National Bus and Rail Union chiefs and opposition TD’s are urging action and have called upon the Government to tackle the problems of anti-social behaviour and vandalism on public transport, by introducing a Garda Public Transport Division.
A teenager was stabbed on a train last night, on a commuter service between Killester and Harmonstown. The incident occurred on the 21:40 service from Pearse to Drogheda
A teenager was taken into custody in connection with the investigation. The NBRU say the situation has reached crisis point and want Transport Minister Shane Ross, and the Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to take immediate action.
The union wrote to both ministers today outlining their concerns, and General Secretary of the union Dermot O’Leary believes things have to change.
“The NBRU having previously corresponded with Minister Ross on this issue, have now written again to his office and that of the Minister for Justice, seeking an immediate commitment to establish a Garda Public Transport Division”
“The mood among transport workers has changed dramatically on the back of a number of recent assaults across both our Train and Bus services, whilst they were encouraged by the Minister’s initial response in early summer, they are now of the view that they may have to take their own preventative measures, inclusive of assessing service provision in particular hot spots and in areas with a high prevalence of anti-social behaviour.”
Transport police proposal needed to be expedited immediately. This incident is latest in a long list of dangerous anti-social occurrences on the DART.
Thoughts and prayers are with the victim.Man arrested after stabbing on Dart train (via @thejournal_ie) https://t.co/XJuTjVNjVS
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) October 30, 2018
Stabbing on Commuter train ‘disturbing’ – @loreillysf https://t.co/iG0rgJZlVH pic.twitter.com/AEN5OPmwf2
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) October 31, 2018
