Anthrax and all those suspicious packages

Victor

Apparently Minister Martin was warning anyone of engaging in a hoax that they could end up spending 5 years in prision. Assuming that they would be charged with "malacious prank" or similar, what act are they charged under. Or is it "wasting police time".

Of course they could get you under Section 3 of the CRIMINAL DAMAGE ACT, 1991 and give you 10 years.

Hobbes

And if you have to fake it, learn to spell Anthrax correctly.

seamus

Suspected case in Trinity College(allegedley) just now. My girlfriend txted me saying there was fire dudes and ambulances and Gardai everywhere. Chances are it's some student prank. Someone said there was one here in UCD, but I havent seen anyone. I'm really interested to meet one of the sad, messed-up fúckers that thinks it's funny to send packages of talc or flour to people marked with terrorist threats. I'd tear their fúckin head off!!:mad:

Magwitch

I just hope they catch a few of the "jokers" , the expression on their faces would be funny

Victor

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2001/1026/breaking38.htm

Wicklow man convicted of anthrax hoax

Last updated: 26-10-01, 17:15

A Wicklow man today became the first person to be convicted of causing an anthrax scare in the Republic.

William Douglas, 20, from Coolgreaney Park, Arklow, Co Wicklow, admitted causing a public mischief by placing a container of white power in the Youth Reach organisation's office in Arklow last week. He was arrested on Tuesday.

Gorey District Court heard that Douglas was a gullible young man of very low intellect. Mr Douglas’s father said his son had a mental age of 13 or 14.

Judge Donnacha O Buachalla said he would not free Douglas because of the severity of the matter and remanded him in custody for a week to await sentencing.

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Presumably he was charged under the CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT, 1951: "INDICTABLE OFFENCES WHICH MAY BE DEALT WITH SUMMARILY BY THE DISTRICT COURT. ..... An offence in the nature of a public mischief."

Hobbes

It's 5 years for a hoax in the US but I know they were passing a law a few days after the incidents to up it to 20.. and they don't joke around.

Latest I heard is some kid who plays "Asherons Call" (online RPG) wrote on a dev board that he wanted some skill in the game fixed or he would be sending a white powdered evelope to them. Next thing he knew they reported him to the FBI.

neuro-praxis

In my job at the moment there's a helpful sign up on the noticeboard...

In the event of opening a letter/package laced with a white powder substance, please follow the instructions listed below:

1. Don't panic.

2. Do not inhale the substance.

3. Place in a plastic bag or other sealed container.

4. Notify the relevant authorities.


Uh, thanks a million, guys.

Victor

Hi, welcome back NP. Where u been?

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1. Don't panic.

2. Do not inhale the substance.

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do not touch either

3. Place in a plastic bag or other sealed container.

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No put it down, cover it with anything and GET OUT NOW.

4. Notify the relevant authorities.

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the Gardai.


Uh, thanks a million, guys.

neuro-praxis

Anthrax is treatable with antibiotics...it's really not that big a worry once you catch it in time (no pun intended). Just keep an eye on your flu symptoms.

Victor

Anthrax is treatable with antibiotics...it's really not that big a worry once you catch it in time (no pun intended). Just keep an eye on your flu symptoms.

It's a bit more sinister than that - you need the antibiotics immediately on contact, before you are infected.

Clintons Cat

isnt it also the case that wholescale wanton use of anti biotics leads to drug resistant strains of bacteria developing over time?Panic use of cypronal by large sections of the community leads to stronger more virulent forms of Baccilli.

When News Ancorman made the endorsement "In Cypronal We Trust" to assure the American Public there was no need for alarm,it caused stocks of Cypronal to be deplenished almost overnight.
If the American Public gets into the routine of dropping Cypronal twice daily like vitimins, isnt there a prosibillity of storing up problems for the future?