The phenomenon of aggressive groups of young people in certain areas can be a problem for immigrants, as well as for the local adults, writes Ania Majewska.
I WAS sitting on the Dart with a group of my friends when suddenly we smelled smoke. We looked ahead and saw some Irish teenagers smoking a cigarette. Nobody on the train asked them to put it out.
After they finished it, they got off the train at their stop - happy, proud and taking advantage of their freedom. Only then did some people on the train express scorn, but it was too late.
It prompted my foreign friends to start talking about the problems and fears they experience in dealing with some young Irish people.
"I never walk home at nights, I am too afraid," said my Spanish friend. "I live on the third floor and I always take a lift to get to my flat. Some people take heroin and they sleep on the stairs in the apartment block where I live."
Immigrants are afraid of some of the Irish youth population. Gangs of children in some particular areas of Dublin can be dangerous.
And people from abroad are often unwilling to seek help from gardaí for fear of reprisal. Despite its friendly reputation, Dublin still has its fair share of problems.
There are many Irish children who are truculent and aggressive. They especially show off their power when they go around in groups. In many other countries teenagers are quieter than in Ireland and no one is afraid of them.
In Poland, for instance, the law is very strict and parents more severe than in Ireland. Many large Polish cities are policed more heavily. Polish youths are more respectful.
Polish teenagers may attack other teenagers, but they would not assault adults. That is probably why some adult foreigners who are waylaid in Ireland are astonished by the fact they have to be afraid of children here.
Many immigrants come here to seek work and usually they have little money at the outset. When they settle down they look for the cheapest possible accommodation.
The problem is that the least expensive is in rough areas of the major cities, and there is no information to warn newcomers about the possible dangers in these areas.
Although people in Ireland are very friendly, it is easy to wander into areas that most local people would avoid. About two years ago I was looking for a room to rent and I went to an area on the north side of Dublin.
I was walking around the streets with a map. I passed some noisy teenagers playing on the streets; their parents were shouting at them. I wasn't really paying attention as I was looking at my map.
Suddenly a taxi stopped - the driver said that I looked lost and suggested that I get into the car. He told me that it was one of the most dangerous streets in Dublin. He drove me to a safer area of the city without charging for the journey. He also advised me to watch those who are watching me, "just in case".
An Estonian friend warned me one day: "When I see a group of Irish youths wearing tracksuits, I try to avoid them by walking across the street. A few months ago while I was on my way to work a group of teenagers surrounded me.
"They started pushing me around and pulling my hair. I could see that they were having a lot of fun doing that, they were laughing at me. No one on the street helped me."
These youths do not rob their victims - they physically abuse them and laugh at them. The most unusual thing is that girls are as bad as boys. Even some Irish people living in particular areas of the city are afraid of these teenage gangs.
Immigrants can be easier targets for the Irish gangs of youths because they don't want hassle and want to avoid conflicts. Sometimes it is also very difficult to express emotions and to argue in another language. Some people don't answer back to the attackers while they are being abused and in this way they show fear. By showing fear they easily can become a target.
Violence and crime occur all over the world, especially in large cities. Europe more or less is becoming one state and people are free to move around.
If there is a problem and some people in the community are afraid, should they start speaking up about trying to find ways to extinguish it?
Ania Majewska lives in Dublin. She is from Poland