Is Limerick a safe place to stand out?

bigpink

Going to get nasty people everywhere but times have moved on shur even the scumbags have gays nowadays

Freiheit

I think the city centre is the least safe and least enlightened of the greater Limerick area. Dereliction and a lot of disadvantage......

Pumpkinseeds

I have to say that as a woman, I feel very unsafe when I visit Limerick. I dread having to use ATMs if I'm alone. I used to use the ATM in Tesco rather than on the street, though that has gone now. Regardless of statistics, I find that Limerick has a very unpleasant air of tension, I haven't come across anything like it outside of Bradford. There are too many scumbags, loud, aggressive and in your face.

I've met lovely people from Limerick, however, I hate having to spend any time in Limerick, purely as a result of the amount of scum I encounter when I'm there.

say_who_now?

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I have to say that as a woman, I feel very unsafe when I visit Limerick. I dread having to use ATMs if I'm alone. I used to use the ATM in Tesco rather than on the street, though that has gone now. Regardless of statistics, I find that Limerick has a very unpleasant air of tension, I haven't come across anything like it outside of Bradford. There are too many scumbags, loud, aggressive and in your face.

I've met lovely people from Limerick, however, I hate having to spend any time in Limerick, purely as a result of the amount of scum I encounter when I'm there.

As a guy I have to say that using an ATM in ANY city or town makes me nervous. For the most part though I find the scumbags keep to themselves. Of course I don't be on the look out for them, but usually after the club on a weekend night they tend to pack out fast food joints, so I avoid those places. Most of it is just common sense really and in 15 years living down here I personally have never had any trouble of any sort.

zulutango

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I have to say that as a woman, I feel very unsafe when I visit Limerick. I dread having to use ATMs if I'm alone. I used to use the ATM in Tesco rather than on the street, though that has gone now. Regardless of statistics, I find that Limerick has a very unpleasant air of tension, I haven't come across anything like it outside of Bradford. There are too many scumbags, loud, aggressive and in your face.

I've met lovely people from Limerick, however, I hate having to spend any time in Limerick, purely as a result of the amount of scum I encounter when I'm there.

Perception is everything really. Time and time again, the stats show that Limerick City is pretty safe, and a fair bit safer than practically every other Irish city. It's fairly rare that you'd come across any trouble, and yet rarer still that the trouble would impact on you. I'd suggest that you scratch beneath the surface a little bit and get to know a few Limerick folk. You'll find that almost everybody is good-natured, much more so than elsewhere in Ireland. It's one of the city's great strengths.

Mc Love

Every city has scum - it just seems to be more spread out and confined to certain parts, but in Limerick, they tend to congregate around the main throughfares.

maryk123

I cant believe some of these replies about Limerick. There are scumbags everywhere. We must go to different places as I have not encountered any hassle in limerick and i was born here. yes i see them everywhere i go but i dont socialise with them and they dont bother me. as another poster said they stick to themselves. i think people who are that nervous have an issue with that themselves. i was in dublin recently and i couldnt believe the amount of scumbags that were hanging around the city but again i didnt let it bother me i just went about my shopping. but i cant understand how people think there are more in limerick - where are yee people shopping/socialising

Pumpkinseeds

say_who_now? wrote: »

As a guy I have to say that using an ATM in ANY city or town makes me nervous. For the most part though I find the scumbags keep to themselves. Of course I don't be on the look out for them, but usually after the club on a weekend night they tend to pack out fast food joints, so I avoid those places. Most of it is just common sense really and in 15 years living down here I personally have never had any trouble of any sort.

Its the females that worry me more than the males. They seem to see brawling in public as some sort of badge of honour. I don't dress like a skank, so therefore its obvious that I don't do brawling, so to them I must seem like an easy target. Christ the bints look like they'd rip the face off you, just for being in their general vicinity. I think that broadly speaking, the scum have taken over the streets and shops of Limerick.

Pumpkinseeds

I honestly wouldn't socialise in Limerick, my perception of Limerick is based on what I encounter in the city centre. I have lived in cities, in Ireland and the UK, although I have never experienced anything like what I see in Limerick anywhere other than Bradford.

Open drug taking, a visible lack of policing, groups of skanks monopolising things. Unfortunately Limerick took the wrong approach to scum, they seem to be a protected species and when I do go to Limerick I can't wait to leave. As I said, I've met lovely people from Limerick, its just that there seems to be a high concentration of scum in the city centre and any attempt to draw new business into and revitalise the city centre needs to tackle that problem first.

Insect Overlord

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I honestly wouldn't socialise in Limerick, my perception of Limerick is based on what I encounter in the city centre. I have lived in cities, in Ireland and the UK, although I have never experienced anything like what I see in Limerick anywhere other than Bradford.

I believe Limerick Pride are having their parade today. Bet they prove you wrong.

say_who_now?

Insect Overlord wrote: »

I believe Limerick Pride are having their parade today. Bet they prove you wrong.

Raging I missed this earlier, but they're having a party in the grounds of the Hunt Museum so I said I'd mosey down and mingle.

[sarcasm]I hope I don't "stand out" in my conventional shirt and tie[/sarcasm]

Far more likely I won't be looked at twice...

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

Its the females that worry me more than the males. They seem to see brawling in public as some sort of badge of honour. I don't dress like a skank, so therefore its obvious that I don't do brawling, so to them I must seem like an easy target. Christ the bints look like they'd rip the face off you, just for being in their general vicinity. I think that broadly speaking, the scum have taken over the streets and shops of Limerick.

WOW!!! I wouldn't like to meet you down a dark alley!

As another poster said- perception is everything. I could dissect your post point by point, but must dash!

Pumpkinseeds

Perception and experience. You have yours and I have mine.

say_who_now?

Might be a perfect opportunity to try out this concept of perception vs reality here:

I was walking down Bedford Row when a lady approached me and asked would I and my son like to take part in a product taste testing they were conducting in the Savoy, "sure why not" I thought, "If ever there was anyone with a more discerning palate, it's this guy."

As it turned out, no matter how many times the lady told him he was tasting two strawberry yoghurts, my son insisted one of them was raspberry! Poor woman probably thought to herself "and I thought this was going to be easy!" :pac:

zulutango

Pumpkinseeds wrote: »

I honestly wouldn't socialise in Limerick, my perception of Limerick is based on what I encounter in the city centre. I have lived in cities, in Ireland and the UK, although I have never experienced anything like what I see in Limerick anywhere other than Bradford.

Open drug taking, a visible lack of policing, groups of skanks monopolising things. Unfortunately Limerick took the wrong approach to scum, they seem to be a protected species and when I do go to Limerick I can't wait to leave. As I said, I've met lovely people from Limerick, its just that there seems to be a high concentration of scum in the city centre and any attempt to draw new business into and revitalise the city centre needs to tackle that problem first.

Pumpkinseeds, you are cordially invited back to Limerick. We'll show you the real city and I would be surprised if you didn't leave with a positive impression.

say_who_now?

zulutango wrote: »

Pumpkinseeds, you are cordially invited back to Limerick. We'll show you the real city and I would be surprised if you didn't leave with a positive impression.

I want her to direct me to where the drugs, skanks and bints are first Zulu, that sounds like a party!

moby2101

Hi
I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking Pumpinseeds posts are absurd.

I'm 40, born in Co Limerick and I've lived in SCR for the last 15 or so years. I travel regularly all over the UK and France and I guarantee that Limerick is no better no worse in terms of its problems on a scale anywhere in Europe.

Unfortunately we have a HUGE unemployment problem, 29% IIRC.

I would socialise in the City at least every second weekend, I've yet to see someone "shooting" drugs...
Or prowling the lawless streets as the poster seems intent on portraying.
Of course there are social problems, but please don't exaggerate the issue, I've already read a piece in the Irish Times today putting Limerick down again.

I'd love to meet up with pumpkinseeds on a night out and show him/her the City that I know and I'm proud to live in.

say_who_now?

moby2101 wrote: »

Hi
I'm glad I'm not alone in thinking Pumpinseeds posts are absurd.

I'm 40, born in Co Limerick and I've lived in SCR for the last 15 or so years. I travel regularly all over the UK and France and I guarantee that Limerick is no better no worse in terms of its problems on a scale anywhere in Europe.

Unfortunately we have a HUGE unemployment problem, 29% IIRC.

I would socialise in the City at least every second weekend, I've yet to see someone "shooting" drugs...
Or prowling the lawless streets as the poster seems intent on portraying.
Of course there are social problems, but please don't exaggerate the issue, I've already read a piece in the Irish Times today putting Limerick down again.

I'd love to meet up with pumpkinseeds on a night out and show him/her the City that I know and I'm proud to live in.

Echoes my sentiments exactly! I've lived down here 15 years and when I first moved down, Limerick was then commonly known as "Stab City". I never experienced any of this, but I'd regularly be talking to a homeless guy who regales me with tales of the Dundons and the McCarthys and the this, that and the other. I couldn't honestly care less who these people are (I've heard of them, I just don't care about them!), but he's quite the affable chap and it's not ten minutes out of my day to stop for a chat.

I'm probably the most judgemental and critical person you'll come across (just ask my wife!) but this has never stopped me from meeting new and interesting people every day as I go about my life in the city of Limerick. All depends on one's perspective really!

El_Dangeroso

Insect Overlord wrote: »

I believe Limerick Pride are having their parade today. Bet they prove you wrong.

My fiance was in Limerick city today while I was out at my parents house in the city.

He witnessed a small group of scumbags roaring abuse at the parade, making fun of the participants, walking through it and laughing. He said it was policed really well though and the participants far outweighed the scumbags.

I'm Limerick born and bred as are my parents but moved to Galway in 2008.

TBH the difference in the two cities is night and day. No doubt you'd get trouble in Galway if you went looking for it/hung out at supermacs late at night, but I have never once been shouted at randomly in the street in Galway the way I have been in Limerick. And to be honest it's seems to be getting worse by the year.

I love Limerick and its people, it's got so much going for it. Shame to see it increasingly dominated by the kind of element described in this thread.

Limerick city is becoming a ghost town. Go to Cork, Dublin or Galway on a Tuesday afternoon and people are out shopping, thronging the CBD, Limerick is dead in comparison. The cresent shopping centre might have a lot to answer for in this respect.

I fail to see how burying our heads in the sand or saying 'Oh well X place is worse' is going to do anything to improve this situation.

zulutango

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

My fiance was in Limerick city today while I was out at my parents house in the city.

He witnessed a small group of scumbags roaring abuse at the parade, making fun of the participants, walking through it and laughing. He said it was policed really well though and the participants far outweighed the scumbags.

I'm Limerick born and bred as are my parents but moved to Galway in 2008.

TBH the difference in the two cities is night and day. No doubt you'd get trouble in Galway if you went looking for it/hung out at supermacs late at night, but I have never once been shouted at randomly in the street in Galway the way I have been in Limerick. And to be honest it's seems to be getting worse by the year.

I love Limerick and its people, it's got so much going for it. Shame to see it increasingly dominated by the kind of element described in this thread.

Limerick city is becoming a ghost town. Go to Cork, Dublin or Galway on a Tuesday afternoon and people are out shopping, thronging the CBD, Limerick is dead in comparison. The cresent shopping centre might have a lot to answer for in this respect.

I fail to see how burying our heads in the sand or saying 'Oh well X place is worse' is going to do anything to improve this situation.

Couldn't disagree more to be honest. I'm living in the city centre the last few years and there's a great buzz about the place. Sure, a lot of businesses have closed, but others have opened. For every high street store that close on Cruise's Street, two or three locally owned businesses have opened on Catherine Street and elsewhere. Yes, it's a struggle for us all, but there's great things going on in Limerick these days. It's a more pleasant city to live in than at the height of the Celtic Tiger.

As for the night time scene, it can be quiet alright, but we're a small city. Our demographics are quite different to Galway's (younger population, students aplenty, and lots of tourists). This is what you're seeing. We need to stop apologising for the way Limerick is, and get out and get involved in the really great things happening here. There's been a total revival of the night life in the city in the last couple of years with pubs and music venues opening up away from the drinking emporiums of Denmark Street. Bourke's, Wicked Chicken, Blind Pig / Dr. John's, Tom Collins have all taken on a new lease of life and are going from strength to strength.

say_who_now?

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

TBH the difference in the two cities is night and day. No doubt you'd get trouble in Galway if you went looking for it/hung out at supermacs late at night, but I have never once been shouted at randomly in the street in Galway the way I have been in Limerick. And to be honest it's seems to be getting worse by the year.

Superknacks is the exact same in every town in Ireland. Nobody here is burying their heads in the sand, I guarantee you some from Galway City will say they have the same unsavory element just as visible as Limerick. I DO see it, but I just tend not to pay as much attention to it as other people seem to do, and certainly there's an element of exaggeration at play here in some posts. Limerick is definitely not the lawless badlands that some posters would have you believe.

I just happen to believe that events in Limerick, such as Limerick Pride, don't get enough publicity, and the unsavory element gets far too MUCH publicity! I'm not a sunshine and lollipops kinda guy, but I do believe there is far too much made in the media and even by some of the posters in this thread, about the negative aspects of Limerick, that could just as easily apply to any city or town in the world... depending on who you talk to!

Silentcorner

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

My fiance was in Limerick city today while I was out at my parents house in the city.

He witnessed a small group of scumbags roaring abuse at the parade, making fun of the participants, walking through it and laughing. He said it was policed really well though and the participants far outweighed the scumbags.

I'm Limerick born and bred as are my parents but moved to Galway in 2008.

TBH the difference in the two cities is night and day. No doubt you'd get trouble in Galway if you went looking for it/hung out at supermacs late at night, but I have never once been shouted at randomly in the street in Galway the way I have been in Limerick. And to be honest it's seems to be getting worse by the year.

I love Limerick and its people, it's got so much going for it. Shame to see it increasingly dominated by the kind of element described in this thread.

Limerick city is becoming a ghost town. Go to Cork, Dublin or Galway on a Tuesday afternoon and people are out shopping, thronging the CBD, Limerick is dead in comparison. The cresent shopping centre might have a lot to answer for in this respect.

I fail to see how burying our heads in the sand or saying 'Oh well X place is worse' is going to do anything to improve this situation.

I don't think you can accuse anyone in Limerick of burying their heads in the sand, we are well aware of our social issues, they are presented to us not only on news pages or tv programmes we also have to put up with it on online forums...

We just differ in our opinions on how over exaggerated or justified our reputation is

Take the piece in the Irish Times today, this paper, and I believe this journalist is constantly writing negative articles on our city, she did one where she spent a night in an Emergency department randomly to see what impact cutbacks were having...guess where...Limerick...she actually didn't see any stabbings or shootings but she claimed the hospitals PR person ( who was working the night shift apparentely ) approached her and asked her did she see any victims of stabbing or shooting "as if it were a common occurance"!!!...this is the Irish Times...another article shortly after was on a day she spent in a halting site in...guess where...Southill...

Why am I pointing this out...well for a good 15 years it has been one piece after another, no where in this country receives that kind of treatment, and it takes a devastating toll...

You live in Galway which is the most visited area of the country, receives nothing but positive coverage, which by the way is the way it should be, our country is a low crime country so no area should be stigmatised...you now live in a town with a higher assault rate than Limerick according to the crime piece in the Times a number of weeks ago, I know it doesn't feel like that, because in Galway if there is crime the rest of the country doesn't get to hear about it...not the case here in Limerick...

The Galway races receive large media coverage every year, all positive, but very little mention of the 25% ( approx ) drop in numbers, or has there ever been a single person seriously assaulted during race week over the years, do you get my point...the first people to be charged under the new anti gangland legislation were mebers of a gang in Galway, they must be the best behaved gang in the country because their crimes never make the news...

This area does not receive similar treatment from our media or citizens, which is one of the major reasones we don't receive a lot of tourists, who, by and large are the people out shopping on a Tuesday afternoon...

I'll give another example...I have often heard "Its always raining in Limerick", I know it is a different kettle of fish althogether but the principle is the same, this is probably as a result of watching Angelas Ashes, I have yet to uncover a shred of evidence to back up this perception, in fact from what I can see we have a dryer city than Dublin, Cork or Galway, I recognise that it isn't a massive issue for us, and we do have other things to worry about, but like I said the principle is the same...

El_Dangeroso

I can say without any doubt a doubt that Galway is far far rainier than Limerick

I'm not basing my opinion on media coverage or statistics, I'm basing it on my own life experience. Maybe I have been unlucky in Limerick and lucky in Galway I don't know. But that's been my experience, and that of many other people that I know.

Silentcorner

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

I can say without any doubt a doubt that Galway is far far rainier than Limerick

I'm not basing my opinion on media coverage or statistics, I'm basing it on my own life experience. Maybe I have been unlucky in Limerick and lucky in Galway I don't know. But that's been my experience, and that of many other people that I know.

I think you are missing my point, I wasn't addressing your experience in Limerick, how could I know what that is, I was addressing your point about how quiet the city is, and how negative perceptions can damage a city, I also rebuked your suggestion that Limerick people are burying our heads in the sand.

I can point to a completely different experience of life in Limerick, and that of many other people I know

say_who_now?

El_Dangeroso wrote: »

I can say without any doubt a doubt that Galway is far far rainier than Limerick

I'm not basing my opinion on media coverage or statistics, I'm basing it on my own life experience. Maybe I have been unlucky in Limerick and lucky in Galway I don't know. But that's been my experience, and that of many other people that I know.

Just for the giggles I took a look thru the Galway City forum, and it's pretty much the same as the Limerick City forum (except we don't have a private ambulance laid on for drunks!), so it's probably more a case that you and your friends have been unlucky in Limerick and lucky in Galway. Same as anywhere else in the world then!

Freiheit

I will say that Galway doesn't appear to have the same visible social disadvantage as Limerick (I've lived there too),which is very obvious in the city centre. The Crescent Shopping centre and that area,likewise the area around the University are very different.

The city centre is small,in a state of decay,very high unemployment,and very disadvantaged residential areas in the vicinity. It's well acknowledged that city centre needs a genuine regeneration,hence attempts to entice the University there and substantial new Business. No there hasn't been many new shops open in Limerick city. Those that have opened have been largely Euro stores and often very short lived.

There's been talk of Marks and Spencers for years,but it will probably never happen. The ill-fated and now derelict Opera Shopping centre,2 closed Dunnes Stores,Evans,Next,even Diesel are gone, Nothing substantial has replaced them. Even the City Council offices are likely to go or have staffing reduced as local authorities are merged.

If the city centre was more developed,which would in turn increase employment and in turn social diversity well Limerick City centre would feel like a better place.

pigtown

Diesel are gone from Bedford Row? When did this happen?

MHalberstram

I generally find that opinions on Limerick swing between two extremes - from those that would have you believe it is like a warzone to the others that would never have a negative to say about the place, even if it was staring them in the face.

I like to stroll around the market on a Saturday and then usually head to the Bedford Row/Thomas St./Catherine St. area for a bite to eat/shopping.

Usually quite an enjoyable few hours but nearly every time I am in the city I witness scumbags behaving in their usual manner - yesterday I saw a group of teenagers battering something off the window of a bus outside Debenhams as it was turning onto O'Connell Street. Think it was an apple and they were roaring abuse at the female driver. It was clear by their attitude that they were out to cause trouble.

I also find that sitting outside cafes in the city can be quite hit and miss. Many a time I have been hassled by junkies for money, scumbags for cigs or a light who then roar abuse if you don't happen to smoke or otherwise entertain them.

There are certain streets that I just avoid as much as possible because of the kind of people that tend to gather on them - Cruises Street,William Street,the street leading to Henry Street Garda Station where the youth centre is (always some smartass outside with cheeky comments), Wickham Street and the area around the station, Arthurs Quay park.

Thankfully the worst thing I can complain about is getting hassled by junkies for change/cigs. That is about it but some of them can be intimidating. I can see how older people or women could be very frightened by some of these people.

Other than that I just don't like how free events in the city attract the worse element possible, creating a rather unpleasant atmosphere with their antics.

Unfortunately they just appear to be more visible in Limerick, there is no escape from them really.

Oh and one thing that I cannot leave out - I very rarely see Gardai on foot patrol in the shopping areas in Limerick. In fact I can't remember the last time I saw them walking around the city, day or night.

I'm sure they must patrol, but I'd like to see a more visible presence on the beat. Permanently too and not just for a week or two around Christmas.

Silentcorner

MHalberstram wrote: »

I generally find that opinions on Limerick swing between two extremes - from those that would have you believe it is like a warzone to the others that would never have a negative to say about the place, even if it was staring them in the face.

I like to stroll around the market on a Saturday and then usually head to the Bedford Row/Thomas St./Catherine St. area for a bite to eat/shopping.

Usually quite an enjoyable few hours but nearly every time I am in the city I witness scumbags behaving in their usual manner - yesterday I saw a group of teenagers battering something off the window of a bus outside Debenhams as it was turning onto O'Connell Street. Think it was an apple and they were roaring abuse at the female driver. It was clear by their attitude that they were out to cause trouble.

I also find that sitting outside cafes in the city can be quite hit and miss. Many a time I have been hassled by junkies for money, scumbags for cigs or a light who then roar abuse if you don't happen to smoke or otherwise entertain them.


I agree with your first statement, which extreme do you belong to?, do you believe it is like a warzone? or not?

I too often spend time in city centre on a saturday, and i often spend time in the outdoor cafes, I also like to walk around the city centre in the evening time, and NOT ONCE have I encountered any unpleasentless, not once, no one has ever stopped me for light, I have never been hassled by junkies, I see them on the street alright but they never hassle me, for years I have heard people mention how you should be careful where you walk in the evening time, I often walk from Thomond Bridge down and across the new bridge and back again, past poor mans Kilkee and back to the treaty stone, sometimes I take the arthurs quay/st mary cathederal route back, I have seen kids in tracksuits messing about from time to time but NEVER have I encountered an ounce of trouble. Which I do find suprising because in ANY city centre you can expect some kind of contact with rougher elements late in the evening...

The reason the rougher element may be more visable is because of the lack of tourists in the city centre, that and a lot of middle class Limerick are out shopping in the Crescent, ever notice that element when a big rugby match is on, or Riverfest for example...

Declaring our city centre to be like a warzone is simply wrong, and irresponsible

MHalberstram

Silentcorner wrote: »

I agree with your first statement, which extreme do you belong to?, do you believe it is like a warzone? or not?

- I think it should be fairly obvious from my previous post that I belong to neither group.

I too often spend time in city centre on a saturday, and i often spend time in the outdoor cafes, I also like to walk around the city centre in the evening time, and NOT ONCE have I encountered any unpleasentless, not once, no one has ever stopped me for light, I have never been hassled by junkies, I see them on the street alright but they never hassle me, for years I have heard people mention how you should be careful where you walk in the evening time, I often walk from Thomond Bridge down and across the new bridge and back again, past poor mans Kilkee and back to the treaty stone, sometimes I take the arthurs quay/st mary cathederal route back, I have seen kids in tracksuits messing about from time to time but NEVER have I encountered an ounce of trouble. Which I do find suprising because in ANY city centre you can expect some kind of contact with rougher elements late in the evening...

You have your experiences, I have mine. I can't say why I see trouble and you don't. Good for you though.

Declaring our city centre to be like a warzone is simply wrong, and irresponsible

Yeah I agree. If you think I implied that statement was true then you need to re-read my post. I said I spend an enjoyable few hours in the city every Saturday. I also happen to usually see some minor incident or once or twice get hassled for change outside a cafe. Not really a huge deal to me.

Freiheit

More often than not if I have a liquid outside I get someone asking me for money or cigarettes (and I don't even smoke),none have ever attacked me but it isn't very nice and one can never be sure. This is especially so the further up O Connel St I go,around the White House (lovely bar) it's very bad....