Warning issued over rising violence after Luas tram attack in Tallaght
Siptu wants an urgent meeting with the Government over rising violent antisocial behaviour on the transport network.
It is also calling on Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien to follow through on a Fianna Fail commitment to establish a dedicated transport policing service.
It comes after a recent incident in which a Luas driver was lucky to escape injury when a 'projectile fired at high power' towards him impacted his cab window in the Tallaght area of South Dublin.
Siptu transport sector organiser John Murphy said: 'We have written to the minister twice in recent months seeking a meeting, this has yet to occur.
'Fianna Fail has committed to the establishment of a transport policing service and this must be actioned as a matter of urgency. In the last two weeks, we have seen two very serious incidents on the public transport network in Dublin involving our members.
'A Dublin Bus driver [was] threatened at gunpoint in Mountjoy Square in the north inner-city and a projectile [was] fired at high power, hitting a Luas Driver's cab in the Tallaght area.
'Both of these incidents could potentially have resulted in serious injury or worse to workers or passengers.
'Siptu's Respect Transport Workers campaign has been instrumental in bringing this unacceptable behaviour to national attention. Immediate action must be taken by the Government and the National Transport Authority to put the necessary resources into protecting staff, passengers and the vital services that our communities depend on daily.'
It is understood the incident took place at the Cookstown Luas stop in Tallaght on May 1.
Luas drivers' safety representative Marc Winters, who has been highlighting the need for a public transport police service since 2010, said the latest attack is just one of many.
He added: 'This is not an isolated incident of antisocial behaviour or threats to drivers. Drivers already have a very stressful job and they're concerned that not enough is being done to protect them.
'Recently, drivers have been confronted at toilet facilities based at the end of line. In another recent incident, a male performed a sex act behind a female driver as she drove her tram.'
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