Mugging up the mountains

tunney · 21-06-2019 2:16pm #1

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/warning-over-muggings-of-cyclists-for-carbon-fibre-bikes-in-wicklow/

Any truth to this?

(Nutshell : cyclist on tod up the mountains, scummers tried to rob him (allegedly)

smacl · 21-06-2019 3:17pm

tunney wrote: »

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/warning-over-muggings-of-cyclists-for-carbon-fibre-bikes-in-wicklow/

Any truth to this?

(Nutshell : cyclist on tod up the mountains, scummers tried to rob him (allegedly)

Seems a bit odd given the Laragh - Sally Gap is a 20k stretch with no turn offs, not a great spot to steal bikes. My first reaction, cynic that I am, is a smart arsed motorist doing this to discourage cyclists. Certainly won't stop me from cycling this road solo.

GreeBo · 21-06-2019 3:22pm

smacl wrote: »

Seems a bit odd given the Laragh - Sally Gap is a 20k stretch with no turn offs, not a great spot to steal bikes. My first reaction, cynic that I am, is a smart arsed motorist doing this to discourage cyclists. Certainly won't stop me from cycling this road solo.

Why would you need turnoffs?
You stick the bike in the back of the van and drive off...?

lennymc · 21-06-2019 3:22pm

I have often wondered why people who are riding around on expensive bikes are not pulled off them and bike nicked more often. I wouldnt be surprised if this was true.

I would think sally gap would be a great place to steal bikes (and phones) - how is a stranded cyclist going to report it.

daragh_ · 21-06-2019 3:25pm

Couple of people in my club have confirmed. Up around the Featherbeds.

What Username Guidelines · 21-06-2019 3:27pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Why would you need turnoffs?
You stick the bike in the back of the van and drive off...?

Cyclist calls the guards, says lads in van took his bike and are heading north or south, and gives a description. But unlikely you'd get a squad car out quick enough.

mistermaster · 21-06-2019 3:28pm

In the photo used in the article - is that a bullet hole in the sign that says Sally Gap??!!

Melodeon · 21-06-2019 3:29pm

mistermaster wrote: »

In the photo used in the article - is that a bullet hole in the sign that says Sally Gap??!!

Looks like a close-range shotgun blast.

smacl · 21-06-2019 3:29pm

GreeBo wrote: »

Why would you need turnoffs?
You stick the bike in the back of the van and drive off...?

Cyclist flags down another car or bike and raises the alarm and Gardaí have a fair chance of nabbing them as they've nowhere to go. You see patrol cars around the Military road often enough over the summer. At the weekend you've also got a large number of cyclists on that stretch so it would need to be a very quick mugging not to get witnessed.

GreeBo · 21-06-2019 3:30pm

What Username Guidelines wrote: »

Cyclist calls the guards, says lads in van took his bike and are heading north or south, and gives a description. But unlikely you'd get a squad car out quick enough.

Calls the guards on what? they were taking phones and bikes.

In any case, a squad car isnt getting near them in time.

Paul_Mc1988 · 21-06-2019 3:31pm

What Username Guidelines wrote:

Cyclist calls the guards, says lads in van took his bike and are heading north or south, and gives a description. But unlikely you'd get a squad car out quick enough.

How's he gonna call the guards with no phone no bike and after taking a few slaps?

GreeBo · 21-06-2019 3:31pm

smacl wrote: »

Cyclist flags down another car or bike and raises the alarm and Gardaí have a fair chance of nabbing them as they've nowhere to go. You see patrol cars around the Military road often enough over the summer. At the weekend you've also got a large number of cyclists on that stretch so it would need to be a very quick mugging not to get witnessed.

Bail out towards Enniskerry or back to Laragh or before...a van will be gone before a squad car gets there, unless one happens to also be up there.

smacl · 21-06-2019 3:32pm

daragh_ wrote: »

Couple of people in my club have confirmed. Up around the Featherbeds.

Interesting. Article says Laragh so maybe more than one incident?

daragh_ · 21-06-2019 3:34pm

smacl wrote: »

Interesting. Article says Laragh so maybe more than one incident?

Think so.

LollipopJimmy · 21-06-2019 3:42pm

smacl wrote: »

Cyclist flags down another car or bike and raises the alarm and Gardaí have a fair chance of nabbing them as they've nowhere to go. You see patrol cars around the Military road often enough over the summer. At the weekend you've also got a large number of cyclists on that stretch so it would need to be a very quick mugging not to get witnessed.

We also have to assume we're not exactly dealing with finalists from mastermind here

smacl · 21-06-2019 4:08pm

daragh_ wrote: »

Think so.

Be very interested to hear more. Headline says "Warning over muggings of cyclists for carbon fibre bikes in Wicklow" yet article describes one failed mugging attempt. Either the plurals here are crap reporting or there are more incidents. Bit weak of a cycling advocacy group telling people not to cycle by themselves on the basis of a pattern of muggings if there has only been one failed mugging.

smacl · 21-06-2019 4:12pm

LollipopJimmy wrote: »

We also have to assume we're not exactly dealing with finalists from mastermind here

There is that to be sure. Given the failed mugging was interrupted by the person being attacked flagging down a car, do you reckon they might have the gumption to suss it is not the brightest of plans?

BarryD2 · 21-06-2019 4:24pm

It's quite believable, there are people who take a drive up those roads to see what opportunities might arise. Somewhere to tip a few bags of rubbish. A car park with a few cars and no one around, occupants gone off walking. A lone cyclist - why not?

Wishbone Ash · 21-06-2019 4:52pm

lennymc wrote: »

I have often wondered why people who are riding around on expensive bikes are not pulled off them and bike nicked more often...t.

I'd say 99% of bike thieves will prefer to take an unoccupied bike.

BarryD2 wrote: »

It's quite believable, there are people who take a drive up those roads to see what opportunities might arise. Somewhere to tip a few bags of rubbish. A car park with a few cars and no one around, occupants gone off walking. A lone cyclist - why not?

There's a huge difference between fly tipping or breaking into unattended vehicles compared to dealing with actual people. As stated above most criminals don't want the hassle.

mistermaster · 21-06-2019 4:55pm

smacl wrote: »

Either the plurals here are crap reporting or there are more incidents.

I'd say it's just a bad headline. "Warning after attempted mugging of cyclist" would be more accurate.

smacl · 21-06-2019 5:07pm

mistermaster wrote: »

I'd say it's just a bad headline. "Warning after attempted mugging of cyclist" would be more accurate.

Yep. Sub-headline is "A warning about muggings of cyclists for their bikes in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains has been shared after one cyclist said he was attacked." Doesn't exactly have the same scare factor and won't stop me cycling solo over the Military road.

Mercian Pro · 21-06-2019 5:16pm

Presumably the alleged victim and the driver of the car managed to take a note of the van registration number?

It certainly can be very quiet up there midweek which is one of the reasons I find it so attractive. Anyway, my bike isn't carbon so I should be okay:)

smacl · 21-06-2019 5:47pm

Mercian Pro wrote: »

It certainly can be very quiet up there midweek which is one of the reasons I find it so attractive. Anyway, my bike isn't carbon so I should be okay:)

Same on both counts, phone is no great shakes either. At a guess, the risk due to a fall or even hitting a deer or sheep early morning is quite a bit higher than being mugged, both of which are less than an altercation with a car on a busier road.

boege · 21-06-2019 6:00pm

Break-ins to hillwalkers parked cars has been a national problem for some time around mountainous areas. At this stage hill walkers are wise to it and have developed ways to manage it. This looks like a more brazen development.

LennoxR · 21-06-2019 6:13pm

This is a bit alarmist I think. How many tens of thousands of trips are made by cyclists along that road? And one single incident of attempted mugging. Certainly won't stop me cycling up there.

Yourmama · 21-06-2019 6:49pm

I believed it to the point where phone was mentioned. If it got the stage of taking his phone, how on earth he managed to get away from 3 scumbags.

mistermatthew · 21-06-2019 7:42pm

I assume. From a legal point. Robbing someone of their bike when on it is a more serious offence than stealing an unoccupied bike? Anyone know?

secman · 21-06-2019 7:50pm

Happened last summer too, a guard in our club warned us about it, van was parked up on climb to Sally Gap from Manor Kilbride, two lads knocked guy off bike and stole it, pretty sure they took his phone too, the lad had to wait ages for a car to come along. He was threatened with a wheel brace.

Weepsie · 21-06-2019 7:56pm

A car was boxed in and its occupants mugged too on the Sally gap last year too. It's very rare, but still

smacl · 22-06-2019 6:45am

mistermatthew wrote: »

I assume. From a legal point. Robbing someone of their bike when on it is a more serious offence than stealing an unoccupied bike? Anyone know?

Considerably worse. Aggravated assault in addition to theft AFAIK

The Noble Nudge · 22-06-2019 1:44pm

Revenge is sweet...
Just mugged the sole occupant of a white transit van up Sally gap and left him my bike.
Campervan enthusiasts watch out....

a148pro · 23-06-2019 8:22am

I was up kippure last night after dark and felt very exposed. If you had two cars working in convoy they'd have the run of the place in terms of warning of oncoming traffic. I've seen them smash multiple cars in break ins with no real expectation of anything worth more that twenty or thirty quid, yet there's a regular stream of lads on bikes worth 2 grand and up. I'd be surprised if it wasn't done to be honest.

....... · 24-06-2019 3:28pm

Saw this posted on FB and in the thread below a guy said he phoned round the local Garda stations (starting with the one mentioned in the article) and none have a report of this happening.

Thud · 24-06-2019 4:36pm

This just doesn't read like anything anyone who has cycled up there would say:
"Don’t go up Kippure or Sally Gap to Laragh on your own on a bike"
"good carbon bikes" sounds like a non cyclist description too

secman · 24-06-2019 4:47pm

The incident last summer definitely happened, a guard in our club informed us about it, i wondered if last years incident was being rehashed as happened this year ?

brownian · 24-06-2019 5:21pm

There was a significant drop in business in Glendalough Green yesterday. I wonder is the mugging putting cyclists off? I went over the gap myself - saw two Garda cars, one burnt-out car and about four cyclists between the Gap and Laragh.

Peterx · 24-06-2019 6:01pm

The wettest day this month you mean?

smacl · 24-06-2019 6:39pm

Thud wrote: »

This just doesn't read like anything anyone who has cycled up there would say:
"Don’t go up Kippure or Sally Gap to Laragh on your own on a bike"
"good carbon bikes" sounds like a non cyclist description too

My wife saw this and was getting all concerned about my solo ventures. I asked her would she avoid going for a few jars in the city centre with her mates if there was an unconfirmed rumour that someone got mugged there and almost had there phone and wallet stolen? Clearly not. So yes the van thing could have happened and may well happen again. If might just as likely happen elsewhere, given those involved would appear to have transport, or may not happen again. Life and cycling carry some attendant risks, I doubt this is one of the bigger ones and even if it was, I wouldn't let it keep me from my bike or the hills.

And good carbon bikes? My Rose CX is lovely alu bike. Am I not worthy?

C3PO · 24-06-2019 7:11pm

brownian wrote: »

There was a significant drop in business in Glendalough Green yesterday. I wonder is the mugging putting cyclists off? I went over the gap myself - saw two Garda cars, one burnt-out car and about four cyclists between the Gap and Laragh.

Or the fact that the forecast was for heavy rain all day?

CramCycle · 24-06-2019 8:34pm

Melodeon wrote: »

Looks like a close-range shotgun blast.

Seth Brundle · 25-06-2019 4:50pm

Hmmm...
1. Leave my bike in the office
2. Head home and tell the wife that my bike was robbed
3. Tell herself that I now have to get a new bike
4. Buy new bike
5. Tell herself some time later that old bike was found by gardai and delivered to your office

It might help if you order the new bike before the "mugging"!

tunney · 25-06-2019 4:55pm

daragh_ wrote: »

Couple of people in my club have confirmed. Up around the Featherbeds.

Were they involved? Or was it a friend of a friend of a cousin of a member?

fatbhoy · 25-06-2019 5:19pm

mistermatthew wrote: »

I assume. From a legal point. Robbing someone of their bike when on it is a more serious offence than stealing an unoccupied bike? Anyone know?

Robbery versus theft. Huge distinction in law.

CramCycle · 25-06-2019 5:37pm

tunney wrote: »

Were they involved? Or was it a friend of a friend of a cousin of a member?

A clubmate, as in someone in their club who can also be quantified as a friend.

Del2005 · 26-06-2019 12:47am

smacl wrote: »

Considerably worse. Aggravated assault in addition to theft AFAIK

fatbhoy wrote: »

Robbery versus theft. Huge distinction in law.

Not to the person with hundreds of convictions.

kravmaga · 26-06-2019 12:57am

smacl wrote: »

Considerably worse. Aggravated assault in addition to theft AFAIK

If force is used then its a defined as a Robbery

smacl · 26-06-2019 7:54am

kravmaga wrote: »

If force is used then its a defined as a Robbery

Yep, from the Irish Statute book

14.—(1) A person is guilty of robbery if he or she steals, and immediately before or at the time of doing so, and in order to do so, uses force on any person or puts or seeks to put any person in fear of being then and there subjected to force.

(2) A person guilty of robbery is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for life.

Theft is defined as

4.—(1) Subject to section 5 , a person is guilty of theft if he or she dishonestly appropriates property without the consent of its owner and with the intention of depriving its owner of it.
;
;
(6) A person guilty of theft is liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years or both.

Alexzont · 24-08-2019 8:55pm

Looks like it's happening again. Two lads ran a chap off the road and stole his bike at the cross roads according to his tweet. We noticed three garda cars on our club spin today, never normally see a single one.

https://twitter.com/balders93/status/1165340450934468610

24-08-2019 9:13pm

I liked Joanna Donnelly's response

Weepsie · 24-08-2019 10:05pm

If caught, they should be charged with attempted manslaughter/murder and definite assault of some sort.

smacl · 24-08-2019 10:39pm

Alexzont wrote: »

Looks like it's happening again. Two lads ran a chap off the road and stole his bike at the cross roads according to his tweet. We noticed three garda cars on our club spin today, never normally see a single one.

https://twitter.com/balders93/status/1165340450934468610

Up there myself this morning. Loads of people out, seems unlikely that this would go unwitnessed. Saw two Gardai cars over four hours on the road but have often seen them up there. Twitter link seems to be from 21 June.

Mugging up the mountains

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