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The Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
Siptu calls for social care officers to work with transport police to help vulnerable people
SIPTU CALLS FOR specially trained social care officers to work alongside promised transport police and intervene with people who are experiencing homelessness and substance problems. Last week, Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien said a new dedicated public transport police could be in place by the end of next year , with powers of arrest and detention. O'Brien and Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan are currently working on introducing legislation to create this uniformed, security transport unit to increase public safety. Siptu representatives have welcomed the announcement – but warned that inclusion of a social care element will be 'crucial to the success' of the new force in dealing with issues on public transport. The Union have said transport staff encounter vulnerable people everyday, as public transport is becoming a space for people who have 'nowhere else to go'. Advertisement The Union's Transport Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said a new transport policing service was the key demand of their Respect Transport Workers campaign, however they also call for social care officers who can further help people causing issues on public transport. He said: 'These are specifically trained social care intervention officers to deal with those causing a public disturbance on the transport network but who are more applicable for intervention in relation to underlying issues, such as substance abuse and homelessness, rather than within a purely legal framework.' Siptu National Executive Council member and Dublin Bus worker, Stephen Millane said members of the union are encountering more cases of vulnerable people on public transport. 'Without the right services in place, transport staff are being asked to handle situations they are neither trained for nor equipped to manage,' he added. He said that while security and enforcement are crucial, it is essential that a transport policing force is 'more than just a uniformed deterrent'. Siptu National Executive Council member and Irish Rail worker, Tommy Wynne said: ''We see it every day. Our buses and trains are becoming spaces where people with complex needs end up because they have nowhere else to go.' 'As well as a force to ensure that the increasing incidents of violence and abuse on our public transport network are effectively tackled we need a compassionate response that recognises the role transport plays in wider society.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
26-06-2025
- Sunday World
Anti-social incidents on Drogheda bus service raise ‘serious concerns'
SIPTU want to meet with the Gardaí to discuss the increase in incidents Anti-social incidents on Bus Eireann's services in the Drogheda are have raised 'serious concerns', SIPTU have said. Representatives from the union are set to meet management from Bus Éireann to discuss the 'adverse impact' of anti-social behaviour following a marked increase in issues, particularly at the town's main bus depot. It comes after SIPTU members in the County Louth town raised concerns about the behaviour on late-night and early-morning services. Stock photo News in 90 Seconds - June 26th 'These incidents occur across services, but more specifically, there has been an issue resulting from gangs of youths preventing buses from leaving the depot, which has caused major delays,' SIPTU Organiser, Andrew Quigley, said. 'Last week, SIPTU wrote to the company requesting that it convene a meeting with union representatives to discuss what measures must be taken to ensure the continued operation of these vital community transport services. Mr Quigley added that while an agreement has been made to discuss the issue with management at the transport provider, they will be seeking to meet with the Gardaí. 'We will also be seeking a larger meeting of all the relevant stakeholders, including the Gardaí, service users and elected representatives. 'However, it is our members' firm belief that the issue of worsening anti-social behaviour and abuse on the public transport network necessitates the establishment of a transport policing service.' Meanwhile, SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, branded the issues as a 'crisis' as he called for a standalone transport police service. 'SIPTU has been calling for the introduction of such a service as part of our Respect Transport Workers campaign,' he said. 'The Government has accepted our case on this issue and included the creation of such a body in its Programme for Government. Our members stand ready to work with all stakeholders to make the creation of such a service a reality in as short a time frame as possible.' Mr Murphy added that services must, and will continue, to operate in all communities as they try to resolve the issue. 'We believe the engagement with stakeholders to immediately bring greater safety for workers can be done in tandem with the work necessary to establish the foundations of the new transport policing service.' Last month, Gardai carried out spot checks on Dublin Bus over the bank holiday weekend in a bid to reduce the number of anti-social behaviour incidents on the service. In 2024, there were 1,054 incidents of anti-social behaviour on Dublin Bus reported, more than doubling since 2019.
Irish Independent
18-06-2025
- Irish Independent
Threats of violence could trigger suspension of bus services in Limerick, union warns
Siptu organiser Andrew Quigley said he received numerous reports of increased levels of anti-social behaviour on Bus Éireann's route 303 service in recent days. The incidents include young people throwing stones at bus windows and workers being subjected to verbal abuse and threats of violence. Mr Quigley claimed some incidents are not being reported due to delayed responses from gardaí as a result of high levels of demand on their resources. 'Our members are raising serious concerns about their safety and well-being while operating this route,' he said. He called on Bus Éireann to hold meetings with all stakeholders, including trade unions, the local authority and gardaí, to work on eliminating the threat to passengers and workers. Siptu has written to the company to request an urgent meeting to discuss the incidents. Mr Quigley said there was serious damage to buses and endangerment of workers in recent days. 'If action is not taken to deal with what is a long term and recurring issue on this route then our members will be forced to suspend services,' he said. 'This is something they do not wish to do as they fully understand the detrimental impact which it has on the local community.' Siptu sector organiser John Murphy said the solution to a crisis of anti-social behaviour on the public transport network is the creation of a standalone transport policing service. The union has called for the introduction of this service as part of a Respect Transport Workers campaign. Mr Murphy said the Government has included this objective in its Programme for Government. 'Our members stand ready to work with all stakeholders to make the creation of such as service a reality in as short a time frame as possible,' he said. 'However, prior to this goal being achieved services must continue to operate in all communities. We believe the engagement with stakeholders to immediately bring greater safety for workers can be done in tandem with the work necessary to establish the foundations of the new transport policing service.'
Dublin Live
12-05-2025
- Dublin Live
Luas driver's lucky escape after projectile fired at him
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info 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." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Irish Daily Mirror
12-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
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.'
