Your dealings with the Gardaí - positive or negative?

El Horseboxo · 07-04-2011 01:02AM

UglyBolloxFace wrote: »

Really? I find it hard to believe that a Gard would know, let alone say, the word 'spic'. Maybe a cop in the US, especially the border states, but here? Not calling you a liar, just slightly doubting that part of the story.

You'd be surprised how common it is here. A lot of Irish people use it to refer to Spanish people. However i'm of Mexican descent. Been called it loads of times while out and all my mates even refer to me as the spic. But that's just in a banter kind of way.

ScumLord wrote: »

I wouldn't say that, I rang them once because someone was trying to commit suicide and they told me it wasn't their problem. Same goes if someone's trying to break into your house, it's no biggy be there once we're sure their gone.

Try ask them to stamp a form. There's a line of about 20 of them rushing to help ye out.

ScumLord · 07-04-2011 01:05AM

El Horseboxo wrote: »

You'd be surprised how common it is here. A lot of Irish people use it to refer to Spanish people.

I thought it was a term for Spaniards taken from WW2. I'm sure I heard them use it in some old WW2 films.

El Horseboxo · 07-04-2011 01:08AM

ScumLord wrote: »

I thought it was a term for Spaniards taken from WW2. I'm sure I heard them use it in some old WW2 films.

Maybe. The story i heard of its origin was from Italian immigrants to the US. They would say me no spic no English and people began calling them spics. Which then spread to Hispanics too. So i'm sure it made it back to Europe also.

ScumLord · 07-04-2011 01:10AM

prinz wrote: »

Couldn't use a toilet no? What do you reckon they should just let people piss wherever they want?

Unless they provide adequate public toilets it's hard to judge an animal for pissing when they need to. It's bad for your health to hold in piss, so I'd assume there's a case there for suing the local council for arresting people while not providing any way to legally carry out an essential bodily function.

No Nonsence · 07-04-2011 01:17AM

Yes

As some one whose work has brought me into numerous dealings with the gardaí I would be full of praise for them. I have always found them to be very courtous and professional and a pleasure to work with.

deise go deo · 07-04-2011 01:32AM

Negative overall, but it was my own fault. Apparently carrying a crossbow around a village is frowned upon.

iangobl · 07-04-2011 10:08AM

deise go deo wrote: »

Negative overall, but it was my own fault. Apparently carrying a crossbow around a village is frowned upon.

lol

07-04-2011 10:11AM

I've only had to deal with them to get forms signed or roadside stops - they've always been very nice and professional.
Oh and when we were reporting an assault - they came to the house fairly sharp and took all the details, told me to mind himself as he'd gotten a blow to the head and might have concussion and asked should we ring an ambulance...
definitely no bad words to say about them.

Korvanica · 07-04-2011 10:18AM

deise go deo wrote: »

Negative overall, but it was my own fault. Apparently carrying a crossbow around a village is frowned upon.

Its ok to carry a sniper rifle though...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHYC4ekzg60

:pac:

minidazzler · 07-04-2011 10:25AM

Yes

Pauleta wrote: »

If you are nice to them, they will return the favour.

Depending on who you are and in what situation you are meeting them. They aren't necessarily gonna be nice just because you are. Some of them, and by some I mean a pretty good proportion are just pricks in uniform.

Dave! · 07-04-2011 10:26AM

Have only had dealings with the Gardaí once... House party I was in got smashed up by some local scumbags. Gardaí arrived in their droves pretty quickly, and were nice and helpful.

Never been stopped in the car or anything.

_feedback_ · 07-04-2011 10:29AM

Yes

Only had a few dealings, mostly positive.

Had a lot of trouble around the place we rent. Teenagers causing nightmares around the place with vandalism, general disruption and annoyance. There's not a lot they can do, except to be seen around the area. Have had many face to face conversations with them when they were called out, and couldn't say anything negative whatsoever about that.

I did find it frustrating though, when ringing the station. They were difficult to deal with, and basically uninterested. You'd end up repeating yourself over and over. But that's unavoidable really, there's always people who are just not good at what they do.

In general though any dealings have been fine.

jetsonx · 07-04-2011 10:37AM

sugarman wrote: »

Mostly negative I have to say. The few i've encountered nearly all seem to have spoke down to me & treated me like i was an utter scummer with a criminal record.

But its just the tone they take is unreal.

This pretty sums up their whole attitude.

I've even seen them take this attitude towards elderly ladies. They forget that it is the taxpayer who pays their wages.

World-class police forces are integrated and respected members of the
communities they serve. The Gardai seem to only know how to interact with the public in one way - by using fear and intimidation.

ps: for some reason, has anyone noticed their seems to be disproportionate number of red heads in the Gardai. They seem
to have an even worse attitude than the brethren. I think these members joined the force to exact some sort of revenge on society.

Cazale · 07-04-2011 10:41AM

I had a very unpleasant experience recently which put me off the guards to be honest. I was meeting a friend of mine on Dorset street but because I'm not from that part of town I was wandering about lost for a few minutes trying to find the point we agreed to meet at. I didn't realise it was that big a street! Out of nowhere an unmarked car drove at me like something out of the Sweeney and two plain clothes guards jumped out at me. They grabbed hold of me and accused me of scoping the street out so I could commit a burglary. They also demanded my name and address but never showed me any identification. When I refused to give them any details until they showed me id they took out their handcuffs and threatened to arrest me. When they saw I wasn't going to be bullied they took out their id and I gave them my details. They then made a number of derogatory remarks about the area I live in and that I must be well used to the Gardai because I'm from there. My friend then turned up confused at what was happening and they scarpered. This is the only experience I have of the Gardai apart from the usual going to the station for passports etc. It wasn't something I'd like to repeat in a hurry!

Captain Slow IRL · 07-04-2011 11:29AM

I have had many experiences with the gardai, the majority of them negative (and I wasn't in the wrong!)

I had a car of mine parked outside a station in the midlands when some of the roof tiles came down and did a fair bit of damage to the side of my car. After checking neighbouring buildings and determining they definitely came off the garda station, I went inside to say it to the gardai and was told "It's an act of god" and then more or less told to piss off. After more talking, I was referred to another garda and the matter was dealt with in a more polite way.

Another one was when I had a mobile phone stolen and I was going to report it so I could claim a new one from the insurance. When I went into the station and told them I wished to report it stolen, I was told "And what do you want us to do about it?"

:rolleyes:

sensibleken · 07-04-2011 12:03PM

Have had positive and negetive. Most negetive was getting a beating but these days I have a garda presence outside my house 24/7 because of local scumbags so I would say wholly positive but they can be cúnts when they want to be.

wayfarers · 07-04-2011 12:15PM

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

The simple code really is; stay out of shit and then you'll have positive experiences with them.

Stay out of ****? Ok explain to me why I at 18 or 19 was stopped by garda detectives on my way home from the train station, they thought that as I was carrying a suitcase it must contain drugs (their words!). They then proceeded to empty the contents of said suitcase out on the street looking for the non existent drugs. When they realised I had nothing in my bag other than clothes and a few cds they set about belittling me with comments about my appearance, accent and other things. These were the detectives, not even your uniformed gardai, so don't post your "don't go looking for trouble for them and you won't get it" comments because it doesn't work that way.

mikemac · 07-04-2011 01:05PM

Yes

Got a beating in Eyre Sq Galway. No I wasn't drunk and stumbling at 2am. This was 1pm in the bright sunshine and I was going to get Bus Eireann home for the weekend. If Dublin has junkies then Galway has winos, Eyre Sq full of them! Yeah, maybe most here could take them but I weighed 9 and a half stone and weak as piss
Cycle cop on the scene, made my statement a few days later, I got a witness and last I ever heard despite asking for updates.....

My beloved scooter vandalized three times in Dublin. Made a report every time.
The last time they took a panel the Phoenix Park for finger prints and lost it :rolleyes:
It's mislaid there somewhere and I never did get it back.

However, our estate is plagued with kids kicking wing mirrors and knacker drinking in the waste ground beside us. I've even had beer bottles thrown at me! :mad:
Credit due, you can call the station and the squad car will be up swiftly and scatter the kids. Happened just last night.

LeixlipRed · 07-04-2011 01:17PM

Mostly negative, culminating with the student protests in November where I seen several of them assault completely defenceless people and clearly enjoy it. Generally make you feel like you're a criminal in all your dealings with them, including picking up a passport form, etc,.

old hippy · 07-04-2011 01:20PM

Mostly negative, esp as a teen and in early 20s. My fault for the most part.

Was pleasantly surprised to share a joint or two with some of the more open members of the force on occasion.

wild_cat · 07-04-2011 01:21PM

Like everyone a few good and bad experiences, more bad ones.

I generally have a distrust for authority though so I probaly the wrong person to give an opinion.

Bosco boy · 07-04-2011 01:43PM

Donald_ducked wrote: »

I've had to get a lot of things signed by the garda lately(age card, passport etc) and everytime I've went down to the station they've been very rude and abrupt. It's like they assume your a criminal just because your're young. I was waiting 15 mins at the desk for someone to come out to me even though they had seen me waiting. I rang the bell a second time and one of them shouted out ''have a bit of patience''

A woman in her sixties then came in the door looking to get something signed aswel and the garda was straight out to help. He even had to cheek to ask her was she alright before me! People always wonder why young people disllike the garda, it's this type of condescending ****e that gets the hatred runing through their veins from a young age. Respect is a two way street, I think they fail to grasp that or simply don't give a fook

At least you've something to look forward to when you get old!!

thebman · 07-04-2011 02:22PM

Yes

Only negative here really.

They are disinterested when you want something simple, try to bully when they think you've done something and useless when you need them to call out as they turn up half an hour later.

trad · 07-04-2011 02:28PM

Had a trolly push out at work on Monday. Got the reg no of the car. Rang the local station. 20 mins later perp caught and stock returned. Have had only positive experiences with the local Gardai since working in retail.

AllYourBass · 07-04-2011 03:37PM

I used to have nothing but ill will towards the Gardaí, mostly based on their "what do you want ME to do about it?" attitude and (perceived) general disdain for the normies such as myself, but in fairness I have come across a couple of situations recently, such as when a mate inadvertently engaged in some petty vandalism, that shows, like in all walks of life, there are as many people who are polite and responsible in their position as there are who abuse it.

GavRedKing · 07-04-2011 03:48PM

Got caught underage drinking - no problems, guards we're cool just gave us the warning and speech.

Stopped at checkpoints for tax/insurnace/nct inspection - guards we're talkative and friendly.

Pulled over a few months back for using a mobile phone while driving - young guard was very nice, talking about it and asking questions, said he wasnt going to prosecute me, to be fair he didnt.

All positive ordeals for me anyway, but as has been said, theres good and bad in al walks of life and its the one bad gaurd that people meet that they focus on.

Cheeky_gal · 07-04-2011 03:51PM

Cazale wrote: »

I had a very unpleasant experience recently which put me off the guards to be honest. I was meeting a friend of mine on Dorset street but because I'm not from that part of town I was wandering about lost for a few minutes trying to find the point we agreed to meet at. I didn't realise it was that big a street! Out of nowhere an unmarked car drove at me like something out of the Sweeney and two plain clothes guards jumped out at me. They grabbed hold of me and accused me of scoping the street out so I could commit a burglary. They also demanded my name and address but never showed me any identification. When I refused to give them any details until they showed me id they took out their handcuffs and threatened to arrest me. When they saw I wasn't going to be bullied they took out their id and I gave them my details. They then made a number of derogatory remarks about the area I live in and that I must be well used to the Gardai because I'm from there. My friend then turned up confused at what was happening and they scarpered. This is the only experience I have of the Gardai apart from the usual going to the station for passports etc. It wasn't something I'd like to repeat in a hurry!

Post up a picture of yourself

Killer Pigeon · 07-04-2011 05:54PM

Yes

wayfarers wrote: »

Stay out of ****? Ok explain to me why I at 18 or 19 was stopped by garda detectives on my way home from the train station, they thought that as I was carrying a suitcase it must contain drugs (their words!). They then proceeded to empty the contents of said suitcase out on the street looking for the non existent drugs. When they realised I had nothing in my bag other than clothes and a few cds they set about belittling me with comments about my appearance, accent and other things. These were the detectives, not even your uniformed gardai, so don't post your "don't go looking for trouble for them and you won't get it" comments because it doesn't work that way.

Maybe because you were (a) known to Gardaí in some way, or (b) you looked like shady character wearing "knacker" clothing thus why they made comments about your appearance.

Chaotic_Forces · 07-04-2011 06:04PM

Killer Pigeon wrote: »

Maybe because you were (a) known to Gardaí in some way, or (b) you looked like shady character wearing "knacker" clothing thus why they made comments about your appearance.

Really? "knacker clothing"? Oh well blimey I am so sorry officer! I didn't know there was a fu*king law about "knacker" clothing! Could you tell me what the law says? And what is classed as "knacker" clothing? By all means, educate me, please!

Look, get out of your little dream world. Some of the Gardaí are scumbags in uniform, everyone knows that. Now, are all of them like that? Nope. I'd reckon most of them aren't. But the ones that are, seem to get transfered from area to area, hence why a lot of people have difficulties. And it's also a known fact that youngesters tend to get bullied by the Gardaí, regardless of if there innocent.

There's nothing wrong with being stopped because you look suspicious and them asking you a few questions. One time, they stopped me because I looked like a fella they thought robbed a car, I said fine, I don't mind asnwering your questions. Ten minutes later, they caught the actual guy and said "sorry about that, you honestly did fit the description".

But... you also tend to get the ones that stop you, treat you like absolute sh*t, act as if you've beaten up an old man with a bat and were joking about it. Sure, at times I wouldn't blame someone getting a few slaps if they did something horrible like raping a girl or beating up an old man, I'd say most people would act like nothing happened. But unfortunetly, the Gardaí aren't filled with the noble knights and ladies from the fairy tales you read as a child and scumbags do exist amongst their ranks.

Tayla · 07-04-2011 06:10PM

Negative.

Is there really any reason to be so pig ignorant to everyone just because they are guards?

Your dealings with the Gardaí - positive or negative?

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