Child accidentally knocked down by Gardai

Croc · 08-03-2008 11:21PM

stevec wrote: »

With respect to the Guards and the $hite job they have to do:
What gets me is Guards (in the course of duty) are immune to the road traffic act. i.e. speeding, dangerous driving, running lights.

Where did you get that idea from Steve, totally misinformed comment

Overheal · 09-03-2008 01:17AM

Would the unmarked car have had a siren system installed?

MrJoeSoap · 09-03-2008 01:22AM

Overheal wrote: »

Would the unmarked car have had a siren system installed?

More than likely.

Why, in the name of all that is good and holy, do Garda drivers not have to do driving training? It's probably not relevant to this particular incident, I don't know, but isn't it just like giving an ordinary member of the public, with their driving experience, the permission (under blue lights) to break speed limits and drive dangerously.

randylonghorn · 09-03-2008 01:26AM

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Why, in the name of all that is good and holy, do Garda drivers not have to do driving training?

Em ... are we sure they don't?

I don't know one way or the other, tbh ... I have a vague sense in my head of hearing about an "advanced" course for certain squads / drivers, but I have no idea whether additional training is provided for all Gardai or not.

And wasn't this thread locked??

Sherifu · 09-03-2008 01:28AM

randylonghorn wrote: »

And wasn't this thread locked??

Yup.

cson · 09-03-2008 01:29AM

Afaik, some of them don't even have a full licence. They drive on "Supers" or something like that, a note from their regional Superintendent I think. The mind boggles.

MrJoeSoap · 09-03-2008 01:30AM

randylonghorn wrote: »

Em ... are we sure they don't?

Positive. One of my best mates is in the force, crashed a squad car whilst under blues two weeks ago, hasn't done any training more than you or I would do.

When I told my dad (also a Gard) about this crash earlier, he nearly lost the plot. He had to do two weeks driving training in Templemore when he entered the force in the 70's. Reckons theres a definite relationship between the number of increased crashes involving Gardai and the lack of training. Hard to argue otherwise.

MrJoeSoap · 09-03-2008 01:30AM

cson wrote: »

Afaik, some of them don't even have a full licence. They drive on "Supers" or something like that, a note from their regional Superintendent I think. The mind boggles.

I think they might have to have a full license, but you are 100% right about "supers". I'll have to check re: the license.

Overheal · 09-03-2008 01:34AM

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

Positive. One of my best mates is in the force, crashed a squad car whilst under blues two weeks ago, hasn't done any training more than you or I would do.

When I told my dad (also a Gard) about this crash earlier, he nearly lost the plot. He had to do two weeks driving training in Templemore when he entered the force in the 70's. Reckons theres a definite relationship between the number of increased crashes involving Gardai and the lack of training. Hard to argue otherwise.

I'd take this up with the press tbh just so they can start making a public inquest.

MrJoeSoap · 09-03-2008 01:36AM

Overheal wrote: »

I'd take this up with the press tbh just so they can start making a public inquest.

I don't know too much about the crash today yet. I'll have a read of tomorrows papers and see what they say first.

Winters · 09-03-2008 01:41AM

Overheal wrote: »

Would the unmarked car have had a siren system installed?

Yes.

Usually unmarked cars have flashing lights in the front of the car and another one on the dash and rear window afaik

randylonghorn · 09-03-2008 01:41AM

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

When I told my dad (also a Gard) about this crash earlier, he nearly lost the plot. He had to do two weeks driving training in Templemore when he entered the force in the 70's. Reckons theres a definite relationship between the number of increased crashes involving Gardai and the lack of training. Hard to argue otherwise.

Well, I wouldn't be jumping to conclusions about this morning's incident without more info ... but otherwise I agree completely with your father.

MrJoeSoap · 09-03-2008 01:43AM

randylonghorn wrote: »

Well, I wouldn't be jumping to conclusions about this morning's incident without more info ... but otherwise I agree completely with your father.

Nah I'm the same, but regardless of whether or not todays tragedy involved any speed or dangerous driving, the situation has to be addressed immediately because it is only a matter of time until the next death occurs.

Anyone have Joe Duffys number?

Cookie_Monster · 09-03-2008 01:44AM

utick wrote: »

well originally i had the title as gardai killed 7 year old (because we dont yet know the circumstances), which could mean it was wrecklesness or simply an accident. to state it as an accident before you know the facts is being a little presumptious

I think that is a valid title. There is a difference between "killing" and "murder", the driver of the car killed the child, regardless of whether it was an accident or not.

MrJoeSoap · 09-03-2008 01:49AM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I think that is a valid title. There is a difference between "killing" and "murder", the driver of the car killed the child, regardless of whether it was an accident or not.

There is nothing wrong with it in the sense that it is "technically" correct, but its sensationalist and unneccesary. The current title is more apt, I feel.

Cantab. · 09-03-2008 01:57AM

It's statistically likely the Garda was driving too fast. I'd like to see the Garda's excuse if he was indeed driving with excessive risk.

Could be a career stopper.

Cookie_Monster · 09-03-2008 01:57AM

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

There is nothing wrong with it in the sense that it is "technically" correct, but its sensationalist and unneccesary. The current title is more apt, I feel.

Yes it's technically correct, how does this make it sensationalist? A fact is a fact.

Sensationalist is what it will look like it The Sun tomorrow, splashed all over the front page in big letters.

MrJoeSoap · 09-03-2008 02:00AM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Yes it's technically correct, how does this make it sensationalist? A fact is a fact.

Because if I saw a thread entitled "Gardai killed 7 year old", I would immediately get the impression that there was some form of intent or malice. It is exactly the type of thing I'd expect from a tabloid newspaper.

There is nothing wrong with the current thread title.

randylonghorn · 09-03-2008 02:02AM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Yes it's technically correct, how does this make it sensationalist? A fact is a fact.

"X kills Y" is seldom read as "X accidentally kills Y" or even "X kills Y (probably accidentally)" in my experience ...

... possibly because "technically correct" English has been so badly subverted by the media over the years that we are all sub-consciously trained to expect the most sensationalist meaning!

Cookie_Monster · 09-03-2008 02:08AM

MrJoeSoap wrote: »

There is nothing wrong with the current thread title.

How many Garda(i) were driving the car?

MrJoeSoap · 09-03-2008 02:09AM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

How many Garda(i) were driving the car?

One. Ok let me rephrase. There is no malicious undercurrent in the thread title at present. Better?

randylonghorn · 09-03-2008 02:10AM

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

How many Garda(i) were driving the car?

Lol ... true enough! ... though in fairness, it doesn't say "Child accidentally knocked down by car driven by Gardai"

There could easily have been more than one in the car which knocked the poor kid down.

Terry · 09-03-2008 10:18AM

There could easily have been more than one in the car which knocked the poor kid down.[/QUOTE]
Off topic posts deleted.

If you want to talk about conspiracies, then go to the conspiracy theories forum.

09-03-2008 10:54AM

utick wrote: »

A seven-year-old boy has been killed in north Dublin after being struck by an unmarked garda car being driven by a garda this morning.

The incident took place near Clearwater Shopping Centre at around 11am. The boy's body has been taken to Temple Street Children's Hospital.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0308/rta.html

bet they will be cleared too!

without jumping on this bandwagon of police bashing....

Who here can honestly say that on more than one occasion they have not seen the cops driving at needless excessive speeds?

Who here never observed them use their sirens just to get through a traffic light?

Who here has never observed them talk on a hand held mobile phone, even after such an act was outlawed?

Amazingly so many here will still speak up in defence without any evidence at all.

As for transparancey in such an investigation where a member of the force is at fault for a fatal collision, it will be intersting to see what the ombudsman's involvement will be.

I'm not about to start accusing or saying anything but let's not forget that careless cow on the Ranelagh Rd who plowed into the old lady standing at tge bus stop a few years back now. All well and good she get's paid leave, free consultaions or should I say government paid. All well and good to some people but it's about time their blatant carelessness which costs such a price will lead them to be held accountable for exactly what took place rather than it all being brushed under the carpet.

BKtje · 09-03-2008 11:29AM

Who here can honestly say that on more than one occasion they have not seen the cops driving at needless excessive speeds?

How do i know it was needless? I don't have one of their radios and they neglect to inform me of these things.

Who here never observed them use their sirens just to get through a traffic light?

I have never seen it, not saying it doesnt happen but personally never seen it.

Who here has never observed them talk on a hand held mobile phone, even after such an act was outlawed?

Once again see my previous answer.

Amazingly so many here will still speak up in defence without any evidence at all.

I have seen no evidence one way or another and will reserve my opinion on the matter till such evidence comes to light. No jumping to conclusions here.

Winters · 09-03-2008 11:30AM

In my opinion, all gardai should be given high speed training at Templeoge. It appears that as of late they are becomming more and more involved in high speed persuits then before and proper training in how to handle one should be manditory for all, or at least for any that hold a driving licence and will be driving.

Or we could all beat the shít out of the boy racers who steel the cars and drive them around at breakneck speeds? Im up for both.

09-03-2008 11:39AM

Winters wrote: »

Or we could all beat the shít out of the boy racers who steel the cars and drive them around at breakneck speeds? Im up for both.

Yes we should beat the **** out of them, they are stupid childish bastards at best it must be said but that won't solve the carelessness practiced by gob****e employees of the gov.

B-K-DzR wrote: »

How do i know it was needless? I don't have one of their radios and they neglect to inform me of these things.

I thought you would notice that when they go very fast through built up areas, then stop at the lights, it would indicate needless excessive speed.

eldeabroad · 09-03-2008 12:03PM

connundrum wrote: »

Its the second person killed in recent times by unmarked cars afaik. There was that young lad struck down on New Years Day?

Problem: Gardai drive too fast in residential areas
Solution: Stop Gardai from driving fast in residential areas

Catch 22 Situation: Then the Gardai won't catch the crims. What to do?

....and when they do the joke of a legal system will let them out again...

rubadub · 09-03-2008 12:36PM

Jay D wrote: »

Who here can honestly say that on more than one occasion they have not seen the cops driving at needless excessive speeds?

Who here never observed them use their sirens just to get through a traffic light?

Who here has never observed them talk on a hand held mobile phone, even after such an act was outlawed?
.

Does anybody know what traffic laws they are allow to violate, and fire engines and ambulances too?

I often see the gardai instructing people to park illegally on cycle tracks to fine them for going in bus lanes. They themselves will illegally park on the cycletrack for a very long time, waiting to catch people.

Wonder what the papers will have, their usual sensationalist shock-stats. 100% of road deaths caused by the gardai (in the period......) a rise of 6 gazillion % from the same period last year.

Wishbone Ash · 09-03-2008 12:40PM

rubadub wrote: »

Does anybody know what traffic laws they are allow to violate, and fire engines and ambulances too?

I often see the gardai instructing people to park illegally on cycle tracks to fine them for going in bus lanes. They themselves will illegally park on the cycletrack for a very long time, waiting to catch people.

Gardai are exempt from almost all of the Road Traffic Regulations in the course of their duties.

Child accidentally knocked down by Gardai

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