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Irish banned from Whitsundays hostel

An Irish owner of a Whitsundays hostel has banned Irish backpackers from checking in at his establishment.   

Thomas Dunne, who runs the Main Street Backpackers hostel in Proserpine and the adjoining bar O’Duinns, is fed up with Irish backpackers causing chaos, destruction and general drunken disturbance.

Mr Dunne told the Irish Echo that many of the incidents have caused deliberate damage to his property.

“Over the last three years the Irish backpacker has taken over the mantle [in behaviour] so we take less each year,” he said.

“This year we have had eight Irish backpackers. It’s only the start of the season and already six have been thrown out, one checked out and one girl remains, who may I add, is no trouble.

“Two of the Irish lads who were kicked out at 2am, we had them arrested and charged for damage done to our accommodation,” he said.

“It’s the last straw we will not be taking any more.

“What can I say, we can’t tar everyone with the same brush, but yes we have had enough of the Irish backpackers who stay at our accommodation.

“It’s sad really because the other nationalities say the same about them at the other hostels.

“It reflects badly on us as we have to live up here,” he concluded

Yesterday the men were charged with one count of wilful damage to the property. They were fined $90 each and ordered to pay $410 to the owner of the hostel.

By Alex Harmon  ·  July 3rd, 2012 at 3:29 pm

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Comments


  1. Anon
    3 Jul 12
    3:39 pm

    2. Imagine if he had said that about Aboriginal People or Jews or at the risk of getting shot, Israelis!

  2. Des Ewing
    3 Jul 12
    3:45 pm

    3. Any chance you could fwd their names to info@absolutebackpackers.com.au so we can stop them from staying with us, if they’re be heading this way.

  3. anon
    3 Jul 12
    3:57 pm

    4. Next up, Aussies banned from international hostels for the continued antics whilst on holidays.

  4. Alex Harmon
    3 Jul 12
    4:10 pm

    5. Hey Des, you may need to get in contact with Main Street Backpackers as the media cannot publish their names.

  5. Rick Schindler
    4 Jul 12
    9:46 am

    6. Well he’s got some free advertising out of it

  6. debbs
    4 Jul 12
    12:14 pm

    7. You DO Need to protect the safety & tranquility of OTHER guests plus … Staff … so GOOD for you …because of the police action against them WILL THEY BE DEPORTED?? Or yes, are they Just Moving Somewhere Else??

    Do you ALSO have Summer Restrictions on Aussies and New Zealanders … just as a matter of interest?

  7. debbs
    4 Jul 12
    12:22 pm

    8. Perhaps they can go to PORT LINCOLN …?

  8. Steve McPhilemy
    4 Jul 12
    6:37 pm

    9. The fact that this guy has banned an entire nationality based on the antics of just SIX people is outrageous, we own Ireland’s biggest hostel chain and as much as we would LOVE to ban certain nationalities at times – we have to resist this move because ultimately it is wrong and it IS racist and small-minded.

    A smart hostel owner will put in place a system of checks and balances to prevent this type of thing happening.
    Anti-social behaviour and vandalism in a hostel is wrong but it CAN be prevented by the owners and management.

    I’m Irish and if I went to this hostel tomorrow, I’d be banned because of my nationality???? I’d be looking for the nearest lawyer.

  9. dave
    4 Jul 12
    6:41 pm

    10. For someone who doesn’t want to tar everyone with the same brush, he is doing a pretty good job of it.

    Two questions:

    Why openly announce it & contact the Irish Times? Rick S., may have answered that…

    Are Irish banned from the Irish bar?

  10. Scotty
    4 Jul 12
    6:54 pm

    11. The amenity of a hostel for other guests is more important now then ever before: modern travellers are less tolerant of disturbed sleep than they once were (but, fairplay; today’s nuisance guests start drinking heavily at midday & go through til 7 am the following day at full noise!)

    We ALWAYS attempt to weed the yobbo Aussies from REAL Aussie Backpackers, again, in the interests of guest amenity. Past experience has proven this a sound policy, as non-backpacking guests are the ones who sit on a couch & comment on the girls in bikinis as they walk past, as if they are workers on a building site, and, when becoming rowdy at night, tell the Danish/German/Israeli/Finnish night watchman “You can’t tell me to do anything, this is MY country!” when asked to keep it peaceable.

    It is a fact that when operating a business that deals with the public that your business may display a sign informing that the management reserves the right to refuse service. There is no need to give any explanation for this business decision. Anyone who ignores this right & allows any & all types of guests to stay without considering the best interests of their business does so at their peril.

    We still take ALL international guests, but try to be as canny as possible before allowing ONE hostel-night-wrecker to bugger our genuine guest’s Scotty’s experience & knee-cap ourselves via negative on-line reviews.

    As Dez suggested, these miscreants names should be passed-on. After all, licensed venues do it!

  11. Jim
    4 Jul 12
    8:02 pm

    12. Don’t send them over here to Perth. They are just about banned from every hostel. All they want to do is get drunk and fight.

  12. anonamouse
    5 Jul 12
    10:53 am

    13. Agreed Jim, I went down for a trip to Melbourne recently and wherever you went on the backpacker circuit there were fighting Irish. I know some truly lovely Irish people, unfortunately they seem to be in hiding most of the time.

  13. Tony M
    5 Jul 12
    12:54 pm

    14. An interesting story that has similar elements to an article I read about a hostel in Blenheim, close to the top of NZ’s South Island, that has – apparently – banned Kiwi guests. (So… Kiwis are banned from an accommodation establishment in their own country for doing nothing more than, ummmmm… being a Kiwi. Being from the land of the long white cloud myself, I can see why that could piss some people off).

    That article was reported on stuff.co.nz late last month, and gained a wide range of responses from the 200 or so folks who chose to post after it hit the headlines. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/.....ackpackers)

    It’s also kinda interesting seeing this most recent BTN story about Paddies located in close proximity to another article about Irish backpackers, appearing under the ‘Most Discussed’ section. “Irish backpackers targeted by fed-up WA police” had – as of when I posted this – attracted 17 comments.

  14. Des Ewing
    5 Jul 12
    4:28 pm

    15. @ Alex, cheers mate will do & fair call..

  15. Yossi Gallor
    11 Jul 12
    10:27 am

    16. I am honestly shocked and appalled by what I am reading here. Steve McPhilemy you are 100% correct in your comments. People should have a right to be proud of who they are and where they come from instead of being persecuted for it. Are we really still living in a time and a place where you can as a business owner get up and ban an entire group of people?!?!

    If you were to ban a religious group there would be outcry from all over and rightly so but for some reason we think its ok to ban an entire nation? What’s next no Jews, Muslims Hindu etc and Australian white pride rallies? It is our responsibility as hostel owners/operators to manage our businesses in a way that creates a safe and fun travel experience without making blanket discriminatory rules that in my opinion should be illegal. With the correct procedures and management in place the problems are solved before they spiral out of control.

    Scotty, you are right that we have the right to refuse service to anyone but that should not be abused by placing a ban on an entire nation.
    Perhaps a name and shame website is the answer so that anyone that causes issues in one hostel can then be named on a website so that others can protect themselves. I also think that there should be a stronger connection with immigration and the police department. I find it shocking that tourists of this great country can get arrested on multiple times and are still allowed to remain in this country. Perhaps a 2 strike and you’re out rule should apply.

    I am also surprised that so many of you are having problems with the Irish. Here at Space Hotel we have a large number of Irish backpackers and have never had an issue with any of them. In fact we find them to be more well-mannered than many of the other travelers that we get coming through here.

  16. Scotty
    11 Jul 12
    12:49 pm

    17. No worries, Yoss, I knew that this subject could stir some bad memories and smack of racial/religious discrimination in many folks eyes. The fact you haven`t had any problems with Irish out of proportion to other visitors doesn`t discount other`s experiences, though.

    As part of the Australian Backpacker industry, this site has proved invaluable to thrash-out (or attempt to thrash-out) issues affecting the industry as a whole. Nowadays, accusing anyone of racial villification or discrimination tends to completely shut-down discussions, preventing its resolution.

    I have already posted the opinion that police records should be reviewed before visas are appointed, and agree that those who play-up should be deported, tout`d suite.

    However, this site should also be a place where we can share information on current issues; the fact that the Irish authorities are now aware of their countrymen playing up to an unacceptable level overseasin Oz might now lead to a campaign to educate their young globetrotters on acceptable levels of behaviour BEFORE they leave home.

    My comment on refusal of service is to educate those new to the industry on your right to make a judgement call on an intending overnight guest: if a chapter of the Hell`s Angels rock up and want to stay, you may decline to accommodate them, simply quoting your policy of reserving the right to refuse service. Same with a guest who arrives intoxicated or without adequate funds. It wasn`t a Hall Pass to practice racism, mate ;-)

    Once again, the amenity of our backpacker hostels and bars MUST be put ahead of the almighty dollar. If that requires constant vigilance and exclusion of troublemakers via a warning website, sensational, but the fact certain travellers need to lift their game should not be avoided..

  17. Yossi Gallor
    11 Jul 12
    2:32 pm

    18. Boyd, point well taken. My purpose was in no way intended to belittle anyone else’s experiences or accuse anyone of racial vilification and if I came across that way I apologize.

    My intention instead was to open people’s eyes as to where policies like these can lead to and to remind everyone that there is a fine line that we are treading on.

    We obviously have the right to refuse service and have to at times preserve the quality of our establishments and the experiences that our guests have there. I just don’t believe that this should be done for an entire nation. If you have issues with a specific group of people than be wary of them and keep a closer eye on them, we all practice a bit a racial profiling at times, however we don’t need to come out and make a hard rule and then announce it to the world.

    Boyd, you told me to get involved so no complaining now ;)

  18. Anonymous
    11 Jul 12
    3:42 pm

    19. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ACT 1975
    - SECT 13
    Provision of goods and services

    It is unlawful for a person who supplies goods or services to the public or to any section of the public:

    (a) to refuse or fail on demand to supply those goods or services to another person; or

    (b) to refuse or fail on demand to supply those goods or services to another person except on less favourable terms or conditions than those upon or subject to which he or she would otherwise supply those goods or services;

    by reason of the race, colour or national or ethnic origin of that other person or of any relative or associate of that other person.

    He is breaking the law and so are you Scotty if you think that its okay to ‘weed out the yobbo australians’

  19. Scotty
    11 Jul 12
    4:49 pm

    20. Typical brave call there, Anonymous.

    We have and will continue to decide on who is fit to stay in our accommodation. As we are an international backpackers and have had a range of guests, from indigenous rangers to Icelanders and everyone in between, stay with us over the past 24 years, any claims of racism are hilarious.

    Google this and apply it, willya?” Fac ut vivas”

  20. Scotty
    11 Jul 12
    4:57 pm

    21. Fair enough, Yoss. And as you would have noticed, I haven`t implemented a blanket ban on de Irish (or Carlton supporters…) as yet. ;-)

    I WILL continue to weed out yobbo`s from my own and any other country as I choose, though, as is my right.

  21. Greg Cole
    12 Jul 12
    9:41 am

    22. @Anonymous, the law also says we can’t drive fast or drink to much or kill people or set fire to things or make jokes about bombs to flight attendants. And any reasonable person won’t do these things nor will they check into Scottys (et al) hostel with the intention of trashing the joint. But you’re reading a forum that tells of this happening and people – most likely out of sheer desperation to protect their income and business – have taken steps to stop the destruction. So you can pretend to be clever by waving legislation in peoples faces or you can face the fact that no amount of govt ink on govt paper will ever make people ethical or law abiding.

    And some of you should grow some kahunas and face the fact that Irish drunks are causing problems and sadly this reflects badly on all Irish travellers knocking at the doors of hostels. Who can blame a hostel owner for protecting their business?

  22. Tony
    12 Jul 12
    1:30 pm

    23. Despite all that we can read on forums such as BTN that this, and other backpacker hostels have barred nationalities such as the Irish, I challenge anyone to find an official expression announcing that sort of stance anywhere that a logical, average punter would search.

    As a ‘for instance’, I searched for official info that told me – using plain, simple everyday language – that the Blenheim backpackers in NZ had officially banned Kiwis, and that the business in the Whitsundays had barred the Irish. I couldn’t find any such statement from either of them, at least using the usual search tools and methods I’m conversant with and that, I reckon, the bulk of other folks would lean on.

    So sure, while it’s apparent that sections of the media report that ‘x’ hostel forbids ‘y’ nationality… where’s the official material stating as much, from those establishments?

  23. Scotty
    12 Jul 12
    3:39 pm

    24. Tony, you know what they say? “A verbal agreement/statement isn`t worth the paper it`s written on” ;-)

  24. Tony
    12 Jul 12
    5:58 pm

    25. Boyd, I should’ve known better and remembered you’re moving into politics…

    Buuuutttt – I reckon we’d both have lost count of the number of times we’ve read posts / tweets / comments (et al) that sprout after a story hits the headlines announcing that ‘X’ backpacker hostel/business has applied a blanket ban on all guests from ‘Y’ country from online commentators that I’ll term ‘Brendon the Backpacker’. They post something like “I remember staying in a backpackers in (insert random town/city name here) that had a policy banning (Irish / Poms / Kiwis / Aussies / Yanks / Scots / Collingwood supporters” (…etc, etc, etc).

    However, make contact with the business concerned to get the good oil, and I’ve always found the claims from the Brendons of the world to be utter bullshit. (BTW, no disrespect here for anyone called Brendon.)

    Sure, hostels have almost always kicked out guests from (insert nationality here) for behaviour that had moved way beyond the pale. In fact, I reckon there wouldn’t be a backpacker owner out there who hasn’t had to turf some argumentative and disruptive drunk (normally) or stoned (possibly) ‘guest’ out on their fanny (the US fanny, not ours) at some point in their history. Or, at least think very long and hard about exercising that right.

    But, blanket bans on entire nationalities? As a publicised policy and expression of normal business conduct here, in Australia?

    As I said… utter bullshit.

  25. Yossi Gallor
    13 Jul 12
    9:41 am

    26. Tony, love the addition of banning Collingwood supporters. I think as an industry we should all take that one on ;)

  26. Tony
    13 Jul 12
    5:04 pm

    27. Thanks Yosi. (And if Tom Delaney – me old cobber, mate, buddy – is reading this… you knew I was taking the piss with that dig about Collingwood, right? And yeah, I know we’ve had our differences about who’s the best side and all that, but I’m still cool for a couple of tickets to see the Pies in action at this years GF… aren’t I?)

  27. Annon
    17 Jul 12
    9:05 pm

    28. The main problem with most unruly guests is the consumption of too much alcohol. In targeting nationalities it is those from big drinking cultures that are the main problem. I am sure that where there is a bar as a part of the hostel drinking should be more regulated so that people dont get too intoxicated on the premises – but there is a price to pay ie less profit?? You cant have it both ways.
    We dont have a bar on our premises but can still have bad issues with guests that goes along with being in this business.
    Go Saints!!!

  28. Stumpy
    31 Jul 12
    9:46 am

    29. I have not commented on any posts here for many months but have watched from the sidelines as debates like this continue to rage. This one has perked my interest enough to chuck in my 2 cents worth (NZD).

    I wonder how you can tell if someone has the potential to cause trouble when you are checking them in and “weed out” the trouble makers?. I think back to my many years of bar work where the worst people to deal with were the guys who turned up at 5 after work in their expensive suits. By 10 these guys were the trouble makers yet the guy with the ACDC t-shirt and tattoos was often the nicer of the bunch.

    It is a shame to be in a position where we have to place people into a box and assume we know what type of person they are by their nationality.

  29. Scotty
    31 Jul 12
    1:27 pm

    30. Get back in your box, Stumpy, the one for sheep-shagging,nose-rubbing,L&P drinking, Fred Dagg-singlet-wearin Kiwis, eh!

  30. Stumpy
    1 Aug 12
    5:13 am

    31. You have such a way with words Scotty, perhaps this could be the new Tourism NZ slogan? I had to leave my sheep shagging box this morning to put on my singlet skull my L&P nose rub my wife to come to work, I look forward to getting back in it this evening.

    I heard a snippet of a story on the news this morning, I will try and find a link and post it this afternoon, I swear this is a true.

    Queenstown locals are complaining on the behaviour of Australians coming over for ski trips. It seems thay are causing problems with their drunkeness and fighting.

  31. Paul
    1 Aug 12
    9:02 am

    32. Scotty and Stumpy, I think you have just hit on the solution!

    Maybe when checking people in, you put them in a large cardboard box and see what process they take to get out. Those that assist each other and take care not to do any damage to the box are surely those you could expect to respect your property. Those that simply bash and tear it apart are obviously not those you want staying!

    Have a good day guys, I’m just going to crawl back in my box now!

  32. Scotty
    1 Aug 12
    10:47 am

    33. I like it, I like it, Paul!

    Stumpy, I’m glad you took me the right way there,as I know you and Jake tha Muss are tight. Phew!

    As I’ve mentioned on BTN before, I have been embarrassed to be an Aussie before due to boorish and uncouth behaviour by fellow Aussie tourists in the past and I offer my apologies to the people of Queenstown ( and London and Munich and Pattaya and Bali and Hoh Chi Min City and Pamplona and ad nauseum) on behalf of my criminally rude and obnoxious countrymen. I wouldn’t wish them upon ANYONE!

    Similarly, I’m sure that accom & bar owners in Queenstown will soon discover ways and means to sort the wheat from the chaff, as we have at Scottys, and everything will be hunky-dory, news-wise.

    Noticing a lot of broad accents the other night, I checked our pax nationalities and found 40% Irish, 30% UK, 20% French and a mixture of Germans, Israelies, Canadians and even a couple of Aussies, and not one fight or broken bed between the lot of them! Lots of skydive & rafting participants and kids looking for work on the narnas.

    Once again, bad apples are a fact of life but DON’T spoil the whole bunch, but you’d be unwise not to have ways of removing them from the bunch.

    To all you Kiwis, thanks again for Pharlap, Crowded House, Sam Neil, John Clarke and hokey pokey ice-cream. God bless.

  33. Stumpy
    3 Aug 12
    8:46 am

    34. Scotty you forgot PAVLOVA.

    Now go and cook me some eggs.

  34. Scotty
    3 Aug 12
    9:29 am

    35. What are iggs, mate?…..

  35. Stumpy
    3 Aug 12
    9:46 am

    36. They come from a Chuckin

  36. Scotty
    3 Aug 12
    5:08 pm

    37. Ahhhhhhhh…..

  37. backbencher
    4 Aug 12
    9:22 pm

    38. Scotty or whatever they call you. YOU MADE YOUR POINT. But why do you take so long to do so? Take a breath angry man.

  38. Scotty
    5 Aug 12
    11:08 am

    39. Que?

    I think you`re on the wrong thread, Backbencha .Where is the anger? Stumpy and I are havin a larff.

    Seeing how no-one knows who you are, and you, obviously, don`t know who Stumpy or I am, and haven`t seen that documentary, Once Were Warriors, and know stuff-all about our indsutry, why do you bother? Stumpy gets my joke, Backbencha: why don`t you?

    You`re an obvious TROLL, Backbencha. Go hide under someone elses bridge, eh.

  39. Stumpy
    6 Aug 12
    6:10 am

    40. Documentary like Romper Stomper?. :)

  40. Scotty
    6 Aug 12
    9:04 am

    41. Nice one, Stumpy.

    I was wracking my brains for which one you`d go for, coz we have such rich pickings: The Castle, Muriel`s Wedding, Wolf Creek, Baz Lurhman`s Australia or even a fictional piece like Sylvania Waters….

    Romper Stomper DEFINITELY tells it like it is….the star is a Kiwi, after all ;-)

    Actually, I`d advise TA to buy every copy, now they`re actively targeting the Asian market full bore.

    Just sayin.

  41. Stumpy
    6 Aug 12
    11:04 am

    42. The Castle..

    “Dad there’s a guy selling a Sailing Trip”
    “Yeah, how much is asking?”
    “30% commission”
    “30%!, tell him he must be joking!”

  42. Scotty
    6 Aug 12
    11:36 am

    43. GOLD!!!!

    Like the Kiwi olympic team, you ARE in form, Stumpy!!!

    I reckon this should be re-posted on the thread about the PP Queenstown opening, though….just change it to “tell him he`s dreamin”, for authenticity`s sake.

    Is Backbencher a Kiwi, Stumpy?: did you catch their ixint?

  43. Stumpy
    6 Aug 12
    1:00 pm

    44. Thank you for the correction on the actual script of The Castle Jousting Stick scene, I knew I was not quite right.

    Backbencher could be anyone from anywhere hiding behind a fake name as he is scared to reveal his true identity, coward!!!

    Signed Stumpy,

    I am Batman.

  44. Sophia
    13 Dec 12
    4:07 pm

    45. The Irish backpackers in question have not been banned based on discrimination, but on history of behaviour. We get Irish backpackers here and their behaviour is appalling – worse than any other nationality. They are loud, have atrocious language and urinate off balconies. Don’t they have sewerage in Ireland and that’s why they urinate in public?

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