Garda Seizing a car!

KwackerJack

So my car was seized about 2 weeks back at the Airport due to the tax being out 6 months.

Quick story auto gearbox went, parked it up till I had the money, got it fixed in Audi and 3 days later it was seized on a Saturday.

I explained my story, showed Audi receipts and he didn't care and took the car.

So I got it back and taxed it online on Friday just gone. Last night between coolock and the N32 I was stopped at a garda check point. A member of the ARU came up and before I could show the tax receipt he went on a big rant about the tax.

Now when I tried to tell him it was taxed he told me to have some respect and let him speak. I told him when he zips up his jacket, tucks his shirt in and takes his hands out of his pockets I'll show some respect as he looked a mess!!

Then he said something which is why I'm writing this post, his exact words below

***I cannot seize this car on the side of the road right now, but your car can be seized***

I showed his the tax receipt and he just blubber moaned on about it anyway and let me go.

But I'm wondering what he meant by he can't seize it right now. The guards at the Airport didn't have issue taking it!!


And yes before the PC brigade pop in I know it should not be on the road and I usually have the highest respect for Guards but the last two checkpoint make me question if the law is just made up as they see fit?

Little CuChulainn

I'd imagine he couldn't seize it because he wasn't able to wait around for the tow truck.

The flying mouse

Now when I tried to tell him it was taxed he told me to have some respect and let him speak. I told him when he zips up his jacket, tucks his shirt in and takes his hands out of his pockets I'll show some respect as he looked a mess!!

Your pissing of the guard with the backchat he returning the favor...

uck51js9zml2yt

Having the car taxed is different to displaying a valid tax disc which is what the law requires.
It appears you didn't have a valid tax disc displayed.

Hande hoche!

Vorsprung durch taxation.

_Kaiser_

The flying mouse wrote: »

Now when I tried to tell him it was taxed he told me to have some respect and let him speak. I told him when he zips up his jacket, tucks his shirt in and takes his hands out of his pockets I'll show some respect as he looked a mess!!

Your pissing of the guard with the backchat he returning the favor...

OP was correct. Respect is earned, not given away and just because someone is a Garda doesn't mean they deserve any special treatment.

If they deal fairly with you, you deal fairly with them.. if they act the dick, feel free to take their details and complain to their Super or above.

I've met both types in my time and have no issue with calling them on Keystone Cop behaviour.

Cathy.C

KwackerJack wrote: »

I told him when he zips up his jacket, tucks his shirt in and takes his hands out of his pockets I'll show some respect ..

You did in your swiss.

LDN_Irish

KwackerJack wrote: »

And yes before the PC brigade pop in I know it should not be on the road and I usually have the highest respect for Guards but the last two checkpoint make me question if the law is just made up as they see fit?

LMFAO. What does political correctness have to do with motor tax? I'm surprised you haven't preemptively slagged off hipsters and SJW's for a full house.

The flying mouse

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

OP was correct. Respect is earned, not given away and just because someone is a Garda doesn't mean they deserve any special treatment.

If they deal fairly with you, you deal fairly with them.. if they act the dick, feel free to take their details and complain to their Super or above.

I've met both types in my time and have no issue with calling them on Keystone Cop behaviour.

I am not saying OP not correct but you pissing of guards expect them to piss of you in any way they can, thats the way it rumbles .

kneemos

I'd be curious why The Armed Response Unit were checking tax discs.

Avada

kneemos wrote: »

I'd be curious why The Armed Response Unit were checking tax discs.

They've been doing checkpoints around Dublin, probably noticed it while doing that.

OP, it sounds like you both acted like childish brats.

_Kaiser_

The flying mouse wrote: »

I am not saying OP not correct but you pissing of guards expect them to piss of you in any way they can, thats the way it rumbles .

[tangent ahead]

My late mother lived in a working-class housing estate in north Dublin and was tortured for years by the sort of "low-level" antisocial behaviour that the Gardai/councils have no interest in dealing with... kids throwing stones, broken windows, damaged cars, verbal abuse, throwing stuff over the back wall to try and poison the dogs etc. All started because when we first moved in, the crowd next-door had wanted the house as it was end-terrace and been denied by the council.

But as several of the older siblings of these kids were also low-level criminals and informants, nothing was done and while some of the local Gardai were decent and clearly had their hands tied, others would turn up without numbers on their shoulders making threats of charging my mother with nuisance complaints and the like - even more idiotic on their part as they were aware that everything was recorded on CCTV.

My mother was a very stubborn woman anyway but to her credit she refused to give in to them and lodged complaints, lobbied TDs and even featured on a Prime Time special on antisocial behaviour in housing estates.. and thankfully in the end things naturally settled down as these kids grew up and moved out/on and the Gardai in question were replaced.

But the one thing it highlighted was how variable the standards are in our police force - it very much DOES depend on "who you get" and indeed who's involved as to what response you'll get at all - and this isn't just a local issue but nationwide.

KwackerJack

KwackerJack wrote: »

A member of the ARU came up

Now when I tried to tell him it was taxed he told me to have some respect and let him speak. I told him when he zips up his jacket, tucks his shirt in and takes his hands out of his pockets I'll show some respect as he looked a mess!!

ARU?
How did he hold his gun if his hands were in his pockets?

Armchair Andy

bubblypop wrote: »

ARU?
How did he hold his gun if his hands were in his pockets?

Porn scene material there somewhere.

_Kaiser_

Armchair Andy wrote: »

Porn scene material there somewhere.

VERY unfortunate ending if he "goes off" too soon tho!

Into The Blue

KwackerJack wrote: »

And yes before the PC brigade pop in I know it should not be on the road and I usually have the highest respect for Guards but the last two checkpoint make me question if the law is just made up as they see fit?

It'll take more than that to stop them. They're more of a Letter Of The Law Brigade in these parts.

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

kneemos wrote: »

I'd be curious why The Armed Response Unit were checking tax discs.

I think depending what area you're in, they assist regular gardai, just incase they question the wrong type of people, I've seen them before at it alright.

But if you have no nct, they shoot you in the leg as punishment. It's quicker than going to court and you still live

uck51js9zml2yt

kneemos wrote: »

I'd be curious why The Armed Response Unit were checking tax discs.

They've been doing checkpoints in Cabra the last few weeks supporting the traffic corp.

A good incentive to have your car taxed and insured:)

Fr_Dougal

KwackerJack wrote: »

So my car was seized about 2 weeks back at the Airport due to the tax being out 6 months.

Quick story auto gearbox went, parked it up till I had the money, got it fixed in Audi and 3 days later it was seized on a Saturday.

I explained my story, showed Audi receipts and he didn't care and took the car.

So I got it back and taxed it online on Friday just gone. Last night between coolock and the N32 I was stopped at a garda check point. A member of the ARU came up and before I could show the tax receipt he went on a big rant about the tax.

Now when I tried to tell him it was taxed he told me to have some respect and let him speak. I told him when he zips up his jacket, tucks his shirt in and takes his hands out of his pockets I'll show some respect as he looked a mess!!

Then he said something which is why I'm writing this post, his exact words below

***I cannot seize this car on the side of the road right now, but your car can be seized***

I showed his the tax receipt and he just blubber moaned on about it anyway and let me go.

But I'm wondering what he meant by he can't seize it right now. The guards at the Airport didn't have issue taking it!!


And yes before the PC brigade pop in I know it should not be on the road and I usually have the highest respect for Guards but the last two checkpoint make me question if the law is just made up as they see fit?

You wouldn't download a tax cert!

colm_mcm

did you really say that about his appearance?

Sofa King Great

How did you notice his shirt was untucked with his bullet proof vest over it?

How were his hands in his pockets while holding his gun?

What difference did it make if his jacket was opened?

The offence is failure to display tax so in that you were not displaying it the law allows for them to seize the car

marklazarcovic

didnt think the law could seize a car for no tax if its parked privately

The Backwards Man

The sooner the guards can seize cars as a result of the owners' acting of the big noise on the interweb the happier I'll be.

wigsa100

I fully agree with the concept of giving a Garda what you get off him. If he or she is pleasant, you should be pleasant in return. This happens most of the time. However if he or she acts the complete wanker, which I have seen a number of times, you should return the favour. Having a decent grasp of the law surrounding motoring offences is helpful.

As another poster already said, Gardaí are not automatically entitled to be treated with grace and good will, and are, as public servants, expected to interact with members of the public in a polite and reasonable fashion.

bear1

colm_mcm wrote: »

did you really say that about his appearance?

He did yeah.... Once he was alone.
If he actually did then I bet the guard was speaking and the op interrupted him which is when the guard told him to have respect. Then you go off and complain about his appearance?
I'd have had the tow truck out after that.

The Backwards Man

wigsa100 wrote: »

I fully agree with the concept of giving a Garda what you get off him. If he or she is pleasant, you should be pleasant in return. This happens most of the time. However if he or she acts the complete wanker, which I have seen a number of times, you should return the favour. Having a decent grasp of the law surrounding motoring offences is helpful.

As another poster already said, Gardaí are not automatically entitled to be treated with grace and good will, and are, as public servants, expected to interact with members of the public in a polite and reasonable fashion.

If you can't deal with a wanker and still be mannerly most of the time, you're not much more than a wanker yourself.

Rightwing

The Backwards Man wrote: »

If you can't deal with a wanker and still be mannerly most of the time, you're not much more than a wanker yourself.

This is loser talk.

Cathy.C

colm_mcm wrote: »

did you really say that about his appearance?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frT6TKyJ_cw

OP is wrong.

A car is supposed to have a valid tax disc displayed when on the road. Even having the tax disc in your pocket isn't enough.

Now most Gardai will accept the "it's in the post" line and say produce it within a few days. But slagging them off about appearance is just the height of stupidity and asking them to forget any leniency.

keith16

tl;dr

wah wah wah

esforum

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

others would turn up without numbers on their shoulders making threats of charging my mother with nuisance complaints and the like - even more idiotic on their part as they were aware that everything was recorded on CCTV.

My mother was a very stubborn woman anyway but to her credit she refused to give in to them and lodged complaints, lobbied TDs and even featured on a Prime Time special on antisocial behaviour in housing estates.. and thankfully in the end things naturally settled down as these kids grew up and moved out/on and the Gardai in question were replaced.

But the one thing it highlighted was how variable the standards are in our police force - it very much DOES depend on "who you get" and indeed who's involved as to what response you'll get at all - and this isn't just a local issue but nationwide.

What was the result of the complaints against the Gardai that threatened your mother?

pablo128

esforum wrote: »

What was the result of the complaints against the Gardai that threatened your mother?

Ha ha! you're joking, right? Back a good 25 years ago an unmarked car was overtaking at a junction as my father was turning right. (travelling in the same direction as them.) They hit his front wing and spun off into a green area just missing an electricity pylon. The result? My father was left with a wrecked Transit and an endorsement on his licence.

No such thing as an ombudsman back then.

Riddle101

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

OP was correct. Respect is earned, not given away and just because someone is a Garda doesn't mean they deserve any special treatment.

I disagree. While I would say respect is earned in some regards, there are other circumstances where a respectul manner should be maintained. I don't believe in giving the Gardaí attitude. I think it just makes things worse if you start getting mouthy with them. From my experience, just doing what they say and being respectful will make things go by much quicker.

If they deal fairly with you, you deal fairly with them.. if they act the dick, feel free to take their details and complain to their Super or above.

I'd take their details and complain to their superior but that's about it. I wouldn't risk getting into an argument, especially if I was the one in the wrong.

Phil.x

Secondhand Audi drivers....😠😠

Icepick

OP, you sound very aggressive for someone who fashion-checks armed guards.

cruais

I feel it's a case of "shoulda woulda coulda".

My hole did you say any of that.

esforum

pablo128 wrote: »

Ha ha! you're joking, right? Back a good 25 years ago an unmarked car was overtaking at a junction as my father was turning right. (travelling in the same direction as them.) They hit his front wing and spun off into a green area just missing an electricity pylon. The result? My father was left with a wrecked Transit and an endorsement on his licence.

No such thing as an ombudsman back then.

Dont believe I was asking you

pablo128

esforum wrote: »

Dont believe I was asking you

Well I was telling you. And everyone else.

If you have this romantic notion that the guards can do no wrong, you are sadly mistaken. They are human after all, and so now and again they mightn't be in good humour. That doesn't mean they are free to be arseholes towards the general public.

In the right circumstances I would have no problem in giving a smart answer back if I feel a guard is being a smart arse. Thankfully most of them are alright.

KwackerJack

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

You wouldn't download a tax cert!

But you would print the receipt

bear1 wrote: »

He did yeah.... Once he was alone.
If he actually did then I bet the guard was speaking and the op interrupted him which is when the guard told him to have respect. Then you go off and complain about his appearance?
I'd have had the tow truck out after that.

And that's the reason people hate guards.....lets tow him away because he annoyed me

Riddle101 wrote: »

I disagree. While I would say respect is earned in some regards, there are other circumstances where a respectul manner should be maintained. I don't believe in giving the Gardaí attitude. I think it just makes things worse if you start getting mouthy with them. From my experience, just doing what they say and being respectful will make things go by much quicker.



I'd take their details and complain to their superior but that's about it. I wouldn't risk getting into an argument, especially if I was the one in the wrong.

And that will get me where??

Phil.x wrote: »

Secondhand Audi drivers....😠ðŸ˜

Yea because its only Audi drivers that give cheek. You must be really bored searching my profile!

Icepick wrote: »

OP, you sound very aggressive for someone who fashion-checks armed guards.

How do I sound aggressive?

bear1

Who said that the guards are hated?
You drove with the tax not showing, the guard was annoyed and told you he cant tow the car right now but he could essentially if he wanted.
You interrupted him and he said to be respectful and you commented on his appearance.
He did you a favour and you don't seem to be able to notice that but pretend like your mr. Big bollocks cause you told a guard he's dressed badly. Good lad yourself.
He could tow you as well cause you didn't have a valid tax disc on display. End of.

KwackerJack

He was not armed at the time and had a jacket opened covering his half dressed uniform. My point is that I would not take cheek from a half dressed have arsed guard. I'm a civilian and ig i get cheeky or go on like a spoilt brat then that's my own personal attitude failure but this chap being a Guard should be the one who keeps composed, calm and respectful and he should at least respect the uniform and dress correctly.


I dont care if he is a guard or wears a uniform, I'm not the kind of person who will be abused by someone because they have a title or wear a uniform, if you or other people here are the 'yes sir' type then I'm sorry you are under the thumb of a person in a uniform.

The Guard who seized the car was actually quiet nice and explained and gave me some information on the quickest and cheapest method on retrieving the car and even hinted at my GF to 'buy' the car so I would not be hit with back tax.

Was I cheeky with him NO and why, because he was actually pretty nice and he explained everything in a calm and respectful manner. I handed over the keys and we shook hands and I went home.

That is how a Guard should act, not like that other chap who looked like he fell out of bed and rolled onto checkpoint duty. I have always given the guards respect and always will as long as I'm treated properly.

For once in my life I actually understand why people hate guards, If this guard is the type of person trusted with public safety and engagement around Dublin then I cant blame people for not liking them.

KwackerJack

bear1 wrote: »

Who said that the guards are hated?
You drove with the tax not showing, the guard was annoyed and told you he cant tow the car right now but he could essentially if he wanted.
You interrupted him and he said to be respectful and you commented on his appearance.
He did you a favour and you don't seem to be able to notice that but pretend like your mr. Big bollocks cause you told a guard he's dressed badly. Good lad yourself.
He could tow you as well cause you didn't have a valid tax disc on display. End of.

As he was rambling on I tired to show him the tax receipt and it then he told me to stay quiet and have respect. So I told him what I thought as I was giving him information to help the situation but he lied his own voice to much to stop and actually let me explain the circumstances

Again I dont care who he is, I'll show respect if I'm shown it to.

So for people who work full time and cant get to a tax office, yet do actually tax their cars online you expect them to be given grief by a guard because the little piece paper is missing??

At least its taxed and paid for!!

KwackerJack

Anyway my question is he seemed to be pretty sure that he could not seize the car there and then but whats a 2 second call to a tow truck??

The way he said it was as if he wasn't allowed to seize it yet the Guard at the Airport did.

bear1

If he was asking you to let him finish speaking then that means you were being cheeky and disrespectful first.
His shirt isn't tucked in while he stands in the middle of the road ready for any danger that may happen, and you are ranting on about his shirt... Jesus wept.

KwackerJack

KwackerJack wrote: »

He was not armed at the time and had a jacket opened covering his half dressed uniform. My point is that I would not take cheek from a half dressed have arsed guard. I'm a civilian and ig i get cheeky or go on like a spoilt brat then that's my own personal attitude failure but this chap being a Guard should be the one who keeps composed, calm and respectful and he should at least respect the uniform and dress correctly.
.

Get your guards right!!
If he wasnt armed he wasn't ARU ( which by the way, doesn't exist, some unit you made up )

And he had a uniform on????

Totofan99

I'd say that the guard was just trying to warn you that your car COULD be seized.

If it was a Traffic Corps checkpoint, then it probably would have been.

Pedro K

bubblypop wrote: »

ARU?
How did he hold his gun if his hands were in his pockets?

Although it's unlikely he had both hands off the gun, they would be attached by a sling around the neck.

SB_Part2

KwackerJack wrote: »

He was not armed at the time and had a jacket opened covering his half dressed uniform. My point is that I would not take cheek from a half dressed have arsed guard. I'm a civilian and ig i get cheeky or go on like a spoilt brat then that's my own personal attitude failure but this chap being a Guard should be the one who keeps composed, calm and respectful and he should at least respect the uniform and dress correctly.

This "ARU" you speak of don't wear full uniforms, only a jacket. So make up your mind, was it "ARU" or was it a regular Garda?

Cienciano

Valuable lesson here op. You have to lick the ass (metaphorically) of a garda, yes guard, no guard, 3 bags full guard. Do this if you want to drive home with just a warning

HensVassal

bear1 wrote: »

He did yeah.... Once he was alone.
If he actually did then I bet the guard was speaking and the op interrupted him which is when the guard told him to have respect. Then you go off and complain about his appearance?
I'd have had the tow truck out after that.

Oh, so rather than being a guardian of the peace whose job is to uphold the law you'd be the kind of cop who fucks with people who don't show you enough deference.

Surely seizing property without a court warrant is illegal?

Am always reminded of this case when I hear of cars being seized:http://www.donegaldaily.com/2014/04/11/we-won-court-case-when-gardai-seized-car-you-can-do-the-same/