Neale Richmond
Question:1317. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Justice the role An Garda Síochána can play in ensuring safety on public transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2217/22]
View answerWednesday, 19 January 2022
Questions (1317)
Written answers
I fully appreciate the concerns which members of the public have with regard to anti-social behaviour and criminal activity on public transport. It is essential that the public both feel safe and are safe while making use of transport services.
As the Deputy may be aware, Garda management engages extensively with transport operators - including the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail (DART and InterCity rail) and Transdev Ireland (Luas) - to provide a high visibility presence on public transport through a coordinated approach.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a range of regional and local operations have been put in place to prevent and detect criminal activity and anti-social behaviour on public transport. For example, Operation Twin Track was a Community Engagement and Rail Safety Policing Initiative conducted by Gardaí in partnership with other public transportation stakeholders, with the purpose of providing high visibility policing of rail and light rail transport within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) and nationwide, and to deliver crime prevention advice.
A multi-agency review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of this operation and it was agreed that An Garda Síochána will continue to proactively engage with public transportation stakeholders and providers to conduct further similar operations.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that each Chief Superintendent in Dublin has put in place a dedicated policing plan to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport. Gardaí are conducting both overt and covert patrols of various public transport networks to address incidents of anti-social behaviour or any other offences.
A number of operations have taken place across the DMR, including during the Halloween period in 2021, involving high visibility patrols of public transport on Dublin Bus, LUAS and DART services to prevent and detect incidents of anti-social behaviour. This includes ensuring the security and safety of Irish Rail staff and passengers, preventing criminal damage to trains by graffiti, and identifying and prosecuting offenders engaged in defacing trains.