endacl wrote: » They can carry all the badges they like. If they're not wearing their hats they have no official powers. That's totally a fact, and there's no arguing with it. Thread closed.
Anya Narrow Slammer wrote: » em...for your own sake,please don`t put that theory to the test!
MadsL wrote: » No it isn't. Ciudad Juarez has just reached a 5 year murder rate low and Mexico's overall murder rate is no higher than Brazil. Of 37 kingpin drug lords on the most wanted list in 2009, only 12 are still out of jail or even still alive. Murders across the state of Chihuahua halved between 2010 and 2011. Mexico is improving dramatically.
knucklehead6 wrote: » I think the only thing that needs testing is your sarcasometer. It seems to be faulty.
Anya Narrow Slammer wrote: » Apologies,it was a rather bland effort.Forgive me.
FTA69 wrote: » Those are third-world countries so your comparison is hardly valid, sure Colombia's been in a state of civil war for nearly 50 years and Mexico is going down the pan as we speak. There has been systematic unaccountability within the Guards, only for the past few years have we had an ombudsman as opposed to the farcical situation wherein they investigated themselves. Similarly the cops in Ireland also have a bad reputation for assaulting people that you don't find in other western European countries, or at least not as much.
true wrote: » Its "copied", not copyrighted. Guards are well known for throwing their weight around not just for bullying their way in to niteclubs free, and getting free cups of coffee while the rest of us have to pay for them, but for other little backhanders / special deals too. Why would'nt they? I believe it stems from Haugheys time as Taoiseach. When they saw the corruption there ("thanks a million big fella!") and the corruption with planners / the planning tribunals etc, sure everyone else in authority can get away with a bit too?
danger mouse wrote: » Ah the memories...lol I was working at Oxegen in the VIP area in 2007. This young buck with his new Garda badge came up to me and my team with the great idea of trying out his fancy new Garda Badge, demanding entry to the back stage area. He flashed his little badge, but before he could do anything I grabbed it off him and 1 of my colleagues pushed him away. So what happened next was very sad. The guy started crying and begging for his ID back. He told me he had just been attested and was sorry for flashing the badge, but was told by all his Garda friends that it was easy to get back stage using the badge. The poor guy was in bits so i gave him his little id back and sent him on his way with a little warning. Twas very funny at the time.
cruais wrote: » They use them to ensure they skip the queue and get free entry into coppers... Have seen it many a time over the years
wicklowwonder wrote: » Coppers let all emergency services staff in for free from Gards, to EMT, to fire brigade workers etc. Front line emergency staff do a lot of work for this country and I think its the least they deserve.
mattjack wrote: » Is there a charge to get in ?
Pappa Charlie wrote: » I don't think they should be made of gold any more, especially in the current climate!
2 stroke wrote: » A garda badge also used get one across the M50, I guess they still work on the other non-automated tolls. Probably works for public transport too.
aidan24326 wrote: » You sure about that? If anything we have a relatively well-behaved and uncorrupt police force compared to a lot of countries. In places like Mexico, Colombia, Thailand etc the police are systemically corrupt. At least we don't have to deal with that.
EGriff wrote: » Was the question answered, do they have any actual powers when not on duty? I'm assuming not, if some guy drinking a few pints or shopping in tesco took out a badge and tried to tell you what to do I'd like to think we'd all tell them where to go and not face any consequences.
true wrote: » "Front line emergency staff "get paid a lot by the country too - about €15,000 a year more than ordinary workers....and they get golden pensions which ordinary workers do not get. Time ordinary industrial workers on the average working wage got a fair deal.
jim_beam wrote: » nail on the head , average industrial wage is around 35 k and the average guard and nurse is on around 50 k per year , average guard was on close to 60 k ( including overtime ) at the height of the boom , more than most tradesmen despite all the talk and of course the brickies had no pension plan thats another thing most people seem unaware of , how much guards actually earn , we often hear their union - spokesperson refer to them as low paid public servants , rubbish
Odysseus wrote: » Neither of them are industrial workers though. I'm happy enough with what they earn and this thread isn't about garda wages is it.
john the one wrote: » So im still looking for the answer. It is required for them to bring garda i.d.aound when not working or not? I would love to find me one of them badges! Straight into the nearest subway to see if they would footlong my 6 inch!
true wrote: » No, this thread is about privilidges for those already privilidged. Gardai flashing badges to bully free passage ( while off duty) on toll roads, in to nteclubs around the country, getting free drink etc is just another kick in the teeth of the ordinary struggling honest worker.
