American biker taken in by Irish community after vacation robbery disaster

Steady on the senasationalism, guys! Dublin is no worse or better than any other capitol city of comparable size. Yes, there's a Salvation Army homeless hostel near Talbot St. And a night shelter for drug addicts off Marlborough St nearby. But, it's OK if you keep your wits about you, so as to keep the dimwits and twits away from you. I regularly walk around there without problems, by simply blanking problem people by avoiding eye contact. Delicious and cheap pizza slice parlours there, and a cheap Noodle/Curry Bar, all below €5. Yum, yum! Think I'll go ther after this, eat, and then mug a few hoodies for a workout.

It has gone through many changes since 1999, the whole financial center is there now, new buildings, 02 arena, etc. I am there three times a year and I can see the changes in the few months between my visits, my entire family lives there.

@shuvonn, I'm on your side. I just though that Dublin's northside could use a little brightening up.

What a laugh those two comments gave me, I am proud to be a north sider whose father served over 30 years in the Gardai. IF you seriously think that all crime stops at the liffey, you have no real idea of the city. DNS is no worse or no better than DSS, there are plenty of nice restaurants in Dublins North side and plenty of crime on Dublins south side, just because you did experience it positively does not mean it's a fact. I would have thought that all that class tripe was over and done with, apparently not....

Maybe the Irish government needs to invest in fixing up Dublin on the north side. When I was there in 1999, I had people trying to stop me from going over to the north side of O'Connell street. I finally had to relent and give my video camera to my husband to carry, since a man kept insisting that they might cut my arm off to get it, over on the northside. I understand that people have concerns, but we did walk over there, and nothing bad happened. However, since there didn't seem to be any restaurants nearby we headed back over to the South side again.

This guy parked his bike in the Talbot Street area? I don't want to blame the victim, but it was crazy on his part. Talbot Street is full of drug pushers, hookers, muggers and other thieves. I am amazed that a guy who is traveling the world didn't have the necessary antenna to smell crime when he was in Talbot Street. If those who run Dublin were honest, they would put up big signs in neighborhoods like that: Beware, High Crime Area. Of course they'd have to put up the signs in the city's main avenue, O'Connell Street. They're a disgrace. If he's waiting for the Irish police to find the thieves he should buy a house in Ireland, because that's how long it'll be before they solve this crime. American readers thinking of vacationing in Dublin take note. Dublin north of the river Liffey is a very dangerous place.