Gardaí: Assisting a tourist
A guide for Gardaí assisting tourists in distress.
A free emergency support service for international visitors.
Tourist SOS is our way to take care of international visitors if things go wrong – which, along with your support, means they can get back to enjoying a great holiday in Ireland.
Contact usWhy international visitors need our support?
For international visitors, being a victim of crime is especially upsetting and stressful:
- They are in unfamiliar surroundings
- They lack a local support network to help them
- Potential language issues, if not fluent in English
- Immediacy of response is critical – often under time pressure, because of their travel plans.
The general Victim Support Service doesn’t operate to the more immediate timeframe they often need. Tourists require more specialist intervention – and by referring them to the Tourist SOS service, you can make a hugely positive difference to their experience.
Every visitor has a statutory entitlement to information and support– therefore it is a requirement to offer them information on Tourist SOS and facilitate a referral to the Service.
To find out how Tourist SOS can help visitors with specific problems, click on the button below.
Best practice.
Recommended Best Practice for dealing with International visitors who report a crime.
Three key steps to follow when assisting a tourist:
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Complete the Tourist SOS form, which is available on the portal, and give the original copy to the visitor. This form is important as it is required for various supports offered by Tourist SOS and also by embassies to issue emergency travel documents. Download a copy of the form.
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Tell them about Tourist SOS – and ask if they wish to be put in contact with the Service.
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Contact Tourist SOS directly while the tourist is in the station. Tourist SOS can be contacted Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, and Sundays/Public Holidays 12-6pm. If not feasible, direct them to www.touristsos.ie or suggest they call later – hand them a card with contact details if available in your station.
Your story.
Want to share an experience of how you supported a visitor, or share positive feedback you received?
Click here
Useful downloads
Download forms & information materials
Click on the options provided to download and print forms and information materials.
Got a question? Here are some answers.
Some answers to typical questions you may have. Can't find what you are looking for? Get in touch and we'll assist you in any way we can.
Do I have to pay for the service?
The services provided by Tourist SOS are free. You do not need to pay for any support or practical assistance that you receive from us.
Is the service confidential?
Tourist SOS provides a confidential service. We will only discuss or pass on details of your situation with your consent.
For example, if you require an Emergency Travel Document from your embassy, we will not contact the embassy on your behalf unless you are happy for us to do so.
In what parts of Ireland is the service available?
Tourist SOS is a national service. We assist tourists no matter where in Ireland the crime has occurred. Face-to face support is available in Dublin, where our staff are based, and for the rest of the country we offer information and support over the phone or by email.
If a journey to Dublin is required to visit your embassy or for any other purpose, we can organise this. We will keep in contact with you until you are happy that all issues in so far as possible, are resolved.
Are there any limitations on the service you provide?
There are certain supports which regrettably we are unable to provide. We cannot:
- Give Cash
- Replace lost/stolen items
- Offer emergency long-term support
- Give legal advice
- Get involved in third party disputes
How is the service funded?
Primary funding is provided by the Department of Justice of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland (National Tourism Development Authority) and Dublin City Council. We also receive both financial and in-kind donations from a wide range of organisations in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Can I replace a missing driver’s licence while visiting Ireland?
You will not be able to replace your driver’s licence in Ireland. This can only be done on your return home. If you had intended to hire a car, please contact us as we may be able to assist. If you have already hired a car, then the car hire company will have a copy of your licence but it would be advisable to keep a copy of the garda report in the car in case you are stopped by the Gardaí.
Can I receive compensation if I am a victim of crime in Ireland?
If you are injured as a result of a violent crime in Ireland, you may be entitled to compensation under the ‘Compensation Injuries Compensation Scheme’.
Compensation may be awarded on the basis of out of pocket expenses, including medical expenses and loss of earnings.
You are not entitled to compensation for items stolen or property damaged. For this you must claim through your insurance company.
If the victim has died as a result of the incident, compensation may be awarded to the dependants of the victim.
The incident in which the injury was caused must have been reported to the Gardaí.
There is a three-month time limit for making a claim, but this can be extended in exceptional circumstances up to two years if the Tribunal is satisfied that the circumstances justify exceptional treatment.
Further information on the compensation scheme is available here.
If you are a citizen of another EU State you can apply for compensation directly from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal or through the national compensating authority in your home country. They will advise you about making a claim or you can apply directly through the European’s Commission website.