Blackmarket Ireland TV3

MadsL

Bear with me, I'm gonna rant a little here....I'll get to a point.

Usual TV3 shock horror ****e 'dodgy handbags sold on Henry St!!!' {dramatic music} :eek::eek: stuff.

However, what I am more shocked by is the easy ride given to the people who are supposed to be doing something about this, a lot of the situations that are causing TV3 to commission dramatic blurry 'undercover' films and talking heads are easily controlled and solved. So why not tackle the people that have the authority to do something about these situations.... true 'investigative' journalism...

I personally support the history of the Smithfield horse fair and believe that it is is an incredible piece of Dublin history and could easily be redeveloped and controlled - yet Dublin City Council are intransigent that they will not provide an alternative safe location away from Smithfield, they simple want to kill it without re-siting as they are legal obliged to do as the Horse Fair has legal status. With proper policing and welfare the Horse Fair could again be an international tourist facility - yet Dublin City Council have spent €2m in grant money from the EU in building an obstacle course to deter the Horse Fair. Now I'm sure we'll get the usual 'fking knackers' fulmination, but why is TV3 not turning the camera at Charlie Lowe and saying "so what are you doing about this?" - are there no alternative sites (DCC car park next to the Fruit Market or Haymarket in D8) or sites where grass could be provided for 'flashing'.

Regarding markets, are TV3 for real. ZOMG!! My Prada bag is fake!! I paid 30 yo-yos. Now, markets used to have market inspectors; in fact the little red hut at the bottom of Smithfield used to be the Market police hut. DCC literally gave that one away to Liam Carroll despite promising it to a local Arts group. Anyway, if DCC give market licences, then how the sweet love of god can TV3 not turn around and ask Charlie Lowe or John Tierney "Why are you permitting this illegal trading?".

Equally DCC sold the Iveagh Market off to build some hotel thing, NAMA'd now, whilst the Iveagh Market rots and the traders (who pay rates) have no toilet, nor running water, nor electricity on Meath and Thomas Streets.

Now, having Richard Guiney of Dublin Business Improvement District pontificating about how Prada want to know what is being done about counterfeit goods is an absolute joke from an organisation that pays staff to sit on the street to direct tourists to the Spire or to Guinness, yet does nothing to deal with planning breaches, illegal advertising, clutter of sandwich boards and fabric banners cluttering up the streets in Dublin as they are paid for by grants and fees from Business members (rates, basically). Astonishingly, this is a Limited Company that does not publish its accounts.

Now what strikes me is that just as the bankers were beyond reach in the Celtic Baboon days, isn't it odd that we yet to learn to demand accountability and transparency from those with authority. Anyone surprised that a TV show is prepared to tug the forehead to those 'in charge' whilst throwing the hands up at the 'shocking findings' that without enforcement, responsibility and accountability there is crime.

Shame on TV3.

johnnyskeleton

So...less horse fairs, more fake handbags?

MadsL

johnnyskeleton wrote: »

So...less horse fairs, more fake handbags?

Whut?

Will I condense and simplify it for you.

TV3: There's bad stuff happening
Person with authority to change it: Yes, there is!
TV3: K, thanx, bye

ArmaniJeanss

In fairness its par for the course for these investigative programs, from The Roger Cook Report right up to Donal McIntyre.

Showing the crime, secretly videoing the suspects, maybe even doorstepping them = exciting TV.

Whereas interviewing the police/city manager and hearing about how they are very concerned and a top/down approach involving all the relevant authorities is required, and the legislation will have to be studied to see what evidentiary requirements there are and whether the said legislation needs updating zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

MadsL

Lets see if this documentary did any good shall we?


Attn: Markets Officer, Dublin City Council

RE: TV3 Documentary

I watched with great interest the recent TV3 Documentary highlighting the selling of counterfeit goods on Henry Street over the Christmas period. Could you advise me if TV3 shared their findings with you and if any prosecutions were brought as a result?

Also, what control and enforcement mechanisms will you have in place next year to ensure that illegal goods will not be casually traded under licence on Dublin's streets.

Regards

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

n97 mini

Good post OP, but ultimately I think your bile should be directed at the slackers, not TV3. TV3 is probably unlikely to point the finger with too much enthusiasm as those people/departments will refuse to co-operate with TV3 on future programmes.

MadsL wrote: »

Attn: Markets Officer, Dublin City Council
....
if any prosecutions were brought as a result?

You'll get a classic book pass to that one: not our responsibility, that'd be a matter for the Gardaí (even though DCC can still answer the question).

MadsL

n97 mini wrote: »

You'll get a classic book pass to that one: not our responsibility, that'd be a matter for the Gardaí (even though DCC can still answer the question).

Yet to receive an acknowledgement even...

Mance Rayder

MadsL wrote: »

I personally support the history of the Smithfield horse fair and believe that it is is an incredible piece of Dublin history and could easily be redeveloped and controlled - yet Dublin City Council are intransigent that they will not provide an alternative safe location away from Smithfield, they simple want to kill it without re-siting as they are legal obliged to do as the Horse Fair has legal status. With proper policing and welfare the Horse Fair could again be an international tourist facility - yet Dublin City Council have spent €2m in grant money from the EU in building an obstacle course to deter the Horse Fair. Now I'm sure we'll get the usual 'fking knackers' fulmination, but why is TV3 not turning the camera at Charlie Lowe and saying "so what are you doing about this?" - are there no alternative sites (DCC car park next to the Fruit Market or Haymarket in D8) or sites where grass could be provided for 'flashing'.

Regarding markets, are TV3 for real. ZOMG!! My Prada bag is fake!! I paid 30 yo-yos. Now, markets used to have market inspectors; in fact the little red hut at the bottom of Smithfield used to be the Market police hut. DCC literally gave that one away to Liam Carroll despite promising it to a local Arts group. Anyway, if DCC give market licences, then how the sweet love of god can TV3 not turn around and ask Charlie Lowe or John Tierney "Why are you permitting this illegal trading?".

Equally DCC sold the Iveagh Market off to build some hotel thing, NAMA'd now, whilst the Iveagh Market rots and the traders (who pay rates) have no toilet, nor running water, nor electricity on Meath and Thomas Streets.

Now, having Richard Guiney of Dublin Business Improvement District pontificating about how Prada want to know what is being done about counterfeit goods is an absolute joke from an organisation that pays staff to sit on the street to direct tourists to the Spire or to Guinness, yet does nothing to deal with planning breaches, illegal advertising, clutter of sandwich boards and fabric banners cluttering up the streets in Dublin as they are paid for by grants and fees from Business members (rates, basically). Astonishingly, this is a Limited Company that does not publish its accounts.

Now what strikes me is that just as the bankers were beyond reach in the Celtic Baboon days, isn't it odd that we yet to learn to demand accountability and transparency from those with authority. Anyone surprised that a TV show is prepared to tug the forehead to those 'in charge' whilst throwing the hands up at the 'shocking findings' that without enforcement, responsibility and accountability there is crime.

Shame on TV3.

Better they hold a jobs fair in Smithfeild instead and employ some of these wonderful ethnic 'travelling' folk, lest they turn to crime in their boredom.

MadsL

CiscoStudent wrote: »

Better they hold a jobs fair in Smithfeild instead and employ some of these wonderful ethnic 'travelling' folk, lest they turn to crime in their boredom.

...and as I predicted. Blame the 'knackers' doesn't get us very far now does it? Spending 2 million euro to 'improve' Smithfield (read install obstacles to hinder the Horse Fair) was a decision made in response to absolute failure to deal with the core issue. The legal status of the fair goes back centuries, now rather than deal with properly policing the fair and encouraging legal traders and suppliers to participate and providing proper facilities, either in Smithfield or other location, potentially creating Europe's largest equestrian fair, instead Dublin City faffs about, and creates police no-go areas and roadblocks. No one wins.

I would have thought that DSPCA would have found it easier to deal with neglect with the horses gathered in one place than scattered across the city...

However, my point is that no-one in the media is asking hard questions of those with both the power and the responsibility for the city. Likewise, funny how when Limerick is rated as a litter blackspot in the IBAL survey the Mayor just turns around and attacks IBAL, and he's let away with this nonsense.

MadsL

n97 mini wrote: »

You'll get a classic book pass to that one: not our responsibility, that'd be a matter for the Gardaí (even though DCC can still answer the question).

...and here it is - got this from DCC today.

Thanks for your e-mail. I think the programme you refer to was a repeat and the trading was taking place in 2010. I am not aware if TV3 shared their findings as prosecutions for the sale of counterfeit goods are the responsibility of An Garda Síochana. Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochana are working together constantly to deal with this issue throughout the City.

Not really answering the question so....

...thank you for your response, but this does not address the second part of my query about the controls that will be put in place to prevent such trading taking place. Has Dublin City Council banned any traders from future licencing and do you have any screening process for casual trading applicants based on a AGS background check? Are patrols and checks also made by DCC staff to determine what goods are being sold and if they are suitable and legally correct for sale?