Should I report this to the gardaí or not?

audidiesel

if the other lady doesnt make a complaint, which would presumably be the case, then the guards can do absolutely nothing. it sucks but unfortuantely its far too common in this country.

not attacking you, but what would have been wrong with ringing 999 when the girl was being dragged in the street. if there were loads of people on the street, they couldnt really pinpoint you.

instead you waited till the following night after you'd had a few drinks on one of the busiest nights of the week at one of the busiest times.

to me it sounds like your a bit angry with yourself that you didnt report it at the time and your taking it out on the guards. (no idea what level of sobriety you had in the garda station - you could have been fine or else a raving lunatic or somewhere in between when reporting it).

the guards makeup makes feck all difference and just makes it sound like your nit picking.

ok now onto the flashing

of course you should have reported that. but the problem now is that youve left it a few days. legally your making the guards job nearly impossible by delaying it as long as you have. if you make a statement, and the other person admits it then it may well go to court. at that stage if you think your going to pull your complaint, then you shouldnt report it in the first place. if you want to go ahead then fair play.

also if the guy doesnt admit to it, its a case of he said - she said and its unlikely to go anywhere.

so my longwinded point is this.....

if your going to report stuff to the guards, please do it when there is some chance of being able to act on it. not a few days later. if you want to complain about the guards, then you should really look in the mirror first. im not saying im not sympathetic, but waiting a couple of days to report things and then bitching about it is pretty ****** (insert appropriate word here)

(post 100 wahoo)

source

Firstly OP Gardai cannot take a statement off someone who has drunk alcohol as their judgement is impaired due to being under the influence of an intoxicant. This clouds what they are saying and can often lead to stories being exaggerated. It doesn't matter if you believe you're sober enough, the general rule is once alcohol has been taken, it's not worth the risk.

When a complaint is not made on the day of the incident or the next day, it becomes very difficult for Gardai to investigate, as witnesses are gone and often after a few days the victim (especially in Domestic violence cases) will decide they don't want to make a complaint. If gotten to at the time of the incident the anger they're feeling will usually prompt them to make a complaint.

When you see someone being dragged down the street they are immediately in danger, call 999 and describe what you're seeing, clearly stating street address, and giving your details if you so wish. It is vitally important that these things get reported immediately, as evidence starts to dry up as time goes on.

I would echo what others have said here re the members make up. It has no baring on the story and only makes you out to be petty. I'm sure that's not the case, but it's how the comment comes across.

A complaint can be made at the time of an incident, with alcohol taken. The official complaint, ie the statement can only be taken while stone cold sober. If you come into a station a number of days after an incident and have drink taken you will be told to come back sober.

Sempai

Regarding the alleged indecent act by the OP's neighbor, is there an offence for that as it was within a house and not in public? The only legislation I know of is Public Indecency, in the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1935.

eroo

As Source said OP, if you had any alcohol taken previous to going into the Garda station then the Garda couldn't take a report from you. A statement taken from someone under the influence of alcohol would not stand up in court in most cases. AFAIK statements could be taken in serious cases such as rape or murder.

Also, as foreign touched, don't make a statement unless you are willing to go to court as you may be required to give evidence.

Darlughda

Right, I've learnt a lot from posting here.

In regards to the incident I witnessed, anyone who bothered to read through the whole thread will see that I regretted not acting immediately, and gave my reasons for that.
In future, I will never, ever let shock and fear overcome me, I hope, and act immediately.
Just out of interest, what would have happened if I had been drinking at the time I had witnessed that incident?

The reason why I highlighted the make up issue was because the girl at the station appeared bored when I explained the situation. She was caked in the kind of make up that I would associate with going out for a night on the tiles. False eyelashes and severe glittery eyeshadow. She was chewing gum, and I got the impression she was just waiting for her shift to finish so she could head out.

She clearly was not interested in what I had to say. I have to say, I found it disconcerting that a guard was made up like that, it kind of threw me-as it just did not look professional -and it inspired little confidence in me as she looked more suited to a beauty salon or a nightclub.
Having said that, I would have disregarded her appearance had she appeared interested, and gave me the impression that she took her job seriously.

I was not drunk. 2-3 glasses of wine does not make me incoherent. I left the night early because what I had seen had been preying on my mind and I declined to go clubbing, instead I went to report the incident and go home early instead.

The dispute I had personally with other tenants in the house of flats I live in last Saturday night, was over a communal washing machine.

I have decided not to go to the guards because I don't want this to escalate into a court case.
However, if anything like this happens to occur again, can anybody here who does know what they are talking about let me know if my complaint to the landlord will be sufficient as a record of previous incidents if, (hopefully not), something again happens in the future with that particular tenant, and I have to go to the guards?

I love my flat, and it is my home now. No one is going to intimidate me out of it. It took me a long, long time to find as half decent flats for people in my circumstances are as rare as hens teeth. I have no desire to move out, here is where I live.

alphabeat

JohnnyTodd wrote: »

If I seen a women being dragged and beaten I would have intervened and called the guards immediately.

What took you so long to report this incident? You should be ashamed off yourself

:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes: what a man

Sempai

OP, what would you think if it was you or a relative that was being beaten and dragged somewhere by a man and people were watching and did nothing?
I'm sure people have witnessed worse and were frightened by what they saw but still picked up the phone and dialed 999.

As for the Guards appearance, that's totally irrelevant, as she was probably not long after starting her . As some of the posters said here, she may have taken notes of what you said and may have made contact with this other woman who declined to make a complaint.

samina

I wouldn't report it, it will make life more difficult for you, and like you say if you live on your own you don't need that hassle. Ignore the idiots because it won't be long before fools like that mess themselves up anyways. Hopefully others will complain or the landlord will experience their attitude himself and they'll be gone

Darlughda

Sempai wrote: »

OP, what would you think if it was you or a relative that was being beaten and dragged somewhere by a man and people were watching and did nothing?
I'm sure people have witnessed worse and were frightened by what they saw but still picked up the phone and dialed 999.

As for the Guards appearance, that's totally irrelevant, as she was probably not long after starting her . As some of the posters said here, she may have taken notes of what you said and may have made contact with this other woman who declined to make a complaint.

Isn't it strange, that I just got the most overwhelming feeling that this is advice you so wish you would follow in your own life.

I am intuitive, and sometimes this is a bad thing as I explained to the point of ad nauseum, in regard to the incident I witnessed.

Yet a few pages into a thread, you ignore all that, yet latch on to something that I feel strongly has to do with you. Not me.

Darlughda

Darlughda wrote: »

Right, I've learnt a lot from posting here.

In regards to the incident I witnessed, anyone who bothered to read through the whole thread will see that I regretted not acting immediately, and gave my reasons for that.
In future, I will never, ever let shock and fear overcome me, I hope, and act immediately.
Just out of interest, what would have happened if I had been drinking at the time I had witnessed that incident?

The reason why I highlighted the make up issue was because the girl at the station appeared bored when I explained the situation. She was caked in the kind of make up that I would associate with going out for a night on the tiles. False eyelashes and severe glittery eyeshadow. She was chewing gum, and I got the impression she was just waiting for her shift to finish so she could head out.

She clearly was not interested in what I had to say. I have to say, I found it disconcerting that a guard was made up like that, it kind of threw me-as it just did not look professional -and it inspired little confidence in me as she looked more suited to a beauty salon or a nightclub.
Having said that, I would have disregarded her appearance had she appeared interested, and gave me the impression that she took her job seriously.

I was not drunk. 2-3 glasses of wine does not make me incoherent. I left the night early because what I had seen had been preying on my mind and I declined to go clubbing, instead I went to report the incident and go home early instead.

The dispute I had personally with other tenants in the house of flats I live in last Saturday night, was over a communal washing machine.

I have decided not to go to the guards because I don't want this to escalate into a court case.
However, if anything like this happens to occur again, can anybody here who does know what they are talking about let me know if my complaint to the landlord will be sufficient as a record of previous incidents if, (hopefully not), something again happens in the future with that particular tenant, and I have to go to the guards?

I love my flat, and it is my home now. No one is going to intimidate me out of it. It took me a long, long time to find as half decent flats for people in my circumstances are as rare as hens teeth. I have no desire to move out, here is where I live.

If you were drinking at the time of the incident it wouldn't really matter if you reported it there and then. If you were reporting it later like in this case it may lead to you forgetting some simple things about the incident.

As mentioned a statement won't be taken off of somebody under the influence of an intoxicant, even if you were sober at the time of the incident.

Re only having 2-3 glasses of wine, how many did you actually have? People often underestimate how much they've had. Sure look at the drink drivers out there! Not saying you were falling about the place but once there is alcohol involved members will not take a statement.

Again, the Garda sounds like she was very presentable. Maybe overdone but still presentable. Her appearance has nothing to do with how professional she may or may not be.

And re your landlord, that's a civil matter. Seek advice from the rental organisations.

MagicSean

Darlughda wrote: »

Right, I've learnt a lot from posting here.

In regards to the incident I witnessed, anyone who bothered to read through the whole thread will see that I regretted not acting immediately, and gave my reasons for that.
In future, I will never, ever let shock and fear overcome me, I hope, and act immediately.
Just out of interest, what would have happened if I had been drinking at the time I had witnessed that incident?

The Gardaí would still have responded and maybe seen something they could act on themselves. Your statement could be taken when you had no drink taken but it would address the fact that you had alcohol taken at the time you witnessed the event.

Darlughda wrote: »

The reason why I highlighted the make up issue was because the girl at the station appeared bored when I explained the situation. She was caked in the kind of make up that I would associate with going out for a night on the tiles. False eyelashes and severe glittery eyeshadow. She was chewing gum, and I got the impression she was just waiting for her shift to finish so she could head out.

Maybe she just likes to look her best. No shifts end at that time on a Friday night.

Darlughda wrote: »

She clearly was not interested in what I had to say. I have to say, I found it disconcerting that a guard was made up like that, it kind of threw me-as it just did not look professional -and it inspired little confidence in me as she looked more suited to a beauty salon or a nightclub.
Having said that, I would have disregarded her appearance had she appeared interested, and gave me the impression that she took her job seriously.

So really her make up had nothing at all to do with your opinion of her but you threw it in anyway.

Darlughda wrote: »

I was not drunk. 2-3 glasses of wine does not make me incoherent. I left the night early because what I had seen had been preying on my mind and I declined to go clubbing, instead I went to report the incident and go home early instead.

2-3 glasses of wine would be plenty for the defence to jump on. A good example of this is the scene from "Sleepers" where Dustin Hoffman questions the witness about her drink.

Darlughda wrote: »

The dispute I had personally with other tenants in the house of flats I live in last Saturday night, was over a communal washing machine.

So it had nothing to do with the previous incident? It wasn't the same people?

Darlughda wrote: »

I have decided not to go to the guards because I don't want this to escalate into a court case.
However, if anything like this happens to occur again, can anybody here who does know what they are talking about let me know if my complaint to the landlord will be sufficient as a record of previous incidents if, (hopefully not), something again happens in the future with that particular tenant, and I have to go to the guards?

Sex crimes have no time limit however any delay in reporting a crime would have to be accompanied by a good explanation for the delay. It would not be sufficient to say you did not report it because the last time you reported something the Garda was wearing makeup and seemed a little apathetic.

Darlughda wrote: »

I love my flat, and it is my home now. No one is going to intimidate me out of it. It took me a long, long time to find as half decent flats for people in my circumstances are as rare as hens teeth. I have no desire to move out, here is where I live.

Considering the type of neighbours you have are you sure it is such a great place to live?

So while a woman lives in real danger of her life with a group of men who act to dominate the street they live on, the majority of posts here are about how wrong the (now banned) OP was for being scared and/or trash-talking the Guard she dealt with?

Wonderful perspective, and I doubt any of you wear the Blue Uniform.

I would be very sorrowful if any of ye did.

She doesn't need to hear about how she's wrong and how hopeless you think things are, she needs to hear the steps she needs to take to improve the situation.

"It's hopeless blah blah" is ten-a-penny these days, people need to learn to do the right thing regardless of whether it's a "waste of time" or not.

If you do everything that you can do, then the onus is on the person you passed it on to who gave up.

If you're the one who gives up because you think it's "hopeless/not worth the effort", then you are the fault, you are the problem. Not it/them/him/her. You.

audidiesel

Deleted User wrote: »

So while a woman lives in real danger of her life with a group of men who act to dominate the street they live on, the majority of posts here are about how wrong the (now banned) OP was for being scared and/or trash-talking the Guard she dealt with?

Wonderful perspective, and I doubt any of you wear the Blue Uniform.

I would be very sorrowful if any of ye did.

She doesn't need to hear about how she's wrong and how hopeless you think things are, she needs to hear the steps she needs to take to improve the situation.

"It's hopeless blah blah" is ten-a-penny these days, people need to learn to do the right thing regardless of whether it's a "waste of time" or not.

If you do everything that you can do, then the onus is on the person you passed it on to who gave up.

If you're the one who gives up because you think it's "hopeless/not worth the effort", then you are the fault, you are the problem. Not it/them/him/her. You.

real danger of her life, yet she wont countenance moving somewhere else....

nobody on this is really having a go at her reporting it. but there are plenty saying that where she went wrong was in

1. waiting a couple of days to report it

2. only reporting it after her night out a few days later then when not sober.

if she reported it immediately or within a few minutes of witnessing it, then there would be none of the adverse commentary. instead she waited 3-4 days then reported it under the influence and gave out that she didnt feel she was treated as well as she liked :rolleyes:

MagicSean

Deleted User wrote: »

So while a woman lives in real danger of her life with a group of men who act to dominate the street they live on, the majority of posts here are about how wrong the (now banned) OP was for being scared and/or trash-talking the Guard she dealt with?

Wonderful perspective, and I doubt any of you wear the Blue Uniform.

I would be very sorrowful if any of ye did.

She doesn't need to hear about how she's wrong and how hopeless you think things are, she needs to hear the steps she needs to take to improve the situation.

"It's hopeless blah blah" is ten-a-penny these days, people need to learn to do the right thing regardless of whether it's a "waste of time" or not.

If you do everything that you can do, then the onus is on the person you passed it on to who gave up.

If you're the one who gives up because you think it's "hopeless/not worth the effort", then you are the fault, you are the problem. Not it/them/him/her. You.

The real danger was to the woman she saw being assaulted and she ignored it. My sympathy for the op is limited.