October Edition 2018
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Public Safety.
Public Safety.
Unless you've been living in a remote part of Navan South then you'll be aware that recent fireworks have sounded the early arrival of Halloween. Some Residents were enraged by the anti social behaviour of a few irresponsible youths.
Like many people I like to see fireworks but only for rare brief occasions. They can be fairly spectacular but I like to see them high in the sky and not fired horizontally and exploding at head height. The actions of a few youths, who appeared intent on causing indiscriminate injury and distress, has enraged the Johnstown Community and tarnished the reputation of our young people.
Like many people I like to see fireworks but only for rare brief occasions. They can be fairly spectacular but I like to see them high in the sky and not fired horizontally and exploding at head height. The actions of a few youths, who appeared intent on causing indiscriminate injury and distress, has enraged the Johnstown Community and tarnished the reputation of our young people.
In Mid September Social Media lit up with reports of cars and pedestrians being intentionally fired upon with firework rockets at the Johnstown Shopping Centre roundabout. Over a period of 4 consecutive evenings the actions of a small core of troublemakers appeared to be seeking violent confrontation with the Public only to then run away with the arrival of Garda.
In Mid September Social Media lit up with reports of cars and pedestrians being intentionally fired upon with firework rockets at the Johnstown Shopping Centre roundabout. Over a period of 4 consecutive evenings the actions of a small core of troublemakers appeared to be seeking violent confrontation with the Public only to then run away with the arrival of Garda.
Appearing as litter this is only one of several rocket cartridges that were fired horizontally from across the roundabout the evening before.
WE DO NOT ADVOCATE CONFRONTATION IN ANYWAY
WE DO NOT ADVOCATE CONFRONTATION IN ANYWAY
If an adult was throwing fireworks at cars or children would that convince you to call the Garda?
If an adult was throwing fireworks at cars or children would that convince you to call the Garda?
Navan Garda Station
046-9036100
AND
AND
Would that constitute an Emergency with an imminent threat to life?
Would that constitute an Emergency with an imminent threat to life?
EMERGENCY
EMERGENCY
999 or 112
999 or 112
The Law on Fireworks .
The Law on Fireworks .
Within the Republic of Ireland it is very clear: without prior written approval it is illegal to buy, import, posses or to ignite them.
Within the Republic of Ireland it is very clear: without prior written approval it is illegal to buy, import, posses or to ignite them.
Failure to abide by this carries penalties ranging from fines of €2,500 to €10k with potential for 6 months to 5 years imprisonment.
Failure to abide by this carries penalties ranging from fines of €2,500 to €10k with potential for 6 months to 5 years imprisonment.
Sparklers and indoor fireworks are legal.
Sparklers and indoor fireworks are legal.
Get them up North?
Get them up North?
Don't mistakenly believe that they are legal over the border either. The law in Northern Ireland isn't much different to here. Purchasing them without a licence from Newry and bringing them across the border is illegal in both jurisdictions.
Don't mistakenly believe that they are legal over the border either. The law in Northern Ireland isn't much different to here. Purchasing them without a licence from Newry and bringing them across the border is illegal in both jurisdictions.
Insurance & compensation
Insurance & compensation
You cannot be insured to commit an illegal (potentially terrorist) act therefore:
You cannot be insured to commit an illegal (potentially terrorist) act therefore:
- If fireworks are kept at home, with or without your knowledge, it could invalidate your house insurance.
- If your child causes damage or physical injury then as the legal guardian you will be sued in a civil court.
- Upon conviction of a criminal act the judge can award damages, fines, community service and custodial sentence.
Arrest & Prosecution
Arrest & Prosecution
The school aged minors involved in throwing these fireworks wrongly believe that their age protects them from prosecution.
The school aged minors involved in throwing these fireworks wrongly believe that their age protects them from prosecution.
The Age Of Criminal Responsibility is 12.
The Age Of Criminal Responsibility is 12.
It was recently reported that some of these youths were so over confident that they even wear secondary school uniform whilst participating in these acts of violence. They also forget that they are children who live, and attend school in our area, and that their facemask scarfs don't actually hide their identity : they are recognised.
It was recently reported that some of these youths were so over confident that they even wear secondary school uniform whilst participating in these acts of violence. They also forget that they are children who live, and attend school in our area, and that their facemask scarfs don't actually hide their identity : they are recognised.
More disturbing is that some of the youths reportedly involved drive cars. Why would they be hanging around with, and influencing, minors?
More disturbing is that some of the youths reportedly involved drive cars. Why would they be hanging around with, and influencing, minors?
Evidence
Evidence
CCTV in Johnstown could eradicate many of the issues related to antisocial behaviour. Currently tied up in legal controversy one day we will see cameras protecting our safety on the streets but in its absence many have mobile phones and live feed ability. We don't advocate sharing to social media but there is Facebook representation in the form of Meath Crime Prevention which is operated by the Garda.
CCTV in Johnstown could eradicate many of the issues related to antisocial behaviour. Currently tied up in legal controversy one day we will see cameras protecting our safety on the streets but in its absence many have mobile phones and live feed ability. We don't advocate sharing to social media but there is Facebook representation in the form of Meath Crime Prevention which is operated by the Garda.
It is legal to take a photo of a minor in public.
It is legal to take a photo of a minor in public.
The law surrounding children is complicated but they essentially have the same rights to privacy as adults.
The law surrounding children is complicated but they essentially have the same rights to privacy as adults.
Freedom of speech and freedom of expression makes the law complex. Protecting children from predatory behaviour or actions which put them in any danger is why laws are created and revised.
Freedom of speech and freedom of expression makes the law complex. Protecting children from predatory behaviour or actions which put them in any danger is why laws are created and revised.
Parents mistakenly believe that no one can photograph their child without their express permission but in Public, and on Public property, you have no expressed right to privacy. It is for the same reason that Photo Journalist do not have to ask the public's permission when they are in a public location.
Parents mistakenly believe that no one can photograph their child without their express permission but in Public, and on Public property, you have no expressed right to privacy. It is for the same reason that Photo Journalist do not have to ask the public's permission when they are in a public location.
There are additional legal issues with recording voice and conversation without permission which is a typical question you are asked when dealing with things like car insurance etc on the telephone.
There are additional legal issues with recording voice and conversation without permission which is a typical question you are asked when dealing with things like car insurance etc on the telephone.
CCTV and the use of mobile cameras do not have the same intention and are treated differently hence the legal issues hindering the use of CCTV.
CCTV and the use of mobile cameras do not have the same intention and are treated differently hence the legal issues hindering the use of CCTV.
What you do with the images is critical.
What you do with the images is critical.
Taking images is legal UNLESS you intentionally, or not, endanger or defame those featured.
Taking images is legal UNLESS you intentionally, or not, endanger or defame those featured.
There will always be opportunity for a civil action against you if you Share images on Social Media. It's your photo and your responsibility to ensure that you don't misuse those images or provide them to someone else who does.
There will always be opportunity for a civil action against you if you Share images on Social Media. It's your photo and your responsibility to ensure that you don't misuse those images or provide them to someone else who does.
If it is safe to do so we encourage you to take images of any anti social behaviour but to only send them to the Garda and Not post on Social Media.
If it is safe to do so we encourage you to take images of any anti social behaviour but to only send them to the Garda and Not post on Social Media.
Fireworks still go off.
Fireworks still go off.
Despite being illegal, and knowing that it distresses pets, young children, the elderly, and sets a negative example of obeying the law to children, every year an increasing number of bigger, louder and brighter fireworks get set off in the local area.
Despite being illegal, and knowing that it distresses pets, young children, the elderly, and sets a negative example of obeying the law to children, every year an increasing number of bigger, louder and brighter fireworks get set off in the local area.
With the attention that these youths have now brought to the Johnstown area you would be wise to think again about the likelihood of receiving a penalty for having fireworks especially with the Garda camped out on our doorstep.
With the attention that these youths have now brought to the Johnstown area you would be wise to think again about the likelihood of receiving a penalty for having fireworks especially with the Garda camped out on our doorstep.
What will you do?
What will you do?
It is hypocritical to call the Garda and complain that it is illegal for youths to fire rockets if you are planning to set off a series yourself.
It is hypocritical to call the Garda and complain that it is illegal for youths to fire rockets if you are planning to set off a series yourself.
What goes up must come down and despite the difference being that these youths have fired rockets horizontally your's will be misguided too.
What goes up must come down and despite the difference being that these youths have fired rockets horizontally your's will be misguided too.
What Can the Law Do?
What Can the Law Do?
We've already reported on ASBO's so if there's any parent out there who assumes that they are not responsible for their child's behaviour in public they really need to read the article.
We've already reported on ASBO's so if there's any parent out there who assumes that they are not responsible for their child's behaviour in public they really need to read the article.
We've highlighted that the mere possession of a firework is a criminal offence and 12 is the age of responsibility.
We've highlighted that the mere possession of a firework is a criminal offence and 12 is the age of responsibility.
These fireworks are being supplied by someone local who is likely to be an adult.
These fireworks are being supplied by someone local who is likely to be an adult.
If an injury is caused and the youth perpetrator caught then the repercussions to everyone involved, or connected, will be dramatic.
If an injury is caused and the youth perpetrator caught then the repercussions to everyone involved, or connected, will be dramatic.
The Garda cannot help if they are not contacted.
The Garda cannot help if they are not contacted.
Contacts
Contacts
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