The Safety of Dublin City?!

DesperateDan

So I'm moving to the city soon for my Masters course starting in the end of september.

Now I'm 22, I've never been in a fight in my life. My hometown is pretty damn safe, I'd be happy to walk the streets at 3 in the morning no problem; so I was just wondering how cautious I should be regarding safety etc. in the city. Tbh stuff like this going on every day has me a little freaked out. I don't really wanna be randomly assaulted by drunk (or sober) scumbags, and was wondering if this kinda thing happens a lot in peoples experience?, Or is it a case of if you mind your own business you probably won't be bothered?

I know someone from Dublin who has been mugged 7 count 'em 7 times (once right in front of me -- long story). So much so he won't walk down a dark alley on his own now the poor lad. I don't wanna end up like him in a years time.

My brother used to live in Dublin, and a few times when he was lying in (sponging off the government), random people would try and kick his door in. Again, something you don't really get in my town!!

DesperateDan

DesperateDan wrote: »

So I'm moving to the city soon for my Masters course starting in the end of september.

Now I'm 22, I've never been in a fight in my life. My hometown is pretty damn safe, I'd be happy to walk the streets at 3 in the morning no problem; so I was just wondering how cautious I should be regarding safety etc. in the city. Tbh stuff like this going on every day has me a little freaked out. I don't really wanna be randomly assaulted by drunk (or sober) scumbags, and was wondering if this kinda thing happens a lot in peoples experience?, Or is it a case of if you mind your own business you probably won't be bothered?

I know someone from Dublin who has been mugged 7 count 'em 7 times (once right in front of me -- long story). So much so he won't walk down a dark alley on his own now the poor lad. I don't wanna end up like him in a years time.

My brother used to live in Dublin, and a few times when he was lying in (sponging off the government), random people would try and kick his door in. Again, something you don't really get in my town!!

Bizarre post, IMO. I've lived in this city for over 30 years, and I'd consider it safe - safer than some places I've been around Ireland on a Friday night, that's for sure.

Dublin is like most cities. It doesn't do to be completely absent-minded walking around some parts of the city, particularly late at night, and it has some places that are worse than others.

jeckle

DesperateDan wrote: »

I was just wondering how cautious I should be regarding safety

Try to get into the habit of always being cautious regarding your safety, no matter what part of the world you happen to be in.

doomed

Start by renting somewhere where having your door kicked is not the normal experience. The last thing you want to do is run the scumbag gauntlet everytime you walk home.

Thereafter you do what you do in any city. Keep your eyes open and generally try to be in places which are reasonably well lit. That last tenner is better spent on a taxi home than your 15th and 16th drink.

BTW

(1) It is an urban myth that a gang of dublin scumbags confronted by one lone student will back off when you say "come on then you f""king skangers who wants to be first"

(2) The correct answer to the question "what are you looking at?" is not "I'm sorry I'm not studying veterinary medicine".

gigino

Same as any big city, go to safe places + safe areas and use common sense and you'll be ok. I have been living here now for many years without trouble.

Cool Mo D

DesperateDan wrote: »

So I'm moving to the city soon for my Masters course starting in the end of september.

Now I'm 22, I've never been in a fight in my life. My hometown is pretty damn safe, I'd be happy to walk the streets at 3 in the morning no problem; so I was just wondering how cautious I should be regarding safety etc. in the city. Tbh stuff like this going on every day has me a little freaked out. I don't really wanna be randomly assaulted by drunk (or sober) scumbags, and was wondering if this kinda thing happens a lot in peoples experience?, Or is it a case of if you mind your own business you probably won't be bothered?

I know someone from Dublin who has been mugged 7 count 'em 7 times (once right in front of me -- long story). So much so he won't walk down a dark alley on his own now the poor lad. I don't wanna end up like him in a years time.

My brother used to live in Dublin, and a few times when he was lying in (sponging off the government), random people would try and kick his door in. Again, something you don't really get in my town!!

If you are looking for a fight in Dublin, you will find one. Otherwise, there's no need to worry. I live and go out in the city centre, and have never encountered any trouble, never been mugged, got in a fight, etc, and neither have the vast majority of people. The city centre has it's share of beggars and derelicts, but they are a harmless annoyance. Maybe I'm in a minority, but I've never seen a fight on the streets either.

Unless you are a drug dealer, your chance of being shot or stabbed in Dublin are very, very low.

FloatingVoter

If you go looking for trouble, you'll find it. The bigger the town, the higher the odds of that happening. I don't buy the "everything is safe down the country" myth. The newspapers are full of stories about attacks on elderly people in rural areas. It doesn't mean a pensioner should avoid Cavan for example.

The vast majority of stabbings / shootings in Dublin are domestics or gangland related - that pushes the serious crime statistics up.

Slydice

This gives a decent bit of advice:
http://wikitravel.org/en/Dublin#Stay_safe
Starts with:

Stay safe
Dublin is generally a very safe city by American and European standards but as in most other large cities, a few crimes against the person, such as muggings, unprovoked attacks, and robberies, have been known to occur in Dublin. Treat Dublin as you would other western cities, and be sensible: never walk in poorly-lit areas at night, especially alone; as Dublin centre is relatively compact, be aware that walking a few blocks can take you into some bad areas. Be especially vigilant or preferably avoid all-together walking around the city centre after bar closing times on weekends (2:30AM-3:00AM) when very drunk other people looking to take advantage of drunk people roam the streets and when violent behavior and crime are most likely to occur.

LaBaguette

Meh, I'd feel more safe walking in the center than in some northern suburbs.

The height of trouble I've gotten into was someone asking me for a smoke, at 3pm on Parnell Square. And I've came home drunk at 4 plenty of times.

Honestly, compared to some French cities, the city center is pretty safe. Especially considering the way some girls dress when they go out

DesperateDan

Sweet, just wanted to really gauge Dubliners opinion as to how safe they think is. If I got a unanimous "Oh yeah I've been mugged" by a few people it would've been good to know. Reassuring stuff.

Plus "scumbag gauntlet", thanks for that!

not even wrong

DesperateDan wrote: »

My hometown is pretty damn safe, I'd be happy to walk the streets at 3 in the morning no problem
...
Again, something you don't really get in my town!!

So where exactly are you from that Dublin seems so dangerous in comparison? Disneyland?

DesperateDan

not even wrong wrote: »

So where exactly are you from that Dublin seems so dangerous in comparison? Disneyland?

That seems a tad unnecessary, I'm from mullingar, but everything I said is true, muggings, break ins etc. have never been any real concern of mine, like virtually any mid size town in Ireland. Obviously I realise it happens in Dublin more often cos of the sheer volume of people and size of the area, hence my question

mikemac

Over sixty travellers were rioting and causing huge trouble in a Mullingar estate just last year.

Maybe it's a different kind of crime you are focusing on

Tusky

These kind of posts perplex me. I've lived in Dublin for 26 years and never had even the slightest bit of trouble. Getting stabbed or your door kicked in are not normal everyday experiences. In fact, I've never heard of either happening to anyone I know. It's a city -so you obviously have to be cautious, as you would anywhere else. I would reckon Dublin is very safe when compared to other cities of similar size/population. I walk home at all hours and I live in the city centre.

Man up for gods sake!

hmmm

I live off Thomas street, which would be regarded as a rough enough area at times, and have never had any real trouble. Sure there's a number of druggies and other, er, ruffians around, but you can usually spot them and avoid them if needed. You sound like you need to toughen up a bit and get a bit more streetwise, that will come in time. Strolling around drunk at 3am and sleeping in a hedge might work at home, not in a city

I see people doing the strangest things, like taking shortcuts through alleys full of homeless people. I also see people leaving all sorts of stuff visible in their cars overnight. If you filter out the number of idiots who get into trouble, the city is quite safe.

Mugged 7 times? Time to change job or where they live. FFS.

copacetic

DesperateDan wrote: »

That seems a tad unnecessary, I'm from mullingar, but everything I said is true, muggings, break ins etc. have never been any real concern of mine, like virtually any mid size town in Ireland. Obviously I realise it happens in Dublin more often cos of the sheer volume of people and size of the area, hence my question

Mullingar, your ****ting us?!

If you think Mullingar is all sweetness and light then you'll find Dublin to be heaven.

John Mason

DesperateDan wrote: »

I'm from mullingar

PMSL:D:D:D:D:D

Ason Unique

Dublin is the biggest slum in Europe. It's the most dangerous place in Europe. Us Dubliners are the best looking motherfuckers in Europe as well.

John_Rambo

DesperateDan wrote: »

but everything I said is true

Pub-talk.

Yillan

DesperateDan wrote: »

I know someone from Dublin who has been mugged 7 count 'em 7 times (once right in front of me -- long story). So much so he won't walk down a dark alley on his own now the poor lad. I don't wanna end up like him in a years time.

Won't walk down a dark alley on his own now? Was it after the seventh mugging that he decided to make the switch?

A tip for living in Dublin, Rio or anywhere other than the Eden of Mullingar, don't walk down dark alleys on your own.

easygoing39

Mullingar???Thats one dangerous gipsey infested kip,I wouldnt visit there!!No way!!;)

DesperateDan

Gypsy infested kip, nice :pac:

Anyways some of you guys is rude, but thanks for the input anyway. I wasn't really asking for advice on 'how to not get mugged', more if people had had many bad experiences themselves from those that live there.

I'm drawing 2 things from this, 1) The general consensus seems to be no, unless you're an idiot, and 2) Mullingar is hole :rolleyes:

DesperateDan

DesperateDan wrote: »

The general consensus seems to be no, unless you're an idiot

Exactly.

The very fact that you've posted about this means you must be the type of person who's careful/sensible enough about these things (minus the usage of one stabbing article as an example of an everyday occurance, that wasn't the most sensible) to put yourself in the "less likely to be mugged" category. I've hung around the city centre all hours of the night since I was 15 (I'm 20 now) and I've never so much as been insulted by anyone, let alone mugged.

My mum's been mugged 3 times in her 60 odd years, but they were all snatch and grabs, never an assault/life-threat, and it was always at night on a dark street in the city centre (she likes to grab the last bus home even though the stop is at a pretty dodgy spot).

So don't walk around talking obnoxiously on an iPhone, or keep your money in a see through bag tied around your neck, or act like the type that someone would want to beat up, or hang around in unlit isolated streets, and you should be fine.

TheUsual

It is good to learn Dublin city centre main streets and stick on them until you get your bearings. Buy a map next time you are in Eason's for 10 Euro.

Big main streets are grand and have good lighting and all have Garda CCTV, and if you walk where people and taxis and buses are then you will be grand. Walking home alone along a dark canal at 3am is not recommended.

Don't get into conversations with drunks or junkies, they are just lonely and looking for a chat. Be polite and keep walking. Same for beggars, just be polite and keep walking.

Also if you use Googlemaps, you can see the main Gardaí stations are in the city centre. These will be safer places to wait outside if you miss a bus and have to wait a while.

Degsy

DesperateDan wrote: »

So I'm moving to the city soon for my Masters course starting in the end of september. !!

DesperateDan wrote: »

(sponging off the government)

Indeed...does nobody ever work anmore?

Fiyero

One other piece of advice would be that if you're using public transport, try to know when your bus, Dart, Luas or train is going at and to make sure you know how to get to your stop/station without ending up down a dark alley somewhere.

Be there on time because chances are whatever you're getting will be.

AND with reduced services on all public transport now with cost cutting, what I've noticed recently is that the wait til the next bus/Dart etc is much longer and you do not want to be hanging around a bus stop / Luas stop whatever late at night on your own either in the suburbs or the city centre.

Get yourself pre-paid bus/Luas etc cards too to avoid all the scumbags at the ticket machines looking for change and also so you don't miss whatever you're getting.

meathmissy

I've recently moved into what is deemed as a rough area but I've had no problems what so ever, I took the flat cause it was cheap thinking its close to city centre taxis after a night out will be cheap so it will be grand, there been several nights we have walked home and no problem.

I would suggest to be careful at the liffey street luas stop. my mates wallet was robbed from her bag minutes after putting it in after buying tickets. theres also two lil gurriers hanging round waiting and asking you for your change from the machines, I saw them 3 afternoons last week. Each day the same thing, begging.

Just use your common sense, don't go looking for trouble and you'll be fine.

Enjoy it, its an amazing city.

ED E

Dont:
Live in a scum area
Walk through scum areas
Make yourself a target(walking down the street iPhone 4 in hand at 3AM)

Do:
Use your head
Stick with people that wont do something stupid when a scrote says "ya startin?".
Never have any smokes(even if you do, you dont).

Living, working and studying in the city for almost 21 years, had one close call but thats it. If you're any way street smart you'll be fine. Oh yeah, if you have a distinct country accent, lose it, knacks will pick up on that.

Gman1

DesperateDan wrote: »

So I'm moving to the city soon for my Masters course starting in the end of september.

Now I'm 22, I've never been in a fight in my life. My hometown is pretty damn safe, I'd be happy to walk the streets at 3 in the morning no problem; so I was just wondering how cautious I should be regarding safety etc. in the city. Tbh stuff like this going on every day has me a little freaked out. I don't really wanna be randomly assaulted by drunk (or sober) scumbags, and was wondering if this kinda thing happens a lot in peoples experience?, Or is it a case of if you mind your own business you probably won't be bothered?

I know someone from Dublin who has been mugged 7 count 'em 7 times (once right in front of me -- long story). So much so he won't walk down a dark alley on his own now the poor lad. I don't wanna end up like him in a years time.

My brother used to live in Dublin, and a few times when he was lying in (sponging off the government), random people would try and kick his door in. Again, something you don't really get in my town!!

Ive been mugged and bottled just down the road from my house. But to avoid it, its simple:

Dont wander down dark alleys or shortcuts
Stay in groups
If anyone asks for a smoke or the time keep walking.
Keep you head held high, they target people who look weak or wont fight back.

Toby Take a Bow

LaBaguette wrote: »

Honestly, compared to some French cities, the city center is pretty safe. Especially considering the way some girls dress when they go out

What does the way girls dress have anything to do with it?

Dublin, in my own personal experience, is pretty safe. Never had a huge amount of trouble (a couple of minor experiences with groups of kids, but nothing life threatening or physically threatening).

Maybe get yourself a sh*t phone: if a scumbag ever wanted to mug me, one look at my phone and he'd probably think it's not worth the bother.

admiralofthefleet

LaBaguette wrote: »

Meh, I'd feel more safe walking in the center than in some northern suburbs.

The height of trouble I've gotten into was someone asking me for a smoke, at 3pm on Parnell Square. And I've came home drunk at 4 plenty of times.

Honestly, compared to some French cities, the city center is pretty safe. Especially considering the way some girls dress when they go out

can you elaborate on this because ive seen trouble all over dublin, south and north of the liffey

mikemac

Fiyero wrote: »

Get yourself pre-paid bus/Luas etc cards too to avoid all the scumbags at the ticket machines looking for change and also so you don't miss whatever you're getting.

Great advice
Saves pulling out your wallet/purse where at best you'll get hassled and at worst it'll be snatched.

Prepaid card in a little holder solves this issue

Gman1 wrote: »

I
Keep you head held high, they target people who look weak or wont fight back.

Also good advice.
The scum are like bullies in school.
They won't dare go for the rugby physique guy but you don't even need to be tall and strong. If you look and act confident it solves a lot of issues

If you have your head down and shuffle along meekly, you are a target

Toby Take a Bow

mikemac wrote: »

If you have your head down and shuffle along meekly, you are a target

My problem is I like listening to my mp3 player, which has a similar effect on scumbags. I find you attract attention if you have headphones on, and get little or none if you don't.

RMD

OP, I'd almost consider your friends / brother's experiences bullshít. I've never heard of any of that happening, I've never been mugged and only ended up in fights which were my fault (nightclubs, not randomly on the street). I've walked up and down Marlborough street twice a day for the last 6 years, it could be considered one of the dodgiest streets in Dublin yet I've never been mugged, attacked etc.

If you walk around Dublin looking like a deer caught in the headlights you'll be an obvious target, just treat it like home and you'll be fine.

HavingCrack

The only thing that is worth avoiding is the back row of seats on the upstairs of a double decker bus, just seems to attract drunk and aggressive scangers for some reason.

DesperateDan wrote: »

So I'm moving to the city soon for my Masters course starting in the end of september.

!

Presumably if you're moving to Dublin for a Masters you must have lived in a city or large enough town for an undergrad degree before hand? I'd guess you're street smart enough somehow.

mikemac wrote: »

They won't dare go for the rugby physique guy but you don't even need to be tall and strong.

I actually know a guy who is 6 foot 4 and kickboxer who got mugged by three scumbags in broad daylight so being big is no guarantee either to be honest.

jack presley

Watch out for the wallet inspector. He's not really an inspector. He just wants to steal your wallet.

LaBaguette

admiralofthefleet wrote: »

can you elaborate on this because ive seen trouble all over dublin, south and north of the liffey

I was more on the "city center" thing, whereby the center is supposedly dodgier that the suburbs. I don't buy the north/south thing that much, there are some pretty bad places in D8 as well.

@Toby : I agree that it should not have anything to do with it, let's be clear. But in most cities I've lived in, girls are way more likely to be harrassed if they wear high heels, miniskirts or anything the local scumbag would deem "sexy". That's a shame, but that's the way it is.

admiralofthefleet

LaBaguette wrote: »

I was more on the "city center" thing, whereby the center is supposedly dodgier that the suburbs. I don't buy the north/south thing that much, there are some pretty bad places in D8 as well.

@Toby : I agree that it should not have anything to do with it, let's be clear. But in most cities I've lived in, girls are way more likely to be harrassed if they wear high heels, miniskirts or anything the local scumbag would deem "sexy". That's a shame, but that's the way it is.

you mentioned suburbs. we had better leave it at that as we dont want to break the rules in the charter

LaBaguette

Hmm.. apologies if I've offended anyone, perhaps it wasnt the right word ? Anyway, I just meant "those areas outside the city center". When talking about the northern suburbs, I had places like Finglas in mind.

I'm open to any clarification/comment MP

John Mason

LaBaguette wrote: »

@Toby : I agree that it should not have anything to do with it, let's be clear. But in most cities I've lived in, girls are way more likely to be harrassed if they wear high heels, miniskirts or anything the local scumbag would deem "sexy". That's a shame, but that's the way it is.

:(:(damn the local scumbags dont find me sexy :(:(


l have never been harrassed for wearing high heels and mini skirts

LaBaguette

That's in French cities, to which I was comparing Dublin, to argue that it's a very safe place to live in

Doylers

How does a person who hasn't ever lived in Dublin know the areas to avoid living in?

HavingCrack

irishbird wrote: »

:(:(damn the local scumbags dont find me sexy :(:(


l have never been harrassed for wearing high heels and mini skirts

Yeah, women do seem to get more hassle (pestering, whistling, catcalls) in the southern European countries (Spain, Italy, southern France, Greece) than they do in northern Europe. I put it down to the culture in some of these places. Granted I amn't a woman so it's just my observations .

_blank_

[QUOTE=irishbird;74508967
l have never been harrassed for wearing high heels and mini skirts[/QUOTE]

yes you have! :pac:

John Mason

Des wrote: »

yes you have! :pac:

you would think the mod of the forum would able to use the quote function correctly

anyway, getting abused by drunk Des doesnt count :cool:

Ash.J.Williams

DesperateDan wrote: »

So I'm moving to the city soon for my Masters course starting in the end of september.

Now I'm 22, I've never been in a fight in my life. My hometown is pretty damn safe, I'd be happy to walk the streets at 3 in the morning no problem; so I was just wondering how cautious I should be regarding safety etc. in the city. Tbh stuff like this going on every day has me a little freaked out. I don't really wanna be randomly assaulted by drunk (or sober) scumbags, and was wondering if this kinda thing happens a lot in peoples experience?, Or is it a case of if you mind your own business you probably won't be bothered?

I know someone from Dublin who has been mugged 7 count 'em 7 times (once right in front of me -- long story). So much so he won't walk down a dark alley on his own now the poor lad. I don't wanna end up like him in a years time.

My brother used to live in Dublin, and a few times when he was lying in (sponging off the government), random people would try and kick his door in. Again, something you don't really get in my town!!

never had any trouble in 20 years

dfx-

Ason Unique wrote: »

Dublin is the biggest slum in Europe. It's the most dangerous place in Europe. Us Dubliners are the best looking motherfuckers in Europe as well.

Ah now. That's a bit of an exaggeration.

:pac: