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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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24 comments

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brennanirish | Aug 09, 2011, 11:46 AM EDT

Why doesnt anyone do an interview of Ted Koppel for his coverage,stand alone coverage, of the hunger strikes for ABC's Nightline?? Its the 30th anniversary. He was the only person who gave the story coverage, on a national level, back then....

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FastEddy | Aug 09, 2011, 11:31 AM EDT

"Meanwhile, there are very serious riots in London. ..." Mmmmm, Maybe the whole English speaking world should be put on the list. We just started paring back on the food stamps in Michigan = some disgruntled rioting (apparently) in the works. Oh, well, at least its not Paris again.

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themurphia | Aug 09, 2011, 11:25 AM EDT

Yardleypa:You're a tonic so you are..!

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ciarajoyce | Aug 09, 2011, 11:21 AM EDT

Meanwhile, there are very serious riots in London. Is Irish Central helping to cover up the London riots or did they slip by Irish Central? I don't wish riots on anyone but the riots in London must not be ignored.

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seagreen | Aug 09, 2011, 11:17 AM EDT

This is all about the US govt. attempting to control the American population. Chances are that if you try to use a bank credit card in Greece, Brazil, or Finland, and you do not notify the bank in advance, it may be blocked allegedly for security reasons. Actually it means that it is a clandestine method of tracking individuals. The Banks say that it is only in your interest, but if you are not looking to buy a bridge, you know damn well where the procedure origionated. In Dublin, they chose roving street gangs, in another country it is something else. The American government is increasingly trying to isolate the population in a de facto way. No Geography being taught in elementary schools. Not wanting Americans to see the standard of living of the average person in Western Europe, Japan, or Australia, or to have any knowledge of the wage scale ! America has dug itself a hole with a population of 315 million, and an infrastructure that can only support 200 million. In a situation like this, what else do you do ? You teach your population that they have never had it so good compared to Nigeria

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Yardleypa | Aug 09, 2011, 10:06 AM EDT

Tell them tou lost your aaa rating and they might be better off jumping on a Brit or German.

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antoman | Aug 09, 2011, 08:50 AM EDT

Americans should learn and practise the Cork accent before flying into Dublin.In the unlikely event of one being mugged simply exclaim in your best Cork accent,"erra go way o dat boy,sure all I gets is the dole and free cheese".The mugger may then have sympathy for you and may very well give you some dollars he acquired from a previous client.

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LoyalCitizen | Aug 09, 2011, 08:40 AM EDT

Continued unemployment, long term poverty, Mr O'Dowd might have to eat his words. You can't expect the poor to take crap forever. Jails are full of poor people.

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mamaginnty | Aug 09, 2011, 08:32 AM EDT

When I read this, the first person who came to mind was ...GoergeDillon, we should have known he was working for the State department all along.

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