Galway's finest

redarmyblues

I am sure I am not the only perturbed by the outbreak of tightrope walking across canals using load straps recently. Who do these people think they are flaunting themselves in their budgie smugglers, it is high time this cancer was eradicated.



I was monitoring the latest disgraceful incident for our community pressure group formed to oppose these displays when to my delight the Gardai arrived to put a sshtop to the matter, obligingly saying "None of this carry on, think of the children" as they did so.



However my pleasure was slightly tempered when the Guards offered to arrest me if I continued to take photos for our campaign group newsletter.


I am on their side after all.

Mahogany Gaspipe

A deplorable use of trees (and load straps); a commendable use of our police force.

Count yourself lucky not to have felt the force of Templemores finest you rabble-rouser.

Wompa1

Walking a tight rope across that narrow canal seems stupid and the Gardai giving enough sh1t to stop it, also seems stupid

John_Rambo

Slacklining. Harmless, good for balance and core strength. Didn't know it was illegal in Galway.

TerrorFirmer

John_Rambo wrote: »

Slacklining. Harmless, good for balance and core strength. Didn't know it was illegal in Galway.

I'm actually curious under what grounds the Gardai can actually stop it - seems reasonable enough to me. Lives aren't exactly at risk.

redarmyblues

"It is a example bad to children" was the reason given, somebody made a complaint, they marched up that canal like men on a mission, and they do hate a crusty.

syklops

TerrorFirmer wrote: »

Lives aren't exactly at risk.

Lives are at risk, they could fall and drown. For many people to be honest, if there wasnt a risk to life it wouldnt be worth doing.

To answer the OPs question, theres a new movie or fillum called "The Walk", where a guy tightrope walks across the twin towers so other people have been inspired to try similar but smaller projects. I agree the speedos are unnecessary, otherwise, what harm are they doing and how does it infringe on your liberty?

It's harmless fun, anyone who has a problem with it is basically an idiot.

syklops

redarmyblues wrote: »

"It is a example bad to children" was the reason given, somebody made a complaint, they marched up that canal like men on a mission, and they do hate a crusty.

Theres a guy breaking into number 56 right now. Thats a bad example to children. Hopefully a couple gendarme march up to him.

El_Dangeroso

ratracer

Gardai do something - they're a shower of killjoys
Gardai do nothing - they're a shower of useless muppets!!

Yawn :rolleyes:

redarmyblues

syklops wrote: »

Lives are at risk, they could fall and drown. For many people to be honest, if there wasnt a risk to life it wouldnt be worth doing.

They spent more time falling in than walking TBH, except for the girl, which lead me to muse that perhaps they had learned to rope walk on a correspondence course like those sold by "The Brother" in Flann O Briens's The Hard Life, though in that book the trainees's rope was string across the Liffey, a more hazardous trip to be sure. I can't recall exactly but i think the Guards got involved in that too, I remember "The Brother" damming them as "the sons of pig dealers" for their forwardness in trying to thwart some of his many schemes.

syklops

redarmyblues wrote: »

They spent more time falling in than walking TBH, except for the girl, which lead me to muse that perhaps they had learned to rope walk on a correspondence course like those sold by "The Brother" in Flann O Briens's The Hard Life, though in that book the trainees's rope was string across the Liffey, a more hazardous trip to be sure. I can't recall exactly but i think the Guards got involved in that too, I remember "The Brother" damming them as "the sons of pig dealers" for their forwardness in trying to thwart some of his many schemes.

I've not read it. Maybe these guys are practicing for the Liffey?

Honestly, I'd be more interested on what grounds the Garda could arrest you for taking photos.

redarmyblues

Deleted User wrote: »

Honestly, I'd be more interested on what grounds the Garda could arrest you for taking photos.

I don't want to say too much about it , I just got a call from Mill Street to say "We are keeping that thread you started on Boards under observation and would you ever tax that vehicle of yours". They were are able to identify me CSI style, using the smudge of my fingerprint in the third pic I posted.

syklops

Troll alert.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Honestly, I'd be more interested on what grounds the Garda could arrest you for taking photos.

It's a pity they can't as they could hover up loads of idiot water protesters that way.

D Trent

redarmyblues wrote: »

"It is a example bad to children" was the reason given, somebody made a complaint, they marched up that canal like men on a mission, and they do hate a crusty.

yeah, definitely you

pmasterson95

I love when people try to get outraged and make total non event into a big hullabullo

redarmyblues

I would imagine that I could be arrested for failing to comply with direction of a member of an Garda.
i.e. Stop taking pictures and move on, the same would possibly have applied to the rope walkers.

I am not outraged BTW, just quietly amused, it was slightly Father Tedesque, they did in truth say "none of this carry on" and mention "bad example to children", I wasn't the only one to hear it.

Diabhal Beag

I read the OP in Keith Finnegan's voice and it worked fantastically.

_Whimsical_

Kendra Tasty Oyster wrote: »

It's harmless fun, anyone who has a problem with it is basically an idiot.

Why is it idiotic to see the very real potentional for disaster which will translate to personal suffering and huge potential cost to the taxpayer if something goes wrong?

At simplest they break trees that have to be replaced. At worst they fall in and require the emergency services to fish them out and spend time in hospital on the countries buck.If those things can be avoided, they should be. There shouldn't be a free for all to just injure and kill ourselves for the laugh using public property as props safe in the knowledge the tax payer funded services will pick up the pieces. I think the guards were right to step in and tell them to wrap it up. We have enough state sponsered Darwin Award winners without encouraging more of them. The guards had a legitimate point in saying it sets a bad example for even more impressionable,stupid people to follow suit too.

TerrorFirmer

We're hardly talking about Niagra falls here?

You'd be more likely to be beaten to death by the Guards Rodney King style (so keep that camera rolling redarmyblues) than manage to somehow kill yourself by falling three feet off a tightrope into that canal.

Wompa1

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

Why is it idiotic to see the very real potentional for disaster which will translate to personal suffering and huge potential cost to the taxpayer if something goes wrong?

At simplest they break trees that have to be replaced. At worst they fall in and require the emergency services to fish them out and spend time in hospital on the countries buck.If those things can be avoided, they should be. There shouldn't be a free for all to just injure and kill ourselves for the laugh using public property as props safe in the knowledge the tax payer funded services will pick up the pieces. I think the guards were right to step in and tell them to wrap it up. We have enough state sponsered Darwin Award winners without encouraging more of them. The guards had a legitimate point in saying it sets a bad example for even more impressionable,stupid people to follow suit too.

I don't think there was much threat to the guys in question. I know the current and power of the water can be deceptive but that's such a narrow canal and slow moving current, there was no threat...which makes doing it somewhat pointless and stupid.

I'd like to think somebody tipped off the Gardai and they just stopped them to keep the peace. Keep some old biddy out of their hair

Baggy Trousers

That looks class but would somebody think of the trout!

Arghus

Treading a fine line between heroic and stupid.

Maybe the guards had seen some young buck do it once with a line of bailin' twine and decided to stop this mockery of the true art.

xtradel

Tis all fun and games until somebody smacks their head on a rock.

chickendinner

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

Why is it idiotic to see the very real potentional for disaster which will translate to personal suffering and huge potential cost to the taxpayer if something goes wrong?

At simplest they break trees that have to be replaced. At worst they fall in and require the emergency services to fish them out and spend time in hospital on the countries buck.If those things can be avoided, they should be. There shouldn't be a free for all to just injure and kill ourselves for the laugh using public property as props safe in the knowledge the tax payer funded services will pick up the pieces. I think the guards were right to step in and tell them to wrap it up. We have enough state sponsered Darwin Award winners without encouraging more of them. The guards had a legitimate point in saying it sets a bad example for even more impressionable,stupid people to follow suit too.

sets a bad example? What law is this

I understand guards have to respond to calls, but if there is no law being broken, the guards should just move on to their next issue

Is this what you want Ireland to become a nanny state on easy issues while ignoring the real problems.

Potential cost to the taxpayer?
Lets all stay at home on our computers after working 50 hours to pay tax.

Paddyfield

My cousin is a cop in Dublin. He says that he hates having to respond to calls that waste his time. I guess this is one of them.

There was probably a complaint from a member of the public and there is probably a law being broken not dissimilar to cycling on a pedestrian street or graffiti.

Perhaps they are relatively non-serious crimes until someone gets injured by a cyclist on Shop Street or racist slogans are spray painted across a building.

_Whimsical_

Paddyfield wrote: »

My cousin is a cop in Dublin. He says that he hates having to respond to calls that waste his time. I guess this is one of them.

There was probably a complaint from a member of the public and there is probably a law being broken not dissimilar to cycling on a pedestrian street or graffiti.

Perhaps they are relatively non-serious crimes until someone gets injured by a cyclist on Shop Street or racist slogans are spray painted across a building.

Let's imagine the guards arrived, walked off after saying "continue away to your hearts content lads, no law being broken here" and then one of them falls and seriously injures or kills himself. Or imagine they leave and tomorrow kids try the same act and get hurt the next day. There'd be an outcry of why it was let continue, how did the guards walk idly by without saying anything. The guards are in an impossible position in these situations.

_Whimsical_

chickendinner wrote: »

sets a bad example? What law is this

I understand guards have to respond to calls, but if there is no law being broken, the guards should just move on to their next issue

Is this what you want Ireland to become a nanny state on easy issues while ignoring the real problems.

Potential cost to the taxpayer?
Lets all stay at home on our computers after working 50 hours to pay tax.

The guards are there not only to enfore the letter or the law but also to ensure public safety and public order. That often means acting in advance of trouble or issuing a warning before somethings gets out of hand.
Breaking trees in a public amenity area would be an offence. I think they acted well within their remit and not in any over the top manner.

John_Rambo

Jesus lads. "Galway, the adventure capital!"


Nobody said.

empacher

well technically they are obstructing a public walk way.

Also if they slip near the canal wall and split there head off it.

They could just as easily, stick two metal poles in there back garden and tie it across that.

If you want to practice tight rope walking you should have your own area to do so.

I'd imagine it comes under the performers in a public area laws, in which case you need a permit. Like you do on shop street.

afaik for certain performers on shop street, particularly the ones during the arts festival have to attain certain permits for their acts. i.e fire breathing.

Eeden

We should definitely think about putting up barriers along the beaches in Salthill. It's not really on that the public have unrestricted access to the Atlantic Ocean all year round, when there are only lifeguards employed during the summer months! There are dangerous tides, rogue waves, and whatnot. Imagine what could happen!

Mr.Carter

Pfff....do it over a motorway and I'll be impressed.

_Whimsical_

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

The guards are there not only to enfore the letter or the law but also to ensure public safety and public order. That often means acting in advance of trouble or issuing a warning before somethings gets out of hand.
Breaking trees in a public amenity area would be an offence. I think they acted well within their remit and not in any over the top manner.

This tight rope walking thing has become very popular in cork city, I see people doing it regularly between trees in a number of parks and have never seen anyone have a problem with it or the guards give a damn. It's no more dangerous there, less even as they are falling into water rather than 5 feet or more onto the ground. I've watched people so it a good few times and it's pretty harmless you just jump off it you are going to fall.

Probably as much chance of getting hurt playing soccer in the park. It's idiotic bothering with these people who are just having a bit of fun.

Subcomandante Marcos

I'd be almost certain that the law being broken would be swimming in the millrace (it's not a canal!). That little island the other side of the millrace is also not public accessible and it's possibly trespassing to be on it. They had to swim across to set the line, or drop down onto it from above, or climb a gate. Basically they shoudn't have been in the water or on that part of millrace quaywall.

It's all fun and games until a trout jumps while you're walking across the strap and flys up the leg of your pantaloons.

chickendinner

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

The guards are there not only to enfore the letter or the law but also to ensure public safety and public order. That often means acting in advance of trouble or issuing a warning before somethings gets out of hand.

:pac::pac::pac: over 130 road deaths each year,
numerous people drown, the list goes on,

I want to see your idea of utopia


There will be no curiosity, no enjoyment of the process of life. All competing pleasures will be destroyed. But always—do not forget this, Winston—always there will be the intoxication of power, constantly increasing and constantly growing subtler. Always, at every moment, there will be the thrill of victory, the sensation of trampling on an enemy who is helpless. If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face—forever.
— Part III, Chapter III, Nineteen Eighty-Four


also i know its only a film, but for people who dont want to read books,
quite a good film too

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238380/

syklops

Eeden wrote: »

We should definitely think about putting up barriers along the beaches in Salthill. It's not really on that the public have unrestricted access to the Atlantic Ocean all year round, when there are only lifeguards employed during the summer months! There are dangerous tides, rogue waves, and whatnot. Imagine what could happen!

A bit half handed. We should wall off the entire Island. Put barb wire at the top with sharp shooters for anyone who feels adventurous.

Subcomandante Marcos

syklops wrote: »

A bit half handed. We should wall off the entire Island. Put barb wire at the top with sharp shooters for anyone who feels adventurous.

So Donald Trump's vision of the United States then?

Sounds great, keep all those pesky Mexicans out!

joeKel73

Subcomandante Marcos wrote: »

Sounds great, keep all those pesky Mexicans out!

Careful now, Galway's economy has become increasingly reliant on burrito sales.

Discodog

Are the Guards banned from smiling ?

redarmyblues

Kendra Tasty Oyster wrote: »

This tight rope walking thing has become very popular in cork city, I see people doing it regularly between trees in a number of parks and have never seen anyone have a problem with it or the guards give a damn. It's no more dangerous there, less even as they are falling into water rather than 5 feet or more onto the ground. I've watched people so it a good few times and it's pretty harmless you just jump off it you are going to fall.

The problem is far worse in rural areas since the closure of local police stations and the swimming trunks are far tighter too, local girleens and virtuous married ladies all along the grand and royal canals are constantly nauseated by the sight of these bulging sacks as they go for their daily constitutional, will nobody think of our womenfolk.

Redhairedguy

redarmyblues wrote: »

will nobody think of our womenfolk.

I will...

pmasterson95

Discodog wrote: »

Are the Guards banned from smiling ?

Tbf i wouldnt be smiling if I had to try and deal with this ****earsing, complete with wannabe cameraman sticking a camera in my face.

John_Rambo

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

The guards are there not only to enfore the letter or the law but also to ensure public safety and public order. That often means acting in advance of trouble or issuing a warning before somethings gets out of hand.
Breaking trees in a public amenity area would be an offence. I think they acted well within their remit and not in any over the top manner.

Slacklining uses straps, harmless to trees, doesn't even strip any bark.. Anyone involved in it would be aware of foliage damage and avoid it. This stinks of someone seeing someone do something unusual and having some sort of moral, civic micky fit overreaction. Gardai should have chatted to the lads involved, maybe advised against the budgie smugglers and used common sense ie:let them carry on.

The chances of injury is minimal. Canoeing the river, climbing the mountain, driving the car, cycling the bike, sliding down the hill in the snow etc.. has more risk.

The amount of stuff that goes on that they could/should be stopping... Joke.

thesandeman

What if a couple of kids saw them and tried the same thing on one of the other canals?
Guards were right.

John_Rambo

thesandeman wrote: »

What if a couple of kids saw them and tried the same thing on one of the other canals?
Guards were right.

What if kids skateboarded?

(they do by the way)

thesandeman

John_Rambo wrote: »

What if kids skateboarded?

(they do by the way)

Hopefully copy the elders who do it in approved areas and wear protective gear.

John_Rambo

thesandeman wrote: »

Hopefully copy the elders who do it in approved areas and wear protective gear.

Do you think skateboarding elders started in a skate park? (read up on it) Should longboarders and cruisers not go to work/college/school on boards? Do you think parkour started in a designed area? Do you know how these healthy activities start and evolve? Should runners and cyclists only use a track? Do we need to designated areas for everything? No swimming in canals, surfing on certain beaches only?

Get out of it! Galway is a cool city. No need for militant carry on.

thesandeman

I wouldn't like to see a six year old trying parkour either just because he/she had seen a 20yo doing it earlier while passing a couple of buildings.