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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > US State Department warnings on Dublin crime ridiculous - Striking fear into tourists with tabloid headlines

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

US State Department warnings on Dublin crime ridiculous - Striking fear into tourists with tabloid headlines

Posted on Monday, August 08, 2011 at 10:34 PM

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Dublin's busy Temple Bar by night

The U.S. State Department has really overstepped the mark in their new warnings to American tourists in Ireland.

The government is warning Americans to be aware of gangs "roaming the streets" of Dublin.

I've gone to Dublin, oh maybe 20 times these past four years and have yet to encounter a "roving gang".

No one else I have spoken to has either.

That is nonsense and a sensationalist approach more fitted to tabloids than serious government warnings.

The State Department also warned visitors to be on the lookout for criminals using electronic "skimmers" at ATM's, to be aware their drinks could be spiked, and to be especially vigilant around tourist attractions.

The warnings make Dublin sound like Tijuana,Mexico with drug dealers,killings and mayhem everywhere.
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Yet they qualify the language quickly;

"There have been a limited number of assaults on foreigners and tourists, including violence towards members of racial minority groups," the Dept of State said in an updated crime assessment.

"There have also been several reported assaults in Dublin by small, unorganised gangs roaming the streets in the early morning hours after the pubs close, and a high incidence of petty crime in major tourist areas, mostly theft, burglary and purse snatching."

This is inflammatory nonsense of the worse kind. The number of American tourists attacked in Dublin or ripped off is minuscule and I'd bet far lower than many other capitals.

The State Department is really gilding the lily here at a time when such loaded language seems intent on scaring away much needed tourists.

Are there gangs and scammers in Dublin? Of course. like any other city in the world.

Are they running rampant through the streets/ No, definitely not.

Are they uniquely likely to attack American? No, not unless the American is very unlucky.

I don't know here the State Department gets these hysterical headlines from but they need to get a grip.

The State Department recommended that visitors leave their passports in a secure location "in case an incident occurs."

The department said that scams involving email, chat rooms and dating/social networking sites were on the rise in Ireland.

Visitors were also advised not to buy counterfeit and pirated goods and to not to break Irish laws, "including its tough drunk-driving rules."

All fine and well but turning what is routine crime into some kind of lurid emergency warning is pretty far over the top.

The State Department should know better.

Listen to Niall O’Dowd on Ireland’s Newstalk 106 on In Discussion with Eamon Dunphy here (31st July and 7th August)

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pismopal | Jan 10, 2013, 03:04 PM EST

I have spent enough time in Dublin to know that it is a relatively very safe city and friendly too. Big cities have their problems but Dublin is a great place to go and the rest of Ireland is without peer. Some people get paranoid over nothing.

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mamaginnty | Aug 12, 2011, 06:39 PM EDT

G friggin D as usuall is the only one who runs down Ireland, so true to my first comment below.

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Bailey2000 | Aug 12, 2011, 03:40 AM EDT

I think most people have observed that as the recession has hit Ireland the levels of hospitality has gone up! A lot of people in Ireland are now a little grateful for what they have and are really trying hard to stay in Ireland and make their businesses work. The result is a much better vibe for the visitor. It is news to me that the crime rate has gone up and its a hell of a lot safer here in Dublin than almost any comparable city in America. That being said people burdened with suitcases, rucksacks and cameras are an easy target anywhere. Do come to Ireland and I think you wont be disappointed. Its also getting quite cheap!

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jmccarten | Aug 10, 2011, 02:14 PM EDT

I live in New Mexico where citizens can get a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Several months ago a women was being stabbed outside a supermarket. Two men walked up, pulled out their lawful weapons and shot the murderer on the spot and saved the womens life. Do that in Ireland and after a few times "street mugging" will all but disappear when the mugger realizes the person he is robbing may have a gun.

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GeorgeDillon | Aug 10, 2011, 01:14 PM EDT

Alunpalmer, if she goes to Ireland she'll likely be the victim of an ATM skimmer, but the culprit will be ROMA not Russian. Folks going to Ireland, especially Dublin, need to be wary of these Romas. You can't miss 'em. If you find yourself surrounded by a group of swarthy women in long skirts, tell them to Get the F*** out of your way and encourage the process with liberal use of your elbows and feet. They'll probably spit at you and give you the Evil Eye, but that's the price you pay for holding on to your pocket book. Last year I had to rescue an old Irish lady who was surrounded at an ATM by a swarm of these vermin who were trying to get her to give them her card and PIN. What a disgrace--an old lady who has lived quietly in her homeland for seven decades, and in her senior years the useless gangster Irish government imports these vermin from abroad to prey upon her.

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jamieLM | Aug 10, 2011, 11:39 AM EDT

There's crime everywhere. Traveler beware - at home or abroad. Americans are still going to go to Dublin. I hardly think the State Dept. has struck "fear" into them. In spite of dire warnings, Americans contiunue to travel to Mexico, the Mid-East, Africa, and South America. In fact, I know a group that's getting ready to leave for Ireland (including Dublin) in 2 weeks, and yes, they're still going. In 2006, we received a similar warning about Oslo from some Norwegian friends! We went anyway. We used common sense and had no problems. My brother-in-law was mugged in Rome - twice. Name one big city in the world that is totally safe. So what if the State Dept. issues warnings? Evaluate them and decide for yourself whether to follow them or blow them off. If something happened, it would be the same people griping the loudest now about the warnings that would be screaming the loudest about "why didn't our State Dept. warn us!!!?" C'mon everyone. If you want to travel, it's up to you to take responsibility for your itinerary and travel safety. Use your own common sense. I'd go to Dublin, but I have a list of cities/countries I wouldn't set foot in, with or without State Dept. warnings.

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JBRAFTREE | Aug 10, 2011, 07:03 AM EDT

Well said Lainie, and , of course, always be aware of your surroundings anyplace. I was alone several times passing through Dublin. Not afraid, but then again, I'm a Marine and from Chicago.

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AlunPalmer | Aug 09, 2011, 09:12 PM EDT

My mum was the victim of an ATM skimmer in Spain, where she retired to, and the crooks who put it there were Russians. I'd say that this is something to watch out for wherever you are.

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LainieMcEl | Aug 09, 2011, 04:30 PM EDT

This just makes me bloody mad. Does the State Dept think we are all stupid. Of course there is crime in Ireland. Why should it be any different than any big city in any other country in the world. But to warn tourists against going there...that just pisses me off! I'd be more likely to get assaulted or ripped off in an American city. There is high crime in New York City, but that doesn't stop me from visiting the Big Apple. Using your head and being aware of your surroundings is going to help combat being a victim of crime more than warnings from the State Dept. I don't believe anything our government tells us anymore. Visiting Ireland to trace my roots and taking in the beautiful island is at the top of my "bucket list".

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Trealach | Aug 09, 2011, 02:07 PM EDT

They're probably getting the headlines from Irish Central. This is just more American PARANOIA!!

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Ajreaper | Aug 09, 2011, 02:02 PM EDT

Its a big city so any precautions one would take in any large city should be observed. Personally I did not feel uneasy about being out and about walking in either Dublin or Belfast.

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citizen69 | Aug 09, 2011, 12:55 PM EDT

Statistically Dublin is more dangerous than anywhere in Northern Ireland yet people still fear visiting the north. Most of Dublin's gun crime is 'gang on gang' so there is relatively little danger to a visiting tourist. I never feel unsafe in Dublin city centre.

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themurphia | Aug 09, 2011, 12:40 PM EDT

The conduct of these out of control feral gangs satisfy the legal definiton of 'Riot'...Arson endangering life looting Criminal Damage attacking Emergency vehicles...etc etc etc...Compare the conduct of the police who are paid to protect the safety of the public in this situation with the G20 protests where they used 'kettling' and other crowd control techniques to deter lawful protest...People are being burned out of their homes running for their lives in the middle of the night and Plod stands by and watches like it's a spectator sport...making no effort to protect the Peace... What are these kids parents doing why are they on the streets at night...Where were the overpaid idiots who are supposed to be running this country...on holiday every man jack of them...It's a thundering disgrace...There was no holding back on bringing on the 'Heavy Horse' in the Poll Tax riots 30 years ago but now they're p*ssy footing around afraid to upset the politically correct brigade...Bring out the water cannon the Army and do whatever is necessary to round these criminals up...the Lawyers are going to clean up...!

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rainbowbrew | Aug 09, 2011, 12:18 PM EDT

Funny, I would recommend no one go to New York City even people in the USA. It is one of the most scary places along with Miami and Atlanta. Too bad the state department doesn't warn of the American troubled cities. Lots of government BS and watch out the US government does lie a lot.

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Towngate | Aug 09, 2011, 12:03 PM EDT

The London events are not 'Riots'; they are opportunistic lootings. Who gave them the oportunity? - Which fine body of men notably failed to respond? Who is complaining of a pay and overtime Cap? Whose Commander and Deputy resigned recently under a Murdoch phone-hacking cloud? How did the looters keep in touch? = mobile phone networks! Ironic in the extreme. Dear America: listen to your true leader The Dauntless O'Dowd and come to Ireland for the Craic. If a similar baloon goes up when you are here - just try and enjoy it! - and see if you can get me a new lap-top! Slainte!

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