Neighbour trouble

Beanie5

Hello All,

Looking for some advice. We've been in our new house a few months now, we really love it here but we are having some hassle with one of our neighbours teenagers. He's 12 and they have given him an old car to drive around the field in front of our house. It's a pretty big field so it would be no trouble if he just stayed a bit back. However, being a 12 year old boy he is absolutely clung to our fence. He's driving as fast as he can toward it and turning at the last minute and speeding by it. There have been days my husband thinks he's going to come through the fence.

We have a small toddler so generally like being out in our garden in the evening playing with her, but he keeps coming up beeping and revving the car and he flys past. My husband tried to have a word but he just sneered at us and kept going.

His parents know what he's up to and that we are annoyed over it, they just don't seem to care. Is there anything we can do about this?

bobbyy gee

Call garda 12 year olds not allowed to drive

saabsaab

Video tape it next time. Then try talking to his parents and show them the video if they try to deny it. If they give trouble tell them that you will take it further hopefully it won't come to that.

saabsaab

bobbyy gee wrote: »

Call garda 12 year olds not allowed to drive

On a public road. They can on their own property. I was only 6 or so when I drove a landrover on a farm.

Rubberchikken

When it ends with a death, not only will the flowers be wonderful and the speeches eloquent but the regret will be big that something wasn't done to deal with this by the parents/authority.

Effects

Parents shouldn't be letting a 12 year old drive a car around a field like that. It's completely irresponsible.
Have a word, and tell them you don't want him driving like that, close to your property.

Rubberchikken

Rubberchikken wrote: »

When it ends with a death, not only will the flowers be wonderful and the speeches eloquent but the regret will be big that something wasn't done to deal with this by the parents/authority.

I'd say they're the kinda people that, if it ends with a death, there'll be a lot of relieved neighbours.

Multipass

First thing I’d do is get a camera, if he comes through your fence you want it on film.
It’s obviously quite boring driving round a field, so he’s getting off on annoying you, and knowing that you’re watching him. He’ll probably get bored if you just go inside or into your front garden while he’s out. You shouldn’t have to, but the things I was tempted to suggest could just provoke an ongoing war with your neighbours, and could make your life hell.

Effects

Cut the brake lines and keep the kids inside for a few days.

Mod
Do not do that. A criminal act

Purple Mountain

With summer over and eveningd drawing in he'll probably stop for this year at least.
I have a boy the same age. Hell would freeze before he'd get away with that with me.

Beanie5

Thanks all. The reason we stay around that side of the house is because all my kids okay stuff is there - swings, slide, etc. That's where we have the room for them! I'm planning on calling to my neighbour over the weekend if it keeps going. Hopefully they will be reasonable because we really don't want any hassle.

If it does come to it, can this be classed as anti social behavior does anyone know??

Samuel T. Cogley

Beanie5 wrote: »

If it does come to it, can this be classed as anti social behavior does anyone know??

What driving at your fence beeping and revving? Yeah I'd say that's anti-social behaviour.

Galwayguy35

I reckon the Guards would be interested in hearing about this, its one thing having a bit of a spin around a field but going at your fence and swerving at the last minute is crazy behaviour.

Its his own tough luck if he ends up in a brown box but he could take an innocent person with him.

jmlad2020

He is driving recklessly, whether on private land or not.

I'd be scared one of these days the old breaks give up on non-road worthy vehicle and he'll come straight through the fence.

Video it & call the Guards. You might fall out with the Neighbours but do you really care?

saabsaab

jmlad2020 wrote: »

He is driving recklessly, whether on private land or not.

I'd be scared one of these days the old breaks give up on non-road worthy vehicle and he'll come straight through the fence.

Video it & call the Guards. You might fall out with the Neighbours but do you really care?

Sounds dangerous. One day on wet muddy grass the brakes won't stop him and it won't end well for anyone. I say, better to be sorry you did something about it that sorry you didn't.

um7y1h83ge06nx

It might be difficult but I suggest you talk to the neighbors before going to the guards. If they have any cop on it will stop, if not they have no grounds to complain if you go to the guards then.

guitarhappy

jmlad2020 wrote: »

Video it & call the Guards. You might fall out with the Neighbours but do you really care?

The OP has already fallen out with the neighbors. The OP might care but the neighbor doesn't. They're simply abusing him with the hostile aggressive behavior. What next?

Beanie5

Aisha Fresh Dew wrote: »

It might be difficult but I suggest you talk to the neighbors before going to the guards. If they have any cop on it will stop, if not they have no grounds to complain if you go to the guards then.

That's my plan... I'm going to go for a stroll down that way in the morning and if they're there I might call in. I'm hoping that will put a stop to it. If not it's a shame but as has been said here, I'd rather be sorry I did something than I didn't.

Unfortunately, OP, when you get to the Garda station, unless it's an extremely rural area with a very bored Garda that will treat it like the stolen whistle in Father Ted, you're more than likely going to get the usual shoulder shrug and 'not a lot we can do' with mutterings of 'civil matter' and such.

Gardai might call over to the house if they've little else to do and want a spin in the car to break up the day, but don't expect much more than that out of them (sadly).

saabsaab

A few years ago this used to happen with young fellas with cars driving fast down a lane. At the end was a T junction and a house the other side. Once or twice they didn't make the turn and came through the fence. They eventually built a substantial reinforced wall for their own safety and peace of mind.

Atlantic Dawn

Tusla might be better to contact to inform them the parents are wreckless.

https://www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/concerns/

saabsaab

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Tusla might be better to contact to inform them the parents are wreckless.

https://www.tusla.ie/services/child-protection-welfare/concerns/

Maybe. Try talking first, with a phone video if possible to show you mean business, if necessary. Be as nice as you can be to try not to get their backs up.
Tusla are not that fast to act on things, could be a long time waiting if ever.

Spanish Eyes

Have you spoken to the parents yet?

That's the first option. Doesn't have to be confrontational. But the response will tell you how to proceed, and take it from there. Badger the Guards if parents take no responsibility.

That guy doesn't appear to have any boundaries to his behaviour and he is only 12. Good sign for the future, not.

Mad_maxx

bobbyy gee wrote: »

Call garda 12 year olds not allowed to drive

this


oh and video record it


if a punk was threatening my kids safety like that , id take a shot gun to the POS hes roaring around in

antix80

One for the Gardai i think.
Maybe call social services too

Garibaldi?

I'm trying to picture the geographical layout of your properties. Is the field on the other side of your front garden with just a fence separating you from it? That is very unusual.Where is the public road to your house? I would talk to the parents in a non-confrontational way first. If they do nothing I would contact Tusla and the Gardaí.

maestroamado

As someone said earlier i would video it and make sure he sees you recording.
The summer pretty well over so he likely have new interest next year.
If you can find his phone number send him a copy of the video clip.
These kids are pretty savvy with facebook etc so i expect he stop if he sees it is recorded.
I would try to resolve without parents or Gardai.
The parents likely be delighted if you were able to sort as he likely a handful for them.

madmac187

Would you not be better served to disable the vehicle?

Widdensushi

Don't touch the car, even to go into it could come against you if something goes wrong

Beanie5

Garibaldi? wrote: »

I'm trying to picture the geographical layout of your properties. Is the field on the other side of your front garden with just a fence separating you from it? That is very unusual.Where is the public road to your house? I would talk to the parents in a non-confrontational way first. If they do nothing I would contact Tusla and the Gardaí.

Yep that's pretty much it. It's a rural area and it's actually lovely looking out onto the field usually. I'm going to chat to his mother today if it keeps going, hopefully that will sort it without anyone else having to get involved. Hoping the fact the neighbours are talking about it might help shame her into sorting it!!

I wouldn't touch the car, it's not our property whether it's a nuisance or not and I don't want it coming back on us.

Garibaldi?

maestroamado wrote: »

As someone said earlier i would video it and make sure he sees you recording.
The summer pretty well over so he likely have new interest next year.
If you can find his phone number send him a copy of the video clip.
These kids are pretty savvy with facebook etc so i expect he stop if he sees it is recorded.
I would try to resolve without parents or Gardai.
The parents likely be delighted if you were able to sort as he likely a handful for them.

That is a very good point ie that the parents might welcome some intervention. This young fellow sounds as if he's going off the rails and that they're finding it had to sort him out.

GarIT

maestroamado wrote: »

As someone said earlier i would video it and make sure he sees you recording.
The summer pretty well over so he likely have new interest next year.
If you can find his phone number send him a copy of the video clip.
These kids are pretty savvy with facebook etc so i expect he stop if he sees it is recorded.
I would try to resolve without parents or Gardai.
The parents likely be delighted if you were able to sort as he likely a handful for them.

Being savvy with Facebook isn't going to make someone see it. They would have to be friend with OP or OP would have to name them and they search for their own name. And kids stopped using Facebook in 2016 when all the middle aged women ruined it.

fallen01angel

I'm just wondering.......who own the field? If it's not your neighbour's then find out if the farmer knows his land is being used as a rally track by a little brat....I'd be confident he wouldn't be long putting a stop to it.
If it's council property the same advice applies........especially if the brat could injure himself and more importantly others.

Man with broke phone

Buy some boulders, have them dropped along the fence in distances no bigger than a car. Let him at it.

Galwayguy35

Garibaldi? wrote: »

That is a very good point ie that the parents might welcome some intervention. This young fellow sounds as if he's going off the rails and that they're finding it had to sort him out.

Sounds to me like they couldn't care less what he gets up to, from reading the OP it was them who gave the little bollix the car in the first place.

893bet

Man with broke phone wrote: »

Buy some boulders, have them dropped along the fence in distances no bigger than a car. Let him at it.

This is the best and easiest solution.

Pity you had engaged with them. Disabling the car with punctures to the wheels would have been the easiest. Drain oil from engine so that it seized up etc. It’s too late for that though. They will know it was you.

tayto lover

It seems to be more a matter for the Social Workers than the Gardai because it’s happening on private property and with the parents consent.
Nothing the Garda can do but because it’s dangerous then the Social Workers have a role.

Mad_maxx

Garibaldi? wrote: »

I'm trying to picture the geographical layout of your properties. Is the field on the other side of your front garden with just a fence separating you from it? That is very unusual.Where is the public road to your house? I would talk to the parents in a non-confrontational way first. If they do nothing I would contact Tusla and the Gardaí.

whats unusual about it ?

sounds like the neighbours own the field surrounding both houses ?

the neighbours son roars around in his parents field ?

incredibly dangerous , brakes little use when field is wet

Mad_maxx

fallen01angel wrote: »

I'm just wondering.......who own the field? If it's not your neighbour's then find out if the farmer knows his land is being used as a rally track by a little brat....I'd be confident he wouldn't be long putting a stop to it.
If it's council property the same advice applies........especially if the brat could injure himself and more importantly others.

if the neighbours dont own the field ?

the kid is risking a huge public liability insurance incident and the farmer needs to be notified

Are you going to ring the guards and tell them something might happen ??

Samuel T. Cogley

BrownFinger wrote: »

Are you going to ring the guards and tell them something might happen ??

Yes, before it does. The guards have a community policing role which is proactive as well as investigating after a toddler gets flattened by a car.

I keep thinking of that RSA ad on TV where the car rolled over a barrier, and through a wall into someone's garden, killing a child. This is a dreadful accident, waiting to happen.

I wouldn't touch the car. If something did happen and there was an accident after you tampered with the car in some way, you'd probably end up in bigger trouble then he would.

I would record what he is doing, and go to the Gardai with the video. I would tell them you find his behaviour threatening. And if they refused to intervene, I would ring them every single time he is in the field until they get pissed off enough with your constant calls to do something about it. Even if they have no powers, they do have discretion and can call and give the lad a warning about his behaviour.

Because what he is doing, beeping and playing chicken with the fence, might be fun to him, but it is threatening towards you.

maestroamado

GarIT wrote: »

Being savvy with Facebook isn't going to make someone see it. They would have to be friend with OP or OP would have to name them and they search for their own name. And kids stopped using Facebook in 2016 when all the middle aged women ruined it.

I did not suggest putting on FB which i really not into.
I think if this kid sees that it is recorded he will know that people will be able to see.
I do not think he like his neighbors and parents of his friends looking st this, the chance of his buddies at school looking at the video might be the biggest way of solving this. Sometmes the actual threat of being found out is enough.

maestroamado

maestroamado wrote: »

I did not suggest putting on FB which i really not into.
I think if this kid sees that it is recorded he will know that people will be able to see.
I do not think he like his neighbors and parents of his friends looking st this, the chance of his buddies at school looking at the video might be the biggest way of solving this. Sometmes the actual threat of being found out is enough.

I think its quite the opposite. Kids have no fear of parents, neighbours or authorities these days. A 12 year old kid,especially a brazen one like this, would get a huge kick out of a video like this going viral. Especially if his school buddies get to see it.

Kids are stupid that way. Look at the eejits who pushed a woman into the canal and then uploaded it to tiktok. Or those silly girls who uploaded themselves talking about catching Covid19 in Skerries.

in fact, I'd look online and see if he isn't recording and uploading what he is doing somewhere himself. TikTok is the app of choice, nowadays.

listermint

Drop the engine out of it and replace it with a bale of hay

tayto lover

The Garda can do little or nothing about something going on in a private field with the owners and parents consent. Unless the car is being driven on a public road to get to field it’s none of their business. It’s more a matter for Tulsa if the parents are allowing their child to do something dangerous.

John Hutton

It is a matter for the Garda as he is acting in a way which directly affects and threatens members of the public.

If I stood in my field and started pointing a gun at houses and shooting over their roofs etc the gardai would be interested.

The trick with some Garda is to make a nuisance of yourself by reporting it loads of times and involve a local politician.

By try talking to the parents first with video evidence.

If no joy then put some proper concrete pillars inside your fence or large rocks in the field

Mad_maxx

John Hutton wrote: »

It is a matter for the Garda as he is acting in a way which directly affects and threatens members of the public.

If I stood in my field and started pointing a gun at houses and shooting over their roofs etc the gardai would be interested.

The trick with some Garda is to make a nuisance of yourself by reporting it loads of times and involve a local politician.

By try talking to the parents first with video evidence.

If no joy then put some proper concrete pillars inside your fence or large rocks in the field

how can they put rocks in the field without tresspassing ?

Pkiernan

Mad_maxx wrote: »

how can they put rocks in the field without tresspassing ?

Drop them in with a teleporter!

Possible littering charge :-)

tayto lover

John Hutton wrote: »

It is a matter for the Garda as he is acting in a way which directly affects and threatens members of the public.

If I stood in my field and started pointing a gun at houses and shooting over their roofs etc the gardai would be interested.

The trick with some Garda is to make a nuisance of yourself by reporting it loads of times and involve a local politician.

By try talking to the parents first with video evidence.

If no joy then put some proper concrete pillars inside your fence or large rocks in the field

That’s a different scenario.
He’s not shooting or pointing a gun.
You also cannot put rocks in someone’s field.
It’s up to the OP to strengthen their fence to prevent him driving through it.
My sympathy is with him though.

Pkiernan

tayto lover wrote: »

It’s up to the OP to strengthen their fence to prevent him driving through it.
My sympathy is with him though.

This could not be more wrong.

How could you think this? I'm at a loss to understand your thought process in this regard.

A neighbour is behaving in a way that endangers life, and the OP needs to strengthen his defenses???
Wow.