Stabbing on Dart prompts call for special police unit
HERO rail passengers restrained a teen who had just stabbed his friend on the Dart, as they waited for gardaí to arrive.
The 18 year old stabbed his friend in the chest on a commuter train at Killester station in Dublin at 10pm on Tuesday night
The shocking incident has renewed the call from the National Bus and Rail Union for dedicated transport police on trains to protect commuters and staff.
The teen from Balbriggan has been arrested and is being held at Raheny Garda station while his 18-year-old friend was brought to Beaumont Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
A senior security source said: ‘If it hadn’t been for the passengers detaining this young man, he would have escaped. They held him at the scene until gardaí arrived.
‘There were some hero commuters on board that train and they deserve a lot of credit.’
The National Bus and Railworkers Union yesterday warned Transport Minister Shane Ross and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan of possible service disruption after the stabbing. In a letter, General Secretary Dermot O’Leary said that anti-social behaviour has reached crisis point and that it may be only a matter of time before staff are forced to review potential preventative measures.
This would include an assessment of service provision at ‘certain times and locations’. He urged ministers for an immediate commitment to set up 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,’ he said.
It is understood the 18-year-old victim and his attacker are friends. Both are known to gardaí, though not for involvement in serious criminality.
Reacting yesterday, Irish rail spokesman Barry Kenny said that following a rise in anti-social behaviour the company has increased security patrols by 35% over the last 18 months.
Labour Party Senator, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, meanwhile backed the NBRU’s call. ‘Reports of a stabbing incident underlines the need for a dedicated Transport Policing service,’ he said in a statement.