Young Victims of Salthill Gang urged to come forward

fishy fishy

What's all this I am hearing about some story going to be in Tribune/Sentinal about a group of young thugs terrorizing young ones in Salthill causing horrific injuries to them. Has anybody else heard about this. I think they were trying to keep it under wraps so that tourists and people going to the beach would still keep going to Salthill.

Eogclouder

Jesus, First I've heard of it. Have anymore details?

biko

Ok, let's wait until it's actually reported before the discussion start.

When someone has a source, please PM a mod to reopen.

fishy fishy

Check on The Connacht Tribune online

Seemingly there is a gang going around Salthill attacking young people. Anyone else know about this.

Did have another Thread but Biko killed it.

Cheshire Cat

Link to the story:

http://www.connachttribune.ie/galway-news/item/895-gang-of-thugs-terrorising-young-people-in-salthill

Also heard it on the Galway Bay FM news this morning. Made me choke on my cereal.

fishy fishy

amazing .....

biko - now that it has been "confirmed" in your eyes, you should lift that very quick "closure" your stuck on the original post. It has been on the news since last night.

fishy fishy

why shouldn't this be publicized and have everybody know about it. It shouldn't be kept under wraps just because it is happening in Salthill - young people should be aware of their safety in Salthill when they go swimming. To be honest our own local people's safety is far more important than keeping it under wraps because of sun worshippers coming to Salthill

snubbleste

Don't publicise it - it will scare the tourists!

ben.schlomo

But sure it is being publicised, its in the paper and online, what do you want, signs saying 'thugs ahead' or 'beware of the youth'? The Gardai are obviously aware of it so let them do their job and hopefully that will be enough.

ArtyC

Disgraceful. I find that eyre square has become a horrible spot for thugs and drunks. I don't feel safe in galway anyone

biko

fishy, you did not manage to find a source yourself and yet you opened a second thread.

We will allow most discussion, as long a there's a linked source. No source - probably no discussion. We don't want to perpetrate rumors someone only heard.

Cheshire Cat, thanks for the link.

ben.schlomo

ArtyC wrote: »

Disgraceful. I find that eyre square has become a horrible spot for thugs and drunks. I don't feel safe in galway anyone

Really?? During the day or at night?

irritablebaz

hopefully the guards clamp down on this quickly and effectively. tourists or not gangs like this need to be caught and prosecuted.

snubbleste

Where is Fidelma in all this? I would've thought she'd be all over this scéal

ben.schlomo

snubbleste wrote: »

Where is Fidelma in all this? I would've thought she'd be all over this scéal

Too busy being concerned with the unborn children to worry about the grown up ones. Zinggggggg.

antoobrien

biko wrote: »

fishy, you did not manage to find a source yourself and yet you opened a second thread.

Biko in fairness this has been on the news since yesterday afternoon, the GBFM link is timestamped 5.24pm yesterday: http://www.galwaybayfm.ie/component/k2/item/1847-young-victims-of-salthill-gang-urged-to-come-forward

biko

Then it should have been easy to add that to the first thread.

Eogclouder hadn't heard about it either so you see how easy we miss news, the onus is on the OP to provide details particularly for these type threads.

biko

On topic, that is fecking scary. Scumbags robbing and beating kids up.

The Sinn Féin senator said he had become aware of a “gang of thugs” in their late teens and early 20s attacking other youths in beachside suburbs, stealing their money, mobile phones and giving their victims “a fair beating”.

“A parent contacted me whose son had his front teeth broken. The dentist said she’d seen numerous cases like this. The GP said the same thing. These young people are very afraid to report this to the Gardaí because of a fear of reprisal,” the politician told the meeting.

I know parents that let their kids go down to salthill unsupervised, it's probably kids like these the scummers go for.

mitosis

Galway is small, a few Gardai on view would put a halt to this

Gambas

I dunno, this jars with my personal experience. I've been pleasantly surprised at how good natured and safe Salthill has felt in the past week given the crowds. I haven't seen one bit of aggro or scobish behaviour and I've been around the prom quite a bit. Littering is the only thing I would complain about and even that has been annoying but not devastating, considering the numbers and the need to drink outdoors in public that we have.

That said, I don't dispute the story above at all, what I would dispute is the new bit in newsworthy. Kids have always been vulnerable to scobes in the summer in Salthill and elsewhere. I would have been wary in Blackrock as a teen 20 odd years ago.

antoobrien

Gambas wrote: »

That said, I don't dispute the story above at all, what I would dispute is the new bit in newsworthy. Kids have always been vulnerable to scobes in the summer in Salthill and elsewhere. I would have been wary in Blackrock as a teen 20 odd years ago.

It does read as a politician looking for headlines, as the senator brought it up after garda statistics were released, whereas local councillors had been bringing this to the attention of the gardai in the ground.

However it is something that should be brought to the public's attention to make sure that it is not allowed to continue as this kind of thuggery should not be tolerated.

crazygeryy

mitosis wrote: »

Galway is small, a few Gardai on view would put a halt to this

small?it is in its hole small.
salthill is small.

awful story hope the cnuts are caught.

gordongekko

mitosis wrote: »

Galway is small, a few Gardai on view would put a halt to this

maybe they should open a station in salthill. Somewhere just off the prom would be a good place and who knows maybe some cctv....oh wait.

NoPasaran

If you're looking for a silver lining I think it's a good sign that people are so shocked by a few scumbags going around robbing people. Some of us come from places where that doesn't even make the local paper.

I think there is some sensationalising going on too. There is a very big difference between somebody getting "a fair beating" (words of the Senator raising the issue) and "horrific injuries" (words of... the newspaper).

biko

It seems one or more kids got such a beating they had to visit a dentist I'd say that's petty bad alright, not sure if it qualifies as "horrific" but from reading about various scumbag crime beating and robbery will leave the victim afraid to go out and become less trusting towards others, for many years.

freddiek

Jayz, having read the OP I thought limbs were gettin sawn off young fellas over in Salthill

NoPasaran

biko wrote: »

It seems one or more kids got such a beating they had to visit a dentist I'd say that's petty bad alright, not sure if it qualifies as "horrific" but from reading about various scumbag crime beating and robbery will leave the victim afraid to go out and become less trusting towards others, for many years.

Getting a tooth knocked out from a box isn't a horrific injury though. Says the slightly disappointed sadist somewhere inside me :eek:

Seaneh

Several months ago a friends sister was walking her dog in salthill, she's about 5'3 and a tiny little thing but in her mid 20's. The dog was a small timid terrier cross.

She took the dog over to the park beside leisure world to let it off the lead and run around and while she was there a group if teens, male and female, came over and the girls jumped her, took her phone and wallet and give her a bit of a kicking.

She went to the guards and they basically did nothing, took a statement and she never heard anything back.

Luckily it was an old phone and the only thing she had in her wallet was a few bank cards and stuff like that, all stuff that's easily replaced and she had no serious injuries.

NoPasaran

Seaneh wrote: »

She went to the guards and they basically did nothing, took a statement and she never heard anything back

Must have been because of her attitude, the Gardai are infallible.

/boardsie response

emptybladder

In fairness, this sh!t has been going on for months in Salthill, I've seen it myself. The guards in the following link put it down to Junior Cert celebrations. It was in its hole, it's every Saturday during the school year and almost every night in Salthill and parts of Knocknacarra:

http://www.connachttribune.ie/component/content/article/38-archive-news/8048-gardai-visit-schools-in-bid-to-stamp-out-street-trouble

parttime

I reckon losing a tooth from a box at the age of 13,14,15 or 40 is pretty horrific. Do you really think its not?

parttime

Yep, you sre right. The level of scumbaggery in this town is getting worse. My sixteen year old got a chunk bitten out of his eyebrow by a twenty six year old man. We were advised by the gards not to persue it on account of the ****head family this man is from. No names, but everyone who lives in galway for a a few years knows this family

_Whimsical_

parttime wrote: »

Yep, you sre right. The level of scumbaggery in this town is getting worse. My sixteen year old got a chunk bitten out of his eyebrow by a twenty six year old man. We were advised by the gards not to persue it on account of the ****head family this man is from. No names, but everyone who lives in galway for a a few years knows this family

God that is horrible. Sorry to hear your son went through that.

I have heard of other people being encouraged not to pursue convictions on the same basis though, even one of an under age girl who was sexually assaulted. The family were told it was just not worth what might be brought upon them and their other children if it went ahead. The very sad thing is it was probably true too.

Iwannahurl

biko wrote: »

It seems one or more kids got such a beating they had to visit a dentist I'd say that's petty bad alright, not sure if it qualifies as "horrific" but from reading about various scumbag crime beating and robbery will leave the victim afraid to go out and become less trusting towards others, for many years.

My understanding is that the Senator supported his claims with reference to dentists, and GPs I think, having remarked on treating a number of cases of injury in the circumstances described.

In my view this counters, at least to some degree, allegations of sensationalism and publicity-seeking.

The Mayor's attempt to have the matter played down, in order not to send out "the wrong message" about Salthill, then became part of the story as well, not surprisingly.

theUbiq

Beaten kids should form their own gang and bash these clowns...

NoPasaran

Iwannahurl wrote: »

My understanding is that the Senator supported his claims with reference to dentists, and GPs I think, having remarked on treating a number of cases of injury in the circumstances described.

In my view this counters, at least to some degree, allegations of sensationalism and publicity-seeking

No it doesn't. It just proves the incidents took place, which nobody is doubting. Safe to say you don't go to your GP with a "horrific injury".

The Mayor's attempt to have the matter played down, in order not to send out "the wrong message" about Salthill, then became part of the story as well, not surprisingly.

Agreed. As if Americans are even going to get wind of it anyway. "Gee guys we better cancel our trip to Eye-land I heard on CNN there are gangs in Salthill". Anyone would think we're hosting a World Cup!

_Whimsical_

NoPasaran wrote: »

No it doesn't. It just proves the incidents took place, which nobody is doubting. Safe to say you don't go to your GP with a "horrific injury".


Agreed. As if Americans are even going to get wind of it anyway. "Gee guys we better cancel our trip to Eye-land I heard on CNN there are gangs in Salthill". Anyone would think we're hosting a World Cup!

Most people google somewhere before the go on holidays. What's online in local papers and whats discussed in threads like this are quite likely going to add to peoples impression of the city.

That said, most Americans would probably find Galway "gang" violence pretty tame. After all people are shot on a near weekly basis in Dublin and it doesn't seem to be affecting tourism.

Also it's worth pointing out for anyone who does come across this that nearly everyone in Galway walks the prom in Salthil alone and at all times of the day and I've never met anyone who's had a bad experience. It's a very safe and friendly atmosphere.

Not meaning to take away from these reports by saying that,I'm horrified to hear that is happening, if that happens even once it's too much.

Straight Talker

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

Most people google somewhere before the go on holidays. What's online in local papers and whats discussed in threads like this are quite likely going to add to peoples impression of the city.

That said, most Americans would probably find Galway "gang" violence pretty tame. After all people are shot on a near weekly basis in Dublin and it doesn't seem to be affecting tourism.

Also it's worth pointing out for anyone who does come across this that nearly everyone in Galway walks the prom in Salthil alone and at all times of the day and I've never met anyone who's had a bad experience. It's a very safe and friendly atmosphere.

Not meaning to take away from these reports by saying that,I'm horrified to hear that is happening, if that happens even once it's too much.

First of all around 1 million people live in Dublin and the vast majority of these shootings happen in the rougher parts of the city and are mainly drugs related.Random assaults affect all sorts of innocent people and that sort of behaviour shouldn't be tolerated just because there is no gangland crime in Galway.This is happening in one of the nicest parts of Galway and while it's all well and good saying i never notice this behaviour.I feel very safe etc the facts are that there are people who have been the victims of nasty assaults in the Salthill area and other parts of Galway who disagree with you.

_Whimsical_

Straight Talker wrote: »

First of all around 1 million people live in Dublin and the vast majority of these shootings happen in the rougher parts of the city and are mainly drugs related.Random assaults affect all sorts of innocent people and that sort of behaviour shouldn't be tolerated just because there is no gangland crime in Galway.This is happening in one of the nicest parts of Galway and while it's all well and good saying i never notice this behaviour.I feel very safe etc the facts are that there are people who have been the victims of nasty assaults in the Salthill area and other parts of Galway who disagree with you.

I'm not disagreeing. I'm just saying that Salthill isn't the wild west either. Tourists who are most likely to walk the prom in the daylight and visit hotels and restaurants don't need not be afraid of coming to Galway.


As I said in my post that point didn't take away from the fact that this is happening and that it's terrible. Its a problem for every single one of us.I don't want it taking hold here at all. I LOVE Salthil.


Also just so ya know I don't think there is a scale of acceptability when it comes to crime, I wasn't inferring that random assaults are "better" than gangland attacks. I just meant tourists googling info on Dublin don't seem deterred from visiting on the basis that there are attacks there.

Now I'm wondering why I've essentially repeated my entire post for your benefit.
:rolleyes:@myself .

Straight Talker

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

I'm not disagreeing. I'm just saying that Salthill isn't the wild west either. Tourists who are most likely to walk the prom in the daylight and visit hotels and restaurants don't need not be afraid of coming to Galway.


As I said in my post that point didn't take away from the fact that this is happening and that it's terrible. Its a problem for every single one of us.I don't want it taking hold here at all. I LOVE Salthil.


Also just so ya know I don't think there is a scale of acceptability when it comes to crime, I wasn't inferring that random assaults are "better" than gangland attacks. I just meant tourists googling info on Dublin don't seem deterred from visiting on the basis that there are attacks there.

Now I'm wondering why I've essentially repeated my entire post for your benefit.
:rolleyes:@myself .

Oh of course you don't need to be going around walking on egg shells it's just no harm to be cautious and vigilant.That is reasonable behaviour.Oh and i didn't ask you to repeat anything so less of that little blue face smiley please.:D

Eeden

Iwannahurl wrote: »

The Mayor's attempt to have the matter played down, in order not to send out "the wrong message" about Salthill, then became part of the story as well, not surprisingly.

We all know that our esteemed Mayor would never, ever, ever, ever resort to publicity-seeking!

_Whimsical_

Straight Talker wrote: »

.Oh and i didn't ask you to repeat anything so less of that little blue face smiley please.:D

Yes dad!

Shakti

So if a tourist gets attacked in Salthill would that send the "wrong message" to kids,

jkforde

any innocent person, no matter what age or gender, being mugged/jumped on/attacked/beaten up/teeth knocked out/etc is a serious violation of their civil right to roam free without fear - anyone who doesn't believe this has their threshold of tolerance for this level of thuggery set too high and if that threshold is more widely accepted then all society suffers in the long run. thin end of the ole wedge...

Iwannahurl

Eeden wrote: »

We all know that our esteemed Mayor would never, ever, ever, ever resort to publicity-seeking!

That is so true. Discretion is the better part of valour, and a quiet word with the right person at the right time is often the best way to keep things in order.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/id-blow-the-legs-off-any-intruder-in-my-home-says-councillor-28958562.html

Shakti

Iwannahurl wrote: »

That is so true. Discretion is the better part of valour, and a quiet word with the right person at the right time is often the best way to keep things in order.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/id-blow-the-legs-off-any-intruder-in-my-home-says-councillor-28958562.html

Let's hope the councilor doesn't take up counseling

Eeden

Iwannahurl wrote: »

That is so true. Discretion is the better part of valour, and a quiet word with the right person at the right time is often the best way to keep things in order.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/id-blow-the-legs-off-any-intruder-in-my-home-says-councillor-28958562.html

He said WHAT??

John_Rambo

I visit Galway a good bit for various client meetings and friends that live close to Salthill. I have certainly noticed a good bit of what I'd call bullying, aggressive and unsocial behaviour from young (teen to early twenties) in Salthill. I haven't been targeted, they seem to target people of the same age so it just looks like handbags or a silly teen row. I lived in inner city Dublin, so I'm no stranger to the goings on of built up areas and the issues that comes with them. There's certainly some issues that need to be addressed, the shocking litter and dog ****e (probably the worst I have ever seen), public disorder, even little things like public urination, bad driving etc... that seems to be the norm.. if left ignored do tend to lend a sense of lawlessness in the community.

However, for every one gob****e in Galway, you're going to come across eight hundred of the nicest people you can meet.

Iwannahurl

John_Rambo wrote: »

For every one gob****e in Galway, you're going to come across eight hundred of the nicest people you can meet.

There are a lot more than 94 gob****es in Galway City, so thank heavens for all you lovely visitors.

Chivalry

Here we go:
http://connachttribune.ie/galway-news/item/895-gang-of-thugs-terrorising-young-people-in-salthill

I must say Thank you to the Garda for addressing this issue.
Its really nice when the Guards come out and give public speeches about this as it's sometimes like a warm blanket for those that have been effected by thugs in the streets.

My full Salute to the Garda!

_Whimsical_

Chivalry wrote: »

Here we go:
http://connachttribune.ie/galway-news/item/895-gang-of-thugs-terrorising-young-people-in-salthill

I must say Thank you to the Garda for addressing this issue.
Its really nice when the Guards come out and give public speeches about this as it's sometimes like a warm blanket for those that have been effected by thugs in the streets.

My full Salute to the Garda!

I fully agree, it would be nice to see more issues tackled like this. These things need to be taken seriously for the victim and for the wider community. Hopefully the fact that there'll be more awareness and annoyance over the issue might see the thugs doing it think twice.

If anyone knows them or suspects they know them report them please.