Emergency Information and Resources in Ireland

Your CISabroad onsite program coordinator will be with your group for the duration of your program abroad. Should you need any assistance, please let your CISabroad onsite staff know. This includes emergency situations, and non-emergency situations.

If for some reason your CISabroad onsite staff member is unavailable in the event of an emergency (this would be odd, but anything is possible) please call the 24/7 Emergency Phone number for all CISabroad faculty-led programs: +1 970 568 6496. Please introduce yourself by stating your name, the program on which you are traveling and the country in which you are traveling.  If your call is not answered during the first attempt, please phone again. This number is staffed by a member of the CISabroad customized faculty-led team (we do not outsource these calls) and depending on the time of day or night a second attempt may be necessary. You also have the option to leave a message and your call will be returned promptly.

In the event of an emergency, your CISabroad staff member will step-in with your program group leaders. Nevertheless, you should still know how to proceed in the event of an emergency while you are in Ireland.

Additional information about Ireland from the U.S. Dept. of State

The U.S. Embassy in Dublin

The United States Embassy in Ireland is located at 42 Elgin Road Ballsbridge Dublin 4. Their phone number is +353 (0)1 668-8777 (during business hours) and they are open Monday through Friday 07:00-20:00, except on Irish Bank Holidays. Their 24/7 emergency phone number is +353 (0)1 6306200. You may access the Embassy website here.

Travelers should exercise sound personal safety practices to minimize their chance of becoming a victim of petty street crime. Travelers should be aware of their surroundings and avoid unlighted, non-tourist areas.

We remind you that even demonstrations and protests intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. You should avoid the areas of such gatherings if possible, and be careful within the vicinity of any demonstrations. You should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

To stay connected:

CRIME: Though Ireland has a relatively low rate of violent crime, you should always practice sound personal security practices and maintain an awareness of your surroundings when traveling. Petty crime and residential crime are much more common, especially in urban and tourist areas. Rates of theft and petty crime have risen in recent years, and thieves often target rental cars and tourists, particularly in the vicinity of tourist attractions. In rare cases, these crimes have involved physical assault or violence, more commonly in Dublin. Avoid conspicuous displays of wealth, parks after dark, and take care to guard your valuables, passport, and wallet. We recommend you leave your passport in a secure location separate from your purse or luggage and avoid carrying it in bars or other crowded areas when possible. Do not leave your drinks unattended at bars or restaurants, as there have been reported incidents of drinks being spiked with illegal substances, leading to robbery and sexual assaults.

ATM Fraud: Crimes involving ATMs are a concern. Protect your PIN at all times and look closely at ATMs for evidence of tampering before use. Criminals have used “skimmers” on ATMs, especially in tourist areas. Skimmers are usually small electronic devices attached to the outside of an ATM to steal the ATM or credit card data. Most ATMs in Ireland now have signs or electronic warnings that advise customers to look closely at the ATM for evidence of tampering before using. Be aware that in busy areas, thieves use distraction techniques such as waiting until the PIN has been entered and then pointing to money on the ground or asking for loose change. While the ATM user is distracted, another person will quickly withdraw the cash and leave. If you are distracted in any way, cancel the transaction immediately. If the machine does not return your card, report the incident to the issuing bank right away.

Internet scams: Online fraud scams have been reported in recent years. You should view with skepticism any unsolicited invitations to travel to Ireland to collect winnings or an inheritance. Travelers should be wary of solicited or unsolicited requests for assistance, and contact local local authorities, family, or friends to verify the authenticity of such requests. If you receive an email from family or friends requesting assistance, we advise you to try first to contact the loved one at the last known phone number and/or to verify the story/circumstances with a neutral third party you know and trust before sending any funds. There are no licenses or fees required when transiting Irish airports, emergency medical treatment is never withheld pending payment of fees, and hotels in Ireland will not detain guests for lack of funds without involving the police. A claim that a hospital or hotel will not let someone depart until the bill is settled is usually a sign of a scam. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for more information on international financial scams and how to protect yourself.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, you may be breaking local law, too.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, contact family members or friends.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Ireland is 999 and/or 112. The number 112 is used throughout the EU and is accessible from any phone, free of charge.

The Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) is a free nationwide service offering support and assistance to tourists who are victimized while visiting Ireland. If you are a tourist victim of crime, report the incident to the nearest Garda Station (police station), which will contact ITAS. All tourist victims are referred to ITAS by the police.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

The 911 equivalent in Ireland is: 112 (or 999).

What happens when you call 112 (or 999)?

When you call 112 (or 999), one of the most important pieces of information needed is your location or the location of the incident. In some cases, the Emergency Service may know your location but don’t presume this is the case. It is quite possible that the incident is different to the callers location and so due care needs to be taken by the Emergency Service.

Depending on which emergency service you request, some of the typical questions that are asked are as follows:

  • The exact address of the incident or emergency and/or any noticeable landmarks nearby
  • Directions to the scene of the emergency
  • The telephone number you are calling from
  • Details on the incident itself, the number of persons involved, the description of any visible injuries and knowledge of any pre-existing medical conditions

It is important to wait for the call-takers instructions, try and stay calm and don’t hang up until they tell you to.