Dodgy or dangerous areas to avoid?

chainsawman

TrollHammaren wrote: »

To be honest, OP, you're getting a lot of really stupid responses with the odd good one; you're right to ask these questions. Rathmines is definitely one of the more student-friendly spots, and Drumcondra is good as long as your daughter isn't walking home there at night on her own.

Most places are fine during the day, but there's a dodgey as fúck student accommodation spot on Railway Street near Connolly Station that I'd avoid like the plague. In around that area is quite dangerous.

If your daughter is going for a night out, as long as she's maintaining basic safety measures (travel in groups, set aside money for a taxi home etc) she'll be fine if she sticks to the stetch along the Camden Street areas. I worked as a bouncer there all throughout my undergrad and that seemed to be the spot with the least amount of trouble - most of the issues were due to people just doing stupid things.

I grew up in a very rough housing estate in Ballyfermot/Cherry Orchard, so I have a fair idea when it comes to rough spots. You're very welcome to send me a PM if you have any questions you feel I could help with.

Hear ,Hear.... Great Post.

butterball2

She just needs to have her wits about her. Unless she is very young for her age I really would not worry.

Chuchoter

I wouldn't worry too much, I've always found Dublin a very safe city as long as you're not a complete idiot. The only places I'm careful are train stations (empty scary places!) and housing estates at night. Obviously then all the general rules apply, try not to walk around alone at night, keep an eye on your bag, be aware of your surroundings and obviously don't get completely locked drunk.

sazmc

don't worry she'll know from the look of some streets and the people that are on them that they're dodgy and she'll learn fast enough anyway!

El Siglo

wexflyer wrote: »

And one of the most basic rules is just to learn which areas/times are dangerous and best avoided - because not everywhere is the same. I have never felt threatened at any time or place in Japan, China or Korea. I can't say the same for many European or US cities. Dublin, from my own knowledge is not the best, but neither is it the worst. What is certain, to me at least, is that this a valid issue.

Dublin's a pretty safe city. I wouldn't start comparing it to Asian cities though, they're a completely different ballgame.

Very true. But I think we should all alike follow what you yourself asserted were "the same basic rules for keeping safe apply wherever you are in the world."

Most of it is common sense when you move to a new town or city. Don't flash your cash about the place, get a taxi home with a friend after a night out etc... There is street crime but about as much as you'd see in the likes of Birmingham/Manchester/Newcastle.

UrbanSea

I actually feel more unsafe in Dublin during the day than at night.

I've walked from Drumcondra to South Circular Road after a night out a few times and never had any trouble.

Steodonn

Come to the northside we promise not you rob you ( maybe )

Most street crime is either very minor stuff or people looking for trouble finding it. Avoid the back lanes and don't walk around alone late a night and she'll be grand

190E2.516

avoid pearse street. its full of junkies and rapists. not a safe place for anyone to be, day or night

Doug Cartel

190E2.516 wrote: »

avoid pearse street. its full of junkies and rapists. not a safe place for anyone to be, day or night

It's not exactly crawling with pimps and CHUDS, but there are kids round there who seem to spend most of their time trying to make people feel as threatened/unwelcome as possible. It's not dangerous dangerous, but if you're not familiar with the area, it's worth keeping your eyes open or they'll ruin your day.

Darkglasses

Doug Cartel wrote: »

It's not exactly crawling with pimps and CHUDS, but there are kids round there who seem to spend most of their time trying to make people feel as threatened/unwelcome as possible. It's not dangerous dangerous, but if you're not familiar with the area, it's worth keeping your eyes open or they'll ruin your day.

If we're going to take that post seriously, I would say it's not remotely dangerous by Dublin standards.

Doug Cartel

The thing about Pearse St. is that it's right next to TCD, and you get this sudden change as soon as you reach the Padraig Pearse pub and the Lido chipper. All of a sudden you're in an area where the kids randomly push people, throw stuff, and shout at anyone that looks at them funny.

Lawliet

Doug Cartel wrote: »

The thing about Pearse St. is that it's right next to TCD, and you get this sudden change as soon as you reach the Padraig Pearse pub and the Lido chipper. All of a sudden you're in an area where the kids randomly push people, throw stuff, and shout at anyone that looks at them funny.

I find that with a lot of places in Dublin; there'll be a decent area and then two minutes down the road you're in scumbag county.

TrollHammaren

Lawliet wrote: »

I find that with a lot of places in Dublin; there'll be a decent area and then two minutes down the road you're in scumbag county.

Thanks for that; nothing better than an underprivileged area with known social problems being referred to as "scumbag country".

Lawliet

TrollHammaren wrote: »

Thanks for that; nothing better than an underprivileged area with known social problems being referred to as "scumbag country".

Bit harsh I know, but having grown up in a disadvantaged area and been the victim of my fair share of antisocial behavior, I'm not the most sympathetic.

EI_Flyboy

If you really want your daughter to be safe, encourage her to take up a martial art or just enrol her in a self defense course. The vast majority of scumbags haven't the first clue how to fight so even basic knowledge of self defence will put her way ahead of the pack. If she becomes proficient in a martial art she can live wherever she wants with confidence.

Doug Cartel

EI_Flyboy wrote: »

If you really want your daughter to be safe, encourage her to take up a martial art or just enrol her in a self defense course. The vast majority of scumbags haven't the first clue how to fight so even basic knowledge of self defence will put her way ahead of the pack. If she becomes proficient in a martial art she can live wherever she wants with confidence.

Anybody know where can I get one of those pictures of Jean-Luc Picard with his face in his hands?

EI_Flyboy

Doug Cartel wrote: »

Anybody know where can I get one of those pictures of Jean-Luc Picard with his face in his hands?

Way to go Mod, very responsible reply!

Doug Cartel

Yes, that will do nicely.

Seriously though, taking the attitude that because you know karate/krav maga/whatever, you can do whatever you want no worries, is a good way of increasing your chances of getting yourself hurt.

EI_Flyboy

Doug Cartel wrote: »

Yes, that will do nicely.

Seriously though, taking the attitude that because you know karate/krav maga/whatever, you can do whatever you want no worries, is a good way of increasing your chances of getting yourself hurt.

I didn't suggest she go out and pick on people herself in some sort of vigilante fashion. I think that the confidence even a small bit of training could give her would make her less of a target as scumbags tend to go for weak targets meaning she wouldn't even have to lift a finger for such training to be beneficial. I'm surprised that as a mod on the martial art forum and no doubt also a practicioner that rather than encouraging someone to take up martial arts, you choose to denegrate the idea. It just seems strange to me that you wouldn't instead recommend a particular martial art as being most effective for general self defence!?

Doug Cartel

EI_Flyboy wrote: »

I think that the confidence even a small bit of training could give her would make her less of a target as scumbags tend to go for weak targets meaning she wouldn't even have to lift a finger for such training to be beneficial.

You ever heard the phrase a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?

I'm surprised that as a mod on the martial art forum and no doubt also a practicioner that rather than encouraging someone to take up martial arts, you choose to denegrate the idea. It just seems strange to me that you wouldn't instead recommend a particular martial art as being most effective for general self defence!?

I'm all for encouraging people to take up martial arts, but if staying safe is your main concern it's so far down the list of things you should be doing.

christmas2012

Just avoid certain areas at night,westmoreland street,malborough street,pearse street,o connell street,the quays can be a bit rough..etc

use your own judgement dont walk down unpopulated areas,or deserted little alleways and streets,always have your phone charged,and keys to hand just in case anybody tries stuff on you..

EI_Flyboy

Doug Cartel wrote: »

You ever heard the phrase a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?

I don't know where you train or what martial art you do, but at my Dojo we're also taught responsibility.

Doug Cartel wrote: »

I'm all for encouraging people to take up martial arts, but if staying safe is your main concern it's so far down the list of things you should be doing.

Wow. I guess you'd encourage them to take up sprinting... I get the idea that many arts come with a high risk of injury but some are less destructive than others. The idea that women shouldn't take part in at least some self defence training is beyond me, I think it's highly irresponsible to say otherwise and I know I'm not alone in that.

EI_Flyboy

EI_Flyboy wrote: »

The idea that women shouldn't take part in at least some self defence training is beyond me, I think it's highly irresponsible to say otherwise and I know I'm not alone in that.

No one is saying that women shouldn't learn self defense.

Just that enrolling in a martial arts class isn't going to do you half as much good as avoiding dark alleyways at night will. Thinking you're safe just because you're in such a class would land you in more trouble because you'd be throwing your common sense out the window.

TrollHammaren

Lawliet wrote: »

Bit harsh I know, but having grown up in a disadvantaged area and been the victim of my fair share of antisocial behavior, I'm not the most sympathetic.

So did I. I grew up in a shíthole, but I'd never call it "scumbag country" because we're not all scumbags from there. Trinity already has a repuation for wealthy snobs; comments like that don't help, is all I'm saying.

EI_Flyboy wrote: »

The vast majority of scumbags haven't the first clue how to fight so even basic knowledge of self defence will put her way ahead of the pack.

No, it won't. Those lads are used to boxing the head of each other and not punching the air for two hours, three times a week. I say this as both a martial artist and a "scumbag".

EI_Flyboy wrote: »

If she becomes proficient in a martial art she can live wherever she wants with confidence.

What a pile of bollocks. That kind of arrogance will get you beaten up, or worse.

Doug Cartel

TrollHammaren wrote: »

Those lads are used to boxing the head of each other [...]

Did I tell you I saw one of them go for a triangle choke during a dust up outside Pearse Street Centra? People say that kind of stuff will get you stomped in a street-fight, but it worked pretty well for him. While he was trying to lock it in, one of his buddies ran up ans started digging the other guy in the ribs.

Good times.

EI_Flyboy

Did I at any point suggest that martial arts were a substitute for common sense? No. Did I say that confidence comes from thinking you're a one man army/killing machine? No. I don't normally have to spell out the obvious to people and I'm not going to here either. Never EVER argue with idiots, they will drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.

For anyone else with a bit of cop on and who doesn't automatically think everyone who isn't in their gang is less intelligent than themselves I would say a decent martial art/self defence course would teach you how to avoid confrontations, not to walk down dark allies on your own(as if this isn't obvious) etc, etc. But if the worst comes to the worst, having some knowledge and ability trumps ignorance and panic every time. It would probably also teach you to be respectful of others and not to provoke confrontation by throwing unwarented insults at complete strangers. Some martial arts involve personal growth and development but obviously not all of them.

TrollHammaren

EI_Flyboy wrote: »

Did I at any point suggest that martial arts were a substitute for common sense? No. Did I say that confidence comes from thinking you're a one man army/killing machine?

The point is that your post read like, "Tell her to train in martial arts and she'll be grand" to everyone; if you can't see that then that's down to you.

EI_Flyboy wrote: »

Never EVER argue with idiots, they will drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.

Indeed.

costaccc

In a question linked to the OP's original one, how does the coombe fare as a spot for accommodation? I've been hearing conflicting reports, anyone have any idea?

TrollHammaren

costaccc wrote: »

In a question linked to the OP's original one, how does the coombe fare as a spot for accommodation? I've been hearing conflicting reports, anyone have any idea?

The Coombe is somewhat okay, but it's flanked by some rough enough spots. It would depend on where in the Coombe you're looking at.

costaccc

The area in question was close to Francis St. The block itself seems fine but was unsure about general area.