Irish traveler issues refund to scammed victim

"The articles in the Post and News scared him so he called her and got a messenger to bring a certified check to her house. We checked it out and it's real. He purchased the check in a TD Bank branch in Elmhurst.

It's obviously very lucrative over here for him so he doesn't want to be hassled. Capt. Manson (104th Pct) tracking him down too...

The Post did a good job, again the reporter saw it on QC... good job Crappie!" - Robert Holden

Why, thank you. :)

'Tis the season for the return of "Irish travelers"

"There are at least two bogus roofing companies preying on seniors, especially women, in the Middle Village-Maspeth area.

They use one scam... approaching the target homeowner and say they were working on a neighbor's roof nearby and noticed that the target homeowner has a serious roofing issue. The phony roofer goes on the roof sprays a (non-waterproof) silver paint, usually taking an hour and a half and then gives the homeowner a ridiculous bill, in this case $2,250. The scammer then offers to lower the bill to $1,950 if the homeowner pays cash. Which she did.

Of course the scammer gives a bill that's pre-printed and appears to be legit. However the company name turns out to be bogus including the license number, phone and address.

The scammers have used company names such as "Halliday Painting Roofing Waterproofing" McGavin and possibly Thompson. They have been known to use Irish and Scottish accents. Their trucks are new and look impressive, a dark grey capped pickup and a red pickup, both with out of-state plates.

If anyone sees these trucks operating in the area please call 911 and try and get a license plate. Also please call the Juniper Park Civic Association (718) 651-5865 if you know other victims or attempted scams.

In the case pictured the senior could not climb a ladder to check on the work. The scammer promised in writing to seal and waterproof roof and flashing, clean gutters and guaranteed the job for 7 years. None of the work promised was actually done, in fact the bogus roofer spray painted perfectly good shingles." - Robert Holden

Apparently this is a yearly occurrence.

These folks are known as "Irish travelers". If they approach you, call 911.

Sight of Bloomberg offends Rockaway Irish

From the NY Post:

Boos followed Mayor Bloomberg yesterday as he walked in the annual St. Patrick’s Parade in Rockaway, Queens — his first Irish outing since he made a quip about their drinking last month.

Many in the working-class neighborhood also got their Irish up over Bloomberg’s cost-cutting initiatives, including his efforts to overhaul the city pension system, fire more than 4,000 teachers, and change the “last in, first out” rule for teacher layoffs.

“Go back to Manhattan!” yelled several parade-goers as Bloomberg and other elected officials strolled the 30-block route along Newport Avenue and Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Belle Harbor.

“Take the A train home!” shouted someone amid the sea of bagpipes, green face paint and Irish flags.

Chants of “Union-buster!” and “Respect the teachers!” trailed after Bloomberg, who was making his 10th consecutive appearance at the parade.

Bloomberg insults the Irish

From the Daily News:

A wisecrack Mayor Bloomberg made last night about "inebriated Irish hanging out the windows" has some saying Hizzoner should kiss something other than The Blarney Stone, according to a report on the website Irish Central.

"In bizarre remarks delivered at a St. Patrick's Parade book launch at the American Irish Historical Society in New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he lived nearby and was used to seeing 'inebriated Irish hanging out the windows' at the Society which is on Fifth Avenue," writes Niall O'Dowd.

"Bloomberg's remarks drew some boos from an astonished crowd who had gathered along with Grand Marshal Mary Higgins Clark to celebrate the launch of the book entitled "Celebrating 250 Years of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade" by Irish American historian John Ridge,which recounts the 250 years history of the parade."

"Bloomberg's comments were made at the very start of his speech and he continued on in strange vein asking when the parade was being held and commenting it was good it was always on the same day so he wouldn't confuse it with Columbus Day."

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Queens Crap!

Ugh! Please pass the green beer!

Erin go blah

From the Daily News:

Irish civic groups say a growing number of Irish have come to New York in the last year, in what some call a new Irish diaspora.

The Emerald Isle Immigration Center says there has been a fourfold increase in the number of calls from people looking to come to New York for the first time, or to return here after going home to Ireland when the economy was booming from 1995-2007.

The center's director, Siobhan Denehy, said the center's two locations - in Woodside, Queens, and the Woodlawn section of the Bronx - get a combined 80 inquiries a month from Irish clients, not counting Web site hits.

The Irish government recently reported that for the first time since 1995, the country of 4.5 million people has seen more people going than coming.

"There is no question that Ireland's desperate economic situation has brought lots more people to our center," said Brian O'Dwyer, a prominent New York lawyer and chairman of the immigration center. "For the first time in many years, people are showing up at our doorstep that have left Ireland in search of work."

Newly arrived Irish immigrants are difficult to capture in the annual census surveys. Census figures for 2008 estimate there were 2,649 Irish-born residents in Brooklyn, compared with 1,469 in 2007. In Manhattan, there were 3,760 Irish-born in 2008, compared with 3,101 in 2007.

The figures don't reflect how many more Irishmen are working illegally, hoping for a green card.

A Bronx bricklayer who arrived a few years ago said there has been a flood of Irish people coming, with men working as carpenters, construction workers and painters and women as bartenders, waitresses and nannies.

Given the struggling economy, it's no picnic here either.

The married father of two said laborers compete with Mexican and Brazilians for construction work.

Now you know why Bloomberg wants an Irish soccer field.

Bloomberg panders to Queens Irish

From Irish Central:

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg told a large gathering of footballers from the Shannon Gaels club and their families in Queens on Saturday, October 17, that it is “time Queens had an Irish football field.”

Bloomberg, who attended the first annual Shannon Gaels field day at Sunnyside Gardens, said, “We are in very early stages of the process but we are cautiously optimistic that we can get it (a GAA pitch) done.”

Admiring the Sunnyside Gardens, Bloomberg said, “This is a great event and Sunnyside Gardens is a great park, but I think it’s time Queens had an Irish field to call home. How about you?”

Bloomberg said that the Queens Parks Department sat down with members of the Irish community to discuss options last week.

“We’re still in the very early stages, but we’re all optimistic,” said Bloomberg.

“The Irish have helped make this the greatest city in the world and I want to see more Irish come here … and more immigrants from around the world.”

Although no specific site has been decided upon, Staunton said the commissioner of the Queens Parks Department welcomed the proposal pitched to them last week with open arms.

Staunton and members of the Shannon Gaels hope to secure a six-acre site on city property.

If you're an American black or Hispanic kid that wants to play football, the Parks Department kicks you off your home field. If you want to create park land in your neighborhood so kids have a place to play, Parks tells you to take a hike. If you're fresh off the boat and want to play your version of football during an election year, the Parks Department and Mayor dedicate city property to accommodate you.

Tweeding at its most blatant.