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US State Department warned about dangerous gangs - in Ireland
Posted on Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 09:01 AM
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Does any American considering a trip to any western European nation actually consult the State Department's travel warnings? I ask because just as London was exploding in waves of violent, riotous behavior the State Department's Irish warning was a point of discussion in Ireland. The State Department warns Americans coming to Ireland that
"there have been a limited number of assaults on foreigners and tourists, including violence toward members of racial minority groups. There have also been several reported assaults in Dublin by small, unorganized 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."
Truth is, I don't have a problem with the State Department's warning, but they could have humanized it and made it more accurate and useful for Americans by adding the following: 'Stuff happens everywhere, even very bad stuff, but if you're inclined to travel abroad there are few cities the size of Dublin that are as safe to visit or regions/states in America that are safer than Ireland. Keep your head and you'll be fine.'
What annoys me is that they didn't say anything like that, but on their page about travel to the United Kingdom they did. In addition to omitting any mention of petty crime in tourist areas, which I bet is similar to what we have here, they included the following: "As with any major metropolitan city, U.S. citizens are urged to be cautious and aware of their surroundings."
Why couldn't the note on Ireland include the same?
Funny enough, any American looking at the these two warnings might well conclude that the UK would be a safer bet. Maybe those people who heed State Department warnings are at this very moment cursing the government for not warning them that they might encounter 'large, organized gangs roaming the streets in the early evening hours when people are making their way to the theater.'
Of course you can't blame the State Department for not warning people about the riots. Nobody saw this coming. It does, however, illustrate how ludicrous the State Department's warnings are.
Still, Ireland and Dublin have a right to feel aggrieved when you compare the language of the two warnings. One says use common sense; the other gives you pause for thought. And this week anyone who heeded the two warnings is possibly seeking shelter from the rampaging horde and picking his way through the broken glass of destroyed store-fronts of some London neighborhoods.
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seanomelbourne | Aug 11, 2011, 06:13 PM EDT
bogside bunny is on an anti-Irish rant.
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bogsidebunny | Aug 11, 2011, 02:59 AM EDT
Generally the major cities (Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway) are the problem. Fueled by alcohol and drugs in a Liberal, permissive society the street urchins (dare I include Traveller youth) prowl the streets unfettered. The Garda seem to remain in their barracks after 10:00 PM and respond to dire emergencies (Ah suren, it was only your purse that was snached. Stop past the barracks in the morning and fill out a report......They hit you over the head as well, and you're bleeding profusely? Then ring 999 and ask for an ambulance and come into the barracks after you're sorted out by the A&E in a month's time.) WARNING, the "Auld Sod" has entered the 21st century Mr & Mrs naive tourist. Cancel your dream holiday, save some money and take a tour of the South Bronx, NYC. It'll be safer!
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Ajreaper | Aug 10, 2011, 10:23 PM EDT
I always take a cab from the airport to my hotel in any city I fly in to- cab drivers, in my opinion are the best sources on information in any city. Ask them about places to avoid and such- its time and money well spent (they can also tell you the best places to grab a pint as well).
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jamieLM | Aug 10, 2011, 01:10 PM EDT
TheYank,
It's been my experience that first-time travelers consult travel agents, friends, and other resources for guidance in planning a travel itinerary. Unless you're living under a rock, you know there's trouble in England. I have friends who are part of a large group leaving for Ireland in 2 wks. They're planning to be in Dublin and are no more concerned about their safety than they would be in any other city, here or abroad, except maybe London. Look at Oslo. You could've been there at the wrong time. There's always some risk when you venture out of your house.
Americans love Ireland. There are some American tourists who won't go to Dublin even if it were declared the "safest city in the universe" because they prefer touring the countryside and other regions of Ireland. Unless there's a terrorist attack in Dublin, I think you can count on tourists to come. The economy is more of a factor for travel than fear.
We know there are travel risks in America's cities. I go to Chicago, but not the south side. I go to St. Louis, but I don't go into East St. Louis. I wouldn't be out on the streets late at night in any city, anywhere. I view Dublin no more risky than some places in America's big cities.
The State Dept. has less inflence on Americans than you think. We like to decide for ourselves where it's safe to travel.
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TheYank | Aug 10, 2011, 10:12 AM EDT
jamieLM,
Of course Americans will go if they really want to go, especially to western Europe. They might take the State Dept warnings more seriously if they were considering going to a region they don't know well - like the Caucasus or wherever.
Still, there may be some who don't really know where they want to go only that they want to go somewhere different. Such a person might actually choose the UK over Ireland because the State Dept seems to indicate that the UK is safer. I don't think it is.
Of course Americans will go if they really want to go, especially to western Europe. They might take the State Dept warnings more seriously if they were considering going to a region they don't know well - like the Caucasus or wherever.
Still, there may be some who don't really know where they want to go only that they want to go somewhere different. Such a person might actually choose the UK over Ireland because the State Dept seems to indicate that the UK is safer. I don't think it is.
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jamieLM | Aug 10, 2011, 09:59 AM EDT
The Yank - you know the American mindset. If Americans really want to go someplace, they'll go, in spite of any warning like the one issued for Dublin. The Dublin warning could've been issued for cities in the U.S. If you're going to travel here or abroad, it's your responsibility to find out which areas are less safe and should be avoided - when and where. Every city has such places. We were given a similar warning about Oslo in 2006 that you've printed about Dublin and we went there anyway and had no problems. Most Americans get their travel warnings from travel agents, tour books, people who have already traveled abroad, and from the people in the city they're visiting. They may be more cautious, but that Dublin warning isn't going to keep Americans out of Dublin if they really want to go there. It always helps when one uses some common sense because no city is 100% safe, 24/7. Traveler beware.
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