Sick of negative press on Limerick city

um7y1h83ge06nx

In the last six months I have been in Moyross a few times, not to gawk but to pick up and drop off the girlfriend.

Only been in about as far as the church but I was actually surprised that the place looked nicer than I expected, although I was told it looks a little dodgier in certain other parts.

Amazotheamazing

marienbad wrote: »

But it is a dangerous place, though some parts are far more dangerous than others. And lets stop saying it happens in other cities, maybe it does and let them have their own thread. Until we recognise the problem we wont begin to solve it. We are too defensive with issues of perception.
Solve the problem and the perception will change

Sure you have drug issues in Dublin , but Limerick is really such a small place that relatively small numbers can make certain areas unliveable and virtually every area a potential danger.

How about we tackle the problem and the perception at the same time?

The reason I think perception is such a large issue in solving the problems is that people won't invest in a city with such a bad image, and then the lack of investment creates more of the problems that started the image problem in the first place. Someone asked what would happen to an Ikea in Southill, ffs. There's a perception it's not worth investing in Moyross, Southill or Limerick in general because of it's social problems when it's social problems have their root in a lack of investment (in part). It's a classic vicious circle.

The only way to change the estates in Limerick is through education and investment. We need to break the cycle of unemployment and we need to examine why there's chronic long term unemployment (and that includes people who are chancing their arm) in the estates. The State can take care of the education and investment in facilities, but we need an investment in jobs in Limerick. That has to come from the private sector, from the Wyeth's, the Ikea's etc. Certainly the State can facilitate investment but Limerick itself has to be an attractive place to invest in in the first place.

marienbad

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

How about we tackle the problem and the perception at the same time?

The reason I think perception is such a large issue in solving the problems is that people won't invest in a city with such a bad image, and then the lack of investment creates more of the problems that started the image problem in the first place. Someone asked what would happen to an Ikea in Southill, ffs. There's a perception it's not worth investing in Moyross, Southill or Limerick in general because of it's social problems when it's social problems have their root in a lack of investment (in part). It's a classic vicious circle.

The only way to change the estates in Limerick is through education and investment. We need to break the cycle of unemployment and we need to examine why there's chronic long term unemployment (and that includes people who are chancing their arm) in the estates. The State can take care of the education and investment in facilities, but we need an investment in jobs in Limerick. That has to come from the private sector, from the Wyeth's, the Ikea's etc. Certainly the State can facilitate investment but Limerick itself has to be an attractive place to invest in in the first place.

tackle the problem and the perception will take care of itself. I am always amazed that people get so worked about how we are seen by others when at the same time some of our fellow citizens are daily living in fear.

Every minute/penny/idea wasted on these perception issues is just resources diverted from the real issues.

So let us lose the chip and reclaim the city

Amazotheamazing

marienbad wrote: »

tackle the problem and the perception will take care of itself. I am always amazed that people get so worked about how we are seen by others when at the same time some of our fellow citizens are daily living in fear.

Every minute/penny/idea wasted on these perception issues is just resources diverted from the real issues.

So let us lose the chip and reclaim the city

How do you propose reclaiming the city?

marienbad

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

How do you propose reclaiming the city?

Already gave some suggestions in reply to an earlier post -post 68

liammur

Roadtrippin wrote: »

Exactly. That's why I think excessively covering these problems in the national media is counterproductive to some extent. Since Limerick is one of the cities in Ireland that has been affected a lot by the recession, i.e. unemployment in Limerick is almost 30% higher than in the rest of the country (August 2010 figures from http://limerickpost.ie/index.php/navigation-mainmenu-30/local-news/2116-limerick-unemployment.html), it needs more investors/companies to settle in the area and create new jobs. If potential investors perceive Limerick to be unsafe thanks to too much bad press, they'll stay away which results in no jobs and the same old problems.

You are 1 of the more astute posters on these forums. However, companies won't set up in limerick when they can get better tax breaks in galway, this issue needs to be sorted out by the IDA/Government.

MissHoneyBun

Roadtrippin wrote: »

That's why I think excessively covering these problems in the national media is counterproductive. If potential investors perceive Limerick to be unsafe thanks to too much bad press, they'll stay away which results in no jobs and the same old problems.

Can we drop this 'perceive' nonsense? Limerick is considered unsafe for a reason, please stop looking to excuse the inexcusable. Also, you're naive if you think an annual documentary from RTE will have a substantial bearing on unemployment figures when a simple google will quickly tell any potential investor the state of affairs in Limerick. Going down the route of withdrawing information to suit localised interests is hardly the way forward as recent times have shown us all too well.

Amazotheamazing

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

Can we drop this 'perceive' nonsense? Limerick is considered unsafe for a reason, please stop looking to excuse the inexcusable. Also, you're naive if you think an annual documentary from RTE will have a substantial bearing on unemployment figures when a simple google will quickly tell any potential investor the state of affairs in Limerick. Going down the route of withdrawing information to suit localised interests is hardly the way forward as recent times have shown us all too well.

State of affairs in Limerick, or state of affairs in handful of estates in Limerick? You are able to see a distinction, aren't you?

Would you say Raheen and Castletroy are dangerous places?

Amazotheamazing

marienbad wrote: »

Already gave some suggestions in reply to an earlier post -post 68

I read those points and they relate to the estates, not to the city, imo.

I agree with your points btw, on how to deal with the areas.

marienbad

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

I read those points and they relate to the estates, not to the city, imo.

I agree with your points btw, on how to deal with the areas.

But the estates are the city ! Limerick is just a nexus of streets around William St/O'Connell St surrounded by housing estates and the really shocking thing to me is how really small a city it is and how it Ballyhas become so problematic.

Next time you are in Eason have a look at a map of Limerick , google just dos'nt show how small it is.

It small size make even those areas you mention susceptable to anti social behaviour and crime

Amazotheamazing

marienbad wrote: »

But the estates are the city ! Limerick is just a nexus of streets around William St/O'Connell St surrounded by housing estates and the really shocking thing to me is how really small a city it is and how it Ballyhas become so problematic.

Next time you are in Eason have a look at a map of Limerick , google just dos'nt show how small it is.

It small size make even those areas you mention susceptable to anti social behaviour and crime

I don't need to google to know how small Limerick is.

I think it's important to differentiate between the estates. For example, i think it's far easier to solve the problems in Moyross as it's within walking distance of excellent schools and facilities. It's near fairly quiet areas like Thomondgate, Clareview and Farranshone etc.

We need to stop treating the problem areas as interchangeable. The deprivation in Southill, imo, is far, far worse than it is Moyross. Each area needs it's own solutions. The population of Moyross is about 3,500 and declining and in general the problems are centred on Pineview and Delmege.

When you break the problem down into hard numbers you can see we're not dealing with legions of people here.

munstergirl

This thread has turned into a bashing limerick city.

I've already said i love living in limerick, i feel safe in limerick and am happy living here.

I would not live in a city i didn't like i would move.

But i choose to live in limerick, shop in the city, socialise in the city with never a bit of trouble.

90,000+ people live in city and suburbs most quite happy.

Some families have been living in fear of their neighbours that should never have been allowed to happen. The gardai need to reclaim the streets of the small few estates. Lets build a new prison while we are at it.

CiaranMT

munstergirl wrote: »

This thread has turned into a bashing limerick city.

Nobody here is 'bashing' the city. Bashing would be calling it a scumhole, a disaster area, Detroit of Ireland, what have you. Nobody's been doing that.

Areas of Limerick city have urgent social problems, which need to be dealt with by the people in charge. Do you disagree?

marienbad

munstergirl wrote: »

This thread has turned into a bashing limerick city.

I've already said i love living in limerick, i feel safe in limerick and am happy living here.

I would not live in a city i didn't like i would move.

But i choose to live in limerick, shop in the city, socialise in the city with never a bit of trouble.

90,000+ people live in city and suburbs most quite happy.

Some families have been living in fear of their neighbours that should never have been allowed to happen. The gardai need to reclaim the streets of the small few estates. Lets build a new prison while we are at it.

with an apology in an advance to the poster as I take it he/she is sincere but is it not a Limerick bashing thread.

That Limerick- Stab city is a cliche ,is true , Try to generate one ! First requirement -there must be substantial truth contained within the cliche, No crediblity-no legs-no handy cliche; Stab City contained sufficient truth to have legs- we have to live with it -for now

If you cant state the unvarnished reality and try to deal with it,. Or you choose to state the City Hall combination comb-over p.r. job with a soupcon of reality, then its forever going round in circles

Locals and Some realy heavy duty outside expertice followed by a plan, a budget ,a review,some hire and fires, a plan, a budget ,a review etc
woerks every where else

eroo

Someone's had a few sneaky beaky drinks!

krudler

CiaranMT wrote: »

Nobody here is 'bashing' the city. Bashing would be calling it a scumhole, a disaster area, Detroit of Ireland, what have you. Nobody's been doing that.

Areas of Limerick city have urgent social problems, which need to be dealt with by the people in charge. Do you disagree?

I've been to Detroit, Limericks worse.

liammur

I agree Limerick is a disaster area, but if Ireland keeps voting for the likes of bertie ahern,most other areas will quickly follow suit. Poverty will reign supreme in Ireland because there will be no money to regenerate the ballymuns of this world.

MissHoneyBun

Well in the world of showbiz, there's no such thing as bad press and I think we could all do with some comic relief and these guys are (pure?) hilarious (:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljPFZrRD3J8

liammur

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

Well in the world of showbiz, there's no such thing as bad press and I think we could all do with some comic relief and these guys are (pure?) hilarious (:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljPFZrRD3J8

V funny

Roadtrippin

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

Can we drop this 'perceive' nonsense? Limerick is considered unsafe for a reason, please stop looking to excuse the inexcusable. Also, you're naive if you think an annual documentary from RTE will have a substantial bearing on unemployment figures when a simple google will quickly tell any potential investor the state of affairs in Limerick. Going down the route of withdrawing information to suit localised interests is hardly the way forward as recent times have shown us all too well.

Perceptions matter. I for one am not happy with Limerick being perceived as Stab city etc.

Wouldn't exactly call myself naive for believing that media coverage impacts on peoples' perceptions. In fact, you are the naive one if you think that negative media coverage of Limerick has no bearing on the situation at hand. Anybody that knows a little bit about how the media works also knows that the coverage of certain problems and the lack of reporting on others is NEVER a coincidence in my opinion.

Nobody is asking to withhold or withdraw information. I think I made it pretty clear in one of my earlier posts that in some ways its good these documentaries draw attention to the problem at hand and raise awareness, especially among politicians that can then improve the situation by assigning more funding to fix the problem.
On the other hand, I know for a fact that other cities' PR offices and city hall do stop some negative news on their cities from being reported on to uphold a positive image and not scare away potential tourists, investors etc. So I find it's a bit of a double standard that some cities can withhold information consciously while Limerick cannot.

I think changing the problem at hand and changing the perceptions need to go hand in hand in order to improve things.

marienbad

Roadtrippin wrote: »

Perceptions matter. I for one am not happy with Limerick being perceived as Stab city etc.

Wouldn't exactly call myself naive for believing that media coverage impacts on peoples' perceptions. In fact, you are the naive one if you think that negative media coverage of Limerick has no bearing on the situation at hand. Anybody that knows a little bit about how the media works also knows that the coverage of certain problems and the lack of reporting on others is NEVER a coincidence in my opinion.

Nobody is asking to withhold or withdraw information. I think I made it pretty clear in one of my earlier posts that in some ways its good these documentaries draw attention to the problem at hand and raise awareness, especially among politicians that can then improve the situation by assigning more funding to fix the problem.
On the other hand, I know for a fact that other cities' PR offices and city hall do stop some negative news on their cities from being reported on to uphold a positive image and not scare away potential tourists, investors etc. So I find it's a bit of a double standard that some cities can withhold information consciously while Limerick cannot.

I think changing the problem at hand and changing the perceptions need to go hand in hand in order to improve things.

I have to say I just don't understand why you are so caught up in this perception issue. Limerick's reputation is well earned, so get used to it.
For every negative story we get 10 local politicians jumping on it giving out yet again about the Dublin media but at the same time keeping the negative story going to suit their own local agenda.

Until you change the story you wont change the reporting of it.

krudler

Roadtrippin wrote: »

Perceptions matter. I for one am not happy with Limerick being perceived as Stab city etc.

I literally havent heard a single person outside Limerick call it Stab City in about 10 years, thats a massive chip (possibly of Chicken Hut origin) on Limerick peoples shoulders. If anything it should be called Sawn Off City, or Semi Auto City, but they dont really have the same snappy ring to them, harder to fit on newspaper headline banners too.

cruiser178

jesus christ there are still many posters on this site,with their heads stuck in the sand,its like a jig saw that can not be pieced together,WAKE THE F UP,what prime time did for this city was great,in fact, not good enough,i want too see prime time 2,that piece of tv did not hit home hard enough(the voice of people that had to flee their home,through anti social behaviour,after all they put into their homes was not heard enough),we need more of name and shame,we need to show that the authorities of this so called "city" need to be taken out of power and put to sleep,for good.

sioda

krudler wrote: »

I've been to Detroit, Limericks worse.

krudler wrote: »

I literally havent heard a single person outside Limerick call it Stab City in about 10 years, thats a massive chip (possibly of Chicken Hut origin) on Limerick peoples shoulders. If anything it should be called Sawn Off City, or Semi Auto City, but they dont really have the same snappy ring to them, harder to fit on newspaper headline banners too.

I have heard Limerick referred to on many occasions in both Cork and Dublin as stab city in the past 12 months.

I get from your first point you don't like the city even though comparing anywhere in Ireland to parts of Detroit is utterly ridiculous. Never mind the social aspects but the massive difference in gun culture doesn't reflect any type of parity.

If you know anything about the Media influence in this city you would know that for many years in the early to mid nineties especially both Cork and Galway had no national news outlet or radio broadcaster thus Limerick always got head billing and this led to the stereotype that Limerick has been lumbered with. I am not saying Limerick is a perfect place but feicin hell in the scheme of things its no worse than any other major urban centre.

cruiser178

sioda wrote: »

I have heard Limerick referred to on many occasions in both Cork and Dublin as stab city in the past 12 months.

I get from your first point you don't like the city even though comparing anywhere in Ireland to parts of Detroit is utterly ridiculous. Never mind the social aspects but the massive difference in gun culture doesn't reflect any type of parity.

If you know anything about the Media influence in this city you would know that for many years in the early to mid nineties especially both Cork and Galway had no national news outlet or radio broadcaster thus Limerick always got head billing and this led to the stereotype that Limerick has been lumbered with. I am not saying Limerick is a perfect place but feicin hell in the scheme of things its no worse than any other major urban centre.

hey sioda,thanks for trying to back up limerick city,i love where i live but we have many social promlems,you wouldn't know what to believe,again thanks!!

marienbad

sioda wrote: »

I have heard Limerick referred to on many occasions in both Cork and Dublin as stab city in the past 12 months.

I get from your first point you don't like the city even though comparing anywhere in Ireland to parts of Detroit is utterly ridiculous. Never mind the social aspects but the massive difference in gun culture doesn't reflect any type of parity.

If you know anything about the Media influence in this city you would know that for many years in the early to mid nineties especially both Cork and Galway had no national news outlet or radio broadcaster thus Limerick always got head billing and this led to the stereotype that Limerick has been lumbered with. I am not saying Limerick is a perfect place but feicin hell in the scheme of things its no worse than any other major urban centre.

What are you on about ? what have the media or their location got to do with it ? This is all so Irish, Catholic and parochial where the exposure of a crime is regarded as worse than the crime !

Accept responsibility and face up the the problems, everything else will fall into place.

goingpostal

I think this thread should be retitled to "Sick of biased, inaccurate, lazy, deceitful, discriminatory press coverage of Limerick City".

MissHoneyBun

goingpostal wrote: »

I think this thread should be retitled to "Sick of biased, inaccurate, lazy, deceitful, discriminatory press coverage of Limerick City".

......otherwise known as the truth. Prime Time didn't exactly hire actors for their documentary ffs.The incidents that have been reported on are real, that happened in Limerick carried out by real Limerick criminals and that's just a fact.

You clearly haven't seen the documentary where the people were literally crying out for a voice. They saw the presence of the media as a positive platform to finally air their grievances and let people know what they're going through and I can guarantee if you were living with it on your doorstep, you'd feel the same. It's all very well to preach and make claims about everything being fine from an Ivory Tower.

I also find it ironic that the people banging on about negative media coverage are the very ones who clearly only see the negative in everything. If people like you put as much energy into doing something about these problems as you do moaning about the media then you'd be doing your city an infinitely better service.

seachto7

This is something that pees me off too.
Negative press or the truth? I don't the primetime doco was biased at all. It depicted certain people in certain areas of Limerick and how their lives are.
Yes, there are many good things happening in these areas, but the programme wasn't about that.
It seems many think that "we know this stuff goes on, but we don't want it reported on national tv". I think it should be reported, along with other towns and cities (which is the problem...). The more people know about it, the more something might be done to fix it....
What about the doco on the amount of homeless in Dublin? Couldn't that be considered negative press for Dublin?

Amazotheamazing

MissHoneyBun wrote: »

......otherwise known as the truth. Prime Time didn't exactly hire actors for their documentary ffs.

No,they hired scumbags to act like scumbags. Good work by RTE.