Ireland's Calling for Normal Life to Return, thread number 5

[eggandonion]

Unlinked because I can't remember how to do it, and can't find Help thing.

That's a disgrace, the priest sounds awful. I'd call the sergeant, and name the priest to him.
I'm sure common sense should be applied.
Or perhaps not, it's in short supply. But of the five adults in my family, only one has been stopped, that was my ds going food shopping.

The guard was OK in fairness, he thankfully wasn't rude, I think he just thought I was a dense cow. I'm sure he's listening to all kinds of crap all day long. When I rambled on about how I haven't left the area, and God only knows what else I said 😳

Dh said I probably made it sound that the priest knew more than him. But of course I can't remember my exact words, I do remember saying the priest said it's allowed... A few times 😳😳 I like that I'm a Swan, although feel like a donkey right now. 😂

The original priest was in the meeting so I spoke with another one, probably thought I was in bed not bothering to go.

I can appeal it, it doesn't have to be paid until 28 days. I need to check it out online and see what's what and how I go about it.

At the very least, I'd find out when the priest was next due to hold a meetup in the church and give the Guards the heads up. They'll sort him out.

... might be very identifying for you so while I might not do it in reality, it's a nice little revenge fantasy

I'm really sorry that happened to you. Both feeling the obligation to attend, and feeling bad about going.

Thanks everyone, just so annoyed. He asked the church name so they have that.

I'd say they will follow up on that one. My sister lives near a wedding venue that was running late night, large crowd weddings in autumn. A couple of calls to the Guards stopped that in its tracks and the Guard involved actually rang her back a few weeks later to see if there had been anything further.

No way would I pay the fine Lipz. The priest should pay it if anyone does. So unfair on you.

Oh god @Lipz that is just awful and there was me telling you it would be fine I'm so sorry. Definitely don't pay the fine. Write a letter outlining the situation and naming the priest, and drop it post it to your Garda station. That is such a disgrace. Hardly like you were going to a flippin rave or something I hope you get it pardoned.

It sickens me Lipz.
Have any of you seen a video with hordes of young fellas on bikes taunting the guards in Dublin ?
I bet none of them have to pay €100 fine.

Also (someone might need to check my percentages are messed up) Ireland are taking a different process. They are fully vaccinating people sooner (so vaccines dose are going to the same person twice, whereas in the UK they are mostly going to different people. If that makes sense!!)

Yes, exactly, but the % were a bit out - Ireland has actually fully vaccinated more % people (both doses) than the UK but the numbers didn't tallly.

Euronews does regular summaries of cross-country vaccination progress in Europe. Friday's reportt* says:

Fully vaccinated:
Ireland 2.5%
UK 0.9%

Vaccines administered:
Ireland 6907.6 per 100k = 6.9%
UK 27832 per 100k = 27.8%

I'm sorry to hear it, Lipz. That's rotten. Try to appeal it.

Yup still think regardless of the UK not doing both vaccines closer together they are getting out of it faster than us and one dose is probably enough to ensure their hospitals are safe which is what this whole thing is about.
Sorry to be negative but found it very hard to listen to the positive news from there of how in June they'll be pretty much back to normal , way more positive messages all round whereas tomorrow we'll be told to not get ahead of ourselves and we might be let out to have a coffee outside sometime in July...

I'm so sorry Lipz. I would certainly appeal the fine with the guards and make a complaint to the priest about the meetings.

I went for lie down, dh was looking into the procedure to appeal it. We'll definitely go down that path.

It was my own decision to go, I was a bit unsure to begin with, I asked here and I asked family etc, everyone was mainly saying to go. It just wasn't as clear cut as the rules for things like shops, schools, cafes etc I know the UK rules inside out from reading posts on here and the USA rules from watching CNN, I just wish there was more on our rules and were easily accessible.

Thanks again. Good to voice it here as I think dh is sick listening to me.

If the church/parish was organising official meetings re Confirmation they should have checked to ensure they were in compliance with the government regulations - as the organisers the onus was on them to do this. Maybe they did do this and the garda was wrong, of course...as you say it's confusing.
Though you could have refused to attend, it sounds as if the priest definitely put pressure on you and made it difficult.

I'd appeal that fine @Lipz. I honestly thought the guards were only fining people if they gave cheek, didn't turn around or did turn around and then got caught again an hour or two later.
I've heard of three people now getting fined this weekend.
Again these are people who followed the rules but Sunday was lovely day so they chanced going for a walk outside their 5k limit, in the park and it cost them 100 euro.

I'm just so confused about it all. I'm googling like mad here.

The priest was adamant that these meetings were allowed and it was OK to travel over the 5km to get to them. The guards were adamant that the only reason to travel over the 5km was essential work, attending a vulnerable person, medical appointment, food shop if no shop within your 5km, leaving domestic violence.

There's nothing online about meetings.

The guard said if it can be done at home then it should.

I'm not the most religious person, but I can understand those who are see this as very important. Whereas I view it as non essential, as in the things I listed above as essential travel. As a Catholic and raising my children Catholic I follow what is required for sacraments, I've been through it with 4 kids and dd is my last, it's unfortunate that this crap is happening and my other kids did it through their schools, maybe I should have contacted dds school with my Concerns? Before I spoke with the priest.

I'm seeing people break the rules, I've inlaws breaking them left right and centre.

I'm not the most religious person
From now on as far as this fine is concerned you need to pretend you're Mother Teresa. Your priest said it was essential so you took his word for it.

@LizzieAnt makes an excellent point Lipz make sure to put it all back on the priest.

So sorry to read you got a fine @Lipz - I'd definitely appeal. Stressful though. But worth pursuing. Good luck with it all x

Just like the Government, the weather cant make up its mind. Lovely day here today bug now I can hear the wind and the lashing rain. Tomorrow isnt looking promising either.

www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/

This is the official guidance. No religious services and no indoor meetings. This is totally on the arrogance of the priest. I'd expect an apology and some sort of payment towards the fine from the parish. That priest certainly overstepped the mark especially given that you have a vulnerable child.

If you're able for it, I'm sure Joe Duffy would love to hear about your situation.

Ah Lipz, I'm sorry to hear about being fined.
It's the stress of it, as much as the money isn't it?
I didn't post earlier, but I did see your question and I would probably have said you'd be fine, that the Garda would wave you through etc.

Echoing everyone else, I'd appeal and put it back on the priest who shouldnt have put pressure on you to attend.

I've travelled outside my 5km for parent-caring duties, and for work (essential services). Mostly, I get the sense that the Gardaí have sussed whether you're chancing your arm before they even stop you; I'm not sure that they even listen to my explanation of why I travel (apart from one very lovely Garda who was standing in the dark freezing sleet, god bless his boots, who had a great chat about where I was coming from, the need to protect parents, where I was off to , how long I'd be etc. An excellent inquisitor, he had the whole story elicited with charm).

If you were given a fine I ring the main gards station in your area. I ask to speak to the superintendent. If you can't speak to the superintendent I explain
the situation to the person answering the phone and that you have a 100 fine after X priest in y parish told you could travel to a meeting re your disabled child's confirmation. I tell them how you have followed the rules for months and that you think the guard should have shown you some Lee way rather than giving you a 100 fine.

Give the superintendent 24 to ring you back. If they don't drop this fine
tell them that due to their lack of understanding I am sure you won't mind if I ring Joe's Duffy and the newspapers about this.
I put this up all over social media as well.

I ring the bishops house and tell them you have a 100 fine as fr X in y parish said you could bring your disabled child to a confirmation meeting in y parish. Tell them if the guards insist you pay this both the guards and you will get some publicity on Joe Duffy and from the papers.

We are letting the world and it's wife fly in to Ireland at the moment but if you travel a few Kms from home you get 100 fine. I thought the guard were supposed to use some discretion in a case like yours.

I think it's time we moved Ireland nearer the equator. Maybe level with Spain - what do you think?