GAA Pearse Stadium parking - read mod warning in post #1

dastardly00

Iwannahurl wrote: »

How many can you count in this pic?

2 in the far left, 1 in the far right, and the two in the foreground.

What do I win? :P

Iwannahurl

Nuttin. You haven't spotted them all yet.

I see more, but maybe other posters have better eyesight than me and can spot another one or two.

The next question is, what are the salaried members actually doing?

connemara man

I can spot seven, five in the high vis and two in just the shirt. Is there more?

snubbleste

7 in uniform anyway.

As to what they are doing? Watching the match, d'oh!

Iwannahurl

Seven it is, by my reckoning. Your prize is in the post.

So what are they doing? Crowd control? Spotting potential trouble-makers? Looking for illegal parkers?

snubbleste wrote: »

As to what they are doing? Watching the match, d'oh!

That's what it looks like, doesn't it? Do you think it's likely they were being paid overtime, it being a Sunday? Or is that not the way AGS rostering works?

By way of contrast, there were anecdotal reports on GBFM today of parents being asked to pay a €5 entrance fee for infants in prams, because "everyone in the stadium had to be accounted for".

snubbleste

Afaik Sunday is effectively double pay
http://www.gra.cc/weekends__nights_public_holidays.shtml

Iwannahurl

snubbleste wrote: »

Afaik Sunday is effectively double pay
http://www.gra.cc/weekends__nights_public_holidays.shtml

Nice one.

How many Sunday-rostered members in this pic?

Iwannahurl

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Seven it is, by my reckoning. Your prize is in the post.

So what are they doing?

All sporting events around the world have a large Garda presence particularly in stadiums. I've been to many matches in many different sports in different countries and all have lots of police, much more than you would see in pearse stadium yesterday in a lot of cases. The event wouldn't be allowed to go ahead without a good Garda presence.

Also I will say it again, we had no really traffic holds ups in coming in from the country at 1:30 pm yesterday and had no problem legally parking less than 10 mins walk from the ground. Also had a very acceptable level of hold up getting home and saw Gardai directing traffic at the junction near aldi in west side which helped traffic flow much better which was turning right and heading over the QCB. People just need to be smarter about the routes they take back to the Salthill area.

Also on top of everything, this is by far the biggest game that will be played in the stadium until we play Mayo again at home in 2017. Is it really that big a deal for people to put up with one day of disruption for a very big and important sporting event, you would swear it was happening weekly the way some people go on.

Iwannahurl

Did you not hear about the match-related gridlock, and the Park & Ride fiasco?

What do you suppose the Traffic Corps was doing inside the stadium?

Conor Warm Hazel wrote: »

Is it really that big a deal for people to put up with one day of disruption for a very big and important sporting event, you would swear it was happening weekly the way some people go on.

Is it really that big a deal to expect people, just once or twice a year, to park legally in an appropriate location and walk to the stadium for a very big and important sporting event?


.

Iwannahurl

No apology for the après match chaos? That's someone else's responsibility, perhaps. But whose?

The GAA has apologised for the chaos that arose yesterday as football supporters tried to get to Pearse Stadium in Salthill for the Galway-Mayo clash.

The GAA had said 600 car parking spaces were available from Carnmore Airport as part of the service with buses operating to the Salthill venue from noon at regular intervals.

Matchgoer Tomás O’Neachtain says many people arrived at Carnmore at 2.30pm and missed the first half of the match.

He claimed that only four buses appeared to be operating following the match and many failed to adhere to a queuing system, resulting in a ‘free-for-all’.

Tomás says returning from Croke Park would have been quicker.
Galway GAA County Chairman, Noel Treacy has told NewsBreak that a number of factors contributed to yesterday’s problems.

http://connachttribune.ie/gaa-apologises-for-traffic-chaos-surrounding-galway-mayo-match/

dilallio

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Did you not hear about the match-related gridlock, and the Park & Ride fiasco?

What do you suppose the Traffic Corps was doing inside the stadium?


.

Free Donuts Supermacs

Dan_Solo

pmasterson95 wrote: »

I do honestly find it mind boggling how adults seemingly cannot keep the same skills and instead of going around an obstacle as a child would, instead just get the overwhelming urge to be a vandal.

And why should they have to walk on roads because drivers choose to park illegally? Or are they just too thick to park properly, a bit like their pedestrian counterparts who can't walk properly?
I'd love to see some Polish crowd put in charge of clamping across the city... the cops and GAA don't give a **** what laws they break.

Iwannahurl

There was serious clamping about 3 km from the stadium. It seems a few Galway supporters thought it would be handy to park on private property, despite the prominent warning signs. Their trip to the match gifted them a losing team, a €100 release fee and a 2-hour traffic jam on their way home (depending on direction of travel).

The difference between private clampers and AGS/Council "enforcers" is that the clampers are motivated, and presumably answerable to their line manager/employer.

The supporters who were clamped had to pay a price for their mistake. The illegal parkers around the stadium paid no price, other than the traffic congestion of their own making. The Council and AGS will not pay for their mistakes, because they are accountable to nobody.

Mrs OBumble

Conor Warm Hazel wrote: »

All sporting events around the world have a large Garda presence particularly in stadiums. I've been to many matches in many different sports in different countries and all have lots of police, much more than you would see in pearse stadium yesterday in a lot of cases. The event wouldn't be allowed to go ahead without a good Garda presence.

Everywhere else in the world, the cops are standing with their backs to the field, watching the crowd.

Don't see much of that behaviour here.

buzz11

c_man

Some of those pictures... I've got a personal interest here but feck me, drivers blocking paths and forcing people onto the road is pure scumbag behaviour. Obviously they have no disabled family members nor give a fuk about such people.

I was at the match, am a pretty big Galway supporter (for my sins :P ) and hate that dickheads like those give the rest of fans a bad name. Don't tar us all with the same brush, I'd have no problems with a proper clamp down on this behaviour.

Iwannahurl

Iwannahurl wrote: »

There was serious clamping about 3 km from the stadium. It seems a few Galway supporters thought it would be handy to park on private property, despite the prominent warning signs. Their trip to the match gifted them a losing team, a €100 release fee and a 2-hour traffic jam on their way home (depending on direction of travel).

The difference between private clampers and AGS/Council "enforcers" is that the clampers are motivated, and presumably answerable to their line manager/employer.

The main difference is private clampers are basically Cowboys with no actual right to clamp your car and if you remove the clamp there isn't a singe thing they can do. They certainly won't risk bringing your to court incase their racket is stopped.

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Everywhere else in the world, the cops are standing with their backs to the field, watching the crowd.

Don't see much of that behaviour here.

You are of course wrong. Certain stewards at matches tend to have their backs to the game but police normally face the game from my experience.

Iwannahurl

"Cowboys"?

Dan_Solo

Conor Warm Hazel wrote: »

The main difference is private clampers are basically Cowboys with no actual right to clamp your car and if you remove the clamp there isn't a singe thing they can do.

Whereas Gardaí are basically cowboys with every actual right to clamp your car. Only they're too busy watching the match and sucking up to the GAA to bother their hole.

pmasterson95

buzz11 wrote: »

If only there was some way around these......I cant figure how though like theres no walking space at all.

Dan_Solo

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Whereas Gardaí are basically cowboys with every actual right to clamp your car. Only they're too busy watching the match and sucking up to the GAA to bother their hole.

Did you even read my other post. The amount of Gardai present in the stadium will be a requirement on safety grounds. They have no choice but to be in the ground and without them the game would not be allowed to proceed.

Also Gardai don't clamp cars.

Iwannahurl

pmasterson95 wrote: »

If only there was some way around these......I cant figure how though like theres no walking space at all.

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

Conor Warm Hazel wrote: »

Did you even read my other post. The amount of Gardai present in the stadium will be a requirement on safety grounds. They have no choice but to be in the ground and without them the game would not be allowed to proceed.

Also Gardai don't clamp cars.

They do tow them though. When they feel like it, which is not often enough.

On safety grounds, what is the requirement for Traffic Corps personnel and vehicles inside the stadium?

Dan_Solo

Conor Warm Hazel wrote: »

Did you even read my other post. The amount of Gardai present in the stadium will be a requirement on safety grounds. They have no choice but to be in the ground and without them the game would not be allowed to proceed.

Next you'll tell me they're paid to watch the game while they're there in case there's any criminal activity on the pitch.

crusier

Baggy Trousers wrote: »

I see 4!

4 uniform and 1000 plainclothes!

pmasterson95

Iwannahurl wrote: »

There are none so blind as those who will not see.




They do tow them though. When they feel like it, which is not often enough.

On safety grounds, what is the requirement for Traffic Corps personnel and vehicles inside the stadium?

But I cant see a way around them. I'm not blind I am rather agreeing with you and the others flummoxed by these obstacles.

mercuroman

Iwannahurl wrote: »

There are none so blind as those who will not see.




They do tow them though. When they feel like it, which is not often enough.

On safety grounds, what is the requirement for Traffic Corps personnel and vehicles inside the stadium?

I'm sorry - I'm trying to figure this out - did you go to Pearse Stadium just to take pictures of the guards from the different entrances? And then check cars parked in disabled spots for stickers?

Dan_Solo

mercuroman wrote: »

I'm sorry - I'm trying to figure this out - did you go to Pearse Stadium just to take pictures of the guards from the different entrances? And then check cars parked in disabled spots for stickers?

Shoot the messenger much? Why does it matter? If nobody provided pics then there'd be 10 times as much moaning that no such things happened.

crusier

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Shoot the messenger much? Why does it matter? If nobody provided pics then there'd be 10 times as much moaning that no such things happened.

I'd say you are a barrel of laughs when your out!

Dan_Solo

crusier wrote: »

I'd say you are a barrel of laughs when your out!

I'd say you can't address the point and resort to tedious ad hominems when you're out. Just like you do here.

crusier

Dan_Solo wrote: »

I'd say you can't address the point and resort to tedious ad hominems when you're out. Just like you do here.

I'm messy with drink alright!

mercuroman

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Shoot the messenger much? Why does it matter? If nobody provided pics then there'd be 10 times as much moaning that no such things happened.

I'm just really curious about this because there's a obvious concerted effort here to portray something and I want to know why - what is the ultimate outcome that is being worked towards?

Dan_Solo

mercuroman wrote: »

I'm just really curious about this because there's a obvious concerted effort here to portray something and I want to know why - what is the ultimate outcome that is being worked towards?

Not as obvious as the attempts to pretend none of this illegality and collusion is happening. And I wonder who benefits most if that succeeds?

mercuroman

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Not as obvious as the attempts to pretend none of this illegality and collusion is happening. And I wonder who benefits most if that succeeds?

Sorry - maybe I missed something else - who's colluding to benefit from the illegality? I'm really not trying to be smart here - I'm just trying to understand the argument fully

snubbleste

pmasterson95 wrote: »

But I cant see a way around them. I'm not blind I am rather agreeing with you and the others flummoxed by these obstacles.

No parking will be allowed at: Taylor’s Hill

Dan_Solo

mercuroman wrote: »

Sorry - maybe I missed something else - who's colluding to benefit from the illegality? I'm really not trying to be smart here - I'm just trying to understand the argument fully

Not sure if serious... you are aware that this was a GAA event that had pitifully organised parking and traffic planning and the predictable chaos and illegality was ignored by the Gardai who were on double time and most got to watch a free match?
Let me guess, you don't see any connection at all here.

Dan_Solo

Conor Warm Hazel wrote: »

Also Gardai don't clamp cars.

They don't flippin' tow them either! They don't do anything.

mercuroman

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Not sure if serious... you are aware that this was a GAA event that had pitifully organised parking and traffic planning and the predictable chaos and illegality was ignored by the Gardai who were on double time and most got to watch a free match?
Let me guess, you don't see any connection at all here.

Thanks very much - I was serious - sorry if it doesn't seem so. I see that is a connection being made between the Guards and the GAA now alright. Just curious what the guards said when they were asked about it?

snubbleste

mercuroman wrote: »

Thanks very much - I was serious - sorry if it doesn't seem so. I see that is a connection being made between the Guards and the GAA now alright. Just curious what the guards said when they were asked about it?

and don't forget Galway City Council
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=95883827&postcount=244

Mrs OBumble

Whatever did happen in that case of the GAA forging a guarda signature on a planning application a few years back?

snubbleste

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Whatever did happen in that case of the GAA forging a guarda signature on a planning application a few years back?

Sshhh!

thebackbar

Can anyone give an example of medium/large scale event where illegal parking doesn't happen ? I appreciate that some people may think that supporters of other sports wouldn't park illegally, but the reality of the situation is that illegal parking is tolerated in this country. Drive by blackrock tower every evening and you will see illegal parking. Drive by the cathedral when the novena is on, the list goes on. If you think GAA supporters are given a special exemption from parking fines by the Gardai you are deluded.

Until there is large scale enforcement of the law nothing will change.

pmasterson95

thebackbar wrote: »

Can anyone give an example of medium/large scale event where illegal parking doesn't happen ? I appreciate that some people may think that supporters of other sports wouldn't park illegally, but the reality of the situation is that illegal parking is tolerated in this country. Drive by blackrock tower every evening and you will see illegal parking. Drive by the cathedral when the novena is on, the list goes on. If you think GAA supporters are given a special exemption from parking fines by the Gardai you are deluded.

Until there is large scale enforcement of the law nothing will change.

I'm sure they will just claim a conspiracy that the gardai support GAA so much since they watched a match. Kevin Walsh did use to be a Garda.

Dan_Solo

pmasterson95 wrote: »

I'm sure they will just claim a conspiracy that the gardai support GAA so much since they watched a matched.

Either there's a conspiracy, or the Gardai are incapable or unwilling to do their job.
Take your pick: Laziness, incompetence or corruption?

Dan_Solo

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Whatever did happen in that case of the GAA forging a guarda signature on a planning application a few years back?

I'm sure it was as thoroughly investigated by the Gardai as any case of illegal parking at a GAA match.

jd007

Dan_Solo wrote: »

Either there's a conspiracy, or the Gardai are incapable or unwilling to do their job.
Take your pick: Laziness, incompetence or corruption?

Can I pick all three?

cocoman

Park & ride.

Does anyone know who actually organised the park & ride? GAA? City council? Bus operator?

Obviously the operator was trying to cut costs by only providing 4 buses but if this was a tender then surely it should have been specified that a minimum amount of buses be provided. The p&r operated a couple of years ago seemed to have been much better organised.

Also, the charges in 2013 were €3 adult €2 child while this year it was €4 adult & €3 child.

I'd say there wotn't be too many people using it next time!!!

crusier

jd007 wrote: »

Can I pick all three?

1850 715 815 talk to Joe

Dan_Solo

crusier wrote: »

1850 715 815 talk to Joe

Would be more use than calling 999 that's for sure...:D

Iwannahurl

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Whatever did happen in that case of the GAA forging a guarda signature on a planning application a few years back?

Dropped due to lack of interest evidence.

Actually I don't know. If you or I did it, in order to gain personally from a planning application, you'd think it would be taken seriously.

Iwannahurl

thebackbar wrote: »

If you think GAA supporters are given a special exemption from parking fines by the Gardai you are deluded.

Until there is large scale enforcement of the law nothing will change.

It would be highly surprising if there wasn't a GAA/AGS connection, for the simple reason that the GAA is such a broad-based and popular organisation.

But you're right, the parking madness is not confined to GAA events, and AGS is not giving them a special dispensation. They're giving motorists a special dispensation, in the same way that the Council gave god-bothering motorists a plenary indulgence by closing off a road beside the Cathedral so that they could park a few steps away free of charge and free of all responsibility. This in a small city supposedly choked with traffic to the extent that a €500 million "bypass" is urgently required to end otherwise unavoidable "gridlock".

There is no large-scale enforcement, or large-scale traffic plan for major events or congested roads, because the corporate culture in the AGS and Council is laissez faire accommodation of cars to the maximum extent possible. All else is secondary, including road safety and access for people travelling by any means other than the private car.

cocoman wrote: »

Park & ride.

Does anyone know who actually organised the park & ride? GAA? City council? Bus operator?

Obviously the operator was trying to cut costs by only providing 4 buses but if this was a tender then surely it should have been specified that a minimum amount of buses be provided. The p&r operated a couple of years ago seemed to have been much better organised.

Also, the charges in 2013 were €3 adult €2 child while this year it was €4 adult & €3 child.

I'd say there wotn't be too many people using it next time!!!

There weren't many people using it this time. The image of empty buses stuck in gridlock is emblematic of traffic management and transportation policy in Galway. It neatly sums up where the relevant authorities are at in terms of addressing the fundamental issues -- see above.