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THERE HAS BEEN AN increase in the number of reports of anti-social behaviour incidents on Irish Rail services and there are calls for “a tougher approach” to the people who are responsible for the disruption.
According to figures released to Fianna Fail justice spokesperson Jim O’ Callaghan, Irish Rail recorded 789 reports of anti-social behaviour incidents in 2018. This compared with a total in 2017 of 690 reports of anti-social behaviour.
To date this year there have been 785 reported incidents, up from 572 in the same period last year.
Across the Dart network alone, the company has recorded 210 incidents of anti-social behaviour so far this year, up from 140 over the same period in 2018.
O’Callaghan said the growing levels of anti-social behaviour on public transport “need to be urgently addressed”.
“There has been a sharp rise in the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour on public transport in recent times, which is utterly unacceptable. More needs to be done to curb this type of behaviour, particularly given the number of people who commute to work using public transport systems.”
He said those who are continuing to disrupt commuter lines with this type of behaviour “need to realise that their actions have consequences”
“We need to see a tougher approach when it comes to stamping out this type of attitude,” he said.
In a response to questions from O’Callahan, Irish Rail’s CHief Executive Jim Meade said as well as an underlying increasing trend, there is also “greater awareness of reporting of the issues” among employees and customers.
“While the overwhelming majority of the 48 million journeys made annually on the company’s services occur without incident, the company is concerned at the worsening trend, and has undertaken a range of measures and proposes further measures to address this,” he said.
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I think there’s a need to stop anti social behaviour everywhere – public transport, in our housing estates, on the streets, in our parks everywhere! The lower end of society is walking around creating havoc with impunity and why wouldn’t they there are no consequences. Parents of problem juveniles unaccountable.
@Thomas Meaney: it’s not just the ‘lower end’ of society, I’ve seen grown men in business suits engaging in anti-social behavior
@Thomas Meaney: but then you have to invest in society and neither politicians, nor the general public are willing to do so.
@Vocal Outrage: They prob arent throwing bricks at people waiting for trains or randomly attacking commuters to be fair.
@Vocal Outrage: this is exactly the problem.people who get on there high horse everytime anybody opens there mouth..30 young people in business suits are causing havoc on public transport ,some are of a slightly different color ,white,am I allowed say white,they are upsetting people in tracksuit s,hoodies,and trainers..some of these are white too..maybe guards with a duster should tickle them all.and call their parents,and they will be grounded..wake up for gods sake..
@Vocal Outrage: Clothes does not make the man …
@Dian: do not
@Dian: manners maketh man
@Vocal Outrage: It is mainly people from lower class backgrounds. A lot of them very young, running rampant on the streets because their parents just don’t give a damn. The guards don’t seem to do much either. Just this week I was harrased on the dart and my colleague was slapped on the luas. It’s getting worse.
@Stephanie Fitzgerald: “lower class backgrounds “! Could you be any more snobby?
Just say “poor people” like you really mean.
@john doe: as someone who grew up in a council estate am I not allowed to say lower class backgrounds? Would lower socio-economic backgrounds suit you better?
@Vocal Outrage: i saw that in the joker movie too
@Stephanie Fitzgerald: Lower class backgrounds, There is never problems in the better areas.
Grow up.
It is all across the transport network. Different types of issues but still issues caused by all kinds of people.
@Stephanie Fitzgerald: “poorer socioeconomic groups” would suit better.
We are all born equal, there is no higher and lower classes of people. It is unhelpful language that suggests some have less worth than others.
@john doe: there’s no such thing as poor people in Ireland. There are people who have less than others. Those that have less money are looked after by the state have free houses free electric free rent free medical care free wages. That’s not a poor person.
@Vocal Outrage: yes their called fianna fail and fianna gael !
@Thomas Meaney: in comparassion to a family of two highly paid professionals or even teachers and gards, that is poor. So people on higher income consider families getting by on welfare and state handouts poor. Because they own far less assets.
Maybe some are rich in other ways
What do you expect when progressive and politically correct politics have provided us with the following.
- The naughty step generation
- School discipline has long gone and now become a thing of the past
- Identity politics – kids told they are being unfairly treated due to social class or skin colour or some three letter medical acronym
- victim culture – somebody or something else has made you behave this way
- judicial system – one of the most spineless in the world
Combine all the above and what do you expect to happen in a society.
@Greg Daniel: now now can’t be saying that. The PC mob don’t like such truths. #wellsaid
Currently no bother where I am. Maybe we should stop transport after the scroats get up, after midday sometime?
@ThatLJD: put more carriages on so people can sit down and will be less likely to damage carriages
When judges are giving suspended sentences to paedophile s what hope do we have.judges need a good kick in the hole in this country.
Change the laws and bring back the whip, I’d personally whip whoever burgled my home last year if I knew who it was, and their probably doing the same to someone else’s home as I speak. The laws could be changed if some minister had the balls to do it.
Not just on public transport. Anti social behaviour now goes untouched by gardai.
Galway to Dublin train 14 Aug, scrote decides to light a cigarette 1/2 hour from Heuston. Made the mistake of asking him politely not to smoke and received a torrent of abuse and threats of violence. Families sitting nearby moved out of discomfort.
Texted the Irish Rail number for antisocial behaviour and got a standard reply to call 999 if the matter was “serious”. Only two staff on board: driver & food trolley guy.
After we disembarked Irish Rail replied saying they would “look into it”.
Ow many security personnel do Irish rail employ ? Not enough I bet.
@Martin Sinnott: take a left from the UK they have a dedicated force dealing with this problem, BTP, British Transport Police
@Martin Sinnott: irish rail staff and security can do little. If you put a hand on a passanger would be considered an assault and don’t expect the company to back you up in court.
Lots of good words and very little done. Is a matter of time that something really bad happens, then it will be too late. But more good words and intentions will pour. Meanwhile garda is a ghost force you see nowhere when they are needed.
Putting staff in stations while trains are running would be a start.
Spare a thought for Taxi men who ferry passengers to areas that are far from any form of backup or assistance if the passengers become violent and try rob them .
Did nobody follow up and ask him what this “range of measures” actually was???
Jim O’ Callaghan says there is an increasing level of anti-social behavior on public transport. Jim has not said how he intends to fix it?
@Mary’s Abbey: because he doesnt intend to ‘fix it’ irish politicians never fix anything -they jst kick the problem down the road and leave it for someone else to deal with later
It’s not just public transport.. it’s everywhere
Get the traffic corps on the case.
have your say