‘It’s time for Gardai to be introduced on train line’

Irish Rail are coming under increased pressure to introduce security on the Sligo to Dublin train line following further incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Just last week, Irish Rail told The Sligo Champion that security personnel would not be introduced on the train line from the capital.

Days later, it was reported that Gardai were called to the train at Boyle after a fire was allegedly lit on board a train travelling from the capital to Sligo in front of horrified passengers.

The individual was subsequently arrested at Boyle train station.

Marc Mac Sharry TD, Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Transport, Tourism, and Sport said: “The reports of what happened on the 19.00 hours Sligo/Dublin train service yesterday are shocking.

“It was a traumatic experience for all involved in that carriage. Fortunately, I understand no one was hurt and credit to Irish Rail staff who helped customers leave the carriage, then extinguish the fire and lock the carriage in question.

“The Gardaí removed an individual from the train at Boyle and they are dealing with the matter.

“However, this brings up the wider question of security on our public transport services, and in particular, rail services which seems to bear the brunt of anti-social behaviour.”

Deputy MacSharry says it is time for Gardai to be introduced on the line to combat this sort of behaviour.

“Perhaps it is time that Garda and Irish Rail look toward introducing Gardai onto public transport services. This should be tried on a pilot basis and effectiveness assessed as a temporary solution in the short term.

“Fianna Fáil has given a clear commitment to establish a specific public transport police section within An Garda Síochána if necessary.

“What happened last night on the Sligo/Dublin train is not an isolated incident.

“We will continue to put pressure on Minister Ross until he realises the full extent of the fear and worry caused by anti-social behaviour on public transport across Ireland.

“A zero-tolerance approach must be taken to target the culprits of anti-social behaviour and deter these incidents from persistently occurring on our public transport services,” added Deputy Mac Sharry.

Fine Gael Senator Frank Feighan expressed his concerns over these sort of incidents in the Seanad last week.

“I made it very clear to Minister Ciaran Cannon, who was representing Transport Minister Shane Ross during the Seanad debate last week, that

Irish Rail’s top priority must be the protection and health and safety of its passengers.

“I am very disappointed to say that the incidence of anti-social behaviour appears to be on the increase on many of our train routes, including the Sligo-Dublin line.

“According to figures recently obtained by the Longford Leader newspaper under a Freedom of Information request, 86 alleged incidents of anti-social behaviour occurred on the Sligo- Connolly Dublin network over the last two years. That equates on average to two incidents on the line a week. That’s unacceptable by any measure.

“Unfortunately, we have also learned of incidents of anti-social behaviour on the Sligo-Dublin line in the last week or so. Clearly, this is an intolerable situation and it begs the question as to what exactly Irish Rail are doing to combat this thuggish behaviour, whether it be on the Sligo line or any other network.

“We simply cannot have a situation where decent, law-abiding people are paying good money for rail fares only to be terrorised when they get on board.

“I would certainly join the calls for additional measures to deal with the scourge of disruptive passengers. Minister Cannon informed me that a Community Gardai will be assigned responsibility for liaison with transport providers’ local site managers in identified ‘ hot spots’.

“Certainly, it is one step in the battle to protect our rail passengers from this appalling behaviour.

“Irish Rail has also increased their spend on security to €4.7m this year, a €600,000 increase from 2017.

“This has included security on board and at stations along with CCTV on trains and at stations but the question is can more be done to tackle the problem? I will continue to keep this issue at the top of the agenda.”