The town getting more desperate?

Biggins

In the last few days I've heard of more beatings, stabbings (one taxi driver got robbed and stabbed eight times locally) and now the huge 24 Hour Tesco on the outskirts of the town (Drogheda) was apparently robbed last night by possible armed robbers.

My question to others is, has things to others seeming got worse around them in the last few days, weeks or months?

Is my perception off and wrong or has things - is things getting more worse crime-wise in the areas as people are getting more desperate?

Lord TSC

As the son of said taxi driver, can I say how much I hate Drogheda somerimes...

bigneacy

Jesus - sorry to hear that Teamshadowclan - hope your da's doing better? :eek:

Biggins, I know what you mean sometimes when all this terrible and tragic news comes out in such a short burst that it can appear to be hopeless but I think in general our two wee (big) towns are doing ok and are relatively safe places to live - especially if you compare it to other places. There is a terrible undercurrent of 'bad people' capable of doing bad things locally but I think there always has been and maybe even moreso back in the 80's/90's? Maybe its worse now because they have less morals or agendas to fight towards?

DaDartle

Condolences teamshadowclan. A speedy recovery to your father.

I think bank holiday weekends but esp. St. Patrick's Day serve as good barometers for the 'state of the union'. There's always the chance the streets and the town can turn ugly come nightfall if the mood's not right.

I haven't personally noticed any increased 'desperation' around town recently but that's not to say it's not there.

Here's to hoping for an uneventful and safe weekend around town.

Enjoy it regardless!

positron

Teamshadowclan, that is so sad, I really hope he gets well soon.

Everytime I hear bad news around Drogheda or Dublin, I just try and remember how the world really is (has anyone read Shantaram? It's not all fiction..!), and tell myself that towns in Ireland, even on a bad day, is relatively better than an average day in most town and places around the world. I know that's no good, and I hope these remain as once-off incidents.

Scotty #

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

As the son of said taxi driver...

Sorry to hear that TS. I hope he recovers quickly (and not just physically).

The problem in this country is not enough prison places and too lenient on sentencing. Criminals have nothing to fear. I'd love to see California's three strikes rule come in. There's guys in Ireland with 100+ convictions that have never seen the inside of a prison.

On the other hand when you hear of the likes of Joe O'Reilly spending 5 hours a day in the gym and the rest of his day studying for his degree you have to wonder if prison is any deterrent at all? Full health care, full dental care, free education (truly free), 3 healthy meals a day, TV/DVD/PS3 in your cell. Temporary release whenever there is a family occasion...

Makes my blood boil if I think too much about it tbh. :mad::mad::mad:

Atomic Pineapple

Less money about, times getting harder and harder for people, dwindling Gardai numbers and enforcement and a legal system that is continually failing to provide proper sentences for offenders.

All this leads to people being more openly able to commit crimes and get away with them, it's no surprise to me that people are noticing an increase.

MugMugs

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

As the son of said taxi driver, can I say how much I hate Drogheda somerimes...

Sorry to hear that buddy. I hope he's okay.


I spent the past few days in A&E with a family member in The Lourdes and I have to say Biggins, I agree.

As I walked in the gates of the Hospital I was greeted by a some what you may call "interesting characters" I made my way down past the main building and on to The Emergency Department. There's an automatic tannoy system in place which advises about smoking, two young gents coming out the door literally stopped and started screaming at it.... It's a machine. When I went inside apparently there were a number of stabbings in Dundalk at a 21st and a load of fights around the more local area of Drogheda with multiple injuries in the locaility.

I even overheard one lad told by a Doctor that he needed to stay away from fights as another hit to his nose could end up killing him.... the response was "Yeah whatever, sort me out yeah"

I could go on to be honest but I agree in what you're saying and it's not just Drogheda. It's my home town of Dundalk too.

I saw the Taxi Driver being brought in yesterday. I really hope he gets better soon. The poor fella. Nobody deserves that.

I don't entertain this Drogheda v Dundalk crap. I socialise in Drogheda at least monthly and I have to admit that I am growing more and more uneasy each night I am out..... As with Dundalk too.

I think draffodx is right. I think less money is leading to more mischief. The Gardai are being cut left right and centre yet are expected to maintain law and order?

Somethings gotta give and I fear the impact on us will be great.

southlouth type

Thats a terrible thing to happen to that taxi driver . Drogheda and Dundalk like most towns in the country are black spots for unemployment etc and there is an air of depression about the place . I have to admit i havent felt and more uneasy than usual recently , i am working in the middle of town on paddies night and tbh i am dreading it ! Its always a bad time to be on the town but i reckon this year is not going to be good .

amacachi

Pretty sure Dundalk is still ahead of Drogheda in the violence stakes. Can't say I've noticed a particular upturn in Dundalk, some weekends you're more likely to hear about it because of who/where it was than others.

Nesta99

Hope your Dad will make a full recovery TSC - somebody going about doing their job in an honest manner providing a service to us all and getting attacked for it is just the lowest. Taxiing is one harsh job (imagine putting up with the likes of us all with beers in us for hours on end, never mind dealing with the scumbags)! If it continues like this we will see more and more of the partitioned cabs like the black cabs in London.
3 strikes and out model is certainly an appealing concept but a more restorative justice system has been proven to be more beneficial to the victim and also reduces reoffence.
In the mean time sanction needs to reflect crime or the slide will continue. Recently a multiple offender who broke a Garda's jaw in 5 places recieved a suspended sentence????
I dont think Dundalk feels as risky at night times as it did mid 90's but it is sliding. Days where there is an early premiership ko 12pm eg Liverpool v Man Utd, followed by say six nations then another match of some sorts ko at 5.30, by 8pm people are a mess and ye are watching over your shoulder. St Paddys day - it is just embaressing to see the disgraceful state many of us get into

Lantus

These crimes are perpetrated by minorities but affect a huge number in terms of the fear they perpetuate. The state system doesn't help in that it allows too many hardened criminals back out because of a total lack of prison places. Only the most serious crimes can result in jail time. Judges know this and this is why so many suspended sentences are being handed out. The courts in Louth are renowned for being soft (as openly explained by a garda) compared to say Dublin which take a much stricter approach.

I think we all need to be mindful of criminality but what we musn't do is retreat into the shadows. As community's we need to step up and confront these fears and individuals and not shy away and let them run ravage through our lives.

borderlinemeath

I have no experience of Dundalk but sometimes Drogheda can be awful. I had to attend court last month for a hearing on a minor assault that I was the victim of. Needless to say the defendant didn't show, yet the police know where they live and they have PLENTY of convictions. They are part of an underclass of people that live a lawless life and abuse the rest of society and just have no fear of law enforcement as there's that many fcuking loopholes they'll get away with pretty much anything but murder..:mad:

TSC hope you're father makes a speedy recovery to full health.

amacachi

Lantus wrote: »

I think we all need to be mindful of criminality but what we musn't do is retreat into the shadows. As community's we need to step up and confront these fears and individuals and not shy away and let them run ravage through our lives.

Easier said than done when the Gardai don't give two ****s.

Lord TSC

Thanks for the well wishes guys. He's back home today. It's one of those things which sounds far nastier than it was in terms of damage done; it was 8 stab wounds, but only one was serious. Not to say it couldn't have been serious; three of them are in the side of the head. He got lucky. But he's not to bad today.

I just don't understand what type of person goes out with a knife, targets a random taxi driver and attacks without warning. There was no threat or ultimatum. The guy just started stabbing away. Horrible, horrible person.

It's interesting having the papers ringing today trying to get interviews. He's decided not to give any, mind. He doesn't want to put his face on all the papers for fear someone might come at him; after all, the attacker is likely to be done for some serious stuff AND is still on the loose....

EDIT: It is worth noting, though, that the Gardai have said the attacker is someone well known to them, and they've been after him for a while. They actually seem kind of glad he's done something like this, since it means they can go after him now and try and put him away for a while.

Nesta99

FFS so it wasnt even a robbery, not that it makes a difference:mad:

Scotty #

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

It is worth noting, though, that the Gardai have said the attacker is someone well known to them, and they've been after him for a while. They actually seem kind of glad he's done something like this, since it means they can go after him now and try and put him away for a while.

Multiple stab wounds to the head should warrant attempted-murder and a 15-20 year stretch (before parole). Bet it won't though :mad:. You'll be lucky if he gets 18 months (and serves 3).

(maybe we should not discuss any pending case here though?)

Lord TSC

Scotty # wrote: »

Multiple stab wounds to the head should warrant attempted-murder and a 15-20 year stretch (before parole). Bet it won't though :mad:. You'll be lucky if he gets 18 months (and serves 3).

(maybe we should not discuss any pending case here though?)

Yeah, I've said as much as I want to say at this stage. I don't want to discuss anything in too much detail in terms of what Gardai are doing, but the implications are they reckon they can do him for some serious stuff...

And it was an attempted robbery in that they took his phone and wanted money. They just didn't say "Give us it or we attack". They just started with the attack and when he didn't hand over anything easily, they ran.

EDIT: Just to add, the details I am posting are ones, I reckon, will be in the papers over the next day or two anyway, so will be in public domain.

Biggins

Teamshadowclan, I didn't realise that it was your dad that was attacked.
I dreadfully sorry to hear this as I am to hear daily of any person being attacked in this cowardly and unjustified way.
I hope your dad pulls through the ordeal, physically and mentally. I wish your family well also.

Having spoken to a number of the taxi drivers in the town in the last 24 hours, I can honestly say they are pretty shook up about the uncalled for, attack upon your dad. They also see it as it could have been any of them - sadly it was to be your own father.
EVERYONE that works on the rank including Caffreys and Tony's Cabs wish your dad well and hope to see him back out there joining them once again when he feels up to it.

All the best.

locum-motion

Best wishes to Daddy TSC.

gipi

locum-motion wrote: »

Best wishes to Daddy TSC.

+1. So sorry to hear what your dad went through TSC, best wishes to him for a full recovery.

Lord TSC

I know I said I wouldn't say much more, but I'm hearing they've found a guy with a certain iPhone in his pocket :P

Sorry to hear about your Dad, TSC. Think I know who he is? (Possibly queued for rasslin' tickets with him before? Or am I confusing him with someone else?)

If it's the right guy I'm thinking of, then he's actually a pretty nice guy. Though regardless of whether or not the person in question was a sound bloke or a complete prick, nobody deserves to be attacked for little or no reason in their place of work. How much money do people think Taxi drivers carry on them, I wonder?!


I heard about Tesco last night. Kinda surprised but at the same time, not really too surprised. Shocked it didn't happen earlier to be honest.

You could very easily rob from a lot of places around Drogheda and have a good few minutes to get your act together before any Garda intervention.

Garda car to Tesco would take, I'd imagine, 4-5 minutes, easily (2-3 maybe, on a monday night). The only way to stop that kinda stuff is if the people at the scene of the crime actually stand up to the criminals, but would you really go out of your way and risk serious injury or death to save Tesco a few Euro? I know I wouldn't.

CMpunked

Not the first time tesco was robbed in the last few months i heard.

Nesta99

KKV, the issue for me was not the fact that there was intervention to prevent a crime as much as when a court case occurs that you are implicated as being a scummer yerself if called as a witness and you end up questioning your own name(i know that is the legal system)...
so how far were you from the alleged assault?
From across the street! So 5, 10, 100m?
No more than 20m!
So no more than 20m, what is 20m in your opinion?
Bit more than a penalty area!
So you dont actually know?
I do roughly!
So 40ft?
Yesss roughly a 16yd box an a bit!
So in meters that is how much.....judge then intervened

Atomic Pineapple

Scotty # wrote: »

Multiple stab wounds to the head should warrant attempted-murder and a 15-20 year stretch (before parole). Bet it won't though :mad:. You'll be lucky if he gets 18 months (and serves 3).

(maybe we should not discuss any pending case here though?)

Its unbelievable, only in Ireland would a man be jailed for 6 years for tax evasion when people who commit murders are being jailed for 4 - 6 years, its disgraceful.

kormak

Teamshadowclan, Sorry to hear about your pops! It’s truly shocking behaviour!!
Disgusted that this sort of **** goes on so easily and how the little bastards get away with it even easier… Just like the 6 year jail sentence comparisons that were floating around the news yesterday, our poxy liberal justice system is shambolic in this country. Can our politicians not see the wood from the trees here??? IT’S NOT WORKING!!! Time to reopen Spike Island in Cork and let the little f*ckers feel some pain and discomfort for their crimes.

Lord TSC

"Hi, this is the Leader. Want to talk about what happened?"
"Nah, I'd rather keep it quite. I'm not happy with my identity being made hugely public."
"Ok, that's no problem."

*Plasters picture on front page of free newspaper and plugs it into every letterbox in the area*

:rolleyes:

Scotty #

I see an 18 year old male and 17 year old female have been charged...

Anyone know what with?

Lord TSC

Scotty # wrote: »

I see an 18 year old male and 17 year old female have been charged...

Anyone know what with?

Yes, but I wont say to be safe. :P

CMpunked

Scotty # wrote: »

I see an 18 year old male and 17 year old female have been charged...

Anyone know what with?

Being feckin' muppets.

Scotty #

CMpunked wrote: »

Being feckin' muppets.

If that was actually an offence our courts would be (even more) packed!

Off topic but, read a statistic the other day that there are 3 million imprisoned in America at any one time. Out of a population of 300 million. Quite staggering when you think about it. 1 in every 100 Americans are in prison!! (1%)

In Ireland, we have about 4,500 prison spaces (including 'open prisons') which only represents 0.1% of the population. (1/1000)

cournioni

Scotty # wrote: »

If that was actually an offence our courts would be (even more) packed!

Off topic but, read a statistic the other day that there are 3 million imprisoned in America at any one time. Out of a population of 300 million. Quite staggering when you think about it. 1 in every 100 Americans are in prison!! (1%)

In Ireland, we have about 4,500 prison spaces (including 'open prisons') which only represents 0.1% of the population. (1/1000)

You have to wonder is that a good or a bad thing though. Good as in there isn't as much crime here, or bad as in crimes are going unpunished here.

CMpunked

cournioni wrote: »

You have to wonder is that a good or a bad thing though. Good as in there isn't as much crime here, or bad as in crimes are going unpunished here.

Petty crimes that could get you chucked into prison or community service in the states always seem to be suspended sentences here. So you technically can repeat that kind of crime knowing you wont get more than you got the last time.
I would like to see what the number of criminals charged with a crime and how many of those actually go to prison or has some sort of sentence. I would say its a sad number.

Scotty #

I'd like to think it's less crimes but I fear it's the latter

We have a ridiculous amount of murders in this country reduced to manslaughter. People serving 6-8 years when they should be getting life. I'm sure it's the same for other crimes whereby the DPP goes for a lesser charge to ensure a conviction. Like these two in this thread...

Stabbing a driver in the head without warning from the back seat of a car should be nothing less than attempted murder! I don't actually know what they have been charged with but I'm sure it something far less.

amacachi

Scotty # wrote: »

We have a ridiculous amount of murders in this country reduced to manslaughter. People serving 6-8 years when they should be getting life. I'm sure it's the same for other crimes whereby the DPP goes for a lesser charge to ensure a conviction. Like these two in this thread...

While the issue of how few murder convictions there are in this country is a pet hate of mine our homicide rate is about 1/4 of America's.

CMpunked

Was up enjoying the festivities yesterday and overheard that the judge in the taxi driver stabbing case had a bottle of water or something chucked at him and he was physically threatened! :eek:
If the judicial system is being given this attitude then who is safe?!

Nesta99

CMpunked wrote: »

Was up enjoying the festivities yesterday and overheard that the judge in the taxi driver stabbing case had a bottle of water or something chucked at him and he was physically threatened! :eek:
If the judicial system is being given this attitude then who is safe?!

Well maybe now the judge will see the pure contempt these people have for society and will now impose the maximum possible sentence and ensure that it is served in full. It also indicates the limited intellect of these cretins to behave in such a manner toward someone who is going to decide on their future in relation to sentencing ...

markc1184

The town and county has seriously gone downhill recently. Only last night I was stood at the TSB ATM on West St. waiting my turn, a chap standing behind me minding his own business waiting in the queue also. 2 lads come walking from Peter St direction and one of them punched the chap square in the face knocking him to the ground and just kept walking. Absolutely unprovoked and uncalled for. If he had not been stood behind me, it undoubtedly would have been me on the ground.

The most annoying part though was the 2 Gardai stood at Tesco, who just stood there as they walked by them. Plenty of people had let a shout at them and there was a bit of a commotion but still nothing from the Gardai until the chap got to his feet and was walked up to the 2 Gardai by who I presume were his friends. Even then the Gardai didnt seem interested.

markc1184

markc1184 wrote: »

The town and county has seriously gone downhill recently. Only last night I was stood at the TSB ATM on West St. waiting my turn, a chap standing behind me minding his own business waiting in the queue also. 2 lads come walking from Peter St direction and one of them punched the chap square in the face knocking him to the ground and just kept walking. Absolutely unprovoked and uncalled for. If he had not been stood behind me, it undoubtedly would have been me on the ground.

The most annoying part though was the 2 Gardai stood at Tesco, who just stood there as they walked by them. Plenty of people had let a shout at them and there was a bit of a commotion but still nothing from the Gardai until the chap got to his feet and was walked up to the 2 Gardai by who I presume were his friends. Even then the Gardai didnt seem interested.

No offence, but I really find that one hard to believe.

Last night, a guy got punched in the face, in front of lots of people, including two members of the Gardaí, in a completely unprovoked attack, and nobody did anything (including the Gardaí!)...

Nesta99

Deleted User wrote: »

No offence, but I really find that one hard to believe.

Last night, a guy got punched in the face, in front of lots of people, including two members of the Gardaí, in a completely unprovoked attack, and nobody did anything (including the Gardaí!)...

I didnt question it KKV, albeit about 12 years ago I got a random unprovoked thump at roughly where PTSB is in Dundalk now, a Garda van was parked across the street where the chip vans were, the Garda in the driver seat wound down his window and shouted if i was ok - while still stunned i put my hand up in a kind of wave, the Garda nodded and wound his window back up!! So lets say i wouldnt be surprised:(

amacachi

Deleted User wrote: »

No offence, but I really find that one hard to believe.

Last night, a guy got punched in the face, in front of lots of people, including two members of the Gardaí, in a completely unprovoked attack, and nobody did anything (including the Gardaí!)...

I walked past a fight in Dundalk a few Christmas Eves ago, was still going on when I met two cops walking towards it. I stopped and told them about it, they had a glance and then followed me for a while instead, never went near their radios. I don't find it hard to believe at all.

amacachi

Nesta99 wrote: »

I didnt question it KKV, albeit about 12 years ago I got a random unprovoked thump at roughly where PTSB is in Dundalk now, a Garda van was parked across the street where the chip vans were, the Garda in the driver seat wound down his window and shouted if i was ok - while still stunned i put my hand up in a kind of wave, the Garda nodded and wound his window back up!! So lets say i wouldnt be surprised:(

At least they didn't arrest you, that's their usual tactic.

MugMugs

Ah great, a good debate is descending into Garda bashing..... Why am I not surprised...

markc1184

Deleted User wrote: »

No offence, but I really find that one hard to believe.

Last night, a guy got punched in the face, in front of lots of people, including two members of the Gardaí, in a completely unprovoked attack, and nobody did anything (including the Gardaí!)...

You stick to what you believe then and I'll stick to what I seen. I'm not bashing any Gardai, i have great respect for what they do, seeing that last night just annoyed me.

markc1184

markc1184 wrote: »

You stick to what you believe then and I'll stick to what I seen. I'm not bashing any Gardai, i have great respect for what they do, seeing that last night just annoyed me.

Well anytime I've ever seen anyone getting attacked (very rarely, I'll admit) any Garda that was ever nearby was on it fairly quickly.

Did nobody else say anything to the Gardaí? Why didn't you or anyone else go after the attacker? It's just such a strange story.

Monty Burnz

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

EDIT: It is worth noting, though, that the Gardai have said the attacker is someone well known to them, and they've been after him for a while. They actually seem kind of glad he's done something like this, since it means they can go after him now and try and put him away for a while.

That must be why there are so criminals on the loose - they are waiting for them to do something really bad... :eek:

Nesta99

Monty Burnz wrote: »

That must be why there are so criminals on the loose - they are waiting for them to do something really bad... :eek:

Thats the most accurate statement yet! If the Judiciary are are playing softball then what is the point of Gardai putting time and resources into obtaining a probationry sentence. As horrible as it might be to wait for a serious offence to occur what choice is there until the JFBs of the world treat criminals as criminals and not (always) victims of society.