Dublin's Inner City 'Zombies'

Same As

Honest question, is it me or are there more and more 'zombies' marauding around Dublin City Centre these days?

I left Dublin in December 2017 having lived in the city centre for the bones of 5 years and it seems to have gotten noticeably worse with each visit over the past year.

I've never seen anything like it in any other city I've ever visited...why Dublin? Not to generalize but the place has a chronic drug problem that doesn't seem to warrant discussion/action.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Same As wrote: »

Honest question, is it me or are there more and more 'zombies' marauding around Dublin City Centre these days?

I left Dublin in December 2017 having lived in the city centre for the bones of 5 years and it seems to have gotten noticeably worse with each visit over the past year.

I've never seen anything like it in any other city I've ever visited...why Dublin? Not to generalize but the place has a chronic drug problem that doesn't seem to warrant discussion/action.

It's not specifci to the drug problem (well, not the illegal ones, anyway) - try being in Temple Bar around to 2am on a weekend when you're sober. It's like a scene from the Walking Dead.

(I could also make an argument for 8.30am on Monday morning...)

Same As

Princess Consuela Bananahammock wrote: »

It's not specifci to the drug problem (well, not the illegal ones, anyway) - try being in Temple Bar around to 2am on a weekend when you're sober. It's like a scene from the Walking Dead.

(I could also make an argument for 8.30am on Monday morning...)

Isn't that almost to be expected though for someone passing through there at that time of the night?

Trying to see it from the perspective of a visitor/tourist in Dublin in the city center during the day and seeing what they see.

super_furry

Same As wrote: »

I've never seen anything like it in any other city I've ever visited...why Dublin?

How many cities have you visited? Dublin's drug and homeless problem is relatively minuscule compared to most other major international cities.

MarkY91

super_furry wrote: »

How many cities have you visited? Dublin's drug and homeless problem is relatively minuscule compared to most other major international cities.

It's far worse than most first world cities I've been to.

Same As

super_furry wrote: »

How many cities have you visited? Dublin's drug and homeless problem is relatively minuscule compared to most other major international cities.

Zombies-wise I've been to enough to know that I've never seen anything like it in the main thoroughfares of those other cities.

Some day a real rain...

Deebles McBeebles

Been about 5 years since I've done anything but pass through Dublin city centre, is it really that much worse than it was then? Drug deals in the open, lads falling around trying to walk.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Same As wrote: »

Isn't that almost to be expected though for someone passing through there at that time of the night?

Trying to see it from the perspective of a visitor/tourist in Dublin in the city center during the day and seeing what they see.

Maybe - doesn't make your point any different.

Lots of cities have problems with drug users and homelessness. Dublin isn't the worst. I do see it as a place where there are a lot of people that just seem to lack direction though and seem to be drifitng through life. This I see more than a lot of other places I've lived in.

Same As

Deebles McBeebles wrote: »

Been about 5 years since I've done anything but pass through Dublin city centre, is it really that much worse than it was then? Drug deals in the open, lads falling around trying to walk.

The congregation at the corner of Westmoreland street is no longer, but Abbey, Capel, Jervis, Parnell, Henry, O Connell streets are in my opinion far worse than they were when I moved up to Dublin, when things in the economy were actually seemingly worse!

punisher5112

If you don't want to get a y more upset or annoyed don't go anywhere near the boardwalks, they are well and truly gone beyond saving.

You can't walk down them or enjoy a few minutes to watch the water and world go by.


They pester and pester and shout and pee and sh1t everywhere.
Drug deal in the open.

Constantly fighting and screaming etc etc.

Guards do nothing.

This carry on of another homeless person found dead can in many cases be down to themselves and have opportunities to change or get a place to stay but many still choose the street.

It's very sad.

Same As

punisher5112 wrote: »

If you don't want to get a y more upset or annoyed don't go anywhere near the boardwalks, they are well and truly gone beyond saving.

You can't walk down them or enjoy a few minutes to watch the water and world go by.


They pester and pester and shout and pee and sh1t everywhere.
Drug deal in the open.

Constantly fighting and screaming etc etc.

Guards do nothing.

This carry on of another homeless person found dead can in many cases be down to themselves and have opportunities to change or get a place to stay but many still choose the street.

It's very sad.

Rosie Hackett bridge is pretty bad now too, Boardwalks are absolutely no-go.

Notice it a lot at Heuston and Connolly too and anywhere the Luas traverses in the north city really. It's so bleak now

MarkY91

Same As wrote: »

Rosie Hackett bridge is pretty bad now too, Boardwalks are absolutely no-go.

Notice it a lot at Heuston and Connolly too and anywhere the Luas traverses in the north city really. It's so bleak now

The parts of the baordwalk with the coffee shops are still okay. The other parts are often used by junkies but not necessarily a no go area(in my opinion at least).

Ray Palmer

Same As wrote: »

Zombies-wise I've been to enough to know that I've never seen anything like it in the main thoroughfares of those other cities.

That doesn't really say much you could be talking about 5 cities which isn't much. You don't really see them on Grafton Street. You as a native would go routes tourists wouldn't. Walk around any western city and you will find them.
Go to Madrid and walk around the place is full of hookers at all times of the day. Paris is filthy and lots of homeless and drug addicts. Take a stroll around Camden in London.
I don't think there is a single western city that has not similar problems I have seen with my own eyes. So what cities are you talking about?

Deebles McBeebles

I'm getting all reminiscent now. Do they still deal openly out the front of the corpo building on the quays?

super_furry

Madrid, Paris, London, Manchester, Glasgow Lisbon, San Francisco - sweet Jesus I've never seen more people **** in the street than in San Francisco - they're all much, much worse than Dublin. Even Rome is collapsing under it's own rubbish.

I'm not saying that there isn't a problem, but it's nowhere near as bad as most other major cities.

murpho999

Usual exaggerations in here.

Was in town last week walked from Connolly Station via Talbot Street to O’Connell Street at around 6pm and later back via the quays at around 10.

Delibrately looked out for these ‘zombies’ as they're spoken about so often here and in "The Journal"

Saw a few ropey looking people that I would suspect of being a drug addict. For the rest I just saw thousands and thousands of people going about their business.

People out socialising, office workers on their way home, shoppers, tourists taking pictures and enjoying the city.
The city centre was buzzing and thriving.

It’s nowhere near as bad people make out and I think it’s just that some people only see what they want to see.

Go walk around parts of San Francisco, Amsterdam, New York, London etc and you'll see worse sights.

murpho999

Same As wrote: »

Rosie Hackett bridge is pretty bad now too, Boardwalks are absolutely no-go.

Notice it a lot at Heuston and Connolly too and anywhere the Luas traverses in the north city really. It's so bleak now

So you don't notice all the outher people around Heuston and Connolly?

You don't notice the Boardwalk full of other people?

Qrt

The Zombies aren't at all a daily sight. I get the Luas from Abbey Street every evening, and it's about once a month I'll see a zombie. They typically get off at James's, but tbh I don't think they know where they are.

Turtyturd

Same As wrote: »

The congregation at the corner of Westmoreland street is no longer, but Abbey, Capel, Jervis, Parnell, Henry, O Connell streets are in my opinion far worse than they were when I moved up to Dublin, when things in the economy were actually seemingly worse!

You haven’t been in town recently. That and Tara Street are the two worst areas in town.

Same As

I suppose my main point is that in my opinion it's getting worse. Daylight hours in particular are bad.

Re; Heuston I'm taking the train to and from there for 15 or so years. Sure I see all the other people, there's just significantly more down and outs there in recent times.

dont bother

so, mostly it's culchies that are giving out about Dublin Zombies?
but... i found in most experiences, especially aggressive beggar junkies around Heuston and Connolly ARE culchies.

they come up on the bus eireann busses and traipse around between bus aras and connolly houding people for "money for da bus home"

most of the junkies you see around dublin are culchies.

Deebles McBeebles

Doubtful. Culchie junkies have their own towns to stumble around.

Same As

dont bother wrote: »

so, mostly it's culchies that are giving out about Dublin Zombies?
but... i found in most experiences, especially aggressive beggar junkies around Heuston and Connolly ARE culchies.

they come up on the bus eireann busses and traipse around between bus aras and connolly houding people for "money for da bus home"

most of the junkies you see around dublin are culchies.

While it's sometimes hard to decipher the mumbles, the greater majority are natives based on accents.

2cool4school

dont bother wrote: »

so, mostly it's culchies that are giving out about Dublin Zombies?
but... i found in most experiences, especially aggressive beggar junkies around Heuston and Connolly ARE culchies.

they come up on the bus eireann busses and traipse around between bus aras and connolly houding people for "money for da bus home"

most of the junkies you see around dublin are culchies.

they don't have culchie accents...

"change for a hostel buuuuuuuuuuuud...."

dont bother

Same As wrote: »

While it's sometimes hard to decipher the mumbles, the greater majority are natives.

so how come then literally every single time i pass by bus aras, there are culchie scum asking for money to get "Home"?

it may be that the "zombies" are dublin natives, however they are not usually the ones who get violent or beg for money and react violently when they are refused.

hang around bus aras/connolly for a few mins next time and you will see it immediately.

Deebles McBeebles

Yeah, go on the Dubs!

By the way, I don't think they really want the money for a bus.

Boom_Bap

Deebles McBeebles wrote: »

Doubtful. Culchie junkies have their own towns to stumble around.

They always come to the big smoke for the good gear

Pete Moss

Turtyturd wrote:

You haven’t been in town recently. That and Tara Street are the two worst areas in town.

Westmorland Street is nowhere near as bad as it used to be, particularly in the summer months. It used to look like some sort of AGM for gearheads.

I'm not saying it's completely clear of shady characters, but it has definitely improved.

Keyzer

super_furry wrote: »

Madrid, Paris, London, Manchester, Glasgow Lisbon, San Francisco - sweet Jesus I've never seen more people **** in the street than in San Francisco - they're all much, much worse than Dublin. Even Rome is collapsing under it's own rubbish.

I'm not saying that there isn't a problem, but it's nowhere near as bad as most other major cities.

Agreed - I love San Francisco but parts of the city are true no go areas. As in, you dont go there because you wont come back e.g. Tenderloin.

I've seen literally hundreds of people sleeping in car parks in San Francisco. More homeless people there than I've seen anywhere else and lots of lunatics walking around shouting for no reason.

Dublin has bad parts e.g. Talbot street is a kip. Just stay away from those areas. Was in town with the kids on Sat, mainly on Grafton st and surrounding areas, no bother at all.

pxdf9i5cmoavkz

super_furry wrote: »

How many cities have you visited? Dublin's drug and homeless problem is relatively minuscule compared to most other major international cities.

When people run with this dismissive approach what point are they trying to make?

Yes, it happens in other cities, so what? The topic clearly stated Dublin. Not Dublin compared to other cities. Dublin and Dublin only.

It is so damn stupid to compare to "other major international cities" that have it worse and go "At least we're not as bad as them!".

Those other cities you're mentioning? They were also at the same levels that Dublin is currently at. Those cities should be viewed as a WARNING of what will happen if the problem is ignored.

Rather look at cities that are doing better than Dublin and then copy what they're doing.

Compare to your betters, not your lessors.

Sadb

super_furry wrote: »

How many cities have you visited? Dublin's drug and homeless problem is relatively minuscule compared to most other major international cities.

I’ve been to Birmingham, London, Nantes and Madrid in the last 2 years and I would say Dublin is far worse than those tbh. The one main difference is that all those cities have a huge police presence especially Nantes, where the ordinary police look like swat teams.

Neither Talbot Street or anypart of the Boardwalk is a no go area, at least during the day, evenings from my experience.

As others have mentioned the zombies etc are very much a minority group. I reckon many folk just think anyone in a tracksuit is a junkie tbh and like to appear all worldly wise discussing Dublin's drug issue.

El Tarangu

Ray Palmer wrote: »

You as a native would go routes tourists wouldn't. Walk around any western city and you will find them.

You see junkies shuffling up and down the length of Dame St., and most certainly by James' Gate and Christchurch, where I am sure a lot of tourists go. I've lived in a few countries myself, and never seen anywhere that even comes close to Dublin in terms of junkies.

Keyzer

Augeo wrote: »

Neither Talbot Street or anypart of the Boardwalk is a no go area, at least during the day, evenings from my experience.

I disagree. Talbot St during the day is awful.

It should be carpet bombed.

Keyzer

Keyzer wrote: »

I disagree..........

Well that's not surprising given you were the one mentioning Talbot Street was a no go area

dk1982

super_furry wrote: »

Madrid, Paris, London, Manchester, Glasgow Lisbon, San Francisco - sweet Jesus I've never seen more people **** in the street than in San Francisco - they're all much, much worse than Dublin. Even Rome is collapsing under it's own rubbish.

I'm not saying that there isn't a problem, but it's nowhere near as bad as most other major cities.

was in San Fran this time last year. literally saw a woman in the middle of the day hold up the traffic on a street off union square to have a sh*te.

Spanish Eyes

That would be the result of so many treatment centres sited in the City Centre. They all meet up get their methadone and then go wandering. Now they are putting an injection centre in Merchants Quay also.

To be fair once they get their fix they are not aggressive.

But putting those treatment places in the city is probably worth a re think.

But sure we can’t even sort out the traffic or the litter etc either. Dublin needs a directly elected mayor with money and power to make it work for everyone. Bit of a shambles at the moment.

dhaughton99

Deebles McBeebles wrote: »

I'm getting all reminiscent now. Do they still deal openly out the front of the corpo building on the quays?

I walked past the corpo building last Monday around 10 in the morn and the taxis would slow to a crawl with a junkie hanging from the passsnger seat and do the deal while still moving. Extraordinary to see.

SHOVELLER

Dublin is unique to have treatment centres in the city centre. Ludicrous thinking. Granted junkies mostly will not attack tourists but that is not the point. It is the visuals that is.

There is no excuse for aimlessly allowing them roam around the city.

Dont get me started on junkies being allowed to claim unemployment for their whole lives. How Irish.

Floppybits

The problem is that Dublin is such a small city compared to others being compared to here, also I doubt you will get a methadone clinic on a street off the Champs Elysee in Paris.  I was in San Francisco and remember being around Mission street and lots of zombies around there, even seen some guy running down the street in a negligee, that wasn't a pretty sight.

corner of hells

Floppybits wrote: »

The problem is that Dublin is such a small city compared to others being compared to here, also I doubt you will get a methadone clinic on a street of Champs Elysee in Paris.  I was in San Francisco and remember being around Mission street and lots of zombies around there, even seen some guy running down the street in a negligee, that wasn't a pretty sight.

I don't there's a methadone clinic in O Connell street either.

Floppybits

corner of hells wrote: »

Floppybits wrote: »

The problem is that Dublin is such a small city compared to others being compared to here, also I doubt you will get a methadone clinic on a street of Champs Elysee in Paris.  I was in San Francisco and remember being around Mission street and lots of zombies around there, even seen some guy running down the street in a negligee, that wasn't a pretty sight.

I don't there's a methadone clinic in O Connell street either.

Corrected for nit pickers like yourself.

corner of hells

Floppybits wrote: »

Corrected for nit pickers like yourself.

Okay ? I'm not sure what your point is.

Floppybits

corner of hells wrote: »

Floppybits wrote: »

Corrected for nit pickers like yourself.

Okay ?  I'm not sure what your point is.

My point is that you don't have methadone clinics a stones throw from the main street in the capital.

corner of hells

Floppybits wrote: »

My point is that you don't have methadone clinics a stones throw from the main street in the capital.

Yeah , there's Amiens St , Castle Street , a some chemists have a small number on scripts , Pearse St .. all these I suppose would be close , there's a few more too

conorhal

super_furry wrote: »

Madrid, Paris, London, Manchester, Glasgow Lisbon, San Francisco - sweet Jesus I've never seen more people **** in the street than in San Francisco - they're all much, much worse than Dublin. Even Rome is collapsing under it's own rubbish.

I'm not saying that there isn't a problem, but it's nowhere near as bad as most other major cities.

Oh just give it time.


If there's one thing Ireland excels at, it's looking at the problems and growing pains that other major cities have experienced, and with the compete benefit of that hindsight...... go on to repeat EXACTLY the same mistakes.

irishash

corner of hells wrote: »

Yeah , there's Amiens St , Castle Street , a some chemists have a small number on scripts , Pearse St .. all these I suppose would be close , there's a few more too

Townsend St as well.

Reason I have often been told as to why there are lots of treatment centres in the city centre is down to the lack (in the past) of resident associations. Story is HSE or government would try to set up a centre in a quiet area outside of the city centre, like Lucan or Sandyford. The well organised community and resident associations out in places like that would kick up a huge row over having junkies in there areas and "won't somebody please think of the children" hyperbole.

But when they looked to set up centres in the city centre, there was almost no objections at the time, with the city centre made up mostly of retail units and apartments occupied by younger people too busy to see what is going on in their vicinity. So the authorities that set these things up went hog wild and created as many centres as possible before people noticed.

As for the OP's initial question, I lived in the city centre for about 10 years, from 2005 to 2015. It was always the same, never changed.

Ray Palmer

Sadb wrote: »

I’ve been to Birmingham, London, Nantes and Madrid in the last 2 years and I would say Dublin is far worse than those tbh. The one main difference is that all those cities have a huge police presence especially Nantes, where the ordinary police look like swat teams.

How can you say that about Madrid? The place is overrun with hookers. The police standing around watching them get business. In broad daylight.

You would need to be blind not to see them along with the junkies who are also hookers.

I think some people here just don't notice foreign drug addicts the way some tourists see people in tracksuits are athletes.

dhaughton99

dhaughton99 wrote: »

I walked past the corpo building last Monday around 10 in the morn and the taxis would slow to a crawl with a junkie hanging from the passsnger seat and do the deal while still moving. Extraordinary to see.

I'll take "things that never happened" for $500, please Bob.

pxdf9i5cmoavkz

conorhal wrote: »

Oh just give it time.

If there's one thing Ireland excels at it's looking at the problems that major cities have experienced, and with the compete benefit of the hindsight...... go on to repeat EXACTLY the same ones.

QFE