Loutish behaviour on train service

July 2009

Wicklow train commuters are being terrorised by a group of men who threaten fellow passengers and use drugs while travelling on the Dublin to Gorey service.

Three to five men board the 4.40 p.m. train from Dublin at least two to three times a week and their loutish behaviour has led to other commuters fearing for their safety.

The group embark at a station in County Wicklow and allegations have been made that they threatened one old lady, stabbed a man with a needle and verbally abuse fellow passengers.

Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny says they will be targeting enhanced security resources to this train to ensure that customers are not intimidated or made feel uncomfortable by the group.

One regular Wicklow commuter, who doesn’t want to be named, says the ‘disgusting behaviour’ is getting totally out of hand.

‘Just recently they were calling one another to come to the toilets if they wanted “some”. It’s not unusual for them to openly discuss what drugs they have on them and to discuss going to the toilets in order to use their drugs. This can last anywhere between ten minutes to half an hour in the toilet.’

On one occasion, a passenger became fed up with the constant swearing, verbal abuse and intimidating behaviour and decided to leave the train carriage.

‘ The group started hurling all sorts of abuse at him and one individual followed the man and threatened to break his back.’