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pickpocket/theft issues in Ireland?

Looking at previous posts there seems to be cities/countries where there are very real pickpocket and scam issues. Haven't seen that for Ireland and am just wondering whether that is a big concern. Obviously, anyone traveling needs to remain aware.

Posted by
9363 posts

In four trips (two of them solo) I have never been in a situation in Ireland where I felt remotely at risk for pickpocketing or theft, even in Dublin. I carry a purse or a daypack. As you say, you still need to remain aware, but I never felt at risk anywhere.

Posted by
635 posts

I personally don't feel Ireland is in the same league with Italy, France, Spain.... I agree you need to still be aware of your surroundings. As in mainland Europe, the big cities are more likely to expose you to the pickpockets. Even in Ireland, I recommend everyone use a money belt and women get rid of their purses.

Posted by
206 posts

To me, Dublin felt safer than New York....

Posted by
1814 posts

We have personally never had any "crime" problems on our several visits to Ireland. (We always skip Dublin, however.)....What we have noticed, crime-related, is that all of those areas where one would park a car and walk away to admire a view or an historic property, seem to have signs, "Thieves operate in this area. Do not leave valuables visible in car." If your itinerary includes car travel, you might want to be sure your rental car has a closed trunk, not a hatchback.

Posted by
9098 posts

FWIW, in my visits to Europe I have personally witnessed four muggings, one of them was in Dublin. It happened in broad daylight on Grafton St, and the thief appeared to by a junkie. While Ireland may be safer than some other places, it has bad guys.

Posted by
1806 posts

The biggest gripe my family members who live over in Ireland have about crime generally happens during the summer months when they start complaining how they need to lock up their bicycles and garages as soon as they spot the caravan of "tinkers" (aka Travellers) who like to set up camp and then go around the villages offering their services for home repairs, but really they are scoping out what may be laying out in someone's yard that they could possibly steal. In response to Cynthia's comment about signs she has seen posted, they are also the ones who tend to visit some of the parking lots of major tourist sites in the rural/coastal areas during these same summer months as they know cars are left unattended and they may be able to get some money or other valuables from them. Even still, this kind of opportunistic property theft doesn't happen anywhere near as much as it does in other countries. And yes, like any major city in the world, there will be some sketchy neighborhoods (although Dublin's sketchy parts are a pretty good distance from most of what the average tourist would want to see) and you will see a few homeless people or drug addicts every now and then in the city - but it's actually far less of a common sight than you would experience in San Francisco or L.A.

Posted by
61 posts

Kathy, When I was there, I did not have any problems with pick pockets nor did I see any. However, just be aware, as if you were in any other city, wear your money belt and you should be fine.