Criminals Criticise Working Conditions
Following a botched post office robbery in Co. Meath yesterday the Criminal’s Union of Ireland (CUI) has spoken out against the hazardous job conditions its members must work in.
It is believed a CUI member was badly injured when his balaclava fell over his eyes and he ran into a shelf knocking himself out during the robbery of a post office. CUI’s membership has been on the rise for some time and the trade union is now seeking talks with the Government in hope of introducing new legislation in aid of Irish criminals.
The last six months has seen an increase in on site injuries for criminals who are working in a more competitive marketplace than ever before.
Rob Berry, a member of CUI, has been out of work for close to three months after cutting himself badly on some broken glass. “I suppose you hear all the horror stories, but you never think it’ll happen to you and then it does” said an ashen-faced Mr. Berry.
“It was just another average day at the office like, and then I kicked in the window of a house and sure didn’t I have a great big gash all down me leg. The fecking ladder I was on was no use either, fell right on my arse bone. I’ve no recourse with the courts or anything and insurance won’t cover it. We just want the same rights as anyone really” Mr. Berry struggled to keep his composure as he shared more stories of carpet burns, back trouble due to carrying heavy objects while running and whiplash suffered in high-speed chases.
While the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has given little indication of Government funding making its way to the CUI, its Chairman Martin Ruddy remains upbeat: “I suppose we can’t give up the fight, especially when you read of bank or post office jobs coming off a treat, there is always hope. We can see those white-collar criminals are enjoying an amnesty of sorts, but we would like to see it extended to all our members”.
Previous CUI campaigns have fallen on deaf ears when their repeated requests for FÁS courses to be set up focusing on ‘entrepreneurial crime’ and ‘internet fraud’ were denied.