Who s behind the Gardai road checks?

Discodog · 17-01-2019 2:26pm

Captain Obvious wrote: »

I've often seen checkpoints outside of Labre park on the Kylemore road. One of the worst sources of crime in Dublin. And if Gardaí are not doing anything about travellers how do so many of them have so many previous convictions and why do they take up so much of the prison population?

Three checkpoints so far today in Galway City. Either they have a lot more Guards or they were doing nothing for years.

The point made by some politicians is about the huge emphasis on vehicle crime.
When you ask for Garda help you are told that they don't have a car available.

CucaFace · 17-01-2019 2:27pm

My only problem with this is that at a time when the Gardaí are seriously stretched (or so they say), I don't think this is really worth the resources they are throwing at it. How many fatal road accidents occur in the morning due to drink driving (is there a stat available for this?)?

To me its the Garda taking the easy option regarding work, and as usual are avoiding the hard job of facing the scum in this country who are multiplying year on year.

Its come to the point now in Dublin where its not even worth reporting an assault, they will do nothing about it. The same for robberies, they will do nothing.

tayto lover · 17-01-2019 2:29pm

CucaFace wrote: »

My only problem with this is that at a time when the Gardaí are seriously stretched (or so they say), I don't think this is really worth the resources they are throwing at it. How many fatal road accidents occur in the morning due to drink driving (is there a stat available for this?)?

To me its the Garda taking the easy option regarding work, and as usual are avoiding the hard job of facing the scum in this country who are multiplying year on year.

Its come to the point now in Dublin where its not even worth reporting an assault, they will do nothing about it. The same for robberies, they will do nothing.

11% of fatal accidents occur between 7am and 11am according to Newstalk this morning.
Well worth having them so.

Edgware · 17-01-2019 2:46pm

Captain Obvious wrote: »

I've often seen checkpoints outside of Labre park on the Kylemore road. One of the worst sources of crime in Dublin. And if Gardaí are not doing anything about travellers how do so many of them have so many previous convictions and why do they take up so much of the prison population?

While checkpoints may be set up for drink driving it also gives an opportunity to stop cars driven by other law breakers such as travelling criminals etc. It's terrible that the Guards are enforcing the law of the land. Is this what we pay them for?
Typical whingers. Enforce the law but not against me

Amirani · 17-01-2019 2:53pm

tayto lover wrote: »

11% of fatal accidents occur between 7am and 11am according to Newstalk this morning.
Well worth having them so.

Yep. And it's not just fatal accidents we need to be preventing; even if you don't end up dying, it's no fun being in an accident that leads to amputation or some other debilitating injury. These don't get reported nearly enough, all the focus does be on the headline fatality numbers.

CucaFace · 17-01-2019 2:55pm

tayto lover wrote: »

11% of fatal accidents occur between 7am and 11am according to Newstalk this morning.
Well worth having them so.

But how many of these were a consequence of drink driving?

Also, 11% of accidents in a 4 hour period isn't that high IMO as the time period is actually 16% of the day.

Again, im not having a go per say at the fact people are being tested, its the fact so much of Garda resources seem to be used now for this, when at the same time they complain they don't have enough time/man power to deal with al the other (and far more important) issues in this country.

Captain Obvious · 17-01-2019 3:13pm

Discodog wrote: »

Three checkpoints so far today in Galway City. Either they have a lot more Guards or they were doing nothing for years.

The point made by some politicians is about the huge emphasis on vehicle crime.
When you ask for Garda help you are told that they don't have a car available.

You didn't address anything in my post. Drink driving checkpoints are generally done by traffic corps, not regular Gardaí. They can afford to push visibility temporarily by pulling them off administrative duties and spending overtime but it's like overclocking the cpu in your system. It will eventually overheat and cause you much more issues down the line.

mynamejeff · 17-01-2019 3:14pm

CucaFace wrote: »

My only problem with this is that at a time when the Gardaí are seriously stretched (or so they say), I don't think this is really worth the resources they are throwing at it. How many fatal road accidents occur in the morning due to drink driving (is there a stat available for this?)?

To me its the Garda taking the easy option regarding work, and as usual are avoiding the hard job of facing the scum in this country who are multiplying year on year.

Its come to the point now in Dublin where its not even worth reporting an assault, they will do nothing about it. The same for robberies, they will do nothing.

every jail in the country bursting at the seams

you think those people just show up there ?

if we have a problem its a total problem .

poor judges and jails

solicitors being allowed to scam and delay to make more and more money

we have the least per head police in Europe mostly unarmed and lacking the support of the state

GAA Beo · 17-01-2019 3:34pm

Fair play to those ministers, including the Minister of Justice coming out against this. They are clearly getting it in the neck from constituents. It is just state harassment against citizens going about their daily business. Persecuting people going to mass and mothers going to school with their children is not on.

It's alright for the Dubs with their Luas, train service, buses everywhere, taxis etc. Most of the country has no transport of any description. The posh boys like Shane Ross get driven around everywhere as well, so it doesn't bother him. I think a certain element of Dubs get a thrill out of persecuting people outside Dublin. Makes them feel superior. Then they act holier than thou. You can picture them, the cyclists and the like moaning about "climate change" and how cows and cars are ruining the environment. Cretins. And as for Fine Gael letting that RUC thug become in charge of the Gardai, don't get me started. They are obviously cottoning on to the anger out there against the government and Gardai.

CucaFace · 17-01-2019 3:41pm

mynamejeff wrote: »

every jail in the country bursting at the seams

you think those people just show up there ?

if we have a problem its a total problem .

poor judges and jails

solicitors being allowed to scam and delay to make more and more money

we have the least per head police in Europe mostly unarmed and lacking the support of the state

In my line of work I deal with non national students. I personally have brought 4 to the local Garda station to report assaults (they were punched or headbutted walking home alone for no reason in the evening time, and they are females) and one very serious threat made to a girl.

Other then taking the report, none of the these were ever contacted again in relation to what was reported, bar the usual letter stating the incident was reported.

The Garda in this state are as much a part of the problem as are the issues you rightly bought up there IMO.

I honestly don't think they bother actually investigating much anymore bar a murder or rape. Anything less serious then this isn't worth their attention.

Yet we should be happy that they are willing to use so much of their man power on this issue? Sorry, but I have to say its either avoiding doing the hard work or its another poor example of poor management in the Garda.

GAA Beo · 17-01-2019 3:44pm

CucaFace wrote: »

But how many of these were a consequence of drink driving?

Also, 11% of accidents in a 4 hour period isn't that high IMO as the time period is actually 16% of the day.

Again, im not having a go per say at the fact people are being tested, its the fact so much of Garda resources seem to be used now for this, when at the same time they complain they don't have enough time/man power to deal with al the other (and far more important) issues in this country.

Bagging aul lads and old ladies in the morning is just shooting fish in a barrel. Stupid stuff. Old people and rural areas are generally the most supportive of Gardai, stirring it up and turning them against the Guards is not a good idea. Surprising the amount of visceral hatred I've heard and seen recently against Gardai and Shane Ross. I would like to add many of my friends and family are Gardai, so I can see both sides. The Guards themselves hate Shane Ross.

I would not like to see this country turn into America were large amounts of the public and media "hate the police". But keep going down this road and it may well happen. Also you nearly have weekly reports in the media negative about Gardai.

ohnonotgmail · 17-01-2019 3:46pm

GAA Beo wrote: »

Bagging aul lads and old ladies in the morning is just shooting fish in a barrel. Stupid stuff. Old people and rural areas are generally the most supportive of Gardai, stirring it up and turning them against the Guards is not a good idea. Surprising the amount of visceral hatred I've heard and seen recently against Gardai and Shane Ross. I would like to add many of my friends and family are Gardai, so I can see both sides. The Guards themselves hate Shane Ross.

I would not like to see this country turn into America were large amounts of the public and media "hate the police". But keep going down this road and it may well happen. Also you nearly have weekly reports in the media negative about Gardai.

You mean go down the road of actually enforcing the law and not continue to turn a blind eye?

GAA Beo · 17-01-2019 3:52pm

ohnonotgmail wrote: »

You mean go down the road of actually enforcing the law and not continue to turn a blind eye?

I would rather more serious crimes like white collar crime, fraud, assault, burglary, trafficking, extortion, young offenders etc were focused on.
Today we have reports that over 3,500 juveniles were not prosecuted for their crimes. A much more serious issue. Lets start applying the law to violent thugs under 18 before it is too late, they have a free pass at the moment.

https://www.rte.ie/news/crime/2019/0117/1023811-juveline-crime-report/

roverjoyce · 17-01-2019 3:53pm

tayto lover wrote: »

11% of fatal accidents occur between 7am and 11am according to Newstalk this morning.
Well worth having them so.

How many of these accidents were caused by alleged drink driving

Was there ever any studies done for accidents caused by being just over the limit or driving the morning after

Most publicized drink driving cases are where the driver was off his head and not only on drink

Why tar rural ireland with that

As one man said before if you're not able to drive a car well after a few pints you shouldn't be given a license

Captain Obvious · 17-01-2019 4:01pm

GAA Beo wrote: »

I would rather more serious crimes like white collar crime, fraud, assault, burglary, trafficking, extortion, young offenders etc were focused on.
Today we have reports that over 3,500 juveniles were not prosecuted for their crimes. A much more serious issue. Lets start applying the law to violent thugs under 18 before it is too late, they have a free pass at the moment.

https://www.rte.ie/news/crime/2019/0117/1023811-juveline-crime-report/

Bit hard to figure what your issue is with it. Do you disagree with the law? The enforcement of the law? The enforcement of the law outside Dublin?

GAA Beo · 17-01-2019 4:02pm

It's not just drink driving either. Drug driving is getting a lot of people now. I don't know the ins and outs, but I believe people who have cocaine or cannabis can get still be caught the next day as it stays in the system. How long does it stay in the system? People don't know the limits the next day.

If I have 8-10 pints tonight and go home at 11pm when am I okay to drive?? Again people haven't a clue. It needs to be made very clear so everyone knows.

Captain Obvious · 17-01-2019 4:07pm

GAA Beo wrote: »

It's not just drink driving either. Drug driving is getting a lot of people now. I don't know the ins and outs, but I believe people who have cocaine or cannabis can get still be caught the next day as it stays in the system. How long does it stay in the system? People don't know the limits the next day.

If I have 8-10 pints tonight and go home at 11pm when am I okay to drive?? Again people haven't a clue. It needs to be made very clear so everyone knows.

Tomorrow night.

GAA Beo · 17-01-2019 4:10pm

Captain Obvious wrote: »

Bit hard to figure what your issue is with it. Do you disagree with the law? The enforcement of the law? The enforcement of the law outside Dublin?

I disagree with the Law and blame Shane Ross/Government and those who voted for it. I disagree with the enforcement of it the past few months, it is in my view bordering on state and police harassment of citizens. I disagree with the condescending tone of some people in Dublin who get a thrill out of stuff like this, because they don't drive due to transport like train, Luas, bus, cycling, a half decent taxi service (although the latter is poor in Dublin too). Shane Ross has never driven a car.

I personally think if you aren't a motorist you should not have much input on this. I said this to family members who do not drive. I have nothing against individual Gardai just doing their job. I have nothing against most people from Dublin. I do though strongly detest the current Government and Shane Ross.

17-01-2019 4:12pm

GAA Beo wrote: »

I disagree with the Law and blame Shane Ross/Government and those who voted for it. I disagree with the enforcement of it the past few months, it is in my view bordering on state and police harassment of citizens. I disagree with the condescending tone of some people in Dublin who get a thrill out of stuff like this, because they don't drive due to transport like train, Luas, bus, cycling, a half decent taxi service (although the latter is poor in Dublin too). Shane Ross has never driven a car.

I personally think if you aren't a motorist you should not have much input on this. I said this to family members who do not drive. I have nothing against individual Gardai just doing their job. I have nothing against most people from Dublin. I do though strongly detest the current Government and Shane Ross.

Yeah because the roads are just for cars right!!!!

Captain Obvious · 17-01-2019 4:20pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Yeah because the roads are just for cars right!!!!

And a drink driver has never killed a pedestrian or cyclist.

ohnonotgmail · 17-01-2019 4:40pm

GAA Beo wrote: »

I disagree with the Law and blame Shane Ross/Government and those who voted for it. I disagree with the enforcement of it the past few months, it is in my view bordering on state and police harassment of citizens. I disagree with the condescending tone of some people in Dublin who get a thrill out of stuff like this, because they don't drive due to transport like train, Luas, bus, cycling, a half decent taxi service (although the latter is poor in Dublin too). Shane Ross has never driven a car.

you disagree with the law on drink driving and its enforcement? Is that you Danny?

GAA Beo wrote: »

I personally think if you aren't a motorist you should not have much input on this. I said this to family members who do not drive. I have nothing against individual Gardai just doing their job. I have nothing against most people from Dublin. I do though strongly detest the current Government and Shane Ross.

Well i am a motorist so according to you i should have an input on this and i'm delighted that they are enforcing our drink driving laws at last. The less drunk eejits on the road the better.

alan partridge aha · 17-01-2019 4:41pm

Get into a group who notify of speed vans, garda checkpoints, customs and excise. Best thing ever you'll know not to go that route. Only downside is if you come across any of these 1st.

El_Bee · 17-01-2019 4:58pm

what do you make of these "checkpoint watch" pages on facebook/twitter that lets you know where Gardai have set up checkpoints? is there any way they can be shut down, and if so, should they?

Deebles McBeebles · 17-01-2019 4:59pm

I would hope so. It must be contravening at least one law and the people who contribute to them should be named and shamed.

Discodog · 17-01-2019 5:43pm

Captain Obvious wrote: »

You didn't address anything in my post. Drink driving checkpoints are generally done by traffic corps, not regular GardaThey can afford to push visibility temporarily by pulling them off administrative duties and spending overtime but it's like overclocking the cpu in your system. It will eventually overheat and cause you much more issues down the line.

Gardai are Gardai. How you choose to deploy them is the issue. Setting aside a section of Gardai purely to attend to traffic means their are less to deal with other crimes.

The huge surge in daytime checkpoints begs the question as to what the Guards were doing previously. It's hard not to think that, in Galway, the new headquarters plus a new commissioner has made the Guards want to show a presence.

I have no problem with policing drink driving but I very much doubt that all the daytime checkpoints catch many.

Discodog · 17-01-2019 5:50pm

El_Bee wrote: »

what do you make of these "checkpoint watch" pages on facebook/twitter that lets you know where Gardai have set up checkpoints? is there any way they can be shut down, and if so, should they?

Really ? You mean like Korea or China ? It was rumoured that the previous commissioner demanded that they be shut down. When he was told that they can't be he changed tack & said that they were a good thing as they increased public awareness.

And we would miss gems like this that's just been posted

Cojack with a Kodak m6 galway bound between loughrea and Athenry

opinionated3 · 17-01-2019 6:22pm

El_Bee wrote: »

what do you make of these "checkpoint watch" pages on facebook/twitter that lets you know where Gardai have set up checkpoints? is there any way they can be shut down, and if so, should they?

They are brilliant. I try to contribute to my local page whenever I spot a flash for cash van or a Garda tax/insurance checkpoint. Just pull over into a safe spot, take out the phone and post in the relevant page. Takes less than a minute.

IMO anyone who actually believes the dramatic increase in checkpoints is purely for road safety is deluded. If our safety was their utmost concern, surely the Gardai can react way quicker to incidents of burglaries, anti social behaviour, drug dealing in the community etc. But they won't, because that is a trickier part to their role, it's way easier to drive down the road, set up a checkpoint and try to nab someone on their way to work who may have done everything right the night before by getting a cab home from the pub at a reasonable hour.

tomoliver · 17-01-2019 6:25pm

opinionated3 wrote: »

They are brilliant. I try to contribute to my local page whenever I spot a flash for cash van or a Garda tax/insurance checkpoint. Just pull over into a safe spot, take out the phone and post in the relevant page. Takes less than a minute.

IMO anyone who actually believes the dramatic increase in checkpoints is purely for road safety is deluded. If our safety was their utmost concern, surely the Gardai can react way quicker to incidents of burglaries, anti social behaviour, drug dealing in the community etc. But they won't, because that is a trickier part to their role, it's way easier to drive down the road, set up a checkpoint and try to nab someone on their way to work who may have done everything right the night before by getting a cab home from the pub at a reasonable hour.

That's how they catch people ,burglars,drugggies etc

With flash checkpoints

opinionated3 · 17-01-2019 6:29pm

Well they can't be doing a good job so because crime is rife.......

Coillte_Bhoy · 17-01-2019 6:32pm

Deebles McBeebles wrote: »

I would hope so. It must be contravening at least one law and the people who contribute to them should be named and shamed.

Under what law? Dont talk ****e and many people post on these pages using their own profiles

Captain Obvious · 17-01-2019 6:33pm

Discodog wrote: »

Gardai are Gardai. How you choose to deploy them is the issue. Setting aside a section of Gardai purely to attend to traffic means their are less to deal with other crimes.

The huge surge in daytime checkpoints begs the question as to what the Guards were doing previously. It's hard not to think that, in Galway, the new headquarters plus a new commissioner has made the Guards want to show a presence.

I have no problem with policing drink driving but I very much doubt that all the daytime checkpoints catch many.

It seems you do have a problem with policing it. You are giving out about it being policed right now. There has always been a separate traffic corps. This is not a new thing. They often focus on specific crimes for a period. Speeding, bus lanes, mobile phones, head lights. Google it and you'll find press releases related to campaigns on all these issues and others. It just seems a focus on drink driving has really had a bigger effect on people. In a few weeks they'll be back to paperwork and court and people will be able to go back to the morning vodka that apparently is real popular.

As to the checkpoint pages, they are used extensively by criminals. I always think it's funny when someone who contributes to them goes on to complain about crime in their area.

tomoliver · 17-01-2019 6:34pm

opinionated3 wrote: »

Well they can't be doing a good job so because crime is rife.......

It's mainly down to the judicial system imo

Frog ward and the likes out roaming free

The checkpoints catch more than drink drivers

ChikiChiki · 17-01-2019 6:42pm

Drew Harris shaking things up and making gardai actually get out and do their jobs.

A breath of fresh air.

veryangryman · 17-01-2019 6:52pm

tayto lover wrote: »

11% of fatal accidents occur between 7am and 11am according to Newstalk this morning.
Well worth having them so.

Theres a ****load of cars in the roads those hours. The accidents are caused by many many things. Im sceptical that they havent said 11% of drunk driver accidents

Dravokivich · 17-01-2019 7:30pm

El_Bee wrote: »

what do you make of these "checkpoint watch" pages on facebook/twitter that lets you know where Gardai have set up checkpoints? is there any way they can be shut down, and if so, should they?

I'm not too keen on them. But im not sure how much impact they have. The check points don't seem to be up too long when they are anyhow. And the set them up , so to avoid them you've to use a horrible road.

DwightSchrute1 · 17-01-2019 8:15pm

Dravokivich wrote: »

I'm not too keen on them. But im not sure how much impact they have. The check points don't seem to be up too long when they are anyhow. And the set them up , so to avoid them you've to use a horrible road.

Why would you need to avoid them if you’ve done nothing wrong?

BuzzMcdonnell · 17-01-2019 8:31pm

DwightSchrute1 wrote: »

Why would you need to avoid them if you’ve done nothing wrong?

If you’re a young lad driving a done up car is one reason. Half the time I pass through a checkpoint I get treated badly by gardai, regardless of my car being completely up to scratch with tax, insurance and NCT

s8n · 17-01-2019 8:34pm

trent reznor

Gravelly · 17-01-2019 10:00pm

tomoliver wrote: »

That's how they catch people ,burglars,drugggies etc

With flash checkpoints

How? Do the burglars drive around with those little masks on and a bag marked “swag” in their back?

RobbieMD · 17-01-2019 10:10pm

Gravelly wrote: »

How? Do the burglars drive around with those little masks on and a bag marked “swag” in their back?

They’re stupid but not that stupid. It’s that phrase the media like to use “known to Gardaí”. It’s a good way to catch burglars going equipped to do a burglary. There’s an offence for possession of certain articles.
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2001/act/50/section/15/enacted/en/html#sec15

Captain Obvious · 17-01-2019 10:16pm

Gravelly wrote: »

How? Do the burglars drive around with those little masks on and a bag marked “swag” in their back?

Gloves, tools and balaclavas.

Edgware · 17-01-2019 10:21pm

tomoliver wrote: »

It's mainly down to the judicial system imo

Frog ward and the likes out roaming free

The checkpoints catch more than drink drivers

Frog hasnt roamed free for a while now.

Pocaide · 17-01-2019 10:30pm

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Under what law? Dont talk ****e and many people post on these pages using their own profiles

Preventing the course of Justice would cover it.

Dravokivich · 17-01-2019 10:39pm

DwightSchrute1 wrote: »

Why would you need to avoid them if you’ve done nothing wrong?

Ask the people that follow those groups, not me.

Snow Garden · 17-01-2019 10:57pm

I actually wonder what the Garda force were doing for the last 10 years.

https://www.rte.ie/news/crime/2019/0117/1023811-juveline-crime-report/

A garda report has found that 3,500 children got away with committing almost 8,000 crimes, including serious crimes, over a seven-year period because gardaí did not do their jobs properly.

Three quarters of the crimes not properly investigated relate to public order, theft, traffic and criminal damage, but also included are 55 serious crimes, including the rape of a woman, another serious sexual offence and a case of child neglect.

This is being covered on Crime Time now.

Discodog · 18-01-2019 8:37am

RobbieMD wrote: »

They’re stupid but not that stupid. It’s that phrase the media like to use “known to Garda/B]. It’s a good way to catch burglars going equipped to do a burglary. There’s an offence for possession of certain articles.
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2001/act/50/section/15/enacted/en/html#sec15

You never hear the phrase "known to Police" in the UK. It's a stupid statement. It's the kind of thing you hear from unpleasant regimes around the World.

dxhound2005 · 18-01-2019 9:28am

Discodog wrote: »

You never hear the phrase "known to Police" in the UK. It's a stupid statement. It's the kind of thing you hear from unpleasant regimes around the World.

Here is one instance where it has been used in the UK. So not never.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/bangor-murder-victim-colin-horner-known-to-police-stray-bullet-hit-car-35766513.html

EdgeCase · 18-01-2019 9:41am

They'd be better off to be consistent about checks than going off on these blitzes of checks. I mean it does ramp up awareness but then when they forget about it again we are back to complacency.

EdgeCase · 18-01-2019 9:44am

Discodog wrote: »

You never hear the phrase "known to Police" in the UK. It's a stupid statement. It's the kind of thing you hear from unpleasant regimes around the World.

Yeah you do! All the time. You even hear that someone is on police watch lists when it comes to incidents around terrorism, sexual offences, fraud, organised crime etc etc.

We have a few euphemism in Ireland that are used in the media to avoid libel.

"Known to Gardai" = has been arrested plenty of times before.

The UK media may use terms like "has been in trouble with the police" and so on but they use very similar terms.

"Helping Gardai with their enquiries" = hasn't been arrested (yet) but is being actively questioned as a witness.

RobbieMD · 18-01-2019 10:20am

EdgeCase wrote: »

They'd be better off to be consistent about checks than going off on these blitzes of checks. I mean it does ramp up awareness but then when they forget about it again we are back to complacency.

I think a lot of it is done on overtime. When the overtime is gone, then it’s back to normal til more overtime comes along.

Who s behind the Gardai road checks?

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