comment on the OP story but I witness daily kids that age allowed to walk home on their own, from a primary school down a road from me.
It shocks me - and sometimes the wife (we swap at times, bringing our own to the school) that kids that young are allowed to wander what is long lonely isolated roads.

I walked to and from school in Dub. My caring and loving parents let me get on with it. I often also just wandered off for the day exploring down Marley Park and it's surrounding environs.

It saddens me that parents these days are turning their children into prisoners despite, if I remember correctly, figures showing it's no more dangerous today than it was 10,20,30 years ago.

this is arse

post it i the paedophile forum, show the bastards were keeping an eye on um...

Nodin

Canis Lupus wrote: »

I walked to and from school in Dub. My caring and loving parents let me get on with it. I often also just wandered off for the day exploring down Marley Park and it's surrounding environs.

It saddens me that parents these days are turning their children into prisoners despite, if I remember correctly, figures showing it's no more dangerous today than it was 10,20,30 years ago.

Yes, but theres the increased awareness that creates fear that something might happen....(and of course it does, just fairly rarely)

Canis Lupus

Nodin wrote: »

Yes, but theres the increased awareness that creates fear that something might happen....(and of course it does, just fairly rarely)

I suppose that's true. If I inflict offspring on this world they'll be kicked out the door and told to go have fun. All 6 of my nieces and nephews have their heads permanently stuck in a DS... Feck it I'm getting old....

Squirm

Canis Lupus wrote: »

I walked to and from school in Dub. My caring and loving parents let me get on with it. I often also just wandered off for the day exploring down Marley Park and it's surrounding environs.

It saddens me that parents these days are turning their children into prisoners despite, if I remember correctly, figures showing it's no more dangerous today than it was 10,20,30 years ago.

+1

If parents want to protect their children from paedophiles, then the statistics would show that they need to be keeping a closer eye on their husbands, boyfriends, brothers, fathers, uncles, etc etc etc and, by teaching their children not to keep secrets from their parents or to believe that anyone could ever hurt them or their parents for 'telling on someone'.

Paedophile rings are of no concern to the vast majority of parents. It's family members that are perpetrating this crime waaaaaaaaaaaay more often than not.

Marley park is a lot safer for a lot of abused kids than their own bedrooms.

Biggins

Canis Lupus wrote: »

I walked to and from school in Dub. My caring and loving parents let me get on with it. I often also just wandered off for the day exploring down Marley Park and it's surrounding environs.

It saddens me that parents these days are turning their children into prisoners despite, if I remember correctly, figures showing it's no more dangerous today than it was 10,20,30 years ago.

Yes, it a tough situation to be in these days (parent of 4 here).
One has to find a line between being just careful and trying not to become too over protective and restricting.
For me, it boils down to an appropriate amount of teaching to them given the current age that they are at. That and a modicum of good sense.

The reason why we hear more stories of such sick actions is obvious.
The methods of communication today versus 20+ years ago are vastly different.
The rates of the deeds happening might not have changed much but the reporting of them (or even rumours) has increased via (better?) communication systems and as such sometimes such incidents seem a lot more than what they actually are.
...Just food for thought.

reprazant

Biggins wrote: »

You might be surprised just how many are in any one area.

This is a simple example of the states: http://img155.imageshack.us/i/captureet.jpg/

Source: http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents/sex-offender-map.pdf

As we have no similar way of telling - and obviously the Gardi won't be publicly sharing the information - we just don't really know.
This also helps rumours to start off too by side effect.

These are lists of sex offenders which is a bit of a broad and vague term really.

Also, I always walked home from school when I was a kid. Pretty much everyone did.

I find it strange that people complain about kids getting lazy by being driven to school and then also that kids are being made to walk to school.

Biggins

reprazant wrote: »

These are lists of sex offenders which is a bit of a broad and vague term really.

Yes I know. My point was that given population numbers and the ratio of sex related offenders, until we are given official figures*, we truth we just don't know how many is in any one area.

*NOTE: I'm not advocating that such lists should or should not be given out. Just adding a further possible related perspective.

stovelid

These stories erupt all the time and all sound very similar. While it's good to be vigilant (speaking as a parent), they also create a climate of fear that can have negative consequences: wasting police resources, wrongfull accusation of "suspects" and worrying your own kids.

Is there any evidence that child abuse and abduction has actually increased these days. As opposed to the heavily-mediated fear/perception of abduction?

reprazant

Yeah, it would be kind of interesting to see what sort of numbers of sex offenders there are in each area.

It would be probably shocking tbf.

Snakeblood

stovelid wrote: »

These stories erupt all the time and all sound very similar. While it's good to be vigilant (speaking as a parent), they also create a climate of fear that can have negative consequences: wasting police resources, wrongfull accusation of "suspects" and worrying your own kids.

Is there any evidence that child abuse and abduction has actually increased these days. As opposed to the heavily-mediated fear/perception of abduction?

I'd say it's more likely that people have become more aware of child abuse, than it's actually increased, and it's still a tiny fraction of kids who get abused. Which is cold comfort to parents, but the fact that many abusers are being caught now instead of being moved to another parish or school is good.

ArmaniJeanss

I cant recall the courts presiding over a case of an actual paedophile abduction of a kid in the last 25 years.

But yet there seems to be about a dozen of these "there was an attempted abduction in xxxxx estate, the police are keeping it hush hush but have warned everyone to be careful til they catch these guys" stories every year.

Something doesnt add up.

coddlesangers

They are a function of hysterical mothers and facebook.

Biggins

Is there anywhere one can find the amount of sex/paedophile offenders in prison (not their names, just numbers in quantity) presently?

biko

Use your regional forum.