Garda crackdown 'anti-social behaviour' crime on trains through Laois as parties back new transport police proposal

A day of action is underway on trains through Laois as Gardaí partner with Iarnród Éireann, Transdev Ireland (Luas) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Gardaí in several counties are to the fore on Thursday, November 6 as part of Operation Twin Tracks which gardaí say aims to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour on board public transport services.

With calls growing for a dedicated public transport police service, Gardaí say they will be conducting high visibility, proactive patrols on several Intercity Iarnród Éireann services with the support of public transport personnel. The LUAS and DART services across the Dublin will also be targeted. 

Laois Offaly Garda Division is not part of this operation but gardaí in neighbouring counties of Kildare, Kilkenny, Carlow and Tipperary all expected to be patroling trains used by Laois people throughout the day.  

Gardaí in the Kildare/Carlow Division will be on duty on trains that travel through Laois but will stop at Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin, Athy and Carlow Stations.

The Limerick / Tipperary Garda Divisions will be deployed to trains that pass through Ballybrophy in south Laois. Some of these trains will also stop in Portarlington and Portlaoise.

Gardaí in the west and other parts of the midlands will be on duty on trains that link Galway and Mayo with Dublin some of which will stop in Portarlington.

Chief Superintendent Padraic Jones, Garda National Community Engagement said the Gardaí will be visible throughout the day.

"This day of engagement allows An Garda Síochána to maintain a visible presence on board these services while preventing and detecting anti-social behaviour. It also allows for positive engagement between An Garda Síochána, customers and public transport providers,” he said.

Anne Graham, Chief Executive, NTA said: "NTA and the transport operators work in close co-operation with An Garda Síochána on an ongoing basis to ensure that our customers feel safe and secure while using public transport. I welcome the rollout of Operation Twin Tracks as part of that effort and look forward to our continued involvement.”

Local Crime Prevention Officers and Community Policing Gardaí will also be present in Pearse Street, Connolly and Heuston stations, and a number of regional stations to engage with commuters and provide guidance on crime prevention.

SIPTU launched a costed proposal in October for a new National Public Transport Police (NPTP) with an initial pilot scheme involving 125 officers based in Dublin, Cork and Limerick. SIPTU said its ‘Travel Safe’ proposals draw on the experiences of workers, research of international best policing practices and the experience of union members employed in the Airport Police Service.

Ireland's biggest trade union says the Government should introduce laws to create a nationwide network of ‘Authorised
Officers’, similar to the Airport Police, to police public transport. Siptu wants members of the proposed force to have the power of arrest.

The Labour Party and Sinn Féin endorsed the SIPTU National Public Transport Police proposal following a meeting between politicians and members of the Respect Transport Workers campaign in Leinster House, Dublin, on November 5.

In October, security guards began operating on Dublin Bus services in response to rising incidents of anti-social behaviour. Mobile teams of security personnel have begun travelling on buses daily during afternoon, evening and night services as part of a 20-week pilot programme. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Ballybrophy Train Station.

The eight areas involved in the November 7 operation are:

Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Division
Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Manulla Junction, Foxford, Ballina, Castlebar and Westport Stations.

Galway Division
Galway, Oranmore, Athenry, Attymon, Woodlawn, Ballinsloe and South from Athenry, Craughwell, Ardrahan and Gort.

Sligo/Leitrim and Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Divisions
Sligo, Colloney, Ballymote, Boyle, Carrick on Shannon, Dromod, Longford and Edworthstown.

Kildare/Carlow Division
Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin, Athy and Carlow Stations.

Wicklow/Wexford Division
Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Rathdrum, Arklow, Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford, and Rosslare stations.

Limerick / Tipperary Divisions
Limerick, Limerick Junction, Castledonnell, Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan, Roscrea, Ballbrophy, Templemore, Thurles, Tipperary, Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick on Suir.

Cork City, North and West Divisions (2 routes)

Charleville, Mallow, Banteer, Millstreet and Rathmore Stations
Cork City, Glounthane, Cobh and Midleton Stations