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SECURITY AND THE POLICE |
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The Republic is one of the safest countries in Europe in which to
travel. That said, don't let the friendliness of people as a whole lull
you into a general carelessness; like anywhere else visitors are seen as
easy targets for petty thieves (particularly in the bigger cities) and
women especially should always take note of our advice on choosing
accommodation. Theft is very common in Dublin and some areas of the city
can be unsafe: it's a good idea to take local advice about safety on the
streets from your hostel or B&B. Although the North has opened up a lot
in the last few years, there is still a security presence, and you
should be careful in certain city areas. Personal security, and crimes
against the individual are not a major worry except in certain areas of
Dublin.
In the Republic, people generally have a healthy indifference to law and
red tape, perhaps in part a vestige of pre-Independence days, when any
dealings with the police smacked of collusion with the British. The
police - known as Garda or Gardai - accordingly have a low profile. In
rural areas the low level of crime is such that policing is minimal and,
should you need them, you might spend an entire afternoon waiting for
the Garda to arrive. If you have any dealings with the Garda at all, the
chances are that you'll find them affable enough.
In the North the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), which is in the
process of being reorganized and may bear a new title, deal with all
general civic policing and are the people you should go to if in
difficulty. Police stations are heavily fortified and security inside is
tight, but whatever their reputation, you'll find that the RUC are
helpful in matters of everyday police activity.
Security measures have been considerably relaxed during the last few
years. Permanent border controls are no longer operative and you will
rarely see either a police road block or army foot patrol unless
travelling through South Armagh and parts of Fermanagh. In the unlikely
event that you do find yourself being quizzed about your movements and
plans, simply be polite and co-operative and you should experience no
problems.
Obviously, politics remains a sensitive subject in the North, and you
should use your common sense about what you say to whom.
The emergency numbers in both the North and the Republic are 999 and 112
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