Door to Door Junkie Begging.

Lord Trollington

Was sitting down burping my newborn daughter yesterday when a knock at the door was answered by my OH.

She Opened the door to see a toothless junkie with a note in his hand asking us to read it. Obviously too wasted to string a sentence together.

She didn't read the letter but I could hear him muttering that he had no money to buy a bottle of gas to cook food for his baby.

I got up and gave him back the note and told him no thanks and closed the door.

Is this a new thing. Living in Dublin a year now, this is a first. Anyone else experienced this.

Had I not been there the Mrs reckons she would have lost her life answering the door to what greeted her yesterday.

This was in Dublin 14 by the way.

The Barefoot Pizza Thief

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Was sitting down burping my newborn daughter yesterday when ..

I'd get on to Holles St asap if I were you. That's not supposed to happen.

Celly Smunt

Never happened to me,we had gypsies knocking on the elderly peoples doors around here for a long time demanding to be let in etc etc.One day a group of local men pulled one of the beggers into one of the houses and beat to him a pulp,needless to say we haven't seen any scobies hassling the elderly again.And rightly so.

Phoebas

Lord Trollington wrote: »

She didn't read the letter but I could hear him muttering that he had no money to buy a bottle of gas to cook food for his baby.

... or tippex thinners to correct spelling mistakes on his CV.

Ush1

I don't answer my door to anyone unless they've called ahead. Too many beggars.

Liam90

Ush1 wrote: »

I don't answer my door to anyone unless they've called ahead. Too many beggars.

Really? That's a bit extreme.

Irishcrx

Ush1 wrote: »

I don't answer my door to anyone unless they've called ahead. Too many beggars.

Yeah that sky and eircom crowd are always at it...

biko

Yup, that's Dublin 14 (wherever that is) life for ya.

Ush1

Liam90 wrote: »

Really? That's a bit extreme.

Yes really. What's the best that could happen when someone calls to your door unexpectedly who doesn't have your phone number?

entropi

biko wrote: »

Yup, that's Dublin 14 (wherever that is) life for ya.

South Dublin, mostly a middle class area.

krudler

Ush1 wrote: »

I don't answer my door to anyone unless they've called ahead. Too many beggars.

Me either, only people who call over are friends and the landlord who always let you know, otherwise its just salesmen and chuggers

RoboRat

I don't answer my door to anyone unless they've called ahead. Too many beggars.

I look out the window, if I know them I will answer, if I don't, I wont. I don't try and hide the fact when I am looking out the window and I have been seen on many occasions 'vetting'.

Just sick to death of answering the door to somebody who is trying to sell, beg or canvas. I am not interested; if I want to buy something I go to the shop, if I want to vote I do the research myself, I donate a portion of my wages every week to 2 charities and I also volunteer for another. I have no interest in talking about my religious beliefs to a stranger. I work long and hard hours and I want to spend any spare time with my wife and child, not trying to get rid of somebody who is rabbiting on about whatever vested interest they have.

harry Bailey esq

I've one,i was standing outside Doyles pub in phibsborough having a smoke a couple of weeks ago when i was accosted by a smackhead with a clipboard!a blonde girl maybe late 20s,probably a looker before the skag took hold of her,but clearly strung out to bits.anyways she comes up to me grinning from ear to ear with a set of teeth on her that resembled an old churchyard,and says she's collecting for some residential addiction care place down in kildare and she's asking me Will i sponsor her.knew it was a scam of course but i admired her ingenuity and gave her 2quid.she then INSISTED that i write my name on the clipboard for a chance of winning whatever 'prize' i stood a chance of winning.grand says i 'have you a pen'? em no,in she goes to paddy powers and gets a pen,so i grabs it and the clipboard to write down me john hancock and there was a big streak of blood across the page,poor wench had been injecting into her finger.it would be funny if it wasn't so tragic.

Lord Trollington

I've had chuggers, salesmen ect ect.

But a begging junkie is new to me.

Are we far too accepting of random people coming to our door in Ireland. It is your property after all, one you work damn hard to pay for nowadays.

Anyone

Surely you have to admire his entrepreneurial thinking, by bringing the begging to you, instead of him waiting for you to pass him. The Celtic Tiger is strong is him clearly, embrace and reward his keen sense of opportunity!

Death and Taxes

Ush1 wrote: »

Yes really. What's the best that could happen when someone calls to your door unexpectedly who doesn't have your phone number?

They deliver a registered letter?:D

GLaDOS

Liam90 wrote: »

Really? That's a bit extreme.

I'm the same usually. Don't get many people calling into me unexpectedly and too many people wasting your time at the door.

frag420

Ush1 wrote: »

I don't answer my door to anyone unless they've called ahead. Too many beggars.

So if the junkie had called to give you a heads up you would answer the door eh??

Ush1

frag420 wrote: »

So if the junkie had called to give you a heads up you would answer the door eh??

Yes, I'd have the bucket of cold water ready to throw on him.:)

hardCopy

Liam90 wrote: »

Really? That's a bit extreme.

Not extreme at all IMO, what good news could a stranger possibly have for you?

aN.Droid

hardCopy wrote: »

Not extreme at all IMO, what good news could a stranger possibly have for you?

Have you heard the good news about jesus christ?

Corkbah

solution to door to door beggers ......build a moat !!

(fill moat with water and hungry water based animals/mammals.... direct all charity calls, tv licence inspectors - with a poster on a stick on the far side of said property etc to travel through the moat before requesting an audience with the owners of the property.)

Duggy747

I never answer the door.

Instead I pour hot tar from the cauldron above to get rid of them.

iDave

Wasnt there new legislation recently about aggressive begging. I would consider approaching private property as aggressive.

harry Bailey esq

Death and Taxes wrote: »

They deliver a registered letter?:D

or a summons:(

Corkbah

Death and Taxes wrote: »

They deliver a registered letter?:D

when has a registered letter been any good ...they are usually bad news.

Corkbah

iDave wrote: »

Wasnt there new legislation recently about aggressive begging. I would consider approaching private property as aggressive.

obviously you didn't read that taxpayers paid for two men to challenge the "Law" and the beggars were successful ...aggressive begging is no longer a crime.

the point they won on was that if a beggar doesn't speak english and a garda asks them for their licence to beg (charities also have this licence), they claim ignorance and a lack of english - garda cannot arrest them because they "didn't know what the garda was asking for"

one of the men involved in the challenge has the same surname of a very well known criminal Roma family - many of which have been before the courts many times for begging and similar offences.

aN.Droid

Corkbah wrote: »

obviously you didn't read that taxpayers paid for two men to challenge the "Law" and the beggars were successful ...aggressive begging is no longer a crime.

the point they won on was that if a beggar doesn't speak english and a garda asks them for their licence to beg (charities also have this licence), they claim ignorance and a lack of english - garda cannot arrest them because they "didn't know what the garda was asking for"

one of the men involved in the challenge has the same surname of a very well known criminal Roma family - many of which have been before the courts many times for begging and similar offences.

That if true is very foolish. Ignorance is never and excuse.

What if they committed a crime such as theft and feigned a lack of english then. Same situation different crime but they can still be arrested.

This country...

Karl Stein

People who knock on your door are almost never there to give you something.

They simply must be destroyed.

JustAddWater

Ush1 wrote: »

Yes really. What's the best that could happen when someone calls to your door unexpectedly who doesn't have your phone number?

Free hugs?

Gott

We've had gypsies selling fireplaces that ... fell off lorries but begging junkies is a new one to me.

Even in the five years I was in Dublin I never encountered that.

Do what you will with every unwanted caller, either don't answer the door or tell them to fu*k off.

bazza1

I too live in Dublin 14. I refuse to lower the drawbridge or raise the portcullis or give audience to these peasants! I tell the butler to release the hounds!

Those Airtricity guys are persistent though! :D

charlemont

Ush1 wrote: »

Yes really. What's the best that could happen when someone calls to your door unexpectedly who doesn't have your phone number?

Summons !! Warrent !!!

Hank Scorpio

Cathal Cloch wrote: »

People who knock on your door are almost never there to give you something.

They simply must be destroyed.

Postman?

Corkbah

Limericks wrote: »

That if true is very foolish. Ignorance is never and excuse.

What if they committed a crime such as theft and feigned a lack of english then. Same situation different crime but they can still be arrested.

This country...

here's a link to one report of the overturning of the anti-begging law

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/high-court-ruling-helps-put-beggars-back-on-our-streets-29210883.html

JIM CUSACK – 21 APRIL 2013

THE 2011 law to control begging has been quashed by a High Court ruling.There was a sharp drop in begging from April 2011 after gardai began implementing the Criminal Justice (Public Order) 2011 Act, which prohibited begging near ATMs and shops.

But a High Court ruling that gardai have to establish that the person they stop begging does not have a licence under the Street and House to House Collection Act of 1962 – the law that governs charitable collections – has led to a number of begging convictions being struck out in the courts in recent weeks.

As the convictions were struck out, the beggars – many of them Roma gypsies – have returned to the streets in large numbers.

To keep within the law beggars stay on the move, usually following a loop of busy city centre streets.

If they are stopped by gardai and asked if they have a permit to collect money under the 1962 Act they say they do not speak English and cannot understand.

Garda sources said last week that the new anti-begging law has, effectively, become defunct as gardai would probably have to prove in court that they had a translator present.

The High Court case was brought in the names of two men – Florin Rostas, a Roma gypsy, and John Maughan.

Their lawyers argued successfully that under the Act the gardai must establish that they did not have a licence to solicit money from the public.

Both had been charged under Section 2 of the 2011 Act, which prohibits begging that involves harassment or obstruction.

The 2011 Act defines begging as requesting or soliciting money "other than in accordance with a licence, permit or authorisation".

The High Court found that the gardai were obliged "to establish a prima facie case that the begging took place without legal authorisation".

It added: "Once this is established the burden of proof is transferred to the accused to establish a reasonable doubt as to the legality of the begging.

"It is a matter for the trial judge to decide if a prima facie case has been established."

The High Court case succeeded in January last year but it took a further year for the bulk of the begging convictions – it is understood there were around 200 convictions – to begin being struck out on appeal.

Once this began the beggars began returning to the streets.

Irish Independent

Karl Stein

nuxxx wrote: »

Postman?

Mostly bills.

tin79

iDave wrote: »

Wasnt there new legislation recently about aggressive begging. I would consider approaching private property as aggressive.

Then my mailman is one agrressive b*stard.

Every f*cking day!

DoesNotCompute

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Is this a new thing. Living in Dublin a year now, this is a first. Anyone else experienced this.

Certainly not a new thing. Growing up in Leixlip during the nineties, we had Roma gypsies and travellers knocking on the door, looking for a handout.

My grandad got assaulted by a Roma gypsy who knocked on his door, demanding money. She pushed him into his hallway and robbed his wallet. Obviously my grandad was shaken up by this incident and will know from now on not to let his guard down / answer the door unless expecting someone.

More recently,in our estate we've had the chuggers going door-to-door, trying to get people to sign up to a direct debit. It is absolutely shameful that they should resort to high pressure door-to-door sales tactics. It's hard enough trying to avoid obnoxious weirdos trying to pretend they are your friend so they can siphon off half your wages to save the whales or feed the children or whatever the cause du jour is for these chuggin treehuggers :mad:

SEPT 23 1989

With the new changes in the law,if these people end up inside your property for some reason (like a trip or a fall) are you allowed to give them a beating?

anncoates

Lord Trollington wrote: »

Was sitting down burping my newborn daughter yesterday when a knock at the door was answered by my OH.

She Opened the door to see a toothless junkie with a note in his hand asking us to read it. Obviously too wasted to string a sentence together.

She didn't read the letter but I could hear him muttering that he had no money to buy a bottle of gas to cook food for his baby.

I got up and gave him back the note and told him no thanks and closed the door.

Is this a new thing. Living in Dublin a year now, this is a first. Anyone else experienced this.

Had I not been there the Mrs reckons she would have lost her life answering the door to what greeted her yesterday.

This was in Dublin 14 by the way.

He's doing your missus and didn't expect you to be in so had to quickly improvise when you answered the door.

Pretty impressive, to be fair.

shruikan2553

Since september we have had tv licence inspector, WWF ( the wildlife people), guy to fix tap, guy to deliver bed, postmen and postman with mystery letter, teen looking for sponsors. We expected the postman except for the last time and everyone not looking for money called us. Theres been 2 or 3 others but never answered. Nobody comes to your door unexpected unless it is to take your money.

pabloh999

Ush1 wrote: »

I don't answer my door to anyone unless they've called ahead. Too many beggars.

What about the postman? Or a neighbour? Or friend or family member passing by and wants to drop in?
Or a passing busload of Brazilian supermodels wanting you to rub cream on their bodies?

Ruu

I answer the door every time with a drop kick. More often than not, I end up getting in trouble. 50/50.

Corkbah

Ruubot2 wrote: »

I answer the door every time with a drop kick. More often than not, I end up getting in trouble. 50/50.

not very good at maths are you ?

Ush1

pabloh999 wrote: »

What about the postman? Or a neighbour? Or friend or family member passing by and wants to drop in?
Or a passing busload of Brazilian supermodels wanting you to rub cream on their bodies?

Postman can use the post box.

Neighbour, what would they want?

Friend or family member can just ring.

The Brazilian lasses have me number already.

thomasm

iDave wrote: »

Wasnt there new legislation recently about aggressive begging. I would consider approaching private property as aggressive.

Some women was brought to court in Waterford recently charged with aggressive begging. The judge ended up giving her €400 from poor box. Some kick in the stones for the guard that arrested her

Ruu

Corkbah wrote: »

not very good at maths are you ?

60/40 is the highest I will go, the postman sells the move very well to be fair.

dorkacle

pabloh999 wrote: »

What about the postman? Or a neighbour? Or friend or family member passing by and wants to drop in?
Or a passing busload of Brazilian supermodels wanting you to rub cream on their bodies?

Always seem to knock when I'm on the bog... :mad:

IvySlayer

Not comfortable at all with people begging at my door. Sometimes I can see them peering into the hallway, don't wanna be robbed, thanks.

hardCopy

pabloh999 wrote: »

What about the postman? Or a neighbour? Or friend or family member passing by and wants to drop in?
Or a passing busload of Brazilian supermodels wanting you to rub cream on their bodies?

Parcels get delivered to work. Everything else can go in the door. All of my friends and family have my mobile number, if I haven't given them my mobile number, I don't want to talk to them.

The supermodels already know where to find me.

I do not want to talk to sales reps, politicians, priests, beggars, wandering folk, TV licence inspectors or any other people who want to waste my time.

DoozerT6

I live in an apartment where callers have to ring the bell for my apartment outside the front door of the block. I can also see the front door from my window. I can safely say that I have NEVER answered the door to someone I did not know or was not expecting. Anyone, be it friend, tradesman, whoever will call or text ahead and I know they are coming. Likewise if someone knocks on my front door (inside the block) I won't answer. They are usually chuggers/Airtricity guys that someone has let into the building and they are chancing their arm going around knocking on everyone else's door.

Having lived in houses before I bought the apartment, I can safely say I hated answering the door....kids looking for sponsorship, travellers trying to sell me lino, carol singers in OCTOBER!!...etc. When/if I end up buying a house I will put up a sign saying NO UNSOLICITED CALLERS which I may have translated into about ten different languages