Irish Rail has increased the number of security patrols amid an “absolutely shocking” increase in violence and drug taking on board. 

 Last year, 1,150 complaints of antisocial or illegal behaviour were sent to the Irish Rail's text service, with passengers complaining of open drug taking, a dog urinating in a carriage and even knives being brandished on one occasion. 

Less seriously, passengers also complained repeatedly about people putting their feet up on the seats and playing music out loud on their phones. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Rail Users Ireland spokesperson Mark Gleeson said things have deteriorated significantly since COVID.  

“We're also seeing a significant increase in passenger numbers and public transport record numbers last year,” he said. 

“So, a lot more people out there, a lot more people are seeing things, a lot more people are reporting issues.

“But generally since COVID, things have gotten worse.” 

Mr Gleeson continued that the problems existed “to some degree before COVID” and believes people are now able to report them much more easily than before. 

“We have this text alert system if you're in Dublin on the DART, 51444, followed by the word TRAIN, you can report an incident discreetly,” he said. 

“That's been publicised, more people are using that and the issue, really at the moment is, has the number of incidents actually increased?

“Or are we just getting a more accurate reporting of the actual number of incidents that actually have taken place?” 

Solution

Despite this, Mr Gleeson said standards of behaviour are still “absolutely shocking”. 

“I think the challenge we're facing here is we don't have a transport police,” he argued. 

“Irish Rail has, to its credit, significantly increased the number of security patrols out there. 

“They've opened up a new security base in Dún Laoghaire, where they can task staff from quicker - which helps greatly in the cover on the south of the city. 

“But there's very little of any security coverage outside of Dublin, particularly in Cork and Galway.” 

However, Mr Gleeson noted these security workers lack the powers to arrest people - something many delinquents are aware of. 

He urged the Government to set up a transport police, whose members have the power to arrest people. 

“I think ultimately it's on the Minister of Transport to address and move forward the public transport police that has been talked about for over a decade,” he suggested.

Main image: Irish Rail trains. Pictue by: Alamy