Drunks on the train... Again

Eoin247

I was taking the train back to Mullingar from Dublin on Friday. Being the 5:05 train it was packed and many people had to stand.

Anyway about twenty minutes or so into the journey two loud drunk men (in their mid-late forties I'd guess) made their way from the place they had been near the door, to stand in the middle of the train carriage. They were still drinking cans and cursing, and the smell off of them was terrible.

I decided to just ignore their drunken rantings (feeling very sorry for the people they were standing near) until I heard a woman with an American accent shout at one of the men to stop feeling her. The woman eventually moved, and the drunks continued to verbally and even physically abuse the nearby passengers.

From where I was sitting it was hard to see what was going on, so I had to go by what I heard mostly. Eventually a nearby man stood up to one of the drunks and told him that he should be ashamed of himself, unfortunately it seemed that all this served to do was make the drunk direct his drunken rants at him.

This is the third time I've seen drunks like this harass people on the train and I only use the train once a week. I also use Dublin bus on rare occasions, and I can safely say that when I've taken crowded night buses there's nearly always at least one drunk shouting or harassing people nearby. The trend seems to always be men in the late fourties to sixties bracket.

Anybody else have experiences like these? I think it's disgraceful, but I'm not sure what really can be done about it.

The Backwards Man

This is why I always travel first class.

General General

I've been somewhat surprised to find over the years that a good few guys in their 40s, 50s & 60s are arseholes on a par with the worst 'teenage lout'. These guys never 'grew up', it appears.

It still surprises me when I witness one being a total childish boll-ocks... God help those that they live with, if indeed they live with anyone.

General General

The Backwards Man wrote: »

This is why I always travel first class.

Eh.. better class of feel up there in first class?

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Eoin247 wrote: »

I was taking the train back to Mullingar from Dublin on Friday. Being the 5:05 train it was packed and many people had to stand.

Anyway about twenty minutes or so into the journey two loud drunk men (in their mid-late forties I'd guess) made their way from the place they had been near the door, to stand in the middle of the train carriage. They were still drinking cans and cursing, and the smell off of them was terrible.

I decided to just ignore their drunken rantings (feeling very sorry for the people they were standing near) until I heard a woman with an American accent shout at one of the men to stop feeling her. The woman eventually moved, and the drunks continued to verbally and even physically abuse the nearby passengers.

From where I was sitting it was hard to see what was going on, so I had to go by what I heard mostly. Eventually a nearby man stood up to one of the drunks and told him that he should be ashamed of himself, unfortunately it seemed that all this served to do was make the drunk direct his drunken rants at him.

This is the third time I've seen drunks like this harass people on the train and I only use the train once a week. I also use Dublin bus on rare occasions, and I can safely say that when I've taken crowded night buses there's nearly always at least one drunk shouting or harassing people nearby. The trend seems to always be men in the late fourties to sixties bracket.

Anybody else have experiences like these? I think it's disgraceful, but I'm not sure what really can be done about it.

Call the police station of the next stop, complain. You can get the station number from directory enquiries.

Cienciano

You should just man up, walk straight up to him and say "dad, go home, you're embarrassing me again"

policarp

The Backwards Man wrote: »

This is why I always travel first class.

First class going backwards "Man?"

Strumms

I heard a similar story from a friend of mine on the same train line. Did these two dudes seem like they might have been a little 'hard of thinking' and reside at the states care of an evening ? That story involved them harassing a young teenage girl and then turning on my mate when he tried to help her before he smacked one of them across the length of the carriage in self defense... Either way not fun for anyone.

The Backwards Man

General General wrote: »

Eh.. better class of feel up there in first class?

Na, if I get drunk and piss all over myself in steerage economy I am labelled a drunken lout, in first class I am considered eccentric.

Mint Aero

Oh I know them! They're the ones who travel in pairs and happen to always meet another loner drunk on public transport.

They've connections in the ra you know which is handy for threatening loner drunk with cos loner drunk always tries to either mate with one of the pair or exert his dominance as the new alpha drunk of the group thus causing some upset.

cloudatlas

Maybe a silly question but could you change carriage? A drunk came and sat beside me, I couldn't vacate my seat as he was blocking my escape. I was ridiculously polite in the hope that he would go away which he did however he was a bit more benevolent than the guys you describe and did not want to touch me.

Eoin247

Strumms wrote: »

I heard a similar story from a friend of mine on the same train line. Did these two dudes seem like they might have been a little 'hard of thinking' and reside at the states care of an evening ? That story involved them harassing a young teenage girl and then turning on my mate when he tried to help her before he smacked one of them across the length of the carriage in self defense... Either way not fun for anyone.

Must have been different guys. Nobody got smacked from what I could see and they both got off in Mullingar. Goes to show that this thing is common enough though.

Newaglish

Nothing is worse than being trapped on a carriage with a hen party on their way to some glamorous location like Kilkenny or Waterford chugging away on Ritz and yowling at each other from far away tables

The Backwards Man

Newaglish wrote: »

Nothing is worse than being trapped on a carriage with a hen party on their way to some glamorous location like Kilkenny or Waterford chugging away on Ritz and yowling at each other from far away tables

Last time I saw someone drinking Ritz I was still in short trousers.




Last Tuesday.

Eoin247

cloudatlas wrote: »

Maybe a silly question but could you change carriage? A drunk came and sat beside me, I couldn't vacate my seat as he was blocking my escape. I was ridiculously polite in the hope that he would go away which he did however he was a bit more benevolent than the guys you describe and did not want to touch me.

All the carriages were packed with people. Nearly as many people standing as there were sitting when the train moved off. The unfortunate people beside the drunks couldn't really move away.

Strumms

Newaglish wrote: »

Nothing is worse than being trapped on a carriage with a hen party on their way to some glamorous location like Kilkenny or Waterford chugging away on Ritz and yowling at each other from far away tables

Been there.... Kilkenny train too. They got onto the train first and they plastered all the windows with banners and posters even in some seats where they were not sitting... Balloons blocking the corridors... Bout 20 of them.... Like escaped convicts from a failed fat fighters class with makeup done by dulux instead of max factor... The ****in chimps in Dublin zoo wouldn't have made such a racket even if they hadn't been fed for a week..Thank Jesus for noise cancelling head phones...

I always travel first class on trains in Ireland when I can. For no other reason then that I can have a comfortable seat and a good chance of a peaceful journey without some mental case, hen / stag / scobie fest going on around me....

Doctor Strange

Enough is enough! I have had it with these motherfucking drunks on this motherfucking train!

policarp

Drunks on the train.
Drunks on the buses.
Drunks on the LUAS.
Drunks on the street.
Drunks on the DART.
Drunks in pubs.
Drunks in clubs.
Drunks at parties.
Drunks on holidays.

Hard to miss "Drunks"

kneemos

policarp wrote: »

Drunks on the train.
Drunks on the buses.
Drunks on the LUAS.
Drunks on the street.
Drunks on the DART.
Drunks in pubs.
Drunks in clubs.
Drunks at parties.
Drunks on holidays.

Hard to miss "Drunks"

I'm waiting for the "Drunks on a plane episode."

Fr_Dougal

Eoin247 wrote: »

I was taking the train back to Mullingar from Dublin on Friday. Being the 5:05 train it was packed and many people had to stand.

Anyway about twenty minutes or so into the journey two loud drunk men (in their mid-late forties I'd guess) made their way from the place they had been near the door, to stand in the middle of the train carriage. They were still drinking cans and cursing, and the smell off of them was terrible.

I decided to just ignore their drunken rantings (feeling very sorry for the people they were standing near) until I heard a woman with an American accent shout at one of the men to stop feeling her. The woman eventually moved, and the drunks continued to verbally and even physically abuse the nearby passengers.

From where I was sitting it was hard to see what was going on, so I had to go by what I heard mostly. Eventually a nearby man stood up to one of the drunks and told him that he should be ashamed of himself, unfortunately it seemed that all this served to do was make the drunk direct his drunken rants at him.

This is the third time I've seen drunks like this harass people on the train and I only use the train once a week. I also use Dublin bus on rare occasions, and I can safely say that when I've taken crowded night buses there's nearly always at least one drunk shouting or harassing people nearby. The trend seems to always be men in the late fourties to sixties bracket.

Anybody else have experiences like these? I think it's disgraceful, but I'm not sure what really can be done about it.

Well you did the right thing by doing absolutely nothing 'til you posted on AH first.

michael999999

kneemos wrote: »

I'm waiting for the "Drunks on a plane episode."

Didnt we have some cork radio presenter doing something on a plane last year?

i71jskz5xu42pb

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Well you did the right thing by doing absolutely nothing 'til you posted on AH first.

He is raising awareness.

gramar

Newaglish wrote: »

Nothing is worse than being trapped on a carriage with a hen party on their way to some glamorous location like Kilkenny or Waterford chugging away on Ritz and yowling at each other from far away tables

..that word gave me a laugh...yowling..great word..haha yowling...

Borderfox

9pm on TLC "when good drunks go bad"

AnonoBoy

policarp wrote: »

Drunks on the train.
Drunks on the buses.
Drunks on the LUAS.
Drunks on the street.
Drunks on the DART.
Drunks in pubs.
Drunks in clubs.
Drunks at parties.
Drunks on holidays.

I love that song. What's it called again?

Grab All Association

They all seem to carry purple tickets ie free travel.

jester77

Why not say something to one of the conductors? They would surely then be removed at the next stop.

pebbles21

This has being going on for years,I remember jumping on a bus to Dun Laoire (To pick up my my guitar)when a drunk sat beside me and told me how to get rich,Jaysus i'm glad I wasn't going to far ...

Savoir.Faire

Other customers is the main reason I never use public transport.

frag420

policarp wrote: »

Drunks on the train.
Drunks on the buses.
Drunks on the LUAS.
Drunks on the street.
Drunks on the DART.
Drunks in pubs.
Drunks in clubs.
Drunks at parties.
Drunks on holidays.

Hard to miss "Drunks"

Drunks on Tour!!

April O Neill

*Hate* drunk people on public transport, so irritating and you're a captive audience for their eyeball-glazing witterings. Drunk people when you're not drunk = dull, repetitive feckers. And yes, I include myself in that evaluation of drunk people, which is why I try not to do it very much these days.

gramar

policarp wrote: »

Drunks on the train.
Drunks on the buses.
Drunks on the LUAS.
Drunks on the street.
Drunks on the DART.
Drunks in pubs.
Drunks in clubs.
Drunks at parties.
Drunks on holidays.

Hard to miss "Drunks"

Don't forget...

Drunks go to Smugglers top
Drunks go to Billycock Hill
Drunks go off in a caravan

and my personal favourites

Drunks have a Wonderful Time and Drunks have plenty of fun....

Eoin247

jester77 wrote: »

Why not say something to one of the conductors? They would surely then be removed at the next stop.

The train was packed to the brim, without an official to be seen.

Grayson

April O Neill wrote: »

*Hate* drunk people on public transport, so irritating and you're a captive audience for their eyeball-glazing witterings. Drunk people when you're not drunk = dull, repetitive feckers. And yes, I include myself in that evaluation of drunk people, which is why I try not to do it very much these days.

I think you mean loud or annoying drunk people. It's quite possible to be quiet or chat normally to a friend. Or sleep, just so long as you don't sleep on a fellow passenger

cloudatlas

Stating the obvious here but packed train or no packed train if I was being harassed I would get off and change carriage or wait for the next train.

ImDave

I've only got the train in Ireland twice in the last five years or so, and both times were within the last two weeks.

Each time, group of inebriated idiots singing, drinking cans and standing up for the entire journey despite having a seat (why I have no idea), and just being an absolute pain in the hole.

I've been on the train loads in Germany, Belgium and the UK over the past few years and never once experienced the likes of this. I am all up for people having the craic, but when idiots who have nothing better to do than drink and cause hassle are at it, it pisses me off.

I really think Irish Rail should ban the consumption of alcohol on board. Maybe sell wine or whatever from the trolley, but issue on-the-spot fines for consumption of your own alcohol and/or thrown off at the next stop.

anncoates

"Eoin247 wrote: »

and they both got off in Mullingar

Ah, it's a little clearer now.

Mint Sauce

The Backwards Man wrote: »

This is why I always travel first class.

Its why I don't use public transport.

Muise...

The Backwards Man wrote: »

This is why I always travel first class.

in a rowboat?

April O Neill

Grayson wrote: »

I think you mean loud or annoying drunk people.

In other words, every single drunk person. If you think you're not a loud/annoying/repetitive drunk, you're wrong. Don't know why people think they're special in this regard.

Michael D Not Higgins

A guy I used to work with was on the red line Luas once when this guy was stumbling down the aisle (drunk or high on heroin). Just as this guy was about to clatter into him, he sidestepped and the guy fell to the floor. He dragged himself up the pole and asked my colleague, "Heyor bud, wha' time is it?"
He replied, "Eh half ten."
"AM or PM?"

Muise...

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

A guy I used to work with was on the red line Luas once when this guy was stumbling down the aisle (drunk or high on heroin). Just as this guy was about to clatter into him, he sidestepped and the guy fell to the floor. He dragged himself up the pole and asked my colleague, "Heyor bud, wha' time is it?"
He replied, "Eh half ten."
"AM or PM?"

heehee

road_high

Strumms wrote: »

Been there.... Kilkenny train too. They got onto the train first and they plastered all the windows with banners and posters even in some seats where they were not sitting... Balloons blocking the corridors... Bout 20 of them.... Like escaped convicts from a failed fat fighters class with makeup done by dulux instead of max factor... The ****in chimps in Dublin zoo wouldn't have made such a racket even if they hadn't been fed for a week..Thank Jesus for noise cancelling head phones...

I always travel first class on trains in Ireland when I can. For no other reason then that I can have a comfortable seat and a good chance of a peaceful journey without some mental case, hen / stag / scobie fest going on around me....

Far as I know they've had to ban alcohol on some of the Kilkenny trains it has gotten so bad. I know the types you're talking about. Headin' for a classy weekend in the Kilford Arms

the_syco

Savoir.Faire wrote: »

Other customers is the main reason I never use public transport.

I only use public transport when drinking, or when already drunk

czechlin

kneemos wrote: »

I'm waiting for the "Drunks on a plane episode."

Oh that has happened plenty of times... :pac:

I Heart Internet

pebbles21 wrote: »

This has being going on for years,I remember jumping on a bus to Dun Laoire (To pick up my my guitar)when a drunk sat beside me and told me how to get rich,Jaysus i'm glad I wasn't going to far ...

This made the thread for me!!

Thanks pebbles

SpaceTime

It's not unique to Ireland either. I've experienced it in England and also in France.

I got the RER from. Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Centre of Paris and we were stuck in a coach with a drunken ranting weirdo who then took a leak up against the back of a seat!!!

They don't call the Paris rail operator RATP "Rat Pee" for nothing !

Rasheed

Just when I think that maybe I'll take public transport to and around Dublin the next time I go, I read one of these threads and decide to stick with the car.

Grayson

April O Neill wrote: »

In other words, every single drunk person. If you think you're not a loud/annoying/repetitive drunk, you're wrong. Don't know why people think they're special in this regard.

Cos I'm nice. I generally sit there reading my phone. I've even bought a magazine or paper to read before getting on a nightlink. I don't annoy people around me. I don't even eat on buses.

razorblunt

SpaceTime wrote: »

It's not unique to Ireland either. I've experienced it in England and also in France.

I got the RER from. Charles de Gaulle Airport to the Centre of Paris and we were stuck in a coach with a drunken ranting weirdo who then took a leak up against the back of a seat!!!

They don't call the Paris rail operator RATP "Rat Pee" for nothing !

THIS!
Man that train is a cesspit for scummy behaviour. Drunks, gypsies, heroin addicts openly shooting up, pick pockets.
Then in the summer it's like the 7th layer of hell its so warm and humid.

WindSock

AnonoBoy wrote: »

I love that song. What's it called again?

Is that the same one:

policarp wrote: »

Drunks on the train. (go and get down tonite)
Drunks on the buses. (throw yer hands in da air an feel alrite)
Drunks on the LUAS. (all da bitches luv me moo-wivs)
Drunks on the street. (c'mown move yer feet)
Drunks on the DART. (thumpin' in me heart)
Drunks in pubs. (dishin ou me rubs)
Drunks in clubs. ( I SED UP DA DUBS)
Drunks at parties. (incomprehensible natter)
Drunks on holidays. (an till de end of me days...ah yeaahhhh)

Hard to miss "Drunks"

I think it's called Hard to miss "Drunks"