Problem with neighbour

bayles

Hi Folks

Just wondering if anyone can offer some advice on this ... Long story short , i have recently moved back to Dublin with my family after living away for 10 years. We were lucky that a house came up for rent (through one of my own family) in an area we wanted to live and we have been in it now for over 12 months . We are very settled and both my kids are starting in the local school come September.
Before we moved in we were informed by my brother in law that the next door neighbor was "troublesome"... to the point were the last family moved out because of her as did some previous tenants. She is an elderly woman who lives on her own who cant tolerate the idea of anyone living next door to her . She is constantly getting the Gardai up to my house and making complaints about various noises and issues with cars etc etc ... all rubbish , the gardai are aware of the issue but the problem is she doesn't ring the local station she rings 999 and they treat it as an emergency and send whatever car is in the area . I had gardai out yesterday and when they landed they said they had a 999 call from "MY" address ..... we denied it and explained the situation with next door and they were fine with that ... she has complained to the Co Council and i have had a letter threatening eviction until i contacted them and again explained the situation .
I have made an official complaint to Gardai but i want to know is there anything else i can do . My kids get upset when marked Garda cars appear at the house and they think daddy is going to jail ... can this woman not be charged with wasting police time .... as one Garda said to me "because it is a 999 call it has to be acted on so we will come out" .
I am documenting all the times we have had problems with her but how many times does it have to happen before it is considered harassment ?? . Kids toys wont be returned if they go over the wall , she burst my 2 year old sons football and just left it in her back garden ... Any advice on this issue would be great ,

We did know what we were getting into before we moved in but houses in this area are as rare as hens teeth and im not going to let her bully us out , i want to bring the fight back to her doorstep .

Thanks

Harry Palmr

neighbour

schemingbohemia

Harry Palmr wrote: »

neighbour

PALMER!

Bepolite

Kids think daddy is going to jail? We're not getting the full story here.

While I have my suspicions you're not whiter than white if she continues you have several options open to you. What is the nature of her ownership of the property? Does she rent or own, does she rent from the local authority.

In relation to the toys; tough - technically its theft if she damages/moves them but personally I'd let that lie.

The guards; Get on to the local superintendent and make sure it's followed up.

Co. Co. Err - how did it get to a threat of eviction and are you privately renting or through the Co. Co.

bayles

Bepolite wrote: »

Kids think daddy is going to jail? We're not getting the full story here.

What do you mean by that exactly ..

aaakev

bayles wrote: »

What do you mean by that exactly ..

He thinks your hiding something and not giving us the full story

bayles

aaakev wrote: »

He thinks your hiding something and not giving us the full story

Thats what i suspected and i don't care much for the insinuation , no more than i like the "whiter than white" insinuation .... what are you accusing me of Bepolite !!! of course im going to come on here when im guilty as hell looking for advice ... i doubt this guy has kids because if he did he might have a better understanding of how the brain of a 3 and a 4 year old works when they see a police man , particularly when there is one at your front door regularly.. but then anyone who has over 2000 posts in 12 months (averaging 7 a night) cant have much time for anything else except being on here dishing out dodgy legal advice , trolling and thread spoiling .

I didint think i was going to get much of a reply to this and i was correct , an English lesson and accusations thrown at me .

_____________MODS FEEL FREE TO CLOSE/DELETE THIS THREAD__________

Dowl88

I call bull. If a person is false calling 999 they will get a nice fine or a few weeks in jail. Especially if doing it the whole time. Its a very serious matter.

Also a i think the gaurds would arrest her for wasting police time if they are been called out every week. Garda resources are at a all time low.

Pat Mustard

You need to make a complaint to Gardai about this. As this lady tends to contact the emergency line, you need to take matters at least one step further, and write to the Garda Superintendent. Garda Superintendents are busy people, so it wouldn't be realistic to expect immediate results. You'll need to pursue this until it is resolved.

The other main issue is that of this lady's antisocial behaviour. See here. http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/landlord-fined-30k-for-tenants-actions-217217.html

You may need a solicitor, both to manage the Gardai for you and to advise you in relation to a possible action against this problem neighbour's landlord for possible anti social behaviour.

If she owns the property herself, she may be a mark for a possible civil action. You could take advice about a possible action in nuisance, if that's the case. However, I suspect that if she was a property owner, she'd have been a lot more careful in her behaviour.

If you are not in a position to hire a private solicitor, go to the Legal Aid Board. http://www.legalaidboard.ie/LAB/Publishing.nsf/Content/Home

This lady has been driving a campaign of harassment against you and your family. It seems that she may have been getting away with this for years, and she may have developed some affinity for it. It could take a long time to resolve these issues. You will need to be resolute in your actions here.

Feuds between neighbours can be very bitter. You will also need to ensure that you don't infringe the law in any way yourself, as you don't want this lady to have any cause of action against you or your family.

I'd suggest that you get a solicitor to handle it for you. It could get ugly.

Rubberchikken

She vould be a genuine bully who has gotten away with this type of behaviour for a long time.
She might have a mental illnes. Who knows.

My advice would be to speak to a solicitor.
I find it hard to understand how she could call 999 each time over what you seem to describe as petty things, and the gardai wouldn't follow this up.
Seems such a waste of their time.

Don't get into any conversation/argument with her, just isn't worth it.

bayles

Thanks lads , as true as i sit here she is ringing 999 , the guards told me if the calls came to the police station they could monitor them better but as its 999 it goes to a central depot and they contact any car in the area .
I even asked if they could send out "unmarked cars" to stop upsetting the kids but they cant as its whatever car is in the area and closest is sent . I am amazed that the guards cant do more about this matter also

bayles

BTW She owns her own property , also i have never once entered into verbal dialogue with her nor has my wife as long as we have lived here

romperstomper

please clear up the 999 calls. i can ring 999 every day and say 'my neighbour is having a really loud house party (or whatever)'. every day the gards arrive on the scene and there is no party. And everyday they will just go back to their scheduled patrol? no followup over the bogus calls?

bayles

romperstomper wrote: »

please clear up the 999 calls. i can ring 999 every day and say 'my neighbour is having a really loud house party (or whatever)'. every day the gards arrive on the scene and there is no party. And everyday they will just go back to their scheduled patrol? no followup over the bogus calls?

I dont know police policy or how there system works , maybe someone can come on here and explain it to me and also let me be clear its not every day they land either , its every couple of weeks (although twice in the last 2 weeks). We were surprised to here that the calls were going to 999 also and nothing was being done about it .

mrsbyrne

romperstomper wrote: »

please clear up the 999 calls. i can ring 999 every day and say 'my neighbour is having a really loud house party (or whatever)'. every day the gards arrive on the scene and there is no party. And everyday they will just go back to their scheduled patrol? no followup over the bogus calls?

She's probably ringing and saying " I need help. My neighbour has threatened me and I'm old and I'm on my own. I'm frightened" . What can they do only come? The gaurds in any town have a number of houses they know they are probably going to be visiting almost every day. Its an ordeal for the OP, its just part of the daily grind for them.
You have to make an issue of it to the Super. Write to him/her setting out your issue and state that you expect a response in 10 working days. I don't know what the Super can do.
A solicitor would be my last resort.

dixiefly

Does your neighbour have any family or friends that yo can speak to for them to get her to cop on and stop this?

bayles

No , I don't know the full history as i only live here the last 12 months but i believe her husband died some years back and there wasn't any kids , i might add she has fallen out with quite a few people on the road over various issues also .

bucketybuck

The guards have told you she is ringing 999, have they told you what it is she is "reporting"? What is she accusing you off in the calls?

mikeyjames9

Dowl88 wrote: »

I call bull. If a person is false calling 999 they will get a nice fine or a few weeks in jail.

i call bull back on you

you think they're going to throw a little ole lady in jail

you wouldn't believe what some women can make up and get away with

men too but "old ladies" have a better chance with porkie pies and the gards

bayles

There not giving me full details but the majority of the time it appears to be about noise .... they said the call that was made yesterday was made from my address , basically my address was given as if it was me or my wife needing attention so this seems to be a new twist to events ...

Pat Mustard

bayles wrote: »

I dont know police policy or how there system works , maybe someone can come on here and explain it to me and also let me be clear its not every day they land either , its every couple of weeks (although twice in the last 2 weeks). We were surprised to here that the calls were going to 999 also and nothing was being done about it .

You could try the Emergency Services forum in relation to that question.

dixiefly

Where does she be when the gardai call? Is she inside?

Next time they come you and/ or your wife should not allow the gardai to rapidly turn around. Go out to her and get her to come out and explain herself. You are in a v strong position if she has fallen out with som many others.

In fact if it was me i would write her a letter detailing your position, that you are not going to be moving and that you know that it is her calling the gardai and that you will be calling her out to speak to the gardai next time she calls. And I would go with my wife around to her, ring on the bell and hand her the letter in person.

You need to brazenly stand up to her while keeping within the law of course.

kippy

You say you've never spoken to her.
Have you even said hello or exchanged small talk?

If she is consistently dialing 999 then either you or her should be in far more trouble than either of you are.

pinkbear

I would think it's fairly obvious this woman has mental problems. Would there be any possibility you would consider befriending her instead? Whatever demons/paranoia are in her head may actually be improved if you talked to her, offered to bake her a cake / collect shopping. I'm not saying it would work, but it's possible it would improve things.

My sister was a community guard. She had a woman similar to this in her district. (Are you in Drumcondra by any chance?). She called into the woman once a week for a cup of tea, and this helped the woman greatly. The woman could complain about the neighbours, and my sister would listen, then offer her possible solutions and persuade her that it probably wasn't worth making a formal complaint. I know some people would claim it's a bit of a waste of garda resources having gardai doing this, but my sister could drop down when she wasn't busy, and it probably saved a lot of 999 calls, which are more expensive. Maybe talk to your local community guard about this?

bayles

pinkbear wrote: »

I would think it's fairly obvious this woman has mental problems. Would there be any possibility you would consider befriending her instead? Whatever demons/paranoia are in her head may actually be improved if you talked to her, offered to bake her a cake / collect shopping. I'm not saying it would work, but it's possible it would improve things.

My sister was a community guard. She had a woman similar to this in her district. (Are you in Drumcondra by any chance?). She called into the woman once a week for a cup of tea, and this helped the woman greatly. The woman could complain about the neighbours, and my sister would listen, then offer her possible solutions and persuade her that it probably wasn't worth making a formal complaint. I know some people would claim it's a bit of a waste of garda resources having gardai doing this, but my sister could drop down when she wasn't busy, and it probably saved a lot of 999 calls, which are more expensive. Maybe talk to your local community guard about this?

Previous tenants have tried this approach , offering to cut her lawn , do her shopping etc etc but to no avail , ... no im not in Drumcondra , im south side

kippy wrote: »

You say you've never spoken to her.
Have you even said hello or exchanged small talk?

If she is consistently dialing 999 then either you or her should be in far more trouble than either of you are.

She called the Gardai the very first night i moved in , there was no way i was going near her after that
Not sure what you mean by the second part of that , read previous comments

kippy

bayles wrote: »

Previous tenants have tried this approach , offering to cut her lawn , do her shopping etc etc but to no avail , ... no im not in Drumcondra , im south side




She called the Gardai the very first night i moved in , there was no way i was going near her after that
Not sure what you mean by the second part of that , read previous comments

Why did she ring them?
Did you even attempt to converse with her at any point?

What I mean is, if she is consistently calling 999 and there is "nothing to see" she would end up getting in serious trouble for it.
If she was calling 999 and something was found, you'd be in a lot of trouble.

bottlebrush

If it was me I would be tempted to ring 999 and make a complaint about her to see what the garda response or reaction would be just to test this claim that she is dialling 999 if nothing else and also to give her a taste of her own medicine. am living beside a neighbour like this and had to ask two other neighbours to have a chat with him. he kept up his antics for a while after but stopped soon after. I bumped into the last owners of my house recently and I asked them about their relationship with this neighbour. They told me the reason they moved was him!

Little CuChulainn

bayles wrote: »

There not giving me full details but the majority of the time it appears to be about noise .... they said the call that was made yesterday was made from my address , basically my address was given as if it was me or my wife needing attention so this seems to be a new twist to events ...

Noise is not a Garda matter. As others have suggested, write to the Superintendent about this and tell him you are tired of Gardaí calling to your door in relation to such a minor matter.

As to your kids, their attitude to Gardaí comes from you. Tell them you are friends with the Gardaí. Invite them in for a cuppa and to chat to the kids. It will stand to them in later life. It never ceases to amaze me how many parents use the Gardaí as a threat to kids. It's an incredibly short sighted method of getting obedience.

bayles

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

Noise is not a Garda matter. As others have suggested, write to the Superintendent about this and tell him you are tired of Gardaí calling to your door in relation to such a minor matter.

Then why do Gardai respond to the call !!!

Little CuChulainn wrote: »

As to your kids, their attitude to Gardaí comes from you. Tell them you are friends with the Gardaí. Invite them in for a cuppa and to chat to the kids. It will stand to them in later life. It never ceases to amaze me how many parents use the Gardaí as a threat to kids. It's an incredibly short sighted method of getting obedience.

To be fair i have started doing this , the gardai yesterday made it there business to come into my house and told the kids i was helping with police business as they could see my daughter was a bit upset , it is something i should have done earlier .

ronn

I'd put in cctv with sound recording capabilitys,
Next time the cops call invite them in show them yr cctv.

WhichCar

You mentioned toys not being returned, are your kids in her garden? Or are they throwing their toys over the fence? Having lived in a similar situation, where neighbours kids were climbing over the fence to retrieve the things that somehow got into my garden, that is annoying. Nonetheless, how about having it out with her next time the gardai are there? Let the gardai act as witnesses, so you can get to the bottom of whatever 'today's problem' is, obviously in a diplomatic way. Maybe she'll back off if you and the gardai start asking her awkward questions. It does sound like she needs attention that none of us are qualified to give though. She's probably a deeply unhappy woman and if so, I feel sorry for her. But in the meantime, she is causing you a lot of grief - maybe she likes the drama. It's probably worth talking to your local Garda Liaison officer or someone like that. If she can constantly ring 999 and not get taken to task for it, then there's something seriously wrong with the system, and it might be time to call Joe Duffy!

bayles

ronn wrote: »

I'd put in cctv with sound recording capabilitys,
Next time the cops call invite them in show them yr cctv.

I have nothing to prove as im not doing anything wrong , every time a garda calls i explain the situation and i get there business card which i keep in my wallet , then when it happens again i show the previous business cards explain the situation and collect more cards , this repeats its self every time , i never have an issue with the Gardai to be fair

bayles

WhichCar wrote: »

You mentioned toys not being returned, are your kids in her garden? Or are they throwing their toys over the fence? Having lived in a similar situation, where neighbours kids were climbing over the fence to retrieve the things that somehow got into my garden, that is annoying. Nonetheless, how about having it out with her next time the gardai are there? Let the gardai act as witnesses, so you can get to the bottom of whatever 'today's problem' is, obviously in a diplomatic way. Maybe she'll back off if you and the gardai start asking her awkward questions. It does sound like she needs attention that none of us are qualified to give though. She's probably a deeply unhappy woman and if so, I feel sorry for her. But in the meantime, she is causing you a lot of grief - maybe she likes the drama. It's probably worth talking to your local Garda Liaison officer or someone like that. If she can constantly ring 999 and not get taken to task for it, then there's something seriously wrong with the system, and it might be time to call Joe Duffy!

My children are 3 and 4 and the wall is about 10 foot , they are not going into the garden ... the toys issue has only happened 3 times in 12 months so its not excessive , every time no toy was returned ... as for garda mediation , again i believe this was tried with previous tenants but to no avail ... i do agree that i think there is a major flaw in the system that this is allowed to continue

the_syco

bayles wrote: »

She is not stealing toys from my garden ..... my children play with toys in the back garden , footballs , frisby etc and they go over the wall not to be returned !!

I only saw the (10 foot wall) post before after I replied, so I deleted the post.

=-=

Check with a solicitor to see if you have a case for harassment. When the police call around, show them the logbook of the visits, and query if she has been fined for wasting police time?

Rhys Essien

What age is this woman?.She obviously has mental health issues.The cops should be trying to have a chat with her doctor.The 999 system must be messed up.I think its time for you to have a chat with the Super.As it stands,you are being harassed by the old lady and the gardai are doing nothing to stop it.

Queen-Mise

I'd be inclined to do nothing except keep documenting all the calls, and would probably contact a solicitor also for advice, and contact superintendent.

In the event of say a court case, you winning, her being convicted for wasting police time & harassment etc etc. If the day after the court case she started making calls to 999 again, they would have to call straight round. It is not possible for her to over-cry wolf.

I'd explain to the kids that this is a lunatic neighbour - obviously explain in child terms. Bring the kids out with you when speaking to the guards so they see there is nothing to fear. Let them watch guards come, be explained to, and watch them go again. Take all the mystique and fear out of the situation.

My MiL lives next to a lunatic neighbour. The things the woman dreams up to complain about are staggering.

Recently a friend of mine lived next to a neighbour like yours. I went round to her house one day. The next door neighbour was after making a mould of the 'middle finger salute' and had it tied to a handle of a shovel, tied onto the fence. The neighbour was completely and utterly of her rocker. She died a few years ago, probably much to the husband's relief in some ways.

There is going to be no reasoning with your neighbour. I'd be inclined to learn how not to let it stress you.

Although I do like the idea people mentioned above, of knocking on your neighbours door and asking her with the police present why did she ring. Not sure though would it escalate matters though.

lulu1

OP sorry this is not the answer you want but I think you are just going to have to put up with it and hope that it settles down a little bit if she is old she is not going to change her ways for anyboby

Kenny Logins

bayles wrote: »

There not giving me full details but the majority of the time it appears to be about noise .... they said the call that was made yesterday was made from my address , basically my address was given as if it was me or my wife needing attention so this seems to be a new twist to events ...

Isn't that classed as a hoax call? Couldn't she be prosecuted and fined for it?

bayles

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Isn't that classed as a hoax call? Couldn't she be prosecuted and fined for it?

You would think she could be .... i may try the superintendent approach and see what he/she has to say on the matter

bayles

Rhys Essien wrote: »

What age is this woman?.

In her 70s i would guess , but still quite spritely for her age

lulu1

op is there no way you could ask her why she is carrying on like this

Pat Mustard

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Isn't that classed as a hoax call? Couldn't she be prosecuted and fined for it?

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0032/sec0012.html#sec12

Penalties will have changed in the meantime.

Former property developer Kevin McGeever was charged with this. http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/abducted-developer-charged-with-wasting-garda-time-601542.html

RossieMan

ask the woman. Saying the previous "tenants tried this is a BS answer. You aren't the previous tenants, so give it a go.

what harm can it do? it might resolve something? Maybe do it with a Guard the next time they pop over for a chat?

bayles

lulu1 wrote: »

op is there no way you could ask her why she is carrying on like this

You may have read in my previous comments i am renting this house from a member of my family and i have been well briefed on there previous interactions with her , it is ill advised to have any contact if at all possible , she managed to bring previous tenants and landlord to court before only to have the whole thing thrown out by the judge .

bayles

The Mustard wrote: »

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0032/sec0012.html#sec12

Penalties will have changed in the meantime.

Former property developer Kevin McGeever was charged with this. http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/abducted-developer-charged-with-wasting-garda-time-601542.html

Thanks for this ...

aaakev

bayles wrote: »

You may have read in my previous comments i am renting this house from a member of my family and i have been well briefed on there previous interactions with her , it is ill advised to have any contact if at all possible , she managed to bring previous tenants and landlord to court before only to have the whole thing thrown out by the judge .

Brought to court for what exactly?? And by who? Dpp? Civil court?

This is getting very strange if I'm honest. Iv had to call 999/112 on a few occasions and I've always been put through to the local station, this has happened in Naas, clondalkin, finglas and Carlow town. The 999 dispatcher has never said they are sending a car or anything like that, they have always put me though to the local station and called out the number I've called off to the guard who answers who then takes note of my emergency and gives advice.

Don't take that as me questioning your credibility here because I'm not, i do sympathise with your situation it's just what your saying goes against my own experiences

Dee5

You ont get put through to a local station you call 999 and are then put through to whichever emergency service you require. If you were to ring for the fire brigade or an ambulance the same thing. call 999 asked which service put through while person number 1 calls the number to the ES you require.
I would tell the gardaí that no it was not you that called the gards. Not to give it the time of day. Eventually they will have to trace it back to the lady next door. Or go down to the Super and ask him to see could the community gard for your area call in and talk to the lady.
My NDB also like to accuse me of things. Seemingly I am running a generator in my house that is causing her no end of trouble. I am the talk of the bingo hall. The council are going to come out and search my house. Wouldn't mind but my landlord lives the other side of me! Have offered her to come in anytime she likes to see or to call me when she hears the noise but she refuses to.

CharlieCroker

aaakev wrote: »

Brought to court for what exactly?? And by who? Dpp? Civil court?

This is getting very strange if I'm honest. Iv had to call 999/112 on a few occasions and I've always been put through to the local station, this has happened in Naas, clondalkin, finglas and Carlow town. The 999 dispatcher has never said they are sending a car or anything like that, they have always put me though to the local station and called out the number I've called off to the guard who answers who then takes note of my emergency and gives advice.

Don't take that as me questioning your credibility here because I'm not, i do sympathise with your situation it's just what your saying goes against my own experiences

Not in Clondalkin or Finglas, you weren't. All Garda 999 calls in Dublin go to a communication centre in the city who are in direct contact with patrol cars. The call doesn't go near the local Garda station. These central call takers/dispatchers could deal with a hundred calls a day so aren't going to remember the OPs situation every time.

Even down the country, it goes to a comms room in the divisional HQ. Again, doesn't go near the local station.

goz83

My sympathies. We used to have a lunatic lady living next door to us. Total nut job. I was out the back yard filling the coal bucket when I was about 6 years old and the crazy b1tch launched a basin of water over the wall, right on top of me. This was one of many things she did. On that occasion, my mother left her with a bloody nose and rightly so. When she moved out, the neighbours around us were all so happy. The house has been rented for the past 20+ years and with the exception of one set of tenants who were there for about 2 years, we have thankfully always had decent neighbours we could say hello to.

kippy

I still cannot believe that she consistently dials 999 and hasn't gotten in any bother for it.

Esho

Hi Bayles - something similar in my family home - next door neighbour accused us of having a "machine" broadcasting from our garage into her bedroom, and keeping her awake (also accused us of making poitin in the garage a few years before).

It sounded like tinitis, with maybe a little strangeness or whatever, but she was a nice enough old lady, if a little odd.
(Tinitis drives you crazy, apparently). She contacted the council and the guards, but nothing came of it - no 999 calls.

I was able to talk to her and she'd listen after a while, but when she started calling the house in the small ours, I lifted her out of it and threatened her with the law.

Sounds like your neighbour is a weapon, while mine was nice at heart.
Good luck - see if you can drum up the rest of the neighbours, as it will stand to any complaint you make to the guards and council.
That's the way I'd go with it. This kind of crap, from whoever, is just not on.

I agree with the other poster - try to chat with the guards when they so up, if nothing else, your kids will see that you are not the guilty one.