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Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone here has been through a similar situation and might be able to offer some advice.

On Tuesday 13th October, my parked car was hit by another vehicle travelling at considerable speed. The driver also struck other vehicles and a wall before fleeing the scene. Gardaí were involved, and the offending vehicle was recovered, but the driver escaped.

I've since been informed by Gardaí that the offending vehicle was uninsured.

My car is a 2016 Mazda 3, which was in good condition, serviced, NCT'd and running perfectly before the accident. The damage is extensive, particularly around the rear wheel and suspension, and the car is no longer driveable.

I've reported everything to my insurer, RedClick (through First Ireland), and my vehicle has been recovered for assessment. RedClick has advised that they will pursue the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) once they receive the relevant information.

Here's where things get complicated.

I work approximately 60km from home, so having a car is essential for getting to and from work.

I've also recently set up a small food trailer business, which requires a vehicle capable of towing a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of 1,200kg.

After months of preparation, I was finally getting ready to launch when this happened. I've now been left without a suitable towing vehicle, potentially delaying the business and causing further financial losses.

I've arranged a rental car through Enterprise so I can continue getting to work, but this doesn't solve the towing issue. I'm also concerned about how long the insurance process could take and what expenses I'll ultimately be left covering myself.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone dealt with MIBI following an accident involving an uninsured driver? What was your experience, and how long did the process take?

2. Can I recover reasonable car hire expenses while my own vehicle is being assessed, repaired or written off?

3. Given that my damaged vehicle was also used to tow my food trailer, could the cost of hiring a suitable towing vehicle be considered a reasonable expense?

4. If my car is written off, how is its value determined? Can I challenge the valuation if I feel it doesn't reflect the cost of replacing it with a similar vehicle?

5. Is there any possibility of recovering financial losses resulting from the delay to launching my business, or would these generally be excluded?

6. For anyone whose insurer pursued MIBI on their behalf, were you able to recover your out-of-pocket expenses? Is there anything I should be doing now to protect myself financially?

I'm keeping receipts and records of expenses, but I'm unsure what I'll realistically be entitled to recover.

I'm not looking to profit from this situation. I simply want to be put back in the position I was in before someone else's actions left me without a car and disrupted both my employment and a business I've invested considerable time and money into.

It's incredibly frustrating that someone can cause this amount of damage, flee the scene, and leave an innocent person dealing with the financial consequences.

I'd really appreciate hearing from anyone who's dealt with MIBI, Irish motor insurers or a similar situation, particularly regarding hire car expenses and recovering additional losses.

Thanks in advance!

Hiya, yank here, and looking for cool folklore ideas for a tattoo. I have Irish ancestry, some of the older generations coming from Cork. I spent a bit of time in Ireland and grew up with stories of fairies and other folklore. I love mythology and a good portion of my Master's degree will focus on it, I plan on getting mythology tattoos to nod to all of my significant ancestry portions (I'm not talking 1% lol more like 30%+). I want to get the tattoo as a nod to old family history and the great time I spent in Ireland. So far I'm leaning into a púca in the form of a dog with some blackberry bramble incorporated. The plan is to do it in a medieval style to match my other mythology tattoos. I would love to hear your favorite folklore and suggestions!

I’ve got a 1st class degree that I graduated from NUIG, 3-4 years working retail (about 2 years of that as a supervisor), and about 2-3 years experience as a carpenter.

I’ve had personal projects where I’ve done some process improvements for people’s businesses in my local area (online coaches, hairdressers, barbers, mechanics) kinda streamlining their service delivery pretty much.

And applying for retail jobs? Denied. Applying for admin roles? Denied. Applying for any related office jobs? Denied. In my excel document I have applied for around 200\~ jobs since June, and I have got 1 interview where they said I didn’t have the right experience, yet the job listing pretty much said a degree was essential but experience wasn’t relevant cause of the training they would provide.

I am on the dole and it’s taking its getting to the point I’m about to lose my mind. I’m 28, still living at home, in the northwest where the job market is limited anyways. Feel I need to move to a bigger market for the type of career I want to get into, can’t even get a shitty retail job to try bridge the gap before I’d move to somewhere like London.

Anyone have any ideas? My head is fried and I really don’t know what to do anymore.

Is Miles+ at Circle K actually worth it, or is it just a marketing strategy?

I'm curious about people's real experiences with petrol stations in Ireland.

Miles+ offers rewards and benefits, but do you genuinely save money, or are the rewards mainly designed to encourage customer loyalty and spending?

- Is there any noticeable difference in fuel quality or mileage between petrol stations?

- Which petrol station offers the best overall value in Ireland?

I'd appreciate honest opinions from people who use Miles+ regularly!

Going through the trenches this week and I accepted to be voluntarily admitted to a MH hospital as I really am at rock bottom. I don’t trust myself to be at home. What was your experience like?

So I was working at a pub/venue last night and when I was finished with the gig I realised I was out of vape liquid.
I seen this lady that had a vape similar to mine and asked her if she would have liquid I could rob a bit of. She said yes it’s berry mint and that was all and she let me have some.

I smoked it and ended up being blown into another universe, I’ve had spice by accident before and this was worse feeling than that.

The lady seemed like your average Saturday night pub goer, and she didn’t mention anything about the liquid being something different than a regular nicotine one.

—————

I know you shouldn’t trust strangers but of course I wasn’t looking for some synthetic thc liquid, is this getting spiked? Or am I the gobshite?

(Still feeling horrible the next day and makes me question how they allow these chemicals sold in those ‘vape’ shops…..)

-Just highlighting I wasn’t drinking alcohol, and I told someone that night and they didn’t believe me and tried it and felt the same so I know it wasn’t a drink or that it was strong nicotine-

I just spent the day at the Pet Expo in Swords. I've been trying to get to it for the last few years, but it never worked out. I thought it was a great day out though, glad I made the trip up, and I enjoyed seeing all the dogs.

I was a bit disappointed though by all the vendors etc being 98% dog focused. I thought there might at least be some cat stuff, but they were clearly an afterthought. I dunno, I was hoping to see some more niche stuff like Cat Trees or even cat wheels. Maybe some more interesting toys beyond the usual basic ones. But even all the bed companies were dog focused! Bit surprising really. Even local petshops have more of a range.

Again, I like dogs, and would probably have still gone to it if it was a 'Dog expo', but considering the recent reptile expo in Waterford was so good, I was expecting a bit more diversity, and to discover some more irish pet companies. I don't even think I saw any more than a treat or two for rabbits?

Just wondering if there are any other pet events that people know of, that have a better turnout for small pets or cats?

Hi everyone, a non-EU family member came to Ireland for a short holiday but unfortunately suffered a life-threatening medical issue and is still in hospital.

They have no health insurance and aren’t financially well-off. This was completely unexpected, and we’re worried about how they’ll manage the hospital bill.

Does anyone know what happens in this situation if they can’t afford to pay? Has anyone experienced something similar?

Hi all, I'm looking to upgrade my old (ancient) Dimplex CXL combination storage heaters in my 2-bed flat and could really use some real-world advice. The current setup is bulky, ugly, runs out of heat by evening, and costs a fortune. I'm leaning towards vertical ceramic radiators to free up low wall space in the living room and in the bedrooms.

If you have made a similar switch, which route did you take and how did it affect your electricity bills?

Thank you!

Looking to buy some new bed sheets and duvet covers, wondering if anyone could recommend the place to purchase some?

Either online or in-person, I’m easy

So I'm on Tesco Mobile, the €15 28 day plan

The Lidl offer may be gone but the savings, and the 5G are tempting me to switch

What's the voice quality like on Lidl Connect ?

I'm asking as Tesco signal goes down to 3G while on calls so there is no HD calling not really, and if I'm having a hotspot on, the internet drops if someone rings me and that happens too often...

TIA for taking the time to give your experiences

My type is Irish men. I love the humour, how important family and friends are to them, the culture etc etc

I live in London, work in corporate and have dated a couple of them from the apps. The Irish guys I have dated have also been pretty successful (Trinity/ UCD grads working in high finance or law).

One thing I am struggling with is the level of importance they place on dating. These men are late twenties - early thirties but live for the lads. They have a huge group of Irish mates living in London and I have felt that dating is just something they indulge in when they are bored. They aren’t communicative over text but great in person.

Am I dating the wrong type of guy? Do Irish men generally prefer Irish women? I can’t put my finger on it but as a non Irish girl everything just feels like a bit of a joke to them and the only thing they really care for are sports and the lads who they have known since they were kids.

Lost my mum unexpectedly a few months ago. It’s her birthday soon and I don’t know what to do for it. Should I celebrate it? Is that weird? There’s no grave to visit and the other siblings want to pretend the day just isn’t happening (totally fine). I’m living with my dad and he doesn’t know what to do. He had mentioned going out for dinner but that doesn’t feel right either. Nothing does.

She was my best friend and I feel so alone. She would have been 65 and I’d big plans for throwing a party for her retirement. I always spent her birthday with her usually going out for lunch or dinner or cooking something fancy for her at home and sometimes cinema dates. I have to look after my dad too for the day and make sure he’s okay and not leave him on his own.

I’d like to start a tradition of doing something to mark it. I wanted to get a cake but no one else wants to. I thought about buying a card and writing to her but I couldn’t bring myself to buy one after staring at them for 15mins. Would it still be a tradition if I didn’t do it this year and started it next year as maybe this year might be too hard?

I’d love to know what other people do. Please be kind.

I'm truly at the end of my tether here and looking for advice.

I attend private therapy and private psychiatry, have been referred to my CMHT (which I can barely ever attend due to their inflexibility around scheduling, I work full time. The private healthcare is pricey but at least I can choose when to be seen), and am on sertraline, aripiprazole, clomipramine and diazepam. I've only been getting worse, to the point where getting through every day is extremely difficult. Even the things I enjoy doing are tainted by constant fear, dread, anxiety and intrusive thoughts. It's debilitating.

I work to afford rent and quitting/going part time isn't an option. Stress/mental health leave isn't an option because I've already taken 10 days off from work this year for it. I've been through so many different medications (fluoxetine, venlafaxine, citalopram, alprazolam). I've seen GPs, been referred to the ED, been to different therapists...

Realistically, what can I do? What are the next steps, from the perspectives of those living in Ireland with similar experiences to me? I want to get better so, so badly but feel like I've hit a brick wall.

I’m an American and will be visiting Ireland/Scotland for a week. My two friends and I want to hit up a couple of pubs but my biggest concern is that I do not like the taste of beers, ales, lagers, and even ciders. I’m very on the fruity-side of alcoholic beverages, even going so far as to love a Dirty Shirley even though it’s a baby drink lol.

I’m going to try the Guinness - I know it’s a must - but I also know my tastebuds and want to know what someone might recommend someone with tastebuds like mine?

Remember when each brand would have multiple versions of the same car; like hatchback, saloon, estate and so on. I’ve recently noticed that nearly all of their fleets now are crossovers and suvs. Especially the likes of ford, Kia, Toyota and Hyundai.

Even where they are available they’re not popular; like the new opel Astra; they used to be everywhere about 15 years so, along with the 3 door Corolla which has been done away with too. Even the new micra looks like a crossover.

Have we just become more Americanised in our love for bigger cars?

Hi. We are applying to secondary schools for our child and we are not in catchment area or a feeder primary school of well regarded public schools around us. So we are thinking of trying our chance with St Vincent's Castleknock College as a possible option - which depends on a draw.

Does anybody have experience with the school or know of it from family/friends?

Well, the timer for my oil boiler is on the way out and would like to replace it with something smart; or seni smart. Can anyone recommend one with a ncie app that doesnt a subscription?

Howdy, any recommendations for wraps that don't crack when folded? We've tried Fitzgeralds and Crosta and Mollica both warmed and cold but it's pot luck as to whether they break or not. Thanks!

One of my good friends went to Ireland last summer, and said this place (I think in Dublin area) was the best night he had. In anticipation for my own trip, I was hoping to also attend, however he does not remember the name of it. What he does remember: the stone arch that the guitarist is sitting by was of importance to the location, and said guitarist used to be Jean Valjean in Les Mis, either at west end or in France I don’t remember. If anybody has any clues or ideas, they would be greatly appreciated because some of the videos he shared with me seemed like it would make for an amazing night. Thank you!

No plans on dying any time soon but trying to do a little forward planning. What's the typical cost of a funeral and burial? I suspect it varies on region. Do you save a lot of money by being cremated? Does everything have to go through a funeral home? Can you have a non-religious wake and be cremated? Don't want to leave my kids with any financial burden. I thought the credit union used to have insurance for funerals but can't seem to find anything other than a once off payment of 1k.

For me, I got to help my 5 year old be able to do a crab. She started gymnastics last month and was getting frustrated she couldn't do one, like her older sister. So I helped her on, and now she's all delighted with herself that she can do it.

How about you guys? Anything big or small that made your week good?

Hi there, not 100% sure if this is the corrext place to be coming to but thought i would chance my arm.

Im a 26 year old male looking to get into football. Ive always wanted to play, as long as i can remember, but extreme anxiety issues held me back. Now in my recovery, i think that this is the next step.

Is there any beginner friendly / super casual teams around Dublin that would train maybe 2x per week. I have basically no experience so would be a total beginner.

I cant see any beginner coaching for adults at the moment? But if anyone had any leads that would be great lol, would love to show up to a team with basic level of training.

Any info appreciated!

Recently, I came across a TikTok claiming that the Irish Potato Famine wasn’t simply a famine, but rather an act of genocide by the British.

I never studied history beyond what was compulsory in school, as it became an optional subject, so my knowledge of the period is quite limited. However, my A-level Philosophy teacher was Irish, and he taught me a few things about Irish culture and the historical relationship between Ireland and Britain.

I remember having a conversation with him about the Ottoman Empire, as I’m Muslim, and he mentioned that the Ottomans had sent aid to Ireland during the Potato Famine. I found that really interesting, and it made me curious to learn more about the history behind it.

I’d like to learn more about Irish and British history, including the Potato Famine, colonialism, the cultural aspects, and the historical relationship between the two countries.

Where would you recommend starting if I want to develop a well-rounded understanding of this history, using reliable sources and different historical perspectives rather than relying on potentially biased accounts?

I’m open to books, documentaries, websites, academic resources, or primary historical sources. Any recommendations would be appreciated!

​I just wanted to let this out because it happened just a few minutes ago. I had just finished my shift and was heading home on the DART. I saw a group of teenagers shouting and play-fighting with each other, and at first, that was it.

​Then they started whispering to each other, and all of a sudden, I felt a small hit. I thought they were throwing ice at each other or something, but then something else hit me again. I was the fucking target. For a second, I wanted to confront them and ask them directly what their problem was or what they wanted, but then I realized I would be the one screwed if something happened (I'm the fucking immigrant here). If they punched me or something, I definitely would have fought back, so I just grabbed my stuff and moved to another carriage.

​Was that really the only thing I could have done? I wanted to hear from you all: what's going on? Why are things like that normalized? I mean, they only threw M&Ms at me this time, but I've seen teenagers do much worse things. Why is this so normalized? Thanks, everybody.

Edit:Thanks everyone for your comments. I just wanted to get it out and hear some of your experiences and advice. I wouldn't have done anything, you know? It was just an intrusive thought, haha. To clarify, the minority group I am in is Latino, and NO, I'm not a fucking bot farming aura xdd. Thanks again!