Beware of Robbie Boland the conman (Robbie Lynch)

Oh, we have called the cops already, but they said they'll call us back...so I don't know...

So chances are good for him... You'd rather call them again and tell them to come to your place immediately to get hold of the tosser before he can make his escape again. I mean, 260 quid... that's a pile of money when you are a little short.

Hi all, just wanted to report this guy was in Kaiserslautern at Thursty Nelly's Irish Pub and imposing on the hospitality of one of the regulars for about five nights. He left on Tuesday 21st of August having stolen my guitar and a padded soft case.
If anybody has seen him since then with a blue and black semi-acoustic guitar, single cutaway, called an "Earthfire Tigerflame", in a good quality black and grey padded soft case, please contact me at edbutler25@gmail.com as this guitar has immense sentimental value though very little commercially. The neck has a slight concave bend causing the 12th, 13th and 14th frets to produce similar tones especially on the B and high E strings, and when last seen it had a green sticker right behind the bridge with a silhouetted picture of the singer Jack Johnson, and his name under it (though this may have been removed since).
It has been reported stolen to police in Kaiserslautern; if anyone sees it or has seen it, please call your local police immediately. This asshole has done this before and must be stopped. The tall stories and free beer are one thing, but he's going too far now.

Sounds to me as if the guy has realised that people have sussed him out and he is trying to get as much as possible before disappearing forever. Bastard.

Strikes me that all Irish pubs have something in common, and this is probably Guinness. Maybe the distributor for Germany could get the word about quickly because they have the best network of where Boland might turn up. Just a thought.

so fellas,
Seems like he got away with it...

The police approached him at his Hotel yesterday, but they did not arrest him for any reason...
He was at the Pub at about 7 pm and he said to my Father he cleared everything up with the police and that he would give us our money back today.
I will write a warning at our website www.planxty.de and I will try to contact the pollice again, and ask them why they think that this is peanuts.
I'll try to make sure that he will not do it again. If anyone has a picture of him, I'd aprecciate if you post it here, thanks.

About the guitar:
We still have a dark blue acoustic guitar with a softcase in our Pub, I'm pretty sure it is yours.

Anyone have a photo of this fecker that they can post up?

Do you really expect him to come and hand over the money he owes you? Are you sure he hasn't left town already?

Apparently he left hs handbook behind...

Pikey!

No, I don't expect that, and I AM in fact pretty sure that this was the last we've seen of him, but I can't do anything, because the police doesn't do anything.

lol@ SpiderPig
Thanks, now I can't get it out of my head:
Sider Pig, Spider Pig, does whatever a Spider Pig does, can he swing from a web? No he can't, he's a Pig. Look out! He is a Spider Pig.

@PP
I guess I'm just surprised that you didn't lean on him a bit more forcefully when he turned up last night. You're right, though, if the police refuse to have anything to do with it then your hands are tied (instead of Robbie's). It would be interesting to know why they chose not to intervene.

They may not be aware that this guy is doing this for a living. Maybe all of you who have reported him to the police before could go back to the police and tell them that this guy was also reported to the police in X, Y and Z where he pulled off the same thing, so they connect the cases.

So he got away with it again... Unfortunately, people usually visit this forum too late. But I am sure Diageo (=Guinness) will not be cooperative. So spread the word at the pubs you visit.

Seems like he makes some money from the stolen instruments or just leaves them behind when a situation becomes too ticklish. He had the Fenix in Nuremberg, stole another in Freiburg, and a few days later did the same in Kaiserslautern... At least, he is in need of a new one now, so beware!

Sometimes I really do not understand ther German police. Whoever happens to be next should make shure to be there when the police arrive. German police officers ussually do not have any clue of English. Moreover, he will surely tell them the same somewhat plausible stories a few of us are already familiar with. And as one can see, it usually takes a while before people realize that he is giving them nothing but shit. It might be a bit more difficult for him when he is not able to talk to the officers alone. Finally, Mariposa is right. If they see that there are a few other proceedings pending, the reaction might be different next time.

hmm his not been up this way yet ...

I reported the theft of my guitar in Kaiserslautern today, but when I told the Polizei about the occurrences in Stuttgart and Homburg they just didn't want to know. My German's not the may west but it's not crap either, but he seemed to think that I was telling him about something that happened elsewhere, outside of his jurisdiction and therefore unworthy of his time. I'll be going back tomorrow to try to impress upon them that this guy has a pattern with the same scam, so maybe they'll at least call the police in Stuttgart and Homburg.

If you know a German to accompany you, maybe that would be a good idea too. The problem is, one incident may not seem serious enough to the police, but it isn't just one incident. They might just think, oh well some Irish people in a pub had a misunderstanding when he tells them he will pay the money back. You need to insist on them doing something about it, and make sure they know he is does this everywhere. If one police officer doesn't care get their ID # and tell them you will go to another police station then.
It would help to speak fluent German though, which is why I think it might be an idea to find someone to come along with you.

Well, maybe we could go to the police together, it could be more impressive that way, and I'm german.

Edit:
My Father just told me that he talked with Robbie about Mark Hannon, our contact person with Guinness, and that he knew him.
(He said that he couldn't have made it up, since he said some things that seemed like he really has to have met him)

If you don't think it's escalating things too far you might tell the Bundeskriminalamt about him. Since he has pulled this stunt in various states getting the Feds involved could further the investigation.

...or simply met someone who knows Mark Hannon personally ;-)

This guy is smart, and sure he met a whole lot of people. But he exaggerates everything to make it suits his stories.

Can someone please try and snap a picture of this guy?

Has his approximate age been posted? And has he been involved in coaching youth hurling teams? Because a Google Image search for Robbie Boland brings back the attached photo of the Irish Under-16 Hurling League Champions 2004:



The guy circled is called "Robbie Boland", although it could just be a namesake of course. From the photo he looks to be late-forties or early-fifties.

Curiously, the guy to his left reminds me a bit of FrenchBloke.

After reading this thread, I think Robbie believes everything he says. I think he is a sick puppy. Luckily, a harmless one. So far.

How many sober people have offered him lodging and drink?

This is exciting. You just can't make this stuff up.

The Fruit

I guess that depends on how harmless you find theft.

Sure he hasn't physically hurt anyone, but his behavior is crappy nonetheless and he shouldn't get away with it.

@ Editor Bob: That is definitely not the Robbie Boland we are talking about here. The guy in question ist presumably in his thirties, rather skinny, and has a few remarkably bad teeth. He claims to be from Limerick, which -- judging from his accent -- could be true (at least something, hehe! Obviously untrue is his claim to own the Durty Nelly's in Bunratty).

I have already asked some regulars in our Pub (and also published an enquiry on the website of the pub) whether anyone has taken a photo of the guy while he was in Nuremberg. Negative so far... Should I receive a photo, I will post it of course.

@ fraufruit: Instrument theft is anything but harmless. Sorry, but I would dare to call your standards for harmlessness somewhat peculiar. And it does not make any practical difference whether he is a sick psychopath or an extremely sober and deliberate shark. Having met him personally I strongy assume the latter btw.

The poor guy just sounds pretty desperate and unstable. If here were truly dishonest he would have robbed the homes of those he stayed in and done a lot more than merely drinking beer and kipping on a sofa!

Can any of these claims be backed up? I feel kinda nervous on your behalf that Robbie Boland (the one who allegedly conned you and/or the one who's picture you posted on here) could sue the site owner for libel.

"Truly Dishonest"? As opposed to what?
Well hey man, just because I stole some stuff from my host doesn't mean I am truly dishonest. I am just into recreational dishonesty.
Tip: Hone your morality.
Take care,
space

Admittedly I didn't read the entire thread. What stuff did this person steal from his host exactly? I got the impression he just drank a lot of beer and got a free bed for a night or two but I may well have missed some other details..

Space do you know this guy??? I'm just wondering are you him?

Perhaps read the thread before you comment then. He stole guitars. It's a small detail which you may have missed by not reading.


[adminabuse]Another fucking idiot. [/adminabuse]Which bit of stealing seems harmless to you? As to your other sentence, what, you think people running bars are drunk? Read...what...was...written.

Time to call in Interpol then

No, not quite, [adminabuse]idiot, [/adminabuse]but definitely a serious twat who hopefully will be caught soon.

Those reiterating comments that tend to excuse repeated wrongdoing start getting on my nerves. Which limits does that guy have to exceed before some are eventually willing to admit that he is a conman?

No, he's far too busy doing things like this.

Conman is too gentle a term, Hilu. The little fuck is a liar and a thief. The first person to kick thirteen shades of shite out of him gains my eternal respect. You cheat, lie and steal you deserve what you get.

Surely violence is worse than cheating/stealing?

I've read the thread now. It seems the main reason Robbie got access was because people thought he was 'famous,' although as it turns out he is only famous for being a con artist. Why should fame make somebody trustworthy though? If somebody arrived at my door and claimed they had performed with the Spice Girls or Destiny's Child, it would not make me invite them to stay in my home and drink my booze.

I think this Robbie Boland is abusing the hospitality of pub owners. From what I know it is quite common for this to happen (a pub owner offering free drinks in exchange for him to play), except normally the musicians do not steal guitars and do not call 0190 numbers on the pub owner's bill.
He is abusing a tradition and that is really sad, because it is people like him who will essentially kill off this tradition because pub owners won't know who is trustworthy anymore.
Furthermore, just because someone trusts you does not give you the right to abuse that trust.

Of course violence is worse than stealing, but would you tell someone who was just beaten up and had several broken bones that surely being killed is worse than being beaten up?

To jgmooh, perhaps that's you. Other people seem to give individuals the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunatley they occasionally get fucked over. The fact remains, this person is a liar and a thief. If you wish to argue that fact, so be it. As to violence, personally I feel that this little shit deserves a good kicking. If that's worse than lying and stealing in your opinion then so be it, I care not a jot.

Strange idea. If he were famous, people would know him. He just appears to be a friendly and honest person who through no fault of his own got into trouble. Takes a while to find out that he is everything but honest and gets other people into trouble.

I agree that this man sounds like a c**t. I do not condone violence though. If you really did give him a good kicking then that makes you at least as bad as him. What will you be saying next, that it is ok to anally rape him since he's acted like such a bastard? The decent thing to do is to turn him over to the cops.

Are you sure you read the thread?

Not really into the anal rape thing myself. "Not my bag, baby", as Mr. Powers would say. Sure, it would be nice if the establishment would deal with him and ultimately I hope they do but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be happening at the moment. That said, I wouldn't shed any tears if I heard that he'd had a smack or two either. Does that make me as bad as him, perhaps. I can live with that.

I have read the entire thread and I just don't see what he's done as being very serious crime. I'm not surprised that the police aren't taking it all that seriously. Unless they were to catch him with the guitar(s) in his possession, it's hard to even prove he ever stole any guitar. And the drinking free beer and running up phone bills stuff is bad form on his part but it's hardly something the cops are really going to care much about. .

This chap is obviously somebody to be avoided in future.

I actually feel slightly sorry for him because I think he's probably totally bonkers. No one in their right mind would want to live a life on the run, bouncing from place to place and ripping people off. I cannot imagine anything more guilt-inducing, demoralizing and frightening. He needs therapy probably.

@ gmooh: Again, he is not "totally bonkers", he is just a pretty smart fuck who found a way to live on others' expenses. And he is smart enough not to rob anybody's house, because he knows that his extended holiday tour would soon be over once he does that. Hey, he knows exactly how far to push the envelope. No reason to feel sorry for him.

This is what we are talking about: §263 Strafgesetzbuch




If you take a look at this thread you will see that Robbie makes claims that are not supported by facts (misrepresentation) and infringes on others' property (0190 phone calls, free drink/food/board) and acts repeatedly in the same matter. If you who are damaged get together and give the Landeskriminalamt in Baden-Württemberg (where he committed these offenses) details of each offense chances are the machinery will creak into action.
Robbie, if arrested and charged, will be subject to mental evaluation and may get extenuating circumstances but he is committing serial crimes - not to mention his having stolen a guitar.

Thanks, sarabyrd. Hope this will put the some tangled moral concepts right.

hilu, I did not put that up as a lesson in morals - morals and justice don't always see eye to eye. I do think, however, that everyone should understand the German definition of fraud and its consequences.

But why would somebody want to live like that unless they were bonkers? Sane people generally prefer not to be on the run from the police and to have an income that doesn't involve stealing second-hand guitars.

Because it's easier than holding a steady job, paying for an apartment and providing your own food and drink?

Perhaps I am putting too personal a spin on it but I tried to imagine myself roaming from pub to pub, coming out with tired lies about being in need and stealing people's guitars and dialing premium numbers at their expense. The only circumstances under which I could imagine myself doing such a thing was if I had had a severe nervous breakdown or if I became an alcoholic or drug addict. Other than that I think such a lifestyle would bring more stress than pleasure. Which is why I felt there may be something 'wrong' in this person's head...